The learning experience with Zorongo is an adventure into the physically dynamic and emotionally expressive world of Spanish dance and music. Everyone is welcome!
The Zorongo school is dedicated to teaching students the art of flamenco dance that honors the Spanish traditional art form. It which includes live flamenco guitar, stresses the structure of dances with flamenco cante (song) and encourages each student to perform basic dance techniques – taconeo (footwork), braceo (arms and upper body alignment), vueltas (turns), palmas (handclapping), and compas (rhythm structures). Each student is encouraged to share in the beauty and expressiveness of this powerful art form. Whether as a hobby, social outlet, or professional performer, our teachers are here to guide you on your flamenco journey.
Class Schedule
Class Schedule – Summer 2022
COVID-19 Policy
Zorongo Flamenco currently does not require masks in the studio. However, students are welcome to wear a mask, and Zorongo continues to supply one-time-use masks in the studio. If COVID-19 transmissions reach a high level in Hennepin County, the CDC recommends wearing a mask indoors.
Zorongo continues to require proof of vaccination (for all those eligible to be vaccinated). Proof of vaccination includes bringing a physical card or showing a digital photo of your vaccination card on the first day of your class. In addition, Zorongo will follow CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines for being fully vaccinated.
Zorongo’s Board of Directors will continue to monitor the COVID-19 status in Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis. Thank you.
Location
If you have never visited the Zorogno studio, our entrance is in the alleyway off of 37th Ave in the rear of the blue building. Street parking is available on 37th Ave and surrounding streets. Click here to view a map.
All ABILITIES FLAMENCO (In-Studio)
9:30 a.m. (60-minutes) Saturdays, June – August 2022
Instructor: Colette Illarde
Prerequisite: None
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- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
- Purchase a session or a $16 drop-in fee per class if you are unable to commit to a session.
- There are no refunds for missed classes.
- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
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Saturdays, June 4 – June 25, 2022
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- $60 for a four-class session or drop-in
- $60 for a four-class session or drop-in
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Saturdays, July 9 – July 23, 2022
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- $45 for a three-class session or drop-in
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Saturdays, July 30 – August 20, 2022
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- No class on August 13; the session is extended to Saturday, August 20.
- $45 for a three-class session, or drop-in REGISTER NOW
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This class is structured so that teenagers and adults with limited mobility, balance issues, or other (dis)abilities can participate in an authentic flamenco experience. It is also suitable for individuals with ‘Long COVID’ who are rebuilding stamina or need different adaptations from week to week. Students can participate in a seated or standing position (adaptations made).
Students are led through locomotor and non-locomotor movement combinations as they connect to flamenco music, execute choreographies, and enjoy improvisation and organic expression. Students will also do exercises using hands, arms, and upper body to increase range of motion and flexibility. The rhythm and exercises are invigorating, while games and stories keep the class fun and challenging. Students engage in a community and celebrate flamenco culture while gaining greater health and well-being.
BEGINNER FLAMENCO FUNDAMENTALS (In-Studio) *NEW*
6:00 p.m. (60-minutes) Thursdays, June – August 2022
Instructor: Susana di Palma
Prerequisite: None
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- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
- Purchase a session or a $16 drop-in fee per class if you are unable to commit to a session.
- There are no refunds for missed classes.
- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
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Thursdays, June 16 – July 7, 2022
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- $60 for a four-class session or drop-in
- The July 7 class is canceled, and a make-up class will be scheduled. Please contact Susana at susanazorongo@gmail.com for the date.
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Thursdays, July 14 – 28, 2022
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- $45 for a three-class session or drop-in
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Thursdays, August 4 – August 11, 2022
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- $32 for a two-class session, or drop-in REGISTER NOW
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This class is an introduction for students new to flamenco. It will introduce the “basics” rhythm patterns (compas) with palmas, body positioning, arm movements, footwork, and enjoyable movement patterns.
BEGINNER ONE FLAMENCO (In-Studio)
5:30 p.m. (75-minutes) Tuesdays, June – August 2022
Instructor: Christine Kozachok
Prerequisite: Beginner Flamenco Fundamentals or past Beginner One
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- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
- Purchase a session or a $16 drop-in fee per class if you are unable to commit to a session.
- There are no refunds for missed classes.
- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
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Tuesdays, June 7 – 28, 2022
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- $60 for a four-class session or drop-in
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Tuesdays, July 5 – 19, 2022
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- $45 for a three-class session or drop-in
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Tuesdays, July 26 – August 9, 2022
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- $45 for a three-class session, or drop-in REGISTER NOW
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Expand on your introduction to the elements of flamenco dance, focusing on technique – arms (braceo), footwork (taconeo), movement sequences (marcajes), and turns (vueltas). Enjoy putting your new technical skills together in a choreography. Live guitar accompaniment.
Beginner Two Flamenco (In-Studio)
10:45 a.m.(60-minutes) Saturdays, June – August 2022
Instructor: Colette Illarde
Prerequisite: Past Beginner/Intro
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- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
- Purchase a session or a $16 drop-in fee per class if you are unable to commit to a session.
- There are no refunds for missed classes.
- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
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Saturdays, June 4 – June 25, 2022
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- $60 for a four-class session or drop-in
- $60 for a four-class session or drop-in
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Saturdays, July 9 – July 23, 2022
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- $45 for a three-class session or drop-in
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Saturdays, July 30 – August 20, 2022
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- No class on August 13; the session is extended to Saturday, August 20.
- $45 for a three-class session, or drop-in REGISTER NOW
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Continuing students will build their flamenco skills – arms, footwork, turns and palmas – while learning a new flamenco choreography that incorporates these expanded techniques. You will also learn more about the variety of flamenco palos (dance styles) and compas (rhythms). You will dance to live flamenco guitar.
Castanets (In-Studio) *NEW*
11:45 a.m. (15-minutes) Saturdays, June – August 2022
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- Last class August 6.
- Open to all students enrolled in a summer class.
- This class is FREE but you must register in advance.
- Offered after Beginner Two on the above dates.
Learn and drill castanets. You must have a pair or ask Susana if any are available for sale.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED (IN-STUDIO)
6:45 p.m. (90-minutes) Tuesdays, June – August 2022
Instructor: Susana di Palma
Prerequisite: Past Intermediate or teacher permission
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- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
- Purchase a session or a $21 drop-in fee per class if you are unable to commit to a session.
- There are no refunds for missed classes.
- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
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Tuesdays, June 7 – 28, 2022
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- $80 for a four-class session or drop-in
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Tuesdays, July 5 – 19, 2022
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- $60 for a three-class session or drop-in
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Tuesdays, July 26 – August 9, 2022
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- $60 for a three-class session, or drop-in REGISTER NOW
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Challenging technique and choreography variations are ideal for those who do not want to retain building on long choreographies.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED (IN-STUDIO)
12:00 p.m. (90-minutes) Saturdays, June – August 2022
Instructor: Susana di Palma
Prerequisite: Past Intermediate or teacher permission
*NEW* start time 12:00 p.m.
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- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
- Purchase a session or a $21 drop-in fee per class if you are unable to commit to a session.
- There are no refunds for missed classes.
- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
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Saturdays, June 4 – June 25, 2022
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- $80 for a four-class session or drop-in
- $80 for a four-class session or drop-in
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Saturdays, July 9 – July 23, 2022
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- $60 for a three-class session or drop-in
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Saturdays, July 30 – August 20, 2022
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- No class on August 13; the session is extended to Saturday, August 20.
- $60 for a three-class session, or drop-in REGISTER NOW
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Students will continue to expand their repertoire of flamenco techniques and drills. You will learn a new choreography “Guajira” with a fan!
TEEN/TWEEN BALLET (In-Studio) *NEW*
5:00 p.m. (60-minutes) Mondays, June 6 – July 25, 2022
Instructor: Ted Sothern
Prerequisite: Ages 9 years and up
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- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
- No classes on July 4 and 11.
- $14 drop-in fee per class
- There are no refunds for missed classes.
- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
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This will be a ballet class focusing on the fundamentals of technique and movement across the floor.
DANCE, CORE, CONNECTION (In-Studio) *NEW*
6:00 p.m. (60-minutes) Mondays, June 6 – July 25, 2022
Instructor: Ted Sothern
Prerequisite: None
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- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
- No classes on July 4 and 11.
- $14 drop-in fee per class
- $25 drop-in fee combo class (Dance, Core, Connection & Adult Ballet)
- There are no refunds for missed classes.
- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
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This class will strengthen your core and help your connection to the floor while freeing up the upper torso for flamenco. We will also use the end of class to work on turns and utilize some of the exercises we have done that connect to your dancing. Yoga/pilates and physio balls will be used. The balls will be provided, but please bring your own if you have one.
