Instructor, Joelle Gonçalves, returns to Spain regularly to further her dance training. The classes she teaches in Santa Rosa are based on smaller portions of the choreography she learns there. "I bring Spain back with me so that I can share the joy that I am so fortunate to experience."

Ongoing In Person Classes

Here are some life skills that can be learned from flamenco:
  • Resilience Flamenco requires work, even for professionals.
  • Cooperation Flamenco is a team effort; guitarist, singer, and dancer work together to keep time, follow cues, and improvise.
  • Mental flexibility Flamenco performances may require flexibility to adapt to unexpected situations, such as adding extra compás to choreography.
  • Patience Flamenco can seem elusive, but it's important to remember how far you've come.
  • Confidence Flamenco performances can include moments of triumph when you nail a move.
Intermediate/Advanced
Friday's 11am-Noon
Advanced students will work on various footwork patterns incorporating upper body work and hands at a high level. Class is held in Joelle's private downtown studio. $20 per class.
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Performance Prep Class (Cuadro Skills) for All Levels
​Thursday's 7pm-8pm
Learn the skills for performing in a flamenco cuadro: 
  • Compás: A deep understanding of compás is essential. 
  • Palmas: Percussive handclapping is a key element of flamenco. 
  • Improvisation: The ability to improvise is important. 
  • Dance structure: Knowing the structure of the dance and being able to transition between parts clearly is essential. 
  • Stage experience: Being able to receive feedback and set goals for your performance. 
Class is held in Joelle's private downtown studio. $20 per class.
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Technique and Choreography
Wednesday's 5:30pm-6:30pm 
5/14/25 - 6/25/25 (7 Sessions)

This 7 week Flamenco workshop is for all students offering very basic footwork exercises for new students and for returning students Joelle offers complex arm combinations and body lines. The palo we will be exploring is Tangos de Malaga. All classes accompanied by professional guitarist, Mark Taylor with other guest musicians. Call the Finley Center to register if you are a first time student: 707.543.3737. Class package is $63 for all 7 classes.

Instructor Biography

Joelle has been teaching in Santa Rosa since 2003. She has worked to build a local flamenco community where students can enjoy flamenco parties, performance opportunities, work with professional musicians, and learn together in a safe and fun environment. 

Joelle's refreshing approach to teaching involves character building  exercises, translating the understanding of complex flamenco rhythms, and helping to reveal each students unique strengths. She has  received awards from the Sonoma Arts Council and most recently she was granted a generous gift through the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Relief Fund, a COVID relief grant through The Alliance for California Traditional Arts. In 2009 she received a personal letter from Cirque du Soleil talent scout, Guilio Scatola, requesting her audition (after seeing her perform at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts) for the production of Ka. Most recently she was hired to perform flamenco as a soloist with Cirque de Bohéme during the 2022 Winter Season of GYPSY and a 2023 Winter season supernumereary for the San Jose Opera's production of the Barber of Seville as a flamenco dancer.  In 2024 Joelle was part of a duo flamenco performance for the US Tour of La Barça Women's Soccer Team in San Jose.

Joelle returns to Spain regularly to further her dance training. The classes she teaches in Santa Rosa are based on smaller portions of the choreography she learns there. "I bring Spain back with me so that I can share the joy that I am so fortunate to experience."
Recreation and Parks Department Classes Every Wednesday
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Joelle is also a guest teacher for local workshops.