Dance Classes and Events

Amazing Pinja Simola will come back to Flama on Saturday, the 27th of June!

Schedule on Saturday, June 27
11.30–12.30 Bachata Ladies Style, intermediate
12.45–13.45 Bachata Ladies Style, beginners
14.15–15.15 Reggaeton, beginners
15.30–16.30 Zumba, beginners

Sign up for the workshops through our reservation system or by sending an email to info@flama.fi.

One class costs 12 euros. You can pay these classes with Flama’s punch cards or Anytime cards. You can also pay for these classes with sport or cultural benefit (Smartum, Edenred, Eazybreak, E-Pass) when arriving at the studio. Just remember to book the classes in advance.

PINJA SIMOLA
Pinja has been dancing competitive and Latin dances passionately, both solo and couple dances, all her life. Nowadays, she actively develops her dance skills abroad, for example by participating in the teaching of the world’s most famous Latin dance professionals. Pinja teaches bachata, reggaeton and salsa around Finland and also outside the country alone or with a partner. Especially her Bachata Ladies’ Styling classes have gained great popularity.

More information: info@flama.fi

Twerk for Dummies, Twerk Workshop for Beginners

On Saturday, the 11th of July, Flama will be all about the booty shaking! The teacher of the workshop is Meri Niemi.

What: Twerk Workshop for Beginners
Where: Dance Studio Flama (Linnankatu 84, Turku)
When: Saturday, the 11th of July 2020, at 12.00–13.30 (90 min)
Price: 21 €

Register for the workshop by purchasing it at our webshop.

Twerk for Beginners is a workshop filled with shaking, jiggle, thrusting and throwing the hip and bounce. The class concentrates on different techniques of booty shaking and easy choreography. Full speed from the beginning to the end, great sweat guaranteed!

You do not need any previous twerk experience to be able to participate!

Bring knee pads or for example leg warmers with you to protect your knees. The classes are meant for over 16-year-olds.

If you have any questions email to info@flama.fi.

MERI NIEMI
Dance has taken Meri all over the place: it all started with Loimaan Naisvoimistelijat and their annual spring performances and through both national and international basketball leagues, she finally made her way to Twerk Finnish National Championships. Meri has dance experience in show dance, hip hop, Cuban dances as well as some ballet but in recent years the love of her life has been twerk that is also nowadays her primary dance style. In twerk Meri is fascinated by its physicality, roughness and challenging techniques. According to her, the best thing in twerk is that it allows one to do an extremely hard workout and simultaneously praise one’s own body. In addition to twerk, Meri’s heart is also taken by Dancehall Queenstyle and Latin dances. However, you can find Meri in any dance classes, since her training policy says that different dance styles let one develop into a versatile dancer, and each dance style can provide something new to one’s own style.

As a teacher, Meri is a relaxed type, but she urges and encourages her students always to do their best. Her classes are filled with laughter and humor – not forgetting hard training. Meri thinks that the best thing in her classes is absolutely to see how people go beyond themselves and do something they could not even believed to be possible. Everyone can come to the classes just the way they are, regardless of the size of the butt.

At Flama, Meri works as a twerk teacher and dancesand leads in the dance studio’s Bouncy Crew.

Attention! Twerk classes are meant for over 16-year-olds.

More information: info@flama.fi

We will have voguing workshops with Katja Prodigy at Flama the 19th of July!

Schedule on Sunday, July 19
12.00–13.15 Vogue Femme, technique, open level (75 min)
During the class, we will practice the vogue femme technique and get familiar with the history of ballroom and its culture with different technique and freestyle exercises.
13.30–14.45 Vogue Femme, choreography, open level (75 min)
During the class, we will prepare a soft and feminine choreography by using vogue femme elements. The choreography will be filmed in the end of the class with all those who want to join.

Teacher: Katja ‘Prodigy’ Rauhala

Register for the workshops by purchasing those at our webshop:
– Technique class 16 €
– Choreography class 16 €

More information: info@flama.fi

On Sunday, the 26th of July, we will fill Flama with couple salsa again!

Schedule for Sunday, July 26
11.30–13.30 Cuban Couple Salsa, beginners (this workshop is suitable for those who have participated in the beginners’ couple salsa classes before and want to revise the basics. During the class, we will revise the basic elements and figures of couple salsa, such as enchufla, di le que si, sacala, setenta etc.)
13.15–14.45 Cuban Couple Salsa, advanced beginners
This class is meant for those who are already confident with the basics of couple salsa.

