Dance Classes

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The 8–week SPRING 2023 session of IN-PERSON CLASSES begins on APRIL 6 and goes through JUNE 1. There is no class on Thursday, April 20.

• Thursdays, 6:30 -7:30 PM. Beginning Technique and Sevillanas: Class will begin with a slow warmup, then we will focus on basic marking technique (marcaje), including arms and posture, footwork (taconeo), and basic movement patterns for 4-count and 12-count rhythms. Students will learn how to listen to and interpret the music and singing and cultivate expression. To help us study rhythm, we will also practice palmas (clapping the rhythm) and I will provide handouts for self study. Some classes may have live guitar. This class is appropriate for new and continuing beginners. 

• Thursdays, 7:30-8:30 PM. Intermediate Technique & Choreography: Tientos and Bulerías This class is appropriate for continuing beginners (one year weekly class experience minimum) to intermediate level. Each class begins with a full body stretch, followed by body and footwork technique and choreography. We will explore the basic structure of the flamenco dance forms (palos) and how to dance to singing (cante). Some classes may have live guitar accompaniment.

  NOTE: Classes will run if there is a minimum of three pre-paid students per class. Otherwise, the session will be canceled. Thank you for understanding.

• LOCATION: Chapel Theater Annex, 4107 SE Harrison St., Milwaukie, OR. https://chapeltheatremilwaukie.com/ 

• COST: $15 per single class when paid in full by the month (e.g. 4 classes for $60). $20 to drop in.
• PAYMENT: Cash, check (made to Elena Villa), Venmo (use the handle @Elena-Villa-85), or PayPal (pay to elena_vll@yahoo.com) or click here on my PayPal link.

• Safety measures: Class size is limited to 10 students; face masks are no longer required in the building but ALL students must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Attendees are encouraged to maintain social distance. Thanks so much!

• What to wear: Basic, comfortable "workout clothing" is fine , such as a leotard, tank top, or t-shirt, leggings or yoga pants, an optional long skirt (there are great online options for purchasing flamenco practice skirts), and hard-soled shoes. Flamenco is a percussive dance form in which dancers create and respond to rhythms with their feet. There are many options for flamenco shoes with varying heel sizes. This website has a nice introduction to flamenco shoes with links to places to purchase shoes online. Do not hesitate to ask for my advice on shoes and skirts.

• Contact me via email at elenamvilla5@gmail.com to register.

*I am also currently offering one-on-one private lessons in my home studio for fully vaccinated students. Lessons can be 30 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the student's preference.

The FALL 2022 session of IN-PERSON CLASSES begins on SEPTEMBER 1 and goes through DECEMBER 1. There is no class on Sept. 8 and Nov. 24.

• Thursdays, 6:30 -7:30 PM. Beginning Technique & Choreography: Tangos flamencos & Sevillanas – Class will begin with a slow warmup, then we will focus on basic marking technique (marcaje), including arms and posture, footwork (taconeo), and basic choreography. Students will learn how to listen to and interpret the music and singing and cultivate expression. To help us study rhythm, we will also practice palmas (clapping the rhythm) and I will provide handouts for self study. Some classes will have live guitar. Listen to tangos flamencos. Watch and listen to las Sevillanas. This class is appropriate for new and continuing beginners. 

• Thursdays, 7:30-8:30 PM. Intermediate Technique & Choreography: Tientos – The tientos is a deeper 4-count rhythm akin to the blues. It is sad and soulful. We will focus on how to dance a baile por Tientos, using a choreography as a model. Students will learn how to interpret the letras (sung verses), as well as dancing to falsetas (guitar melodies) and doing escobillas (footwork sections). This class is appropriate for continuing beginners to intermediate level. Listen to tientos.

• LOCATION: Chapel Theater Annex, 4107 SE Harrison St., Milwaukie, OR. https://chapeltheatremilwaukie.com/ 

• COST: $15 per class paid in full by the month (e.g. 4 classes for $60). 
• PAYMENT: Cash, check (made to Elena Villa), or PayPal (pay to elena_vll@yahoo.com) or click here on my PayPal link.

• Safety measures: Class size is limited to 8 students; face masks are no longer required in the building but ALL students must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Attendees are encouraged to wash hands on arrival and maintain social distance. Thanks so much!

