Pair brings Spanish dance to Nelson County

A dance born halfway around the world, and characterized by colorful, swinging skirts, heel stomping, hand clapping and classical guitars, has made its way into Nelson County.

Luis Gallardo and Jeannette Caruth, both of Charlottesville, have started giving Spanish flamenco dance classes every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Rockfish Valley Community Center in Nellysford.

Caruth, 59, is originally from Holland, where she was trained in classical dance and flamenco, she said. She danced until her 20’s, and has only recently picked it back up.

The classes began when friends of Caruth’s, who is also a painter and sells her work at the Nellysford Farmers Market, asked about dancing.

“I have been going to the Nellysford Farmers Market for eight years, so a lot of people know me and they know I dance and some of them showed interest,” Caruth said. “I myself did not teach before but Luis came to town last October and so we teamed up.”

Gallardo, 72, and originally from Colombia, has danced since he was 14, he said, and has performed flamenco professionally worldwide.

A friend of Gallardo’s introduced the pair and Caruth said the connection was instantaneous, even though Gallardo spoke no English and Caruth spoke no Spanish.

Caruth said that at the first meeting, they both had translation dictionaries, but never opened them. Caruth grew up speaking four languages and said learning another one was not difficult.

“I like to learn Spanish more than he likes to learn English,” Caruth said. “It’s more interesting to me to know a different language and it has such similarities to French. Language is sort of a passion of mine, too.”

Gallardo and Caruth have four students in their Wednesday evening classes and plan to teach it “as long as there is interest.”

Gallardo said there are only two things necessary for a person to learn how to dance flamenco.

“You have to have very good ears for music and you have to love it,” he said.

The pair also enjoys dancing at the former school building because the floors are “paradise” for them, Gallardo said.

“We normally suffer much from different floors,” he said. “Here it is unbelievable. The floor gives.”

The couple has danced at other local venues as well, performing at schools, festivals and “wherever they ask us,” Caruth said.

For more information on the dance classes or booking Caruth and Gallardo for a performance, call (434) 563-4039 or e-mail Caruth at .