Flamenco with Maika

✨ Back at La Guarida del Ángel ✨

What a wonderful evening last night at La Guarida del Ángel in Jerez. So good to be back in this very special place, enjoying a fantastic night of authentic, high-quality flamenco. 💃🏻🔥

A beautiful performance by Saray García and Daniela Blanco “La Soleá”, full of strength, personality, emotion and, of course, mucho arte. ❤️‍🔥

It was also such a pleasure to be back with Mario and Karen, who put so much love into La Guarida del Ángel and keep creating a space where flamenco can be experienced up close, as it should be.

And an extra reason to celebrate… Happy Birthday, Karen! 🎂🥂❤️ So lovely to share a little part of your special day with you.

Another beautiful Jerez night to remember. Flamenco, friends and arte… what more could I ask for? ✨💃🏻

Yesterday I completed another wonderful week of learning in Jerez — tired legs, a very happy soul, and so much new inspiration to take home with me! 💃🏻❤️

At Centro de Baile Jerez, I had the privilege of studying Alegrías con Bata de Cola and Tientos with the wonderful Cristina Otero. Working with the bata de cola is always a beautiful challenge, finding the balance between strength and elegance, control and freedom, technique and expression. Cristina’s knowledge, generosity and attention to detail made every class such a valuable experience. ✨

And then… Tangos del Piyayo with the extraordinary Manuel Liñán. What can I say? 😍 Learning from an artist of his calibre is a privilege in itself. His musicality, personality, humour, creativity and unmistakable way of understanding flamenco are simply captivating. There are some teachers who give you steps, and others who open a whole new world of possibilities. ❤️‍🔥

And, of course, flamenco would not be flamenco without the music. A very special thank you to the wonderful guitarist Pascual de Lorca and the amazing singer María Martínez from Telovendoto for accompanying us and filling the classes with their music, compás and arte. Having live cante and guitar while learning and dancing is an absolute gift. 🎶❤️

These weeks in Jerez have reminded me once again why, as a teacher, I will always remain a student. There is always more to learn, more to explore, more to feel — and so much inspiration to bring back to my own students in London.

Thank you Cristina Otero, Manuel Liñán, Pascual de Lorca, María Martínez and Centro de Baile Jerez for these very special days. And thank you, Jerez, for continuing to feed my flamenco soul. 🌹

I leave these courses with aching muscles, a head full of ideas and an enormous desire to keep dancing, learning and sharing.

Siempre aprendiendo. Siempre bailando. Siempre flamenca. 💃🏻✨

❤️‍🔥 Another week of learning, growing and breathing flamenco in Jerez…

This week I’m continuing my training at Escuela de Baile de Jerez, immersing myself in two very special courses.

One of them is bata de cola, challenging, demanding and absolutely beautiful. There is something magical about learning to move, control and eventually become one with the bata. 💃🏻

And I couldn’t be happier with mine, beautifully handmade by Solea Batas de Cola. ❤️ The weight, the movement, the caída… it feels divine when dancing. If you are looking for a bata de cola, I cannot recommend her work enough. ✨

And then… the privilege of learning Tangos del Piyayo with the extraordinary Manuel Liñán. ❤️‍🔥 Manuel Liñan
What an experience. Not only learning choreography from such an incredible artist, but being able to witness his artistry from so close, his unmistakable style, his musicality, his personality and that very special way he has of understanding and expressing flamenco.🫠

Sometimes a course gives you steps.
Sometimes it gives you inspiration.
And sometimes you simply stand there thinking: what a privilege to be here witnessing this. ✨🤩

Still learning. Still discovering. Still falling in love with flamenco, again and again.
Jerez, qué maravilla. ❤️

✨ A magical night of Zarzuela in Jerez ✨

Last night I had the pleasure of experiencing Noche de Zarzuela at the beautiful Bodegas Tío Pepe, and what a wonderful evening it was! ❤️🎶

Music, extraordinary voices and a live orchestra, all coming together under the Jerez night sky in such an iconic setting.

There is something incredibly special about experiencing Spanish music and culture here, in Andalucía, surrounded by so much history and tradition.

