DETAILS
DATE: Sunday 10th January 2027
TIME: 13-14
TITLE: Flamenco with an Apron Workshop
TEACHER: Maika Jimenez Blanco
LEVEL: ALL
PRICE: £15
Flamenco with an Apron Workshop
with Maika Jimenez Blanco
Biography
Maika is an accomplished flamenco and Spanish dance instructor teaching since 2006. Her passion for dance has taken her from her native Spain to the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the UK, where she has inspired students of all ages to connect with the vibrant art of flamenco. From 2013 to 2018, Maika brought her expertise to Rey Juan Carlos University, leading classes that celebrated the depth and beauty of Spanish dance.
Hailing from Madrid, Maika’s dance journey began at just nine years old with classical ballet and Spanish dance. She honed her craft at the prestigious Karen Taft Dance Academy and the renowned Flamenco Centre “Amor de Dios,” while majoring in Spanish Dance at the Conservatory of Dance in Madrid. In 2003, she earned a certificate in Teaching Methodology Applied to Spanish Dance, marking the start of her dedicated career in dance education.
Maika’s artistic development has been shaped by studying with some of the most respected names in flamenco, including Antonio Canales, La Lupi, Alfonso Losa, María Juncal, and Rojas y Rodríguez. She co-founded Spanish Flamenco Tour, a Miami-based company dedicated to promoting flamenco and Spanish culture.
In the UK, Maika founded Flamenco with Maika, a vibrant dance school and cultural initiative that celebrates the art of flamenco. Recognized by Community Catalysts as a local enterprise promoting artistic and community engagement, Flamenco with Maika adheres to the Doing It Right Standards, ensuring high-quality services and support. The recognition follows Maika’s participation in the Community Catalysts programme in Kensington & Chelsea/Westminster on 14th October 2024, where her efforts were commended for their impact on cultural enrichment and education.
Adding to her expertise, Maika completed a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management of Cultural Projects at the Institute of Dance “Alicia Alonso” (Rey Juan Carlos University), graduating with First-Class Honours for her thesis on advancing Spanish dance.
With a unique blend of tradition and innovation, Maika’s mission is to make flamenco an accessible, joyful, and empowering experience for all.
Class Description
Discover how a simple apron can become a playful and expressive flamenco accessory!
The mandil, or delantal, offers wonderful possibilities for adding movement, character and personality to flamenco, particularly in tangos and bulerías. In this masterclass, we will explore how to hold, move and shape the apron, coordinating it with our arms, footwork and rhythm.
Maika will share elements of the technique and inspiration she gained while studying with the celebrated maestra La Lupi in Jerez. La Lupi’s beautiful choreographies demonstrate the creative potential of this accessory, inspiring us to explore its possibilities through accessible exercises and a short choreographic sequence.
Expect a lively session full of musicality, expression and flamenco character!