To sign up for these classes, you should register together with your own partner. Sign up by sending an email to info@flama.fi and please tell with whom you will dance as a pair.

The workshops are held by the founder of Flama, Anna Tolppa.

Price:
1 workshop (1,5h): 17 € / person
You can pay for the classes at the studio by card, cash or for example with sport and cultural benefits, such as Smartum, Eazybreak, ePass or Edenred.

More information: info@flama.fi

On Saturday, the 8th of August, we will dance with lovely Tiia Kerttula at Flama!

Schedule for Saturday, the 8th of August 2020
11.00–12.15 Cha-cha Solo, open level, solo class (75 min)
12.15–13.30 Slow Rumba Solo, open level, solo class (75 min)
13.45–15.00 Jazz dance, open level (75 min)

Register for the workshops by purchasing those from our webshop:
Cha-Cha 15 €
Slow rumba 15 €
Jazz dance 15 €

CHA-CHA
During the class, we will learn the basics of cha-cha, such as the right use and language of the body. You will get familiar with the basic steps and variation of cha-cha. During the class, we will also rehearse a choreography that includes elements of cha-cha and show dance.

TIIA KERTTULA

More informantion: info@flama.fi

Dance workshops at Flama on Saturday, the 22nd of August hosted by the visiting dance artist and teacher, Elina Valtonen

Schedule on Saturday, the 22nd of August 2020
11.30–12.45 Caribbean Party, beginners / open level (75 min)
12.45–14.00 Sexy Reggaeton, intermediate level (75 min)
14.15–15.45 Dance Technique, open level (90 min)

PRICES AND REGISTRATION
– Caribbean Party Workshop 16 €
– Sexy Reggaeton Workshop, 16 €
– Dance Technique Workshop, 18 €

CARIBBEAN PARTY
Caribbean Party Class offers a party in the Caribbean style! We will enjoy Caribbean music and body movements of soca, dancehall, salsa, reggaeton etc. We will turn the music on, set all the worries aside and just let the rhythm take us along. In the beginning of the class, we will mainly have series of steps straight to the music, after which we will create a longer choreography towards the end of the class. This class will certainly make you sweat!

SEXY REGGAETON
Reggaeton is a genre of music and dance originating from Cuba and Puerto Rico and it is nowadays the most popular dance style in South and Mid America, especially among the youth. Reggaeton is characterized by strong dynamic fluctuations, polyrhythm and playing with isolation.

WHO IS ELINA VALTONEN?
Elina has worked as a dance artist in ten different countries. Most recently, she worked for one and a half years in an Afro-Caribbean contemporary dance company in Canada. Alongside North America, she has also been able to tour the Caribbean. As a result, multiculturalism is one of the greatest sources of her inspiration and Elina loves holistic, sweaty and animal dance. Her passion is to combine Afro and Western body movements.
Elina is, in her own words, “passionate about sharing the liberating message of the dance that directs us towards the truth”.

More information: info@flama.fi

A dance weekend full of feminine energy! Between the 29th and the 30th of August, Dance studio Flama will be filled with friskiness and sensuality. Come to have fun by dancing at Ladies Weekend!

SCHEDULE

Saturday, August 29
11:00–12:00 Salsa Ladies Style, open level – Anna
12:00–13:00 Bachata Ladies Style, open level – Anna
13:15–14:15 Sensual Reggaeton, open level – Meri
14:15–15:15 Bootylicious Twerk Special, open level – Meri
15:30–16:30 Dancehall Queenstyle, open level – Oona

Sunday, August 30
12:00–13:00 Show Burlesque, open level – Mirka
13:00–14:00 Heels, open level – Pauliina
14:00–15:00 Flawless Diva, open level – Meri

All the classes are open level classes. This means that anyone can participate in the class but prior knowledge in some dance style is recommended. However, you do not need to have previous knowledge in the dance style in question. If you have danced something, no matter what, you are welcome to join.

PRICES
1 workshop: 12 €
Full pass (all the classes included): Early bird price until the 30th of April: 60 €, after that the normal price is 85 €

Sign up for the workshops by purchasing them at our webshop:
Full pass (all classes included)

Workshops separately:
Salsa Ladies Style
Bachata Ladies Style
Sensual Reggaeton
Bootylicious Twerk Special
Dancehall Queenstyle 
Show Burlesque
Heels
Flawless Diva

SALSA LADIES STYLE
Salsa Ladies Style class is all about impressive feminine body movements and music interpretation. In addition to typical body movements and technique of Cuban salsa, the class concentrates inter alia on the use of hands and feminine impression, not forgetting show elements. Let yourself lose in all the sensuality!

