What does it feel like to have been the first teacher to some of the most famous flamenco dancers from Jerez?

That's a question I asked Ana María López, one of the most influential flamenco instructors in Jerez, Spain, in the video interview you'll see below.

Sitting down with Ani . . . 

In the interview Ani, as she's affectionately known, talks about how she grew up surrounded by flamenco in the San Miguel neighborhood of Jerez, began studying dance as a little girl, and later grew into one of the most well-known bulerías instructors around. She has been the primary teacher to some of the greatest flamenco dancers working today such as Mercedes Ruíz, Patricia Ibañez, and Carmen Herrera. Naturally, we study bulerías with her during the Flamenco Tour to Jerez.

Ready to watch? 

We did this interview in the studio where she teaches at the Peña De Los Cernícalos in Jerez. Ani comes across as pretty serious in the video. This is definitely not how she is in class where she's constantly joking and finding opportunities to laugh (a necessary thing when studying bulerías). Watch through to the end where you'll see her demonstrating how to dance bulerías with the cante while Zorri sings to her, and feel the joyful essence of Jerez. This interview is in Spanish, but don't worry, it has English subtitles. 

Ani teaches bulerías with her heart and soul. Join me in May and experience her for yourself on the Flamenco Tour to Jerez.

(By the way, Ani imparts lots of wisdom during class. You can get many tips from her here.)

Stay tuned, an interview with Zorri is on the way, and if you'd like to see the full video of her dance demo that day, you can do so here.

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