FAQ

Beginners without any prior knowledge

Q: I am a complete beginner without any prior knowledge. Which class should I choose?
A: The right starting level for you is the Basics I class. You can find details on this course here.

Q: I have some prior knowledge or my prior knowledge is old. Which class should I choose?
A: The right starting level for you is either of the Basics classes or one of the Beginner’s classes. Go here for details about these courses.

Q: Is flamenco duet dance?
A: No, flamenco is not duet dance. You participate in lessons within a group setting, but the dancing itself is individual.

Q: What is the difference between Basics I and Basics II?
A: Basics II builds on Basics I. Most participants start the new Basics II course right after finishing the Basics I course, so that they can transition from course to course smoothly.

Q: Do participants of the Basics I course still need to register for the Basics II course?
A: Yes, in order to enable beginners to become acquainted with flamenco dancing, without a long-term commitment, the Basics course are arranged in two separate courses.

Q: What happens after finishing the two Basics courses?
A: If you wish to continue, after completing the Basics II class, you can move on to the next appropriate Beginner’s class. That Beginner’s class does not have to be the Beginner I class. Feel free to talk to your instructor, if you are unsure about which course is right for you.

Q: In terms of time, how are the Basics courses structured?
A: The Basics I and II courses are limited to seven classes each. The first class in each course in one hour and the other six classes are 90 minutes each, for a total of 10 hours per Basics course.

Q: How do I sign up?
A: Either register here on the website or get an application form at the dance school.

Q: How do I pay for the Basics course?
A: By setting up a one-time direct debit authorization.

Q: How can I try out a Basics course before registering?
A: The first unit of each Basics course is a free trial lesson, so there is no obligation to register. If you do not wish to continue, then you do not need to pay anything. If the course is already full with those who have fully registered, a trial lesson in the next free Basics course is possible.

Q: What am I committing to by participating in a Basics course?
A: By formally registering for a course, you pay 140,- EUR for 10 units (60 min each). If you wish to continue on to another course, then you must register again for the new course.

Q: Can men also take part in flamenco dancing?
A: Yes. Flamenco is a form of dance that is just as popular amongst men as it is women.

Q: What clothing do I require for the lessons?
A: Women require a comfortable top or body suit, a flamenco skirt (ankle-length and wide at the bottom) and flamenco shoes (reinforced toes; a wide, stable heel; and a studded toe and heel). Men require a comfortable T-shirt, a comfortable pair of trousers and flamenco boots (reinforced toes; a wide, stable heel; and a studded toe and heel). We recommend you wait to invest in flamenco clothing, until after you are sure you would like to continue learning flamenco.

Course Structure, Lesson Structure, Levels, Trial Lessons

Q: How are the Beginner I-III, Intermediate I-III and Advanced courses structured?
A: Every course has a different level. In general, Beginner II is a higher class than Beginner I, for example, or Intermediate III is a higher level than Intermediate II.

Q: What does a single lesson look like?
A: Warm-up, technique and then the teaching one of the palos.

Q: When does new choreography begin? For example, after the summer or winter break?
A: We aim to finish a choreography before a major break, and then begin a new choreography after the break, although we cannot always guarantee this.

Q: Which course suits my level?
A: That is the most frequently asked question that can only be answered individually. This rough guide may be helpful:
Beginner: 0-2 years of flamenco experience
Intermediate: 2-5 years of flamenco experience
Advanced: more than 5 years of flamenco experience

If you are unsure, we recommend you come to a free trial lesson, in a course you think will fit and then consult with the instructor about which course is right for you.

Q: How can I schedule a trial lesson?
A: For beginners without any knowledge, The first class of the Basics I and II courses are free trial lessons. Just come to the first session and see if you like the course. If so, you can register for the course after the first class. To arrange a trial lesson, for any of the other courses, please email us at flamenco@maria-garcia.de. Kindly give us the date and course you would like to attend and briefly describe your flamenco experience.

Registration, Payment, Missed Classes, Change of Course, Cancellation

Q: How do I sign up?
A: Either register here on the website or get an application form at the dance school.

Q: How do I pay for the courses?
A: Ongoing monthly courses (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Children, etc.), are paid by direct debit on the 1st of every month. Workshops are paid for in cash, on the first day of the course, at the dance school.

Q: Is it possible to pay for each lesson of a course individually?
A: No, due to organizational reasons that is not possible.

Q: Is it possible to make up for a missed lesson in another course, for example?
A: No, due to organizational reasons that is not possible.

Q: Is it possible to change from one course to another?
A: Yes, apart from the Basics course, this is possible at any time. Before you switch, we recommend you consult your instructor and/or take a free trial lesson in the course to which you would like to switch.

Q: What is the cancellation period?
A: With ongoing courses, the cancellation period is 1 month, to the end of the month. Basics courses and workshops do not have a cancellation period. Registration fees for these courses are non-refundable, even if you do not attend.

Workshops

Q: When do the workshops take place?
A: It is our aim (although there is no guarantee!) to at least two workshops per year.

Q: In terms of time, what is the structure of the workshops?
Normally, the workshops take place over a weekend, beginning on the Friday evenings, with further longer units on Saturdays and Sundays. Once the specific workshop has been announced, you will find the exact times and registration details on our website.

Q: How much experience must I have to take part in a workshop?
A: For a beginner/intermediate workshop, you will need at least one year’s experience. For an intermediate/advanced workshop, depending on your commitment, at least four to five years of flamenco dance experience is expected.

Q: What am I committing to by registering for a workshop?
A: You are committing to payment of the participation fee. The fee is applicable even you do not attend. In exceptional cases, in particular if you are not able to attend due to sickness, we can apply your fees to another workshop within the next 12 months.

Flamenco Clothing

Q: Where can I buy good flamenco clothing?
A: There are many good online flamenco shops. We recommend www.flamencomoda.com.

Holidays and Bank Holidays

Q: When is the Flamenco Dance School closed?
A: We close during the Hessen school vacations, as well as the Hessen holidays. You can find a list of the current school holidays and bank holidays in Hessen here.

Q: Is the course fee also payable during the holidays?
A: Yes, we have a standard course fee for the whole year. You can find out more here.

Q: How do I receive regular information about courses, events and other important news about the Flamenco Dance School?
A: Via our newsletter and/or our Facebook page. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.

Q: How often do you publish a newsletter?
A: Roughly four to six times a year.

Public Transport, Parking

Q: What is the best way to get to the Flamenco Dance School using public transportation?
A: The underground station Bornheim Mitte is approximately 30 meters from the dance school. Some bus routes also stop right outside our door.

Q: Does the Flamenco Dance School have adequate parking?
A: No, we don’t have any parking, but there is enough parking in REWE car park at Heidestrasse 137, located just 5 minutes walk from us.

FAQ