Zarzuela has such a wonderful way of combining music, theatre, emotion and that unmistakable Spanish character, dramatic, joyful, passionate and full of life. 🇪🇸

Another beautiful experience to treasure during my time in Jerez. ❤️

¡Qué noche tan bonita! ✨🎼🍷

💃 FLAMENCO TECHNIQUE IS BACK IN EALING! 🕺🏻

After our wonderful first course at idstudioslondon iD Studios, I’m so happy to be returning in September with a brand-new 7-week Flamenco Technique Course! ❤️🔥

Whether you’re completely new to flamenco or already have experience and want to strengthen and refine your technique, you are very welcome.

Over seven Saturdays, we’ll work on:
✨ Posture and body placement
✨ Arms & hands
✨ Footwork and strength
✨ Rhythm & musicality
✨ Balance & coordination
✨ Expression and confidence
✨ Choreography & improvisation
✨ Different flamenco palos

My aim is to create a space where you can work seriously on your technique while enjoying the energy, music and expression of flamenco, in a warm, supportive and empowering environment.

📅 7 Saturdays | 5 September – 17 October
⏰ 11:00–12:00
📍 iD Studios, Ealing – Dickens Yard
💙 ALL LEVELS WELCOME
💷 Full 7-week course: £99

You don’t need to wait until you feel “ready” for flamenco. Come as you are, and we’ll grow from there. 💃❤️🕺🏻

Places are limited, so book your place at ID Studios.

❤️

Some experiences stay with you long after the music stops... ❤️

Today was the final day of these unforgettable intensive courses with the incredible La Lupi Susana Lupiañez Pinto

From Caracoles with shawls to Bulerías with apron, every class has been a reminder that flamenco is so much more than steps and choreography.💃🏻

La Lupi doesn't just teach dance. She shares the history, culture, traditions and soul of flamenco with extraordinary generosity and passion. She is not only an exceptional bailaora and teacher, but also a true researcher of this art. Learning from someone with such profound knowledge has been an absolute privilege.🌹

A heartfelt thank you as well to Chiqui de Jerez, whose dedication makes these courses possible and brings artists like La Lupi together with students from around the world. Your work creates something truly special.👏🏻

Thank you to my wonderful classmates for sharing this beautiful journey, and thank you, La Lupi, for inspiring me to keep learning, questioning and growing.✨️

I leave these courses with a notebook full of ideas, tired feet, and a heart overflowing with gratitude. I can't wait to bring everything I've learned back to my own students.💞

I'll be back next year, si Dios quiere. ❤️
Until then... gracias de corazón. 💃

There is something truly special about coming back to Jerez to learn, grow and immerse myself in flamenco. ❤️

This week I'm taking two incredible courses with La Lupi Susana Lupiañez Pinto at Chiqui De Jerez and one of them is Caracoles with the shawl. 🐌

Caracoles is especially meaningful to me because it's a flamenco style that originated in Madrid, my hometown. Being able to study it here, in Jerez, with such an inspiring artist is something I'll always treasure.⭐️

This story also has a funny twist... I accidentally left one of my Manila shawls back in London! 🤦🏻‍♀️ Thankfully, a dear friend Fini lent me this breathtaking shawl, and it has made this experience even more special.🌹

It's not only incredibly beautiful, but the weight, movement and craftsmanship are simply extraordinary.🧵

Every time I dance with it, I feel like I have wings. It invites me to dance with my soul, letting every movement flow with freedom, emotion and joy. 🪽

One of the things I admire most about La Lupi is not only her artistry, but the way she teaches. She has an incredible ability to observe every student individually, instantly recognising what each person needs to improve, refine or unlock. Her attention to detail, generosity and passion make every correction feel inspiring. As a fellow teacher, I find that deeply motivating and a wonderful reminder of the impact a great teacher can have.✨️

I truly believe that no matter how many years we have been dancing or teaching, we should never stop being students. Every class is an opportunity to grow, to be inspired, and to fall in love with flamenco all over again.💓

📍Jerez de la Frontera 🇪🇸