VIDEO: Olé! Eighth-Graders Dance the Flamenco

Last week, eighth-graders at put on their dancing shoes.

Students in drama teacher Danielle Pittel's class learned Flamenco and modern dance through The Cowles Center’s Distance Learning Program. Without leaving the classroom, professional dancers in Minneapolis utilized a two-way interactive, real-time teaching environment. Students and dancers were able to see each other on a large projection screen while taking instruction and asking questions.

Students learned various rhythmic patterns, dance steps from the Flamenco tradition, the verses to a “Tangos” song, as well as the cultural elements of the dance and music of Spain. Virtual field trips extend the walls of the classroom and allow students to have world-class fine arts experiences without leaving school.

Students will visit The Cowles Center for a matinee performance production of "Matador" by Mathew Janczewski, one of their dance instructors.