Flamenco Dancers Visit Second Grade
Second graders were treated to a performance of Flamenco dancing by World Language Teacher Eva Power P'17 '21 and Oscar Valero P'26 '29, husband of World Language teacher Maya Torres. In their Spanish classes, second graders are learning about Spain and its geography, culture, food and music. During this unit of study, students were introduced to Flamenco music and dance. The presentation was an enriching opportunity to expose students to the music and basic steps of Flamenco, and they even had the opportunity to learn some dance moves.
Mrs. Powers is an amateur dancer who enjoys dancing because it not only connects her to her roots, but it allows her to express her femininity in a powerful way. She helped the students learn that in a live show, flamenco dancers are in control of the musicians. There are a series of calls that the dancers make with their feet to communicate to the guitarist how and what to play. She loves the dance and the benefit of the great exercise, too.
Mr. Valero is not only a professional Flamenco dancer, he is also a choreographer, singer, percussionist and teacher. Growing up in Valencia, Spain, he began studying flamenco and classical Spanish dance as a child. By the age of 17, he was already dancing professionally and was chosen to be a soloist with the Antonio Canales Flamenco Company and was the featured artist in the company’s multiple productions. He also danced in the company of Maria Pages and was featured by the most prestigious flamenco festivals in the world. In the U.S., Mr. Valero was a featured dancer at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He performed multiple seasons dancing Carmen and La Traviata in addition to performing with his own dance company. He was also a featured dancer in Pink Panther II with Steve Martin. Mr. Valero is based in San Diego now, where he performs regularly and shares his art by holding workshops for Flamenco professionals and different level classes.
La Jolla Country Day School
9490 Genesee Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-3440
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La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-3440
© 2024 La Jolla Country Day School
Privacy Policy
COVID-19 Prevention Plan
