Covid-19 Statement
Under the current state mandate, the Zorongo studio’s capacity is a maximum of seven people, including the instructor, based on square footage and socially distancing. We are currently offering private and semi-private classes in-studio and via Zoom. For more information, please email Susana at susanazorongo@gmail.com.
Are you interested in-studio group classes (maximum of six students)? Email Michael at gmbargas@zorongo.org, and let him know which classes you have attended in the past or skill level.
Zorongo Flamenco has developed a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the pandemic. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our studio and communities, and that requires full cooperation among everyone who uses the studio. Click here to read our complete plan.
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.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, September 12 & 13, 2020
BELÉN MAYA Zoom Workshop
12:30 p.m. (60-Minutes plus 10-Minutes Q&A)
Level: Intermediate / Advanced
$15 one day or $25 for both days REGISTER
“Belén is spectacular! Maya has forged a new direction within the genre of flamenco” – Dance Insider
Zorongo welcomes the return of Belén Maya! Live from Sevilla, Spain, Belén will teach two traditional flamenco choreography workshops. These one-hour classes via Zoom include a 10-minute post-class Q&A with Belén.
READ MOREBelén Maya is the daughter of two great flamenco artists, Carmen Mora and Mario Maya. She started her dance training at a young age at the famous Amor de Dios Flamenco Academy in Madrid. She was trained by some of the best – Paco Fernández, María Magdalena, Goyo Montero, Rosa Naranjo, Carmen Cortés, and Paco Romero among others. Transparent and in balance with tradition, Belén has perfected her technique and expression to become the best female flamenco dancer in Spain.
Don’t miss the opportunity to study with one of the most important flamenco artists in the world.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Additional funding provided by,
Past Class Offerings
PALOMITAS children ages 5-7
(40-minutes)
Instructor: Susana di Palma
READ MOREThe Palomitas class is for students ages five to seven. No prior dance experience necessary. Children will have fun learning flamenco rhythms and movements while meeting new friends and experiencing the Spanish culture!
PALOMAS children ages 7-12
(45-minutes)
Instructor: Susana di Palma
READ MOREPalomas will work on a dance called bulerías, a 12-count dance at the core of flamenco culture. This class is for children who have taken some dance in the past. We’ll incorporate traditional footwork and movement in the choreography, while also trying improvisation. Classes will be taught in English and Spanish, and learn about the history of flamenco.
PHYSICALLY INTEGRATED FLAMENCO
(60-minutes)
Instructor: Colette Illarde
READ MOREStructured for those with limited mobility, balance issues, or other disabilities. Classes are taken seated or standing (adaptations made) and designed for every student to have an authentic flamenco experience. Students are led through locomotor and non-locomotor movement combinations, and they connect to flamenco music, execute choreographies, enjoy improvisation, and organic expression. The rhythm and exercises are invigorating, while games and stories keep the class fun and challenging. Students appreciate engaging and promoting community, celebrating flamenco culture, and gaining greater health and well being.
Flamenco Fun
(60-minutes)
Instructor A.J. Frenzel
READ MOREMixed level technique and variations exploring the foundations of flamenco. Every class offers something old, something new, something for fun, and something for YOU. Guaranteed fun!
BEGINNING FLAMENCO
(60-minutes)
Instructor Susana di Palma
READ MORENew students learn basic flamenco techniques – arms, turns, footwork and palmas (handclapping) – in the flamenco piece “palo,” por Tangos. This class is a fun immersion into the world of flamenco dance and music.
OPEN LEVEL INTENSIVE TECHNIQUE
(60-minutes)
Instructor Susana di Palma
READ MOREThis class is challenging, where students will drill technique exercises and focus on arms, feet, turns, and “remates.” The class is fast-paced and will help the student to build stamina along with encouraging each student to discover their own expression. We will work on variations of various “palos.”
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED CHOREOGRAPHY
(60-minutes)
Instructor Susana di Palma
READ MORELearn choreography from a master instructor.
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 email Artistic Director Susana di Palma susanazorongo@gmail.com.
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.
Class Policies:
- 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 BIO
Susana 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. -
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
Instructor / Dancer
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. -
Jenna Laffin
Instructor / Dancer
After Jenna Laffin graduated from college in 2008, she moved to a small town in southern Spain to teach English. It was there that she became immersed in the culture of flamenco, learning the dance and its history, and became fluent in Spanish. Jenna began training with Susana di Palma in 2009, and has performed in Zorongo productions Zorro, Locas Mujeres, Caprichos, And the Beat Goes On, Garden of Names, and various other shows with the Majas apprentice dance company. Jenna has spent three years studying flamenco intensively in Madrid, where she also continued her teaching career in bilingual elementary schools. Jenna holds an international elementary diploma in Montessori education and is completing a Master’s in Education through St. Catherine University. She is a 1st through the 3rd-grade teacher at Great River Montessori in Saint Paul.