Castanets
with Maika Jimenez Blanco
Course Description
Sevillanas Course
Join Maika, an experienced Flamenco and Spanish dance teacher, for a fun and inspiring journey into the beautiful tradition of Sevillanas. These classes focus on developing technique, coordination, rhythm, style, and expression while building confidence and enjoyment in dancing all four coplas.
Sevillanas is danced at celebrations and fiestas throughout Spain, and students often have the opportunity to put their learning into practice at Spanish parties and cultural events in London, where Maika and her students come together to celebrate and dance.
Expect a lively, friendly, and supportive atmosphere as you work on partner work, arm movements, turns, and the joyful spirit of this traditional Andalusian dance.
Whether you have some previous experience or simply wish to continue learning and enjoying Flamenco, these classes offer the perfect opportunity to keep dancing with heart, rhythm, and olé!
Castanets Course
Discover the expressive sound of castanets and develop your technique, rhythm and coordination in this welcoming five-week course.
We will explore how to hold and play the castanets, produce clear sounds and build rhythmic patterns, gradually bringing both hands together with greater fluency and confidence. You will also learn to play castanets to accompany Sevillanas, building the patterns step by step and bringing them together with the music.
We will introduce arm movements and simple movement sequences, connecting the music we create with our bodies.
With step-by-step guidance and exercises adapted to different levels, this course welcomes beginners and those wishing to strengthen their foundations. A joyful opportunity to explore a traditional instrument and add a new dimension to your dancing.
Please find the code of conduct here.
Biography
Maika is a flamenco and Spanish dance teacher with more than 17 years of experience, teaching adults and children in Spain, the United States of America, Mexico, Canada, and the UK. She also led flamenco classes at Rey Juan Carlos University from 2013 to 2018.
Born and raised in Madrid (Spain), she began studying ballet and Spanish dance at the tender age of nine.
Maika studied at Karen Taft Dance Academy and Flamenco Centre “Amor de Dios”, majoring in Spanish Dance at the Conservatory of Dance in Madrid. In 2003, she was awarded a certificate in Teaching Methodology Applied to Spanish Dance and then focused her career on dance education. Maika has continued her professional training alongside teachers including Antonio Canales, La Lupi, Alfonso Losa, María Juncal, and Rojas y Rodriguez.
Maika co-founded the company Spanish Flamenco Tour, based in Miami (USA), a business dedicated to promoting flamenco and Spanish culture, to a local audience. Adding more strings to her bow, Maika embarked on a Master´s Degree in Leadership and Management of Cultural Projects at the Institute of Dance “Alicia Alonso”, Rey Juan Carlos University. Her final master’s project was based on the promotion of Spanish dance, and receiving a First-Class Degree.
