The Introduction to Flamenco dance classes are ongoing, so beginners can join at anytime. For those with prior Flamenco dancing experience, joining an upper-level class is possible! Please speak with an Instructor.

Please wear comfortable pants and a close fitting shirt. Women do not need to wear a skirt in the beginning level class.

Flamenco shoes are an investment. We recommend trying some classes before investing in shoes. For women, wear any comfortable shoe that has a heel and a hard sole. Boots or Character shoes work well. For men, wear a dress shoe or a shoe that has a hard sole and a differentiation between the sole and the heel. If you decide to invest in shoes, we have some available at our location for purchase. Open toe shoes or sandals are not recommended.

We teach a pure, gypsy style of Flamenco that is not Classical Spanish Dance based. Our focus is on interpretation of the music, understanding of the singing and the rhythms, and improvisation. We do not teach any folkloric dances or anything with castanets.

Flamenco is challenging and complex. Students need to be patient with themselves and the learning process because unlike most dance forms where one dances to the music, in Flamenco, the dancer is the music. Because we provide percussive sounds with our feet and hands, we serve as both musician and dancer, therefore Flamenco tends to be more challenging than other dance forms—but also more rewarding.

In Spain, Flamenco is danced by all ages. From small children to the elderly, everyone can participate in the art form. Flamenco is only limited by you. We love to teach students of all ages and skill levels.

We offer the students a fun and productive environment filled with encouragement and support where their efforts can flourish. We do not permit students who are unkind to others to study at Solo Flamenco. We treat each student with care and respect, and we expect the same from our students. This studio is not the place for criticism and cruelty; it is not tolerated.

Solo Flamenco is the only "all-Flamenco" training Academy in the Northwest. Over the past 10 years, we have earned a reputation for offering the highest quality instruction by both our regular teachers and those from Spain and across North America. By focusing on the pure Flamenco forms as opposed to Classical Spanish Dance or Folkloric Dances, we can offer the student an experience in Flamenco that is as close as possible to what they can receive in Flamenco's birthplace, Jerez de la Frontera.

Students are encouraged to participate in Solo Flamenco sponsored workshops by master instructors. The workshops will enrich your Flamenco experience and give you an opportunity to see how others teach and interpret the Flamenco forms. You can also use these workshops to push yourself creatively and physically!

Solo Flamenco strives to enable the student to "dance" Flamenco, not just learn a series of steps or choreographies. We teach how to communicate with the guitarist, singer and percussionists; how to improvise, and how to express your own unique take on Flamenco through movement and sound.

Drop-in's are permitted for the Level 1, Level 1+, and Level 2 classes only. To register for any other class, please contact us.

This is the place!

A
Aficionado/a: connoisseur, fan, non-professional performer. Alegrías: joy or happiness, a popular song/dance form in 12/8 time.
Andalucía: the region that occupies the south of Spain; made up of eight provinces. Flamenco is primarily an Andalucian phenomenon.

B
Bailaor/a: male/female flamenco dancer.
Baile: dance.
Bulerías: song and dance-form in 6/8 time, most difficult and improvisational of the flamenco styles.

C
Cajon: percussive instrument similar to an empty wooden box.
Cantaor/a: flamenco singer.
Cante: song – song form.
Castañuelas: castanets.
Colombianas: flamenco style believed to have been influenced by South American rhythms.
Compás: 1. metre, the rhythmic feel of a song or dance form 2. time-signature. 3. tempo 4. rhythm 5. to be in sympathy with what is happening with the other members of a group.
Contra-tiempo: 1. counter-rhythm, 2. in music, the eighth note. 3. the up-beat.

D
Desplante: 1. portion of a dance and the accompanying music marking the end of a phrase with heel-work, 2. display.
Duende: soul or spirit.

E
Escobilla: 1. a dance step which resembles the sweeping motion of a broom, 2. a long section of footwork.

F
Falseta: a melodic variation on the flamenco guitar
Fandango: a popular song and dance form related to Sevillanas. Spanish folk dance of Andalucia, 3/4 time.

G
Gitano/a: Gypsy
Golpe: 1. related to footwork – full sole of the foot striking the floor. 2. rhythmic accentuation (guitar).

J
Jaleo: shouts of encouragement, olé! being the most common.
Juerga: a flamenco jam session or private party.

L
Letra: the lyrics of a song/verse
Llamada: a dance step to advise the guitarist of a change in a dancer’s variation.

M
Malgueñas: a free-form flamenco style (no specific compás, interpretive, and not danced) from Malaga. Descendent of the Fandango family.
Manton: embroidered silk shawl with long fringes. First known as ‘Manton de Manila’ from its origins in Manila.

P
Palmas: rhythmic hand clapping. Sordas = muted. Claras, abiertas, altas = clear, open, high.
Paseo: promenade, a dance step resembling walking; also the opening walk or entrance of bullfighters into the arena.

Pié: foot.
Pitos: finger snapping.
Planta: ball of foot (plantar).
Punta: toe of shoe.

Q
Quejío: vocal style portraying a lament or cry

R
Rasgueado: strumming techniques on the guitar. From the Spanish v. Rascar to scratch.
Remate: the end of a phrase – from the Spanish (v) to finish something (rematar).
Rumba: song, dance and guitar style in 4/4 time – originated in Cuba

S
Salida: an introductory portion of a song or dance – in song also referred to as temple or entrada.
Sevillanas: a lively and cheerful Spanish folk song and dance form in 3/4 time; from Sevilla
Siguiriyas/ Seguidillas: profound cante jondo
Soleares: a form of cante jondo, from the word soledad: solitude, privacy. It expresses deep sadness and loneliness, danced in 12/8 time.

T
Tablao: a stage or café where flamenco is performed (cabaret).
Tacón: heel of shoe.
Tangos: flamenco song and dance in 2/4 and 4/4 time.
Tarantas: free-form vocal style.
Tarantos: related to the Tarantas in key, this form is danced, in 2/4 time.
Temple: vocalization, warm-up.
Tientos: a slow form of tangos, done in 2/4, 4/4 time.
Tremolo: a rapid fluttering of a guitar tone or alternating tones

V
Vuelta: turn.
Z
Zapateado: footwork, also the name of a dance.
Zapatos: shoes

Students are to fill out the Waiver of Liability / Registration form online before participating in classes. No exceptions!

Registration is accepted on a first-come first serve basis. Classes will be closed to further enrollment once maximum capacity has been reached.

Students are to pay the tution before they take the classes. We encourge students to buy the Solo Flamenco Class Passes to save money.

You can purchase a Solo Flamenco Class Passes, save money, and not worry about monthly tuition. Why get a Class Pass? It is convenient: classes are paid in advance. The Class Passes are easy to use and maintain. Students can "re-up" their Class Passes online or at the Studio. Once you have purchased your Class Pass, simply check in with the receptionist when you arrive and that's it! Your're ready to begin dancing. We'll even email you a reminder when you have a few Passes remaining on your pass and we'll email you to let you know when your pass is a week or so away from expiration. Please see our online store for the latest prices and savings on the Solo Flamenco Class Passes! Solo Flamenco accepts Cash, Personal checks and credit cards at the Studio or via our web site.

There are no discounts or refunds for absences or missed classes.

Return check fee: $25.

Low enrollment classes may be cancelled without notice.

Please call us at 503-775-2815 or e-mail us: info@solo-flamenco.com for specific questions regarding registration or tuition payment policies.