Our Mission

United Flamenco Arts Society’s mission is to honor and advance the flamenco art form by uniting a global community of students, enthusiasts, rising artists, and professionals, empowering them to reach their full potential through innovative education, creation and performance. 

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT

Flamenco is more than just steps and music; it’s a rich culture and a powerful medium for expression. At United Flamenco, both our teaching and performance are grounded in the values we hold dear.

United Flamenco Arts Society embraces the inherent diversity of our art form and welcomes anyone with a genuine passion for music, dance, and cultural expression. We commit to fighting against all forms of oppression, discrimination, inequity, and injustice to ensure a safe, supportive, and empowering community for all. 

Flamenco is not just a performance art; it is a vibrant, living community that transcends music, dance, and singing. It brings people together across cultures and continents, fostering a deep sense of belonging and human connection. Sharing in the flamenco experience goes beyond the stage, creating a unifying bond between practitioners and appreciators alike.

Flamenco is too multifaceted to be neatly contained in a box, and its beauty lies in its vastness—countless styles, regional traditions, and the ever-evolving creativity of personal interpretations. This richness makes flamenco captivating and dynamic. Embracing diversity means respecting the myriad expressions that enrich flamenco’s culture and possibilities while resisting homogenizing forces that erode the uniqueness of these myriad forms.

Flamenco mastery isn’t a destination to be reached but a lifelong journey of exploration. There are no shortcuts or magic formulas. It’s about the dedication you bring to each practice session, the patience you cultivate as you refine your skills, and the joy you find in the continuous learning process.

Flamenco encourages each artist to explore their own voice and interpret the art form in a way that resonates with them. It is a path for personal growth and self-discovery, empowering students and artists to unlock their unique potential.

While having guides, mentors, and a supportive community is valuable, we aim to empower the artists and students who work with us to become autonomous in their practice and work as soon as possible. Understanding what you want, what you need, and how to pursue it independently is also part of the process. It’s essential to remember that you need not constantly seek ‘the supreme authority’ or take classes for a lifetime!

Flamenco encompasses music, dance, singing, and poetry, all deeply rooted in rich cultural and historical contexts. Learning it must be a meaningful experience that considers all these aspects. Integrated learning, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of knowledge and skills; meaningful practice that reveals the ‘why’ behind the ‘how’; a coherent curriculum where each experience builds upon the last; a system where every new element finds its place and function; and knowledge in action through practical skills development—these are the essential pillars of the education we strive to provide.

Simplexity, or Complexity Made Accessible, should be paramount in flamenco. This art form is inherently complex, but oversimplification fails to capture its true essence and does not do it justice. Teaching and transmitting flamenco should employ methods that remain clear and engaging, making it accessible to all learners while respecting its complexity.

Self-awareness is key to unlocking your inner flamenco artist! With the right guidance and effort, anyone can enhance their flamenco skills, no matter their starting point. Understanding your strengths and weaknesses will help you focus your practice and achieve your flamenco goals. We emphasize the importance of smart learning and dedicated practice over relying on vague concepts like talent or inspiration.

Flamenco’s transmission is steeped in oral tradition. However, while the so-called traditional methods have undoubtedly passed down the art form for generations, it’s crucial to continuously evaluate their effectiveness.

Our commitment to artistic integrity and pedagogical excellence ensures that learners receive the highest quality instruction. This empowers them to master both the techniques and language of flamenco and to develop into exceptional teachers themselves, contributing to the art form’s ongoing legacy.

Flamenco is often shrouded in romanticized stories and sempiternal misconceptions. We aim to move beyond these myth-like narratives that can hinder learning. Such stories often create a sense of “unachievability” and suggest that flamenco requires a magical spark you either have or don’t. But don’t be mistaken—you have that spark!

“We believe in questioning tradition and constantly seeking new paths to deepen our understanding and appreciation of flamenco.”

Rethinking Flamenco Education for the Modern Learner

Flamenco’s transmission is steeped in oral tradition. However, while the so-called traditional methods have undoubtedly passed down the art form for generations, it’s crucial to continuously evaluate their effectiveness.

The usual “do as I show” method in flamenco teaching, while having its merits, can have limitations that hinder accessibility and deeper understanding. For instance, it does not take into account individual differences in body mechanics, learning pace, physical and psychological characteristics, cultural origin or musical background and an infinite number of parameters that make us unique. This can make it difficult for students to personalize their process and reach their full potential.

Also, we all have preferred learning styles. Some of us learn best by seeing (visual learners), others by hearing (auditory learners), and still others by doing (kinesthetic learners). While traditional flamenco instruction often relies heavily on imitation (mimetic learning), this approach can leave many adult learners feeling frustrated and disengaged.

Simply mimicking skills creates a passive learning environment in which students don’t develop a deep understanding of the flamenco rhythms, musicality, forms, interactive and improvisational language, and the deep emotional expression that lies at the heart of this art form. Such approach can discourage students from exploring their own creativity and personal expression within the framework of flamenco.

At United Flamenco, we believe in fostering a dynamic learning environment that caters to diverse learning styles, questioning the status quo and exploring innovative approaches to enhance the learning experience for all. We believe flamenco education needs to evolve to empower a new generation of artists and inspire a wider audience.

See yourself reflected in our values?

Support our mission! Together, we can make a lasting impact on the future of flamenco. United Flamenco is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We rely on the generosity of our community to thrive. Discover how you can be a part of it!

Donate Now!

Financial contributions: Every donation helps us develop our projects.

Volunteer your skills: We’re always looking for passionate individuals to support us in areas like social media management, video editing, administrative tasks, grant writing, graphic design, build a dance floor, or whatever comes to mind!

Donate materials: Do you have a sound system gathering dust? A flamenco skirt that doesn’t fit anymore? Instruments collecting cobwebs? We accept donations of gently used flamenco-related equipment and clothing. Your pre-loved treasures can become valuable resources for someone in our community!

Host an event, an immersive residency, a workshop: Perhaps you have a venue, a studio, a performing arts center, and would like to host a concert, a tablao evening, one of our residencies or a flamenco workshop. Contact us!

We will be eternally and infinitely grateful to you!