BACHATA LADIES STYLE
Bachata is a sensual Latin dance that comes originally from the Dominican Republic. During the class, we will concentrate on footwork, the technique of hand and arm lines as well as body movements and rhythmic.

REGGAETON
Reggaeton is the hot dance of Latin nightclubs, and it has been influenced by different dance styles, such as hip hop, dancehall reggae and the Caribbean and South American traditional dances, for example Afro dances. Reggaeton is characterized by strong dynamic fluctuations, polyrhythms and playing with chest and hip isolation in particular. Both strong accents and soft sensual movements are present and they alternate.

BOOTYLICIOUS
Bootylicious class is all about booty shaking. This class has the full speed, from the beginning to the end, so great sweat guaranteed! Bring your knee pads or leg warmers with you to protect your knees. ATTENTION! The workshop is meant for over 15-year-olds.

DANCEHALL QUEENSTYLE
Dancehall is a street dance that was born in Jamaica and it continues to develop. During the Dancehall Queenstyle class, we will concentrate on women’s own dance style. Attitude, feminine moves and steps will be involved. Bring a water bottle and knee pads or leg warmers to the class to protect your knees.

SHOW BURLESQUE
Show Burlesque combines show dance and burlesque with charming seduction and flirtation. You can dance with your socks or toe pads, we do not recommend you to wear any dance sneakers during the class. If you have sensitive knees, it is a good idea to bring your own knee pads or leg warmers with you, because some movements might include floorwork.

HEELS
Show Heels class takes you to the super feminine world of show dance! The classes influenced by the esthetics of music videos make you feel like Beyoncé of your own life! The class introduces you to show dance with heels. Come to have fun and bring your own heels with you to the class. Of course, it is possible to dance without the heels as well.

FLAWLESS DIVA
The class is built around a feminine choreography that is full of self-confidence and sensual body movements combined with accents. This is the place to let your inner diva loose!

TEACHERS

ANNA TOLPPA
Anna is the founder of Dance Studio Flama and a Latin dance teacher. Anna fell in love with dancing early. She started with classical ballet at the age of five and continued her dance studies also with jazz and show dance in her childhood and adolescence. Since 2010, she has concentrated on Latin dance. She trained to become a salsa instructor under the direction of a Cuban dance teacher, Ramón Silverio. Before opening her own dance studio, Anna has taught dance classes for example in Dance School Salsa de Cuba, CampusSport, ANNAsport, Naantali Adult Education Center, HaNi-Halli and various events. She graduated from the Humak University of Applied Sciences as Bachelor of Culture and Arts (Cultural Management) and from the University of Turku as Bachelor of Arts.

MERI NIEMI
Flama’s own TwerkMama Meri is such an energy bomb and she has dance experience in a vide range of different dance styles. In the recent years, the love of her life has been twerk that is also nowadays her primary dance style. In twerk, Meri is fascinated by its physicality, roughness and challenging techniques. According to her, the best thing in twerk is that it allows one to do an extremely hard workout and simultaneously praise one’s own body. Meri thinks that the best thing in her classes is absolutely to see how people go beyond themselves and do something they could not even believed to be possible.

OONA VARINOWSKI
Oona started dancing with salsa and other Cuban dances. Later she continued with Kizomba, Urban Kiz and Dancehall. Oona also educates herself continuously by going to Jamaican and European Dancehall teachers’ classes and visiting Jamaica to train. Besides, Oona’s university thesis was about Dancehall.

MIRKA SAALI
Mirka has a long history of different dance styles, so none of her Show Burlesque classes are identical. Years of experience is reflected in insightful and skilled choreographies that have been inspired inter alia by broadway, competitive dances and Latin dances. As a teacher, Mirka is compelling and purposeful but still easy-going.

PAULIINA LATVA
Pauliina is a versatile and strong dancer and also a physiotherapy student and a personal trainer. She has been working as a dancer on a wide scale, performing both in Finland and abroad, for example in New York, Barcelona, Stockholm and Tallinn. She has danced as a background dancer for different artists, featured music videos, made commercials and danced in the opera. As a dance teacher, Pauliina is inspiring and encouraging. Her dance classes are filled with versatile dance know-how and typically different dance styles are open-mindedly combined.

