WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
A range of workshops is available from complete beginner to intermediate level. Contact us for details of our standard sessions, which can be tailored according to requirements. We offer educational and participative events for a range of budgets, with or without live musicians.
Beginner and improver dance classes in Manchester
Weekly dance classes continue in South Manchester, on Thursday evenings. Contact Sarah at espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for more details and booking, classes at two levels. Beginner level 7.30pm, Improver level 8.30pm. St Martin’s Church Hall, 112 Crescent Park, Stockport SK4 2JE Private classes also available.
Sevillanas
We run Sevillanas courses two or three times a year, as well as refresher sessions. Next course is Sundays 19,26 October and 2 November, 2.30 to 4pm at Chorlton High School. We are covering Sevillanas numbers 3 and 4, it’s fine to learn them out of order! Contact Sarah at espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for more details and booking.
Details of dance courses have been sent out to everybody in our mailing list, please check your Spam folder if you have not received these. See our Contact page if you would like to subscribe to the mailing list - this is for greater Manchester and Liverpool flamenco events and classes only and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Intensive Workshops 5-7 December 2025
We are delighted to welcome back Pilar Ogalla and Andrés Peña to Manchester, after great feedback from their last visit!
Classes are at Chorlton High School, Manchester M21 7SL
7pm, Friday 5 December - Palmas (single class)
Palmas for Bulerías, Open level workshop. Accompaniment of bulerías for cante and baile, with a focus on rhythm, structure and practical application. Suitable for dancers, guitarists, singers, percussionists and flamenco enthusiasts. Study materials provided.
10am to 2pm, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December - Dance (two-day courses)
Fandangos de Huelva, Choreography, Improver level. For dancers with a foundation in flamenco looking to develop musicality, flow and body control.
Bulerías de Cádiz, Choreography, Lower Intermediate level. Focus on rhythm, structure and the playful character of Cádiz-style bulerías.
Abandalaos, Choreography, Intermediate level. Derived from the fandangos, enormous fun to dance with a lively rhythm. For dancers wanting to connect more deeply with the vocal lines and refine their phrasing.
Classes will be in Spanish, with translation.
Spaces are limited! Please contact Sarah at espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for full details and bookings. Early Bird discounts available until 31 October.
What students said in feedback questionnaires in February 2024
Would you be keen to book more workshops with Andrés and Pilar In future? Yes - 100%
Average rating - 9.7 out of 10
“I loved the way Andrés and Pilar worked together and complemented one another. I think they were responsive to the group and the range of experience and matched the material well. I appreciated Pilar's attention to detail and technique which was very helpful. The whole weekend felt very joyful.“
"I came away with a better understanding of the palo plus lots of little tips on how to improve my dancing."
"The teaching was top notch, I really enjoyed the two tier approach. Getting the choreo first to get the steps down and then working on the details, I felt that really worked for me.❤️"
"Authentic flamenco, enjoyable choreography. Great to dance to singing! Fabulous teachers."
Dance workshops with María José Leon Soto
Dance workshops in Manchester
Friday 6 June
19.00 - 20.30 Introduction to castanets, suitable for beginners
Didsbury Baptist Church, School Lane, Didsbury M20 6SX
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June (two days, single days can be booked)
11.00-12.30 Improver level guajiras (some dance experience, shoes required)
12.30-13.00 Break
13.00-14.00 Open level technique - body work, footwork, coordination and compás
14.00 - 15.30 Intermediate level farruca
Chorlton High School, Nell Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 7SL
Contact: espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for booking and more details
Dance workshops with Andrés Peña
Chorlton High School, Nell Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 7SL
Sunday 11 May
10.00-11.30 Introduction to bulerías improvisation
11.30-12.30 Lower intermediate level technique
12.30 - 14.00 Intermediate jaleos extremeños
More details: espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com
Dance workshops with Cristina Aguilera
Flamenco dancer from Granada
Chorlton High School, Nell Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 7SL
Sunday 16 March
11.00-12.30 Improver level bulerias (two years' dance experience, shoes required)
12.30-13.30 Open level technique - body work, footwork, coordination and compás
13.30 - 15.00 Intermediate level tarantos
Contact: espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for booking and more details
Intensive dance weekend with Andrés Peña
Dance workshops in Manchester
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February 2025, Chorlton High School, Manchester, M4 1PE
12.00-13.30 Tangos Extrameños choreography, improver level (2 day course)
13.30- 14.30 Compas and technique for tientos, lower intermediate level (2 day course)
14.30-16.00 Tientos choreography, lower intermediate level (2 day course)
https://youtu.be/mptroYo2CPE
https://youtu.be/W1oLansY82A
For bookings and payment details please contact Sarah at espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com
Dance workshops with Julio Ruiz
11am-1pm Saturday 16 November, Chorlton High School M21 7SL
11am-1pm Sunday 17 November, KNT Danceworks M3 5DW
More details from Sarah at espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com
Dance workshops with Mercedes Ruiz - Wednesday 2 October
Wednesday 2 October, Chorlton High School, Manchester M21 7SL
▫️ 18.00-19.30 Bulerías, improver level
▫️ 19.30-21.00 Guajira, intermediate level
Classes are accompanied by flamenco guitarist Santiago Lara.
