A Mercer University professor brought the world of flamenco to students in a weeklong lecture and workshop series.
The Flamenco Art Workshop Series was created by Dr. Alana Alvarez, associate professor of Spanish. The series featured flamenco dancer and visual artist Elena Moro, who presented a lecture on the origins and influences of flamenco and led workshops teaching students how to photograph flamenco as well as dance basic flamenco steps. The series, held in January, ended with a performance by Moro titled “Hilos de Aire” at the McEachern Art Center, with student photography displayed in the building.
Flamenco is a dance, song and musical genre rooted in Romani, Moor and Jewish communities in Spain. It is defined by its use of “cante” (song), “toque” (guitar) and “baile” (dance) to create a style that emphasizes free-spirited expression, spontaneity and rhythmic footwork.
Dr. Alvarez said she was inspired to create the series as a way to make cultural immersion more accessible to Mercer students.
“Last summer, I started thinking about how I can bring a sort of ‘study abroad’ experience for students that cannot travel,” she said. “While I was in Seville, Spain, I met with Elena Moro and thought that her experience as a professional flamenco dancer and her background in visual arts would be perfect to give the first iteration of a ‘Culture at Mercer’ workshop series, the interdisciplinary that is so needed in liberal arts education today.”
She said students were interested in different aspects of the series, with some enjoying learning about flamenco dance and theory through the lecture and others being attracted to workshops that included photography and dance.
Dr. Alvarez hopes the series is the first of many to come that will expose students to other cultures throughout the world.
“I think students need to engage in any or all opportunities possible to open their minds to new ways of thinking and expression,” she said. “I think a culture series like this one that brings non U.S.-based artists and scholars that are multidisciplinary is very important to give students a taste of what it would be like to study abroad. If we are an institution that thrives in diversity, we need to do that outside of the U.S. perspective.”
Moro lives in Seville and dances flamenco at some of the most reputable venues in the country. Moro said being able to teach flamenco and show students how to discover their own voice through movement has been rewarding.
“Flamenco for us is not only legacy, it’s rhythm that travels through ‘cante,’ ‘toque’ and ‘baile’ but also in attitudes of life. The way we see it, it’s the way we live. It’s not just getting up on stage. It’s every day,” Moro said during her lecture. “For many people, flamenco represents their own life rhythm, a main sign of their identity.”
Evelyn Ullrich, a sophomore majoring in education, helped curate the student images from the workshop that were featured at the McEachern Art Center. She said she likes that Mercer offers opportunities for students to have experiences different than their own.
“Getting to see all the elements come together is magical, and I was watching the final performance kind of just in awe. It’s a beautiful art,” Ullrich said. “I loved the photography, and the workshop focused a lot on capturing moments of movement. I think it just reflects how flamenco is a very active, passionate, ever changing and spontaneous art form and type of dance.
