 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Australia’s King of Flamenco Returns with a Series of Workshops
‘Strictly Ballroom’ star and world renowned flamenco maestro Antonio Vargas will conduct a rare series of flamenco workshops for dancers, musicians and beginners in Melbourne come June 2010.
Melbourne, May 18, 2010 – Internationally renowned flamenco dancer, choreographer and musician, Antonio Vargas will return to Australia in June 2010 to conduct; workshops in flamenco dance (beginners to advanced), a flamenco percussion class (cajon), and a compas/palmas class (flamenco rhythm and hand-clapping accompaniment).
In Baz Luhrmann’s film, ‘Strictly Ballroom’, Antonio Vargas played the role of ‘Rico’, the father of ‘Fran’ (Tara Morice) and the mentor that put the fire and passion into the pasodoble performed by ‘Scott’ (Paul Mercurio). Antonio Vargas also trained Paul Mercurio off-screen and went on to choreograph the flamenco scene in ‘Mission Impossible II’, but there is lot more talent to Antonio Vargas than a few movie credits.
From a very young age Antonio has been studying every aspect of flamenco. He was mentored in Spain by Antonio Marín and is part of a generation of greats such as Manolete, Mario Maya and Antonio Gades. He plays the flamenco guitar, the cello, the piano and the cajon. He has appeared on television with the Beatles (1965) and toured internationally across Europe, UK, USA, China, South East Asia and Australia.
Prior to his acting, choreography and dance role in ‘Strictly Ballroom’, Antonio had spent many years in Sydney, performing and teaching. Most of the current flamenco dancers and teachers in Australia can, in fact, trace their lineage back to his generosity as a teacher, a generosity that knows no bounds.
Over the years Antonio has developed a unique system for teaching flamenco, he has created his own system of flamenco notation and currently teaches from his own flamenco syllabus at a performing arts academy in Singapore as well as his own school and performance group.
Antonio continues to share his knowledge and experience with students around the world, touring, choreographing and teaching throughout the USA and Asia, whilst working on his flamenco notation project with partners in Spain, France and Australia.
Whether you are a beginner and just want to have some fun; you‘re an intermediate student and are looking for inspiration to get you to the next level; you are an advanced student hungry for new steps; or you are a professional or a teacher looking for a challenge; you are in for a treat of material that you can use for years to come.
“I have been able to decipher a very successful way to teach people,” said Antonio Vargas. “and I have gone all over the world with it.”
The Melbourne workshops will take place over two days and two evenings from Saturday the 5th June 2010 through to Tuesday the 8th of June 2010. These include a three session dance workshop for absolute beginners; a three session dance workshop for intermediate dance students, an intensive choreography and three session workshop for advanced flamenco dance students; a palos (flamenco rhythms) and palmas (flamenco hand-clapping) workshop for musicians; and a cajon workshop for percussionists.
These unique percussion and dance workshops will be presented by Melbourne Flamenco and supported by the Flamenco Australia Online Magazine, providing Australians with a rare opportunity to work with a master. The dance workshops will be held at Fusion Dance Studios in Collingwood and the percussion classes will be held at the Melbourne Flamenco studio in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.
“Many people will travel interstate just for the opportunity to learn from a flamenco artist of his calibre,” said Tatiana Bistrin, director of Melbourne Flamenco. “Antonio Vargas is very highly regarded in the world of Flamenco dance and music”
For additional information and a detailed timetable of the Antonio Vargas Flamenco Workshops in Melbourne, contact Tatiana Bistrin or visit www.melbourneflamenco.com.
Antonio Vargas will be in Sydney from 28th May and available for interviews until the end of June. He will only stay in Melbourne for the duration of the workshops leaving a short window for in-person interviews on Friday the 4th of June. Tatiana Bistrin will be available throughout May, call (03) 9416 0095 to make arrangements.
About Melbourne Flamenco:
Melbourne Flamenco is a flamenco studio in Gertrude St, Fitzroy offering dance classes, workshops and rehearsal space.
Contact:
Tatiana Bistrin, director and principal teacher
Melbourne Flamenco
(03) 9416 0095
http://www.melbourneflamenco.com
Facebook comments:
