THE SILVIA DURAN CENTRE FOR SPANISH DANCE & FLAMENCO IN ISRAEL  -  TEL AVIV

Recognised by the Embassy of Spain in Israel and the Cervantes Institute.

Silvia Duran is the First Lady of Spanish Dance and Flamenco in Israel; responsible for the training and education of generations of professional dancers in Israel and abroad, and recognised cultural ambassador of Spanish Culture in Israel.

For her contribution to Spanish dance and culture she has been awarded many honours and prizes among them:

Decoration by His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain:

COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF CIVIL MERIT

ROSENBLUM PRIZE FOR THE ARTS  -  LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Duran opened the first Spanish Dance and Flamenco Centre with School and Professional Company in Tel Aviv.  The School in 1977 and the Company in 1984.

The School has its own Programme of Studies , devised by Silvia Duran and authorised by ANTONIO "El Bailarin"

NEW CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS

Free first lesson

Limited Admission

Wednesdays 18.00

Contrary to others forms of dance (classical ballet, modern, jazz etc.) the study of flamenco does not require any pre-conditions or studies.

There is no age limit.  It is a dance form, the study of which can be enjoyed by both men and women alike, and there are no special physical requirements.

Coordination of hands, arms and feet are all taught separately – step by step – enabling all to experience the joy and to become a part of that wonderful world that is Flamenco .

Within the walls of the School, hung with dedicated photographs of Legends of the Spanish dance and Flamenco and momentos of Silvia's prestigious career , many teachers and performers of this specialized art took their first steps. Among the long list of names Neta Sheyzaf, Michal Natan, Carmel Natan, Ornili Azulai, Sharon Sultan, Ela Weich to mention just a few…….

Today, Silvia continues her life's work to educate, train and build new generations of talented Flamenco dancers.

Silvia, herself teaches every student in the School and so doing sees to it that everyone receives the gift of her vast knowledge and experience.  She personally directs all material taught in her School and teaches every group at least once a fortnight. 

Silvia Duran gives Workshops and Master Classes in Israel and all over the world.

She is known especially for her beautiful Arm and Hand Movements and has also been dubbed "The Lady of the Hands".

In addition to her daily schedule Duran directs her Spanish Dance and Flamenco Company which performs all over the country and abroad with great acclaim from Press and public alike.

THE SILVIA DURAN SPANISH DANCE & FLAMENCO CENTRE

OFFERS:

*  Classes for Beginners , Intermediate and Advanced Levels.

*  Classes for Professional Dancers.

*  Preparation of outstanding students for performances within the framework of the

Silvia Duran Spanish Dance and Flamenco Company

*  Classes in Theory on the History and Development of the Spanish Dance endowing     the student with knowledge of the different styles and creating a familiarity with

the different "palos" (styles) of Flamenco.  These classes are accompanied by rare

videos.

*  Classes for lovers of flamenco with no background in any dance form.

*  Summer Courses and Workshops with famous names in Flamenco and Spanish

Dance brought to the Centre directly from Spain.

* Special classes for children

* Classes in Spanish movement for actors, singers and opera singers.

Certificate of ANTONIO "El Bailarin"

I hereby certify that the Courses which were presented before me

by Silvia Duran of the Spanish Dance Centre of Tel-Aviv have my full approval and I find them ideal for the teaching of Spanish Dance in the said School.

Signed in Madrid

Antonio Ruiz Soler "ANTONIO"

WHAT IS SILVIA DURAN'S SECRET AS A TEACHER ?

WHY IS SILVIA THOUGHT OF AS SUCH A GREAT AND REVERED MASTER?

Silvia believes that "teaching" is "giving".

She endows her students with the tools which enable each and

every one of them to develop their personal artistic identity.

She brings them to a self-awareness which allows them to fully

express themselves.

Words written to her by her great teacher VICTORIA EUGENIA Past Artistic Director – Spanish National Ballet:

"I am frankly moved by my visit to your studio.  I know that you are

a great professional.

When your students came to Spain they had an extraordinary "stamp".

But, many years have passed, and I was afraid that you might have

fallen into the trap of the "modernists" that attacks us so dangerously.

There are dancers, I will not name any, that, because of their great

personality, can renovate.  These dancers, the majority of whom know the dance to perfection, and can allow themselves the luxury of

creating new forms.  BUT NOT SO FOR US TEACHERS.

The teachers must teach the roots, purity, the truth.  Only thus will there be good dancers who, perhaps, tomorrow can invent.

Take Care!  The students are being deceived and they are being converted into "foreigners" of the Spanish dance.

I WAS MOVED BECAUSE YOUR STUDENTS HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO TRANSMIT:

THE DEPTH OF THE DANCE.

You had the technique and you keep it pure BUT, THIS ART THAT

YOU HAVE KNOWN HOW TO TRANSMIT TO YOUR STUDENTS IS A "GIFT" – A GIFT WHICH EVEN THE PASSAGE OF TIME HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO OBSCURE.

EACH ONE HAD SOMETHING SPECIAL, THEY WERE THEMSELVES, BUT, WITHOUT YOU, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THEMSELVES.

Bravo !  I always wanted the my students should transmit my love

Of the Dance.  Not everyone can do so.  Fortunately, I have students like you that are not able to ever be "corrupted".

THANK YOU SILVIA !!!!

Signed: Victoria Eugenia

JOSE ANTONIO

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

SPANISH NATIONAL BALLET:

"……The work you are doing is really extraordinary, and deserving of every compliment.  In your work you transmit to your students something which is very difficult to learn; the sense of the love of the profession, behaviour and discipline.  In this case we are not talking about the learning of certain steps of the dance, but the form, concept and feeling of our Art.

Few are the compliments for the many that you deserve; with all my heart I send you my most sincere congratulations together with my best wishes that your contribution to the Spanish dance will always follow the same path.