MIDLAND, Texas — Flamenco is one of many dances that got its origins in Spain.
However, it may be one of the most popular.
It's why the Hispanic Cultural Center of Midland has recently begun holding flamenco classes during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Alyssa Teijeiro-Ficht, who teaches the class, can appreciate the uniqueness of the dance. Her family has Spanish origins and she began dancing the flamenco back when she was five-years-old.
“Flamenco originated in Spain. It is a Spanish style of dance. There are other styles of dance in Spain, but I would say it's most popular," Teijeiro-Ficht said. "It's a very strong style of dance. It's very unique from other things that we offer here at the Hispanic Cultural Center."
The dance can be somewhat complicated, but the elements that go into it are what make it so exciting. There is music, movement, rhythm and so much more involved in it.
When a dancer truly gets all the elements down, it can be a sight to behold.
“Flamenco is like something I've never seen before. The footwork, the fierce aspect of it, how strong and powerful it is, I have yet to see in any other style of dance," Teijeiro-Ficht said. "There's a lot that's involved with footwork, a lot that's involved with our hands, with our arms, our facial expressions. There's props, we can use different musical instruments, like castanets, fans, shawls, capes, the skirts. It involves head to toe, everything.”
It is part of the reason she is so impressed with her students.
The class is young and have only just begun to practice the flamenco. Their eagerness, however, has only accelerated their learning.
“They're picking up very quickly. A lot of them have history or have a background in Mexican folkloric dance, and I can see how that has helped with learning flamenco," Teijeiro-Ficht said. "They're obviously very different styles, but a few things do translate over and they're picking up faster than I even expected.”
While flamenco may have gotten its roots from Spain, it isn't just for Spaniards. It's for everyone.
It can also offer anyone a temporary escape from life through music and dance.
“Even if it seems a little intimidating at first, it's very fun for me. It's an escape from everything else," Teijeiro-Ficht said. "I can just get in the studio and not have to think about anything, and put everything into dance.”