Traditional Spanish Dance Performance
Clemente Sophomores enjoyed an excursion to see a traditional Spanish dance performance produced by the acclaimed group, Ensemble Español. The picture here shows students with one of Ensemble Español’s dancers in the red dress she wore in a final flamenco piece. During this interactive performance, students learned how to palmear (clap) musically, as flamenco music is famous for, and the difference between palmas claras (crisp clapping) and palmas sordas (muted clapping).
After the performance, Jorge Perez, the artistic director of Ensemble Español and alumnus of Clemente H.S., facilitated a discussion between our students and the dancers who sent a clear message to follow your passion and work hard. We look forward to seeing Ensemble Español make an appearance at our auditorium for our students before the end of the year.
As the performance took place at the Northeastern Illinois University campus, students soaked in the campus life by eating lunch in the student union. After lunch, students toured the campus. The picture shows two students in front of a sculpture celebrating health, wellness, and athletics alongside the Physical Education building.
In Spanish class, we used images gathered from the dancing and the tour as visual texts to discuss, in Spanish, the costumes, instruments, music, and dance reflective of Spanish cultural history.
Just as the dancers stressed, our students are discovering their passion – whether that be in the arts, academics, athletics, or in a trade. We are so proud. They are learning that with hard work and dedication they can turn their passion into a career, thereby truly making a contribution to their community.