More information about the dance weekend and the workshops: info@flama.fi

Flama’s third anniversary will be celebrated at the incredible dance party on Saturday night, the 5th of September 2020, from 9 pm to 1 am. We will inform you more about the event later, but mark that night already in your calendar and be prepared for the party of the year! Let’s celebrate life dancing!

Hanna-Maija Pääkkönen will visit Flama on Saturday, September 12!

Schedule 12.9.2020
11.00–12.15 Commercial Latin, 75 min
12.30–13.45 Reggaeton, 75 min
14.00–15.15 Salsa Ladies Style (on1), 75 min
15.30–16.45 Bachata Ladies Style, 75 min

These classes are suitable for those who have previous dance experience.

Prices and registration:
1 workshop (75 min): 16 €
All 4 workshops, “full pass” price: 50 €

Registrate for the classes by purchasing those from our webshop:
– Commercial Latin
– Reggaeton
– Salsa Ladies Style
– Bachata Ladies Style
– All workshops “full pass”

HANNA-MAIJA PÄÄKKÖNEN

Hanna-Maija Pääkkönen is a professional dancer specialized in Caribbean dances. She has a long dance education since she was 3 years old, featuring studies in classical ballet, lyrical jazz, contemporary dance and show dance. She came in contact with Latin American dances already in her childhood, when living in Nicaragua where she studied local folkloric dances. During her high school years she travelled to Dominican Republic (1999-2000) to study merengue and bachata. After returning to Finland she studied afrocuban dances with several Cuban professionals such as Ramon Silverio (Conjunto Folklórico Santiago de Cuba) and Chiqui Dixon (Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba) around Europe. During her studies she worked as a teacher trainee in Dance School Salsa de Cuba, where she later on also reached for several years. Hanna-Maija has worked as a full time dance teacher since 2002. She continues to educate herself, and makes several study trips every year to Latin America and Europe. She is known as an inspiring teacher, whose passion for dance is evident. Many of her former students now work as professionals. Her dance style is a mixture of soft feminine movements, a graceful quality of moves originating in her classical background, and explosive energy. Hanna-Maija specializes especially on Reggaeton, Ladies’ style salsa On1 and On2 and Cuban rumba.

On Saturday, the 19th of September, we will have an amazing Mexican dancer, dance teacher and choreographer, Cano Monroy, visiting Flama!

SCHEDULE ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
11.00–12.30 Reggaeton Technique, open level, 90 min
12.45–14.15 Reggaeton Choreography, intermediate level, 90 min
14.30–16.00 Commercial Dance, intermediate level, 90 min

PRICES AND REGISTRATION
1 x 90 min workshop: 20 €
3 x 90 min workshops package: 50 €

Register for the workshops by purchasing those at our webshop:
– Reggaeton Technique
– Reggaeton Choreography
– Commercial Dance
– 3 x 90 min Workshop Package

CANO MONROY
Cano Monroy is teaching in Mexico City and Los Angeles, and he has been performing for example in Daddy Yankee’s music videos and other big productions.

Salsa Ladies Style Workshop, open level
Teacher: Krista Nyström
Time: Sunday, the 20th of September 2020 at 12.00–14.00 (2 hours)
Place: Dance Studio Flama, Linnankatu 84, 20100 Turku
Price: 23 €

Register for the workshop by purchasing it at our webshop.

Attention! We do refund you if you have to cancel the workshop. In case of illness, you can get Flama’s gift card of the same amount by showing a medical certificate. You can use this gift card to buy other workshops or our punch cards.

The intensive course concentrates on salsa steps, rhythmic and feminine expression in Cuban salsa. With the practices, we will try to find the flow for the movements and learn how to spice up our own dance with a feminine touch. While doing the choreography, we will practice how to control our hand, body and head movements. The intensive course is suitable for those who know the basics of salsa but who want to get some challenge and more styling for their dancing. You can dance with dance heels or without.

Krista Nyström
Krista is an experienced dance teacher who has a versatile knowledge of different dance styles, from Latin dances to street styles. Last ten years she has been competing and performing in different groups and travelled a lot to constantly develop her dancing skills further. Krista is known as a sunny and inspiring teacher whose passion for dancing will be passed on her students as well!

More information: info@flama.fi