• What to wear: Basic, comfortable "workout clothing" is fine , such as a leotard, tank top, or t-shirt, leggings or yoga pants, an optional long skirt (there are great online options for purchasing flamenco practice skirts), and hard-soled shoes. Flamenco is a percussive dance form in which dancers create and respond to rhythms with their feet. There are many options for flamenco shoes with varying heel sizes. This website has a nice introduction to flamenco shoes with links to places to purchase shoes online. Do not hesitate to ask for my advice on shoes and skirts.

• Contact me via email at elenamvilla5@gmail.com to register.

*I am also currently offering one-on-one private lessons in my home studio for fully vaccinated students. Lessons can be 30 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the student's preferen

10-Week Flamenco Dance Series with ELENA VILLA 

January 9–March 12, 2020 

- THURSDAYS @ 6:30pm – LEVEL 1  PRE-CHOREOGRAPHY PREPARATION. This Beginning Flamenco class will help prepare students to learn the choreography in the 7:30pm class. However, this is also a stand alone class that will focus on technique and drills:  arm & hand technique, basic footwork, body expression, and coordination exercises. Great for building your flamenco dance foundation and for preparing to learn choreography.  

- THURSDAYS @ 7:30pm – Levels 1 & 2: Choreography: "Rumba flamenca con abanico" (Rumba flamenca with Spanish fan). Mixed level–continuing beginner–intermediate levels welcome.  One of the ida y vuelta or "roundtrip" forms, rumba is a 4-count rhythm with roots in Cuba. We will work on pasos (steps), marcajes (marking patterns), Spanish fan technique, and taconeo (footwork) that express the feeling and form of this infectious rhythm as we learn my original choreography. The music is a favorite Spanish classical guitar piece, "Capricho árabe" by Francisco Tárrega, adapted "por rumba" by flamenco guitarist, Chuscales.

VENUE: Prism House (in the Day Theater and Arts Building)  5516 SE Foster Rd., Portland, OR. Upstairs in the Prism Room.  

PAYMENT: Cash, check (made to Elena Villa), or PayPal (pay to elena_vll@yahoo.com) or click here: https://paypal.me/ElenaVilla.

8-WEEK FLAMENCO DANCE SERIES with ELENA VILLA
Thursday nights. Starts September 26, 2019.
Class dates: 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/21, 12/5.

- THURSDAYS @ 6:30pm – Beginning Flamenco Technique & Drills. New beginners welcome! Includes overview of 4- and 12-count rhythms, arm & hand technique, basic footwork, body expression, and coordination exercises. Great for building your flamenco dance foundation and for preparing to learn choreography.

- THURSDAYS @ 7:30pm – Levels 1 & 2: Technique & Choreography: "Rumba flamenca con abanico". Mixed level–continuing beginner–intermediate levels welcome.  One of the ida y vuelta or "roundtrip" forms, rumba is a 4-count rhythm with roots in Cuba. We will work on pasos (steps) and marcajes (marking patterns) that express the feeling and form of this infectious rhythm as we learn my original choreography to a favorite Spanish classical guitar piece, "Capricho árabe" by Francisco Tárrega, adapted "por rumba" by flamenco guitarist, Chuscales. 

Chapel Theater (Annex building), 4107 SE Harrison St., Milwaukie, OR. https://chapeltheatremilwaukie.com/ 

"I highly recommend Elena as a teacher! She not only teaches the basics of belly dance, but she infuses cultural, historical, performance, and musical elements into her classes to create a well-rounded dancer. I have studied with dozens of teachers in this art form, and Elena is among the best. Whether you are looking to simply take classes for fun, or develop yourself into a performance artist, Elena is a great resource." 

–Valerie Reynolds

“Elena’s variety of dance expertise and interpretation of music make her the most inspiring belly dance teacher I have studied with. Her fun personality and professionalism combine in a teaching style that brings out the best in each of her students. I love learning her choreographies!”

–Charlotte Atwood

“Elena's classes are the perfect blend of spiritual and physical. She taught me that beauty is not a question of size or shape, but of mastery of the body. After working with Elena, I gained grace, confidence and poise both in and out of class. She brings to every class a deep knowledge of the music, both rhythmic and cultural.” 

–Tina Sarno Cole

During the 5 years I took private belly dance lessons with Elena, my technique and musicality greatly improved. I really love her teaching style: she is organized and very knowledgeable about the Middle Eastern music, dance, and culture. She is meticulous and pays attention to detail, especially when it comes to reflecting the music through movements. I would highly encourage any dancer to study with Elena! 

–Sabrina Toro