When & Where

Quick Facts

  • Availability Late starts accepted
  • Tutor Fenella Juanita Barker
  • Course Code W24DNEC06A
  • Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course

What you will learn

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be part of a flamenco dance company? This is your chance to find out. Working together in a collaborative group, under the direction of Fenella Juanita Barker, you will be involved in the creation of a flamenco and Spanish dance repertoire that will be performed in selected events and venues around London. You must be attending regular flamenco classes at Morley College, or elsewhere, to be part of The Morley Flamenco Dance Ensemble. At the end of term 3, we hope to be able to offer international study and performance opportunities to Morley Flamenco Dance Ensemble dancers. Students are advised that they must seek departmental advice prior to enrolment on this course. You can choose to attend this course in the studio or live-streamed via Microsoft Teams, however it is recommended that you attend in the studio whenever possible. You will receive a video of each session so you can continue to practise at home. Achievement on your course will be measured by whether you meet the following learning outcomes. At the start of the course you will have an opportunity to discuss these with your tutor and set your own personal targets, linked to the learning outcomes and future goals i.e. progression to further performance opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an improved understanding, strength and clarity of flamenco and Spanish dance technique
  • Show increased confidence and skill in your own creative potential as a flamenco and Spanish dancer
  • Perform flamenco and Spanish dance sequences with increased understanding and knowledge of collaborative working, spatial awareness and performance ethics
  • Show development in your dance skills of co-ordination, strength, flexibility and stamina
  • Perform selected dances from a repertoire of flamenco and Spanish dance choreographies

Class format and activities

Mode of delivery: You can choose to study in the studio or live-streamed via Microsoft Teams, however it is recommended that you study in the studio whenever possible. You will receive a video of each session so you can continue to practise at home. You will be undertaking practical exercises and patterns of movement demonstrated and guided by your tutor. You will be learning movements and sequences through repetition of action so that you can master more complex features of the technique. You will be responding (though movement and rhythmic accompaniment) to a selection of flamenco and Spanish dance rhythms. You will be practising stamping, clapping and movement sequences with your fellow students so as to share your learning experience. You will have the chance to discuss your learning with your tutor and with fellow students. In order to ensure you make the best possible progress on your course, you will have regular constructive and supportive feedback from your tutor. In addition to your dance practice, study can include the use of digital resources such as film & photography, useful websites and connection with online communities of interest via social media to enhance your learning. Dance study offers a range of benefits including being an enjoyable way to increase fitness whilst enhancing wellbeing. Dance practice at Morley can also serve to enhance skills relevant for employment by means of encouraging increased confidence, physical dexterity and concentration.

Entry requirements

This course is suitable for students studying flamenco and / or Spanish dance at an Intermediate or Advanced level. It is not suitable for beginners and improvers. You will need to continue to study flamenco and / or Spanish dance on a regular, weekly basis. You should be aware that this is a practical course and so you will need to be able to participate in the physical activities planned to the best of your ability. Your tutor is very happy to make any adjustments to exercises set to meet particular physical or learning needs.

What you need to know before you enrol

A key aim of the course is to help you develop your strength, flexibility and stamina in relation to flamenco dance. You will need to engage in activities designed to help this learning process. Therefore, you should consider your fitness level in terms of whether you will be able to complete several hours of continuous exercise. Please note: your tutor will be pleased to adapt exercises and activities to suit particular needs. Excellent attendance and punctuality will be required from all students. This course will include some completion of activities outside of class time, e.g. home practise using recap resources provided by your tutor and attendance at performances throughout London and possibly further afield. Photography and film recording of class activities may be used in order to aid learning. These images may also be used for publicity or marketing materials produced by Morley College, both online and in print. You will have the opportunity to either confirm or decline consent to being filmed or photographed. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, have any serious health conditions or a history of injury. Please inform your tutor if there is any physical activity you have be advised to avoid.

What you need

Flamenco shoes (women) and flamenco boots (men). Flamenco skirts (women) and trousers that allow for movement (men and women). A fitted top. If you have them: - a fan and large shawl (for women) - waistcoat and hat (for men) - castanets (these can be borrowed from the tutor, if necessary) A notebook and a bottle of water.

What you can do next

Try any of the courses offered by Morley’s dance department. This includes term-time flamenco dance courses at a variety of levels during the week (day and evening) and on Saturdays, along with workshops in flamenco and Spanish dance. Please speak to your tutor for advice about progression at the end of your course. Your tutor may also suggest complementary styles of study from Morley’s exciting provision to enhance your current practice, including dance, music and drama studies. You may also visit our website or contact admin@morleycollege.ac.uk