Gabriela Gutarra - Flamenco Center

Gabriela Gutarra and the Flamenco Center

Gabriela Gutarra has studied Spanish classical dance, folklore and flamenco mainly in Seville and Madrid. Among her teachers were: Milagros Menjibar, Manolo Marin, Juana Amaya, Jose Galvan, Merche Esmeralda, Carmen Cortez, Paco Romero, Pedro Azorin and Maria Magdalena.

Since 1991 Gabriela Gutarra has resided permanently in Stockholm, Sweden. She has since then staged and toured fifteen productions throughout Scandinavia and Germany. She has also been invited to perform and to give master dance classes in several other countries, Argentina, Cuba and Costa Rica to name a few.

The Flamenco Center in Stockholm is the basis for Gabriela Gutarra’s sphere of activities. It serves as a stage for small productions, as a dance studio and as a get-together place for all flamenco enthusiasts.

At the Flamenco Center, Gabriela teaches classes in Spanish dances at all levels from beginners to advanced. She is recognized for her excellence in teaching and attention to the individual needs of each student.

Gabriela’s awareness of the specific problems that most students have with the physical, psychological and rhythmic aspect of the flamenco dance led her to develop her own teaching method aimed at the adult students who want to learn flamenco but did not have the opportunity to start as a child. She provides these students/teachers with a specialized technique-training program, which facilitates the transition to choreographing later on.

Gabriela has also worked as a flamenco consultant for many dance schools. She has with great success coached Escuela de Flamenco Ecos in Havana, Cuba, the Dance Academy in St Petersburg, Russia, and numerous dance groups throughout Scandinavia.

Gabriela’s passionate dance and devotion to teaching stimulated many different artists to find an inspiration source in flamenco. Gymnasts found inspiration for new programs, painters and flower arrangers for images and ideas. Gabriela has also encouraged and assisted other dancers to set up their own schools and flamenco groups.

Gabriela strives to extend the understanding of flamenco art. She expands the borders of the conventional flamenco show through emphasizing its intellectual aspect and combining flamenco with other forms of art. By doing so, Gabriela manages to create flamenco that feels ingenious and fascinating to the audience, in addition to contributing to her own growth as an artist.

Curriculum Vitae

Current Productions

Past Productions

Flamenco Center – Stage performances and productions

Baile Español y Flamenco 1991-1994

The show featured Swedish and Spanish artists performing classical Spanish dance and flamenco. Toured Sweden, Finland and Denmark.

"There is a female anger and pride that runs throughout her dance!"
Bodil Persson, Dagens Nyheter (DN) A show with the gypsy family Fernandez from Grenada. The tour throughout Scandinavia consisted of approximately 25 shows. The show was invited to represent Spain at the Norwegian Nordlyste FestivalThe nordic flamenco queen spellbinds thousands in Osl

"Gabriela Gutarra preserves and spreads the legacy of flamenco!"
Liz Hallström, GöteborgsPosten (GP)

Cantes de Ida y Vuelta 1996
This show featured the Latin American influence in flamenco with Spanish guest artists, among them the singer Emilio Cabello. Toured Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

1996
Gabriela Gutarra was featured in the staging of the classical play Helena by Euripides at the Royal DramaticTheatre of Sweden (Dramaten).

"Gabriela Gutarra’s flamenco dance is powerful and glowing!"
Expressen

Gao Caló - The World of the Gypsies 1997
The show premiered at the House of Dance (Dansens Hus) in Stockholm, Sweden and featured the classical dance khatak from India, oriental dance and flamenco. With the support from the Swedish Cultural Council the show toured Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Gao Caló turned out to be a major success and gathered 8000 spectators at the Swedish Water Festival in Stockholm in 1998. The show toured Germany 2002-2004.

"Gao Caló is a sparkling dance and music performance that in a matter of hours reinforces the belief in the importance of culture in society. The word multicultural gets a new vibrant meaning!"

Liz Hallström, GöteborgsPosten (GP)

Flamenco Joven 1997-1998
This tour featured the young virtuoso dancer Jairo and was intended for school children as well as for adults. Flamenco Joven toured with the support of the City of Stockholm in Finland, Norway and Sweden. Fifteen-year-old Jairo dazzled and inspired the audiences wherever he performed.

"Young Jairo drew a young audience to the theatre!"
ÖstersundsPosten

"Jairo explodes in rhythm!"
GöteborgsPosten (GP)

Lorca y el Flamenco 1998-1999

The show had its premiere at Södra Teatern in Stockholm. It paid tribute to Federico Garcia Lorca and the influence he had on the art of flamenco. The performance joined flamenco dance and music with Lorca’s poetry and with history, all presented with drama and subtlety. The show received support from the Swedish Ministry of Culture. In 1998 the show had another premiere, this time with Hans Klinga and Vim de Berdier at the famous Royal Dramatic Theatre (Dramaten).This show was extremely successful and critically acclaimed.

Son Cubano y el Flamenco 1999
The fusion between flamenco and Afro Cuban folklore was the essence of this performance with artists from Spain and Cuba. This genre is a very interesting part of the Spanish culture.

"Gabriela Gutarra’s dance is filled with emotion and expression!"
Catti Grant, Dagens Nyheter (DN)

Gypsy Kids 1999
Gypsy flamenco artists presented a traditional Andalusian style flamenco fiesta where all generations meet to sing, dance and enjoy their time. This was a true family fiesta. The Gypsy Kids toured Sweden and had a second premiere in 2002.

