Danielle Mouw, right, founded Flamenco Sonora in January as part of her senior thesis. Terri James, left, is a member of the ensemble that is teaching flamenco to people of all ages in Southern Arizona.
Danielle Mouw, center, and Flamenco Sonora members Terri James and Daniel Brito teach a lesson at TAG Elementary School in Tucson. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Mouw).
It was needle and thread that led to Danielle Mouw to turn an interest in flamenco into an ensemble that is teaching the dance to people of all ages in southern Arizona.
Mouw, who earned her bachelor’s degree from The University of Arizona in May, had earned several grants in 2006 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to start a business sewing costumes for salsa, tango, ballroom dancing and other performing arts groups.
She eventually began sewing dresses for flamenco performers and soon found that she was attracted to their dance form even though she had no experience in dance.
To Mouw, flamenco was physically intense and engaging, allowing dancers to improvise and to be engaged in the choreography and creation of music. Soon, she began her formal study in flamenco by taking classes with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana.
Then Mouw transferred to the UA, where, as a student in the Honors College, she met Douglas Nielsen, a UA dance professor. Nielsen, also a fan of flamenco, became Mouw's adviser and helped her to design her senior thesis in flamenco dance and performance.
“It became an obsession,” said Mouw, the lead dancer for Flamenco Sonora, who earned her interdisciplinary studies degree from the UA with honors this month.
Her senior thesis was in the form of a binder full of information tracing the origins and influences of flamenco with explinations about flamenco's different styles and how to perform its various types of music.
"Her work was ambitious and unique in some way," said Helena Rodrigues, the UA Honors College senior academic adviser.
"The thesis is really an opportunity for students, and they can do as much as they like, or as much as what is expected," Rodrigues said.
"She took it beyond what any of us could have expected," she added. "The other part is the personal journey. It seemed like it was also about turning a dream into a reality."
Mouw said she wanted to "expand the study of flamenco and teach its aspects." This drove her to form her own flamenco and jazz-infused ensemble, called Flamenco Sonora, as part of a research project where she not only researched the complexity of the art form, but felt compelled to share it with others.
For now, Mouw is waiting to hear back from universities where she submitted applications to begin her studies in law.
Meanwhile, she and the ensemble plan to continue offering their workshops, especially after having successful lessons in schools, at community centers and even once at a UA residence hall. One workshop will be held May 31 in Sahuarita.
“I’m not just doing this to become a better dancer, but because I want to pay homage to the dance and to its Gypsy culture,” Mouw said, noting that flamenco, while preserved by Gypsies in southern Spain, in fact fuses instruments and musical styles from Africa, Cuba and the Arabian Peninsula.
"Flamenco today has become quite popular as well outside of Spain, especially in Japan, Europe, Latin America, and is growing in the United States," Mouw added.
Her work earned her a Fulbright nomination and a grant from the Arizona Commission for the Arts to attend the National Institute of Flamenco’s international festival in New Mexico next month, where she will study under the direction of professional dancers from Spain.
"She wanted this complete understanding about flamenco, its origins and its rhythms," Rodrigues said. "I thought her work was pretty admirable."
The flamenco ensemble Mouw created, which consists of six members, also created numerous original songs and has also introduced workshops and training sessions to teach people as young as age 5 how to dance flamenco.
“Flamenco is very intense,” said Mouw, whose stage name is “Daniela.”
"It requires discipline and is very emotional. You are pushed as a dancer to communicate the music and song through very personal movements and mastery of complex rhythms," she said. "You must draw from your most intimate experiences and long practice hours."
Terri James, a Flamenco Sonora member whose stage name is “Theresa,” has taught flamenco in Tucson for several years and decided to help Mouw in her thesis.
“It’s about community building at its best,” said James, who continues to dance with the Mouw, saying that the group has developed friendships since Mouw founded the ensemble January. “We started it and it keeps growing.”
Because the dance is so engaging, it is easy to connect with others while remaining true to individual emotion, James said.
“You can really express yourself in flamenco in every kind of emotion,” she said. “To me, it’s about getting rid of your inhibitions and being connected with the music.”
During her rehearsals, Mouw always involves "other musicians since I play a dual role of teaching my musicians while I practice my solos with them. In flamenco it is all about working with the live music and developing a relationship with those you perform with so that dances are tight and convey real feeling.”
Flamenco Sonora is holding a demonstration May 30 from 6-7 p.m. at the Southwest Guitar Studio, 4889 E. Speedway Blvd.
The group is also holding a workshop May 31 from 1-4 p.m. for people of all ages. The introductory class will introduce participants to flamenco rhythm and dance as well as a beginner’s level introduction to flamenco guitar performance. The workshop is being sponsored by the town of Sahuarita’s Parks and Recreation Department and will be held at the Anamax Park and Community Center, 17501 S. Camino de Las Quintas, in Sahuarita.
To register, visit Flamenco Sonora's registration Web page. Those who intend to practice should take water and comfortable clothing and shoes. Students must also bring their own guitars.