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5 minute chat with Rosa Olympia Estrella

Rosa Olympia Estrella began her studies in flamenco at the age of 8 with Enrique el Canastero and Mariquilla in the Albaycin district of Granada Spain. Continuing her studies at the Dance Conservatory in Classical Spanish Dance and Flamenco and then moving to Seville, Spain, were she studies Manolo Marin, La Tona, Milagros Menjibar and choreographic master Javier Latorre. Rosas dance training includes jazz, tap and contemporary dance over the course of her career with the main instruction occurring in the United States at Broadway Dance Center and Jose Limon in New York City. Rosa became a soloist and fusion choreographer from the beginning of her career and is known for successfully incorporating varying dance styles and disciplines into her work. Fusion being her specialty, she has incorporated classical, jazz, tap, break-dance, Balinese, West African, and many Latin styles into her choreographies. She has taught and performed throughout her native Spain, as well as Japan, Scandinavia, Canada, Romania, Austria, Poland and across the United States.

1) Since you opened your doors 3 years ago, your dance studio has become quite well known and diverse, what is your philosophy behind your programs, that have made it such a success.

The core philosophy from the onset was to bring professionally designed training, with a Warm & Gentle approach to our adult and childrens programs. I believe that dance should be accessible to all and that was the very first basis of the concept. Our adult students are busy, working people that would like to learn in a fun, engaging and supportive environment, and that is what we provide. Dance is so revealing and sometimes makes people nervous, that perhaps they are not looking very nice or that they can't do it. It is a process and a journey, like learning a foreign language, your body needs time to absorb the new vocabulary. Which is why it is so critical that the classes be accessible and friendly, designed with the students in mind.

2) You are the only Dance Studio in Prague that is in English Language, why did you choose to build your business in a foreign language?

Prague is an international city and our programs are geared to be inclusive of all cultures and English seemed to be natural fit since so many people speak english. We have students from around the world as well as many Czech students of course, and people appreciate the ability to be part of an international family with a universally accepted common language that English has become.

This has been especially popular in our childrens dance programs. Not only are children learning a variety of dance modaleties, but they are also learning language. We offer programs for children ages 2-8 years, like Ballet, Modern, Broadway Jazz, Flamenco, Street Dance and Boys Only classes, all in English. We have many students that come to us not speaking any English and after 6 months are forming sentences and talking with other students.

3) What do you say to people that say “ I can't dance”? 

I say take the “can't out of that phrase.  Our bodies store emotions, memories, feelings, it is an expressive vehicle.  But depending on the culture we come from, we monitor those aspects differently, thus our bodies expression  is very closely tied to cultural conditioning, not to personal inability.  So everyone can dance actually!  And its the best activity you can do in your life for your overall health.  A recent study done by Harvard Medical School found that of all the sports you can engage in, Tennis, Running, Football and so on....Dance reduces the probability of developing Alzheimers by 70%.   Their is music, steps, spacial awareness, coordination, personal expression, partnering, your brain is working and staying fit as well.