I recently took another month course with her in Seville and at the end of it she told me to open up. I think she meant open up my heart when dancing. To be more transparent and less guarded!! I sometimes think of her as philosopher and her approach to dancing. A few weeks back, performing Upstairs at Ronnie Scotts, I think I felt close to that sensation of opening up.
Our singer sadly fell ill just as we were to take the stage and had to rush home. Somewhat confused we knew we still had to put on a show. Collectively, the guitarist, cajón player and myself felt we had nothing to lose. I really tried to give all I had! Just open up and let it out! It is one of the few times that I have felt 'satisfied' stepping off stage. It made me think of the advice La Lupi had given me.
This is what I find most remarkable about La Lupi, her tremendous generosity, and the love with which she does everything. The way I perceive it, it's as though she knows her inspiration, her ideas and knowledge of her craft to be infinite. She has no qualms about sharing and giving because it is as though she drinks from an unending source. I think it has to be this that makes the environment she creates so healthy to be in for any aspiring artist.
It's as if in this space there can only be abundance and exponential growth. Don't get me wrong, she is a harsh teacher, she has high expectations. She believes that if you want to do something the least you can do is try. There is something so empowering although sometimes frightening about that. What I have observed through her is that that is the perfect environment for creativity, it draws more ideas and opportunities in. Everyone wants to be a part of what she's creating. In her last course in Seville, by the end we had a full orchestra coming to accompany our classes alongside Curro (her husband and superb guitarist). Literally the energy was explosive, two guitars, a flutist, a singer and a cajón player, in class accompanying us for free!!! Unheard of!!!