More details about Mercedes Ruiz are here: https://www.mercedesruizbailaora.com/en
Use this link: espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com to contact Sarah for full details and workshop bookings
Dance workshops with Magdalena Mannion - Sunday 24 March
Studio 25, 25 Church Street, Manchester M4 1PE
13.00 - 14.30 Fandangos de Huelva (Improvers, 2 years dancing)
14.30 - 15.30 Technique (all levels)
15.30 - 17.00 Taranto (Improvers / Intermediate)
Contact espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for booking and more details
Flamenco Intensive, 2-4 February 2024
Pilar Ogalla and Andrés Peña lead flamenco dance workshops in Liverpool and Manchester
Friday 2 Feb at Liverpool Arts Bar, L1 9BY
19.00-21.00 Siguiriya choreography and technique, improver / lower intermediate level (single class)
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 Feb at Studio 25, Manchester, M4 1PE
11.00-12.00 Compas and technique for alegrias, improver level (2 day course)
12.00-13.30 Alegrias choreography, improver level (2 day course)
13.30- 14.30 Compas and technique for siguiriyas, lower intermediate level (2 day course)
14.30-16.00 Siguiriyas choreography, lower intermediate level (2 day course)
For bookings and payment details please contact Sarah at espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com
An experienced teaching team bringing great musicality and enjoyment! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta9M9Y8eTk4
Photo by kind permission of Ivana D'Alessandro
Dance workshops with Paco Hidalgo
Sunday 29 October, at Studio 25 Manchester
13.00-14.30 Basic level choreography
14.30 - 15.30 Technique
15.30 - 17.00 Lower intermediate choreography
For bookings and payment details please contact Sarah at espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com
A popular and supportive teacher and choreographer, with great feedback from his last visit. https://youtu.be/5m_UVW_eBL4
Dance workshops with Cristina Aguilera
Saturday 7 October
13.00-14.30 Tangos, basic level
14.30–15.30 Technique
15.30–17.00 Bulerías de Cádiz, intermediate level
Bookings and payments, please contact Sarah at espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com
An experienced, enthusiastic and encouraging teacher, both face to face and online.
Dance workshops with Julio Ruiz
Flamenco dance classes with Julio Ruiz. Fantastic to have him back in Manchester, with his energy, musicianship and elegance. We had five star feedback from his last visit. An experienced teacher with a positive attitude!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EviyUQjLEw
Saturday 16 September
12.30-2pm Improver level (two years' dance experience, shoes required)
2-3.30pm Lower intermediate level
Sunday 17 September
11-12.30pm Improver level
12.30-2pm Lower intermediate level
Contact: espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for booking and more details
Dance studio capacity is limited, places confirmed on payment.
Dance workshops with Magdalena Mannion
Saturday 29 July, Studio 25
25 Church Street, Manchester M4 1PE
12.00 - 13.30 Fandangos de Huelva (Improvers, 2 years dancing)
13.30 - 15.00 Taranto (Improvers / Intermediate)
Contact espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for booking and more details
Dance workshops with Andrés Peña
Friday 19 May, Chorlton High School, Manchester M21 7SL
▫️ 18.00-19.30 Bulerías, improver level
▫️ 19.30-21.00 Soleá, intermediate level
Saturday 20 May, Studio 25, 25 Church Street, Manchester M14 1PE
▫️ 14.00-16.00 Soleá, intermediate level
Sunday 21 May, Liverpool Arts Bar, 22 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BY
▫️ 11.00-13.00 Bulerías, improver / lower intermediate level**
Contact espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for more details and booking
**Anybody booking onto the Liverpool workshop can also benefit from a discounted ticket for the evening show at the Tung Auditorium
Dance workshops with Magdalena Mannion
Sunday 12 March 2023
13.00 - 14.30 Tangos (Improvers, 2 years dancing)
14.30 - 15.30 Technique (Improvers / Intermediate)
15.30 - 17.00 Bamberas choreography (Intermediate)
Contact espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for booking and more details
Dance workshops with Irene ‘La Sentío’
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January 2023
Footwork, bodywork, choreography for ‘Tangos del Titi’ (improver / basico); and Caña (intermediate / intermedio bajo)
Bookings: espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com
Studio 25 Manchester, 25 Church Street M4 1PE
Dance workshops with Andrés Peña
Studio 25, M14 1PE - Sat 19 & Sun 20 Nov 2022
13.00-14.30 Bulerias, Improver level
14.30-15.30 Technique, Improver / Intermediate level
15.30-17.00 Solea por bulerias choreography, Intermediate level
Contact espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for more details and booking
Dance workshops with Julio Ruiz - Saturday 15 October 2022
Dance workshops Saturday 15th October
Footwork, bodywork, choreography for alegrias
Bookings: espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com
Studio 25 Manchester, 25 Church Street M4 1PE
Flamenco Dance workshops with Magdalena Mannion Friday 12 August 2022
Friday 12th August
18.15-19.15 Technique, open level
19.15 - 20.45 Choreography for tangos
Bookings: espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com
Studio 25 Manchester, 25 Church Street M4 1PE
Flamenco Dance, Guitar and Palmas courses with Andrés Peña and his group, 9 and 10 April 2022
Flamenco workshops
Studio 25, M14 1PE, Saturday 9th April
12.30-14.00 Dance, Improver level, Andrés Peña
14.00-15.00 Palmas, Improver level, Miguel Rosendo
15.00-16.30 Dance, Lower Intermediate level, Andrés
Sunday 10th April
12.00-13.30 Dance, Improver level, Andrés Peña
12.30-14.30 Guitar, Lower Intermediate, Miguel Pérez
13.30-15.00 Dance, Lower Intermediate level, Andrés
Contact espiritu.flamenco@virginmedia.com for more details and booking
Hen parties and community group demonstrations are our most popular events, see separate page for details of school workshops.
Regular classes are online and in the studio, as restrictions permit. Private and group classes are available at introductory, beginner, improver and lower intermediate level. Sevillanas courses normally run a couple of times a year.
Visiting Teachers
We regularly invite visiting teachers to Manchester to teach dance, guitar, cante (song) and palmas (clapping) up to Spanish intermediate level. We are currently confirming the programme of visiting teachers for 2023. Courses are planned for January, March, April, May, July, October, November and December.
