NCMA Flamenco & Classical Guitar Festival: Learn to dance Fandango
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Learn to dance Fandango with Rebecca during the Flamenco and Classical Guitar Festival.
$150 for the week, daily sessions available for $30.
Sessions 9-10:40am & 3:30-4pm daily.
No dance experience necessary, minimum age 12 years, all genders welcome.
Rebecca Cookson, originally from Blenheim, has been dancing flamenco and classical Spanish dances since 1995. She has studied extensively with a variety of flamenco dancers from Spain and performed in flamenco dance events throughout New Zealand.
In 1995 Rebecca moved to Christchurch to pursue the art of flamenco dance under first teacher Elaine Gibbs who had trained in Madrid flamenco schools. Later she was introduced to Margot Rodriguez-Childerstone who formerly worked alongside renowned Antonio Ruiz Soler (Antonio el Bailarin) and other prominent flamenco dancers. From 1997 and over the next 15 years, Margot mentored and coached Rebecca in castanets and a variety of classical and traditional flamenco dance techniques and choreographies. Margot’s traditional Alegrias and Fandango de Huleva are two styles Rebecca still enjoys performing and teaching.
Rebecca also has attended classes with Teo Morca, Antonio Vargas, Simone Pope, and Sydney-based flamenco dancer, Marina Tamayo and more recently, Isabel Rivera Cuenca and Ana Lloris Otero.
In the late 90’s onwards, Rebecca began performing with Christchurch and Otago-based Spanish music and dance culture groups around the South Island. In 2003, she set up Flamenco for Kids in Christchurch, an after-school Spanish dance programme for school children. She has also taught Sevillanas workshops at the Christchurch Body Festival. In 2004 she travelled to Granada and did flamenco classes at Carmen de las Cuevas flamenco school. On her return from Spain, she performed with Christchurch flamenco group Sangre en las Venas performed in Takaka’s Mussel Inn. In 2006 till 2010, she studied Spanish at University of Canterbury.
Rebecca currently lives in Auckland where she continues to develop her skills with Auckland flamenco dancer and teacher Amira Brock. She travels whenever she can to participate in flamenco dance classes or performance within New Zealand and overseas.
Rebecca taught herself to design and sew all flamenco costumes she performs in.