ADULT BALLET (In-Studio) *NEW*
7:00 p.m. (60-minutes) Mondays, June 6 – July 25, 2022
Instructor: Ted Sothern
Prerequisite: None
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- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
- No classes on July 4 and 11.
- $14 drop-in fee per class
- $25 drop-in fee combo class (Dance, Core, Connection & Adult Ballet)
- There are no refunds for missed classes.
- All class payments must be made online. Payments will not be accepted in-studio.
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This ballet class will focus on the fundamentals of technique tailored to those in the class, as well as movement across the floor.
To keep our students and instructors safe, we have established the following class cancellation policy during winter weather situations. During a Winter Weather Advisory for Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, we will automatically cancel in-studio classes during that advisory period. If this occurs, we will automatically add the appropriate number of make-up classes to the end of the class session.
Private & Duet Lessons
Recommended for those who want to work their technique and enhance their skills in a more personal atmosphere, and also for coaching or choreography of individual dances. One-on-one private instruction is available for all students. Have you missed classes or feel behind? Private lessons are a great way to catch up.
For more information regarding private and semi-private lessons, please email Susana at susanazorongo@gmail.com.
Class Policies
Class Policies – All Students
All students must complete a Student Waiver form. Bring the form to your first day of class. Waiver forms are also available at the studio.
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- Once classes have begun, payment is non-refundable
- With advanced permission, missed classes may be made up within the same session
- Zorongo Flamenco is not responsible for injuries sustained during class sessions or rentals
- Zorongo reserves the right to cancel any class with fewer than 5 students
- Women’s Dress: full skirt, movement-friendly top, flamenco shoes or 1 1/2” character shoes and hair pulled back from the face
- Men’s Dress: Shirt, movement-friendly pants and flamenco boots or leather soled shoes/boots with heels
- Beginners may start with your own shoes with sturdy 1.5”-2.5” heels (no sandals, platforms, wedges, or stillettos)
- Severe Weather Policy: Class may be canceled due to severe weather. Follow our Facebook page for information or call (612) 234-1653 during business hours
For character shoes (new students), Zorongo recommends Grand Jeté in St. Paul, Minnesota.
For flamenco shoes, Zorongo recommends Menkes in New York, New York. Brand new to Flamenco? For your first class, don’t let what to wear keep you off the dance floor. Come as you are. Everyone is welcome.
About the Teachers
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Susana di Palma
Master Teacher / Choreographer / Dancer / Artistic Director
READ BIOSusana di Palma has taught Spanish/Flamenco dance for over 30 years. As a virtuoso performer and innovative choreographer, her classes challenge both the body and creative spirit. She stresses correct body alignment, use of breath, and basic technique, that benefit each student’s physical and emotional health. Her classes inspire students, encouraging them to discover their unique and joyful expression within this extraordinary Spanish art form. She strives to prepare them according to a challenging professional standard. At whatever level of aspiration a student enters her classes, Susana carefully guides them drawing upon her lifetime of knowledge, experience, and respect in the international flamenco world. Susana has also been an adjunct faculty member of the Dance Department at the University of Minnesota for 15 years. Recently, she taught the summer session at Minnesota Dance Theater. Susana also teaches through Distance Learning Program at The Cowles Center for Dance.
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Colette Illarde
Instructor / Dancer
READ BIO
Colette is originally from Chicago where she began dancing ballet with Edward Parish, and started flamenco training with the Ensemble Español. Relocating to Minneapolis in 1998, she created FUEGO Flamenco and danced, designed and produced many successful shows. She has received numerous awards for her work including the McKnight Fellowship for dancers. Colette is currently a teaching artist at Interact Center, creating theater and dance with adult artists with disabilities. -
AJ Frenzel
Andrea J. Frenzel is a dancer returning to the stage after a 12-year hiatus exploring life as a mother, doula, marathoner, and finance professional in New York. Her flamenco discovery began over 20 years ago in a class with Susana di Palma. Before moving to NYC, she was a founding member of the Majas, Zorongo’s student company, Zorongo’s School Director, and was the recipient of a Jerome Foundation Travel-Study grant. Ms. Frenzel’s influential instructors include Maria Magdalena, Matilde Coral, Javier Latorre, Yolanda Heredia, Omayra Amaya, and most importantly Susana di Palma, to whom she is grateful for her years of encouragement and support. -