Replacing anxiety with resilience, replacing the mirror for our computer screen. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we communicate for everyone but for us it has also changed the way we dance. We have left our mantones and shoes behind to put on our most comfortable clothes to dance away the anxiety and stress that comes with adjusting to this “new normal” as we are living in quarantine.
As one of the students of Laura Sánchez, I got used to gathering in a studio, looking at my every step in the mirror and relaying on the eyes of my teacher for any corrections. As a group we have all been thankful to adapt to this new online learning tool which comes with both challenges and benefits for each of us. Some students might struggle with technology, and some others struggle finding the right spot to move and place the computer accordingly. Others that live far are grateful to be able to assist to more classes than ever before.
Nonetheless there is one constant that has changed for all of us. And that is letting go of all the constraints that come with assisting classes in a dance studio and learning how to trust yourself and dance more freely. Without the worry of any mistake you might make or what the person next to you is doing. It becomes a more personal experience of letting your inner “duende” come out and take the lead. This self-discovery process is one of the most important things for dancers, because it enables you to find your own way to express what you want to transmit whether it is to yourself or to an audience.
Just as any self-discovery process, it is something that can’t be taught in a classroom. But having a teacher that trusts you and what you have been taught can make a huge difference. Which we had the luck to find in Laura, our teacher. She has not only brought together our Flamenco family but also made possible to continue meeting through Zoom every week. Seeing familiar faces and sharing how we are all doing in the middle of this world-wide crisis has made it easier for all of us to cope and know that we can rely on each other for support.
These online flamenco classes have also helped us maintain that sense of belonging and connecting with others.
Laura Sánchez, director and founder of LS Flamenco, states that iInitiating online classes was an unexpected and rather improvised move in order to cope with all the changes that this new pandemic has brought to our lives.
“It was very challenging at first and managing the uncertainty of this situation at a personal and professional level was difficult. I had to become an expert on Zoom and teaching online in one morning. After four weeks, uncountable Zoom meetings, several attempts, mistakes, tears, smiles but lots of joy and a heart full of love for teaching made all of this possible. As soon as I knew the Dance Complex was closing, I made a plan to record videos in the studio with three of my students and sent an invite to our First Flamenco Gathering. I was scared, anxious and full of uncertainties but I needed to continue with my classes to stay connected with my flamenco family and bring JOY to my quarantine and share it with my students. The first few weeks were very challenging but I worked more than ever, and still do, to offer the best possible experience in this new space we are all navigating.”
The first online meeting we had was on March 23 in which we tried Zoom as a new platform and discussed how the new classes will take place. We even had a virtual drink together to kick off this new adventure. Each class has gone through an adaptation process. Due to space constraints, we had to leave our mantones behind, for now, but we have made huge improvements focusing only on castañuelas. Our classes have also extended an extra 30 minutes in order to check on each other and share how our daily journeys are going, which is something we all appreciate and need.
Within this month since starting our online journey we have accomplished many new milestones in our flamenco learning experience. Also, LS Flamenco Online platform has been more active than ever with more than hundreds of visits to the online flamenco and sevillanas classes. This has brought students from other countries like Spain, Colombia, United Kingdom states like Florida, Kansas and California to be able to join us for classes.
LS Flamenco classes were featured in the Boston Globe on March 26, when many classes started transitioning into the online world. This also inspired the new Bilingual Youtube program for beginners called “My First Flamenco Steps @ HOME” in order to encourage anyone that wants to initiate in Flamenco or distract themselves during the quarantine. It has achieved 2,7k views in all our videos and 100+ subscribers so far.
No matter which level you are at or the reasons why you began dancing flamenco in the first place, you will always find something to love and appreciate from these classes to take it with you even when you are outside of class. After four years of dancing with Laura I have not only learned the basic steps and techniques of Flamenco. I have learned to love it, to be inspired by it, and to see that inspiration reflected in many other areas of my life.
I have also learned to dance for myself and enjoy the process of learning every step. To let the flamenco communicate and transmit any words or emotions as the beautiful language that it is. And most importantly I value the Flamenco family that LS Flamenco has become over the years. It has certainly been a unique experience that I carry with me during the best and worst of times. Without a doubt getting to the online classes has been challenging but it has become part of my self-care routine, and as Laura has always taught in class to “dance for you, leave whatever is going on outside and enjoy!” For all these reasons and many more dancing flamenco has turned into a therapeutic experience that has encouraged me to continue growing as the person that I am. So thank you Laura for continuing to make this possible even during these uncertain times!
Laura Sánchez also states that “none of this would have been possible without the constant support of all our students and everyone who has remained as part of our LS Flamenco family. Thank you all for that!!”
Dance flamenco online during COVID Pandemic with Laura Sánchez. Full schedule as follow:
Tuesdays 6pm: ONLINE Intro to Flamenco.
Wednesday 6pm: ONLINE Sevillanas.
Fridays 6pm : ONLINE Beginner Technique & Castañuelas.
Saturdays 10:00 am: ONLINE Fandangos Choreography Repertory.
Sundays 9:30AM Flamenco Kids:
Sundays 10:30am: ONLINE Beginner Technique & Abanico Choreo.
On Thursday at 1pm (Estern Time) she is facilitating a group of Expressive Flamenco, an emerging therapeutic dance practice in Spanish and totally free of cost.
If you want to keep up with online flamenco and sevillanas classes make sure to check out social media and Youtube channels.
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By Verónica Montserrat.
Apr 27th, 2020.