"Children are dancing for children, the children in the audience are speechless!"
Nya Wermland

Rhythm & Dance 2000
This show featured Celtic dancers and Gabriela's students from the Flamenco Center performing to various kinds of music with handclapping, stamping, “stickrhythms” and castanets, all this with either hard or soft shoes. About 30 dancers and musicians took part in the performance.

Malambo 2000
Argentinean folklore and tango met flamenco in a performance by 12 guest artists from Argentina and Spain. The folkloric dance Gaucho Malambo interlaced with tango and the pure form of flamenco resulted in a cavalcade of stamping.

"Mesmerizing and stunning!"
Kerstin Munk, Gävle Dagblad

The Flamenco Woman 2001
This unique show was thought as a tribute to the magnetism of female dance moves. It also highlighted elements of flamenco theatre. A cooperation with Stella Arauzo, the star dancer from the world renowned Antonio Gades Flamenco Company. The show featured La Tremendita and dancers from Gabriela's Flamenco Center. The Flamenco Woman toured Sweden and Norway and was widely acclaimed. It was also filmed and broadcasted by the Swedish National Television, SVT.

Rhythm & Dance 2 2003-2005
A show which featured dances and rhythms from five different countries: khatak dance from India, flamenco, gaucho dance from Argentina, Irish dance and tap dance. The performance was sponsored by the Swedish Cultural Council and toured Sweden.

"This is world culture at its best!"
Karin Månsson, Arbetarbladet

"An inspiring and provoking melting pot that shows that the essence of cultural development is exchange!"
Anna Åström, Svenska Dagbladet (SvD)

The Fire Dance 2004
A unique dance and music spectacle in two acts, in which Modern and Spanish dance met to the music of de Falla (El Amor Brujo), Albeniz and Gimenez. Choreographed by Stella Arauzo and Gabriella Gutarra. It featured the Symphony Orchestra SAMI conducted by Ruben Gimeno Martinez, together with the singer Karin Lovelius.

Poesia Flamenca 2005
A cooperation between the singer Antonio Carrasco and Gabriela Gutarra, in which the poetry of Miguel Hernandez, Federico Garcia Lorca, Antonio Machado and Rafael Alberti emerges through the flamenco in the form of song and dance. Antonio Carrasco says that all these poets have one major thing in common - they all have experienced the Spanish Civil War and the effects it had on the people. Perhaps their poetry can contribute to our understanding of the horror of war regardless of its causes.

Afro-Flamenco - 2008-2009
with artist from cuba, senegall and Spain.

Courses

Middel level / advanced

Courses spring 2010
spanish dance: Flamenco , sevillanas, Clasical Spanish Dance, castanjetts, tecnic flamenco clases.
Floore barre: with Alexander Peredafrom Cubas national Balett.
Oriental dance: satudays 11.00 starts 14/2 . Beginners. Teacher: Leslie

Below you will find all information you need to start dancing at Flamenco Center.

Intensiv courses
Mon - thorsdag 18.00 - 19.30 beginners . 1-2 and 3
Mon - thorsdag 19.30 - 21.00 fort. 1 och 2

Long courses
The long courses starts in week 5 and lasts 14 weeks. No classes the week before Easter.
N.B. The more courses you go to the more reduction you get!

Send your entry containing name, address, phone and age with mail, e-mail or fax.
Please note that your entry is binding.

Prices for (14 classes):
1 class/week 2100 SEK
2 classes/week = 3780 SEK (-10%)
3 classes/week = 5040 SEK (-20%)
4 classes/week = 5900 SEK (30%)

One class = 90 min.

Please pay your fee to Flamenco Center pg (postgiro) 171 34 06-5

Student performace 2010 : maj

Beginners

Beginners 1a - Sevillanas and basic flamenco technique: Rapid pace.
Starts Monday. 1/2 at 6.00-7.30 pm.

Beginners 1 b - Rumba flamenca o and basic flamenco technicque. Normal pace..
Starts Monday 1/2 at 7.30-9.00 pm

Beginners 2 - Flamenco: 4-5 terms of experience.
Starts wensday 4/2 at 6 pm - 7.30

Beginners 3 flamenco o and basic flamenco technicque.
Thorsdays start 4/2 houres 20.00-21.30

Important message for beginners!

It takes time to learn spanish dance. You will reach the best result if you always are present at the classes and also practice at home. If you miss a class you can compensate it with going to a class in one of the other courses.

If you want to dance on a more advanced level ( e.g. preparation for entrance examination at higher dance education) it is necessary to participate in at least two classes/week.

Middle /Advanced

Middle level 1 - Flamenco: Minimum 4 terms of experience. During the course we will make one complete choreography.
Starts Tuesday 2/2 . 6.00- 7.30 pm.

Middle level 2 - Minimum 5 terms of experience.
Starts Wensdays 7.30 pm - 9 pm , 3/2 , 2009

Advanced - Flamenco: More than 5 terms of experience. During the course we will make one complete choreography.
Starts Tuesday 2/2 , 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm.

Childrens course

non this year

Technique

Middel level /advanced
Starts sundays 4.30 pm

Classic spanish dance/advance/ castanjetts
Sundays 3 pm

Private lessons

Please contact Gabriela Gutarra for further information.

Student performances

At the end of every term there is a student performance. Participation is volontary and there are special rehearsals.

If you think you are in the wrong course you can of course change. Our policy is to bring the best education to both amateurs and semi-professionals.

All courses starts in week 5. Also see schedule for course starts.

Equipment and clothes

Bring comfortable and stable shoes with 3-5 cm heels. If you just want to try flamenco for one term - wait with buying expensive shoes. A flamenco skirt is not necessary for beginners.