Students at CCS got a vibrant introduction to Spanish culture this past week when Maria Loreta from Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Company visited the school to lead a flamenco workshop.
During the session, students had a hands-on opportunity to explore the foundational techniques of this passionate art form – from the rhythmic clicking of castanets and intricate footwork to palmas (rhythmic hand clapping) and braceo (the expressive arm and hand movements that give flamenco its signature grace). The session also included some short choreography that students learned together, bringing all the elements to life.
Beyond the movement itself, Maria Loreta connected the techniques to the rich cultural history behind flamenco, tracing the diverse influences that came together to shape the art form and tying it to the broader context of Spanish language and culture.
The workshop was a natural fit for CCS's Foundational Language Early Start (FLES) program led by Katie Barba and Allison Gunning, which emphasizes experiential learning and cultural exploration to deepen students' language study. For FLES students, the workshop was a meaningful extension of their language study, connecting classroom learning to the culture behind it.
