Home - Jill Tunbridge

About Jill Tunbridge

Jill Tunbridge is a renowned Flamenco Dance Choreographer, a known Artist, Published Author and Storyteller. Jill started ballet and Spanish dance lessons in Cape Town, South Africa at the young age of 3. Once she moved to Canada, Jill pursued Flamenco as her dancing forte with the help of several world renowned Flamenco artists.

In 2006 she started her own studio named as Flamenco del Mar Spanish Dance Studio with an aim to train amateurs.

Today, Jill teaches at a studio in Surrey, B.C. where she shares her passion by offering classes to dancers of all ages. Jill encourages dancers to perform in various festivals, theatres, weddings, family functions and other special events. Jill also offers professional instruction in Flamenco and continues to learn by taking workshops in Canada, Spain and the United States. Jill’s classes are suitable for all dancers and of all ages (IE: including dancers of other dance styles and those people who have no dance experience).

Jill Tunbridge’s classes are filled with knowledge & inspiration that exercises the mind and body. Focus is on learning different dance rhythms and song forms. As Jill says, “Understanding the compás is vital as it is the heartbeat that supports all things Flamenco.”

Choreographer

A choreographer can bring out an exemplary form of dance conceived in the mind through the gestures and movements of the body. Jill believes dance is more like living life till eternity. Jill Tunbridge being an acknowledged Flamenco Choreographer emphasizes the intricate details of footwork, arm work, hand gestures, finger movements, hand clapping, castanets, turns, and other movements.

Author

Jill Tunbridge brings creativity to her stories and presents them in a form of poetry and prose. Jill’s first novel, “Like a Butterfly…Screaming” depicts a twisted tapestry of a strange and intriguing incident that happened in a coastal town in British Columbia. Her recent work is ‘Fairy of the Night and Still’ which is a poetic form of delight for all ages. Jill’s stories give an excellent illustration of the existing reality.

Jill’s books are available to purchase.

Artist

Jill was inspired by her Uncle who was a professional artist. Being passionate about doodling and sketching Jill absolutely loves working with a pencil. Every year at the Flamenco del Mar Festival Jill can be seen creating with doodling creativity on the thank you cards that she designs the performers at the festival and now sells thru her Etsy site. Jill’s creative work is eclectic and is an honest reflection of the outside world. This side of her persona sets Jill off on a whole new distinctive journey.

Jill’s art work and greeting cards are available to purchase.

About Flamenco

Filled with passion, temperament and energy is what Flamenco is all about. One of the most enthralling art forms to be witnessed in terms of visualization and audibility. The most intriguing fact about the Flamenco dance form is its creation and origination. Flamenco was formed by the fusion of the Cante Gitano and Andalusian folk music. Slowly the music took shape over time and blended into three diverse forms of art, Guitar playing (“guitarra”) Song (“cante”) and Dance (“baile”).

Flamenco is a very unique style of dance, one that specifically belongs to the beautiful region of Andalusia. This is a Spanish dance form that holds an emotional depth which is envisioned through the rhythmic movements of arms, energized tapping of feet and guitar strumming.

Flamenco dance includes lots of footwork (stomping) the hand clapping patterns in Flamenco dance are all about rhythms, proud posture and the body that dances to Flamenco music. This dance form is also a profound and mysterious form that expresses life.

Class Details

Dance Schedule

Mondays:

Beginner/Intermediate: 6:15-7:15 pm*

Intermediate/Advanced: 7:15-8:15 pm*

Tuesdays (Until November)

Beginner: 6:30-7:45 pm***

Intermediate: 7:45-8:30 pm***

*Just for Kicks Dance Studio, 13580 – 62nd Avenue (62nd & King George Blvd)

***Douglas Community Centre, 801 West 22nd Avenue, Vancouver, Call: 604-257-8130 (press #1) to register.

Important Updates

September:

Regular Flamenco del Mar Company Rehearsal will resume from September

Note: No rehearsals on the following dates:

September 29^th
October: 13^th, 14^th, 20^th & 27^th
November 10^th & 11^th
December 16^th to 31^th (Christmas break)

Flamenco del Mar Company Rehearsal:

October 5^th,
November 10^th,
December 15^th, 22^nd, 29^th, 2019

Class Fees

Classes are $80 per month for 1 class a week (4 classes).

If you miss a class, you are able to make it up within that month only.

Classes are more affordable at Douglas Community Centre, please call 604-257-8130 (press #1) for fee & to register.

Note: Proper Flamenco shoes, skirts, leotards are required for dancers. Long hair should be up in a ponytail.

Class schedules are subject to change; email Jill at jilltunbridge@hotmail.com or call 604-542-2096 for more information and to register.

Upcoming Events

Showcased at events is the captivating Art, Dance and Written work of Jill Tunbridge

Flamenco Del Mar performing at White Rock Creative Flow Days formerly White Rock Cultural Days

Time: 11:00 – 02:00 pm

Date: September 29th, 2019

In October 2019, Jill is attending the Whistler Writer’s Festival & the Surrey International Writers’ Conference

Surrey International Writers’ Conference

Oct 25-27th, 2019

Jill Tunbridge will be performing at White Rock Players’ Club

White Rock Players’ Club, 1532 Johnston Road, White Rock, BC

Matinee: 2:30pm & 7:30pm

Date: January 4th , 2020

Click Here to Book your seat now!

Dance gives the power to communicate

December 8, 2018

jill-tunbridge

Dance is more than just exploring ways and learning a series of steps for a piece of certain music. Dance can be used as an element or an instrument for expressing and communicating ideas. These days a creative dance form can boost one's self-esteem and helps to take decisions in life. Dance promotes a better self- understanding of the world in which we live. Through dance, mentors can teach...

How art catches the vibrancy of life

November 12, 2018

jill-tunbridge

The most unusual thing about art is the way it inspires us and brings us to the light of reality. Art is a powerful element that lets you visualize the world with a whole different perspective. It’s really intriguing, how an artist can convey so much without a single word. The only thing that makes a difference in life through art is one's imagination. Witnessing an inspiring art is a blessing...

Incredible Exercises To Unleash A Better Flamenco Dancer

November 8, 2016

jill-tunbridge

We all know Flamenco is an emotional dance form and it is also very physically demanding. Here are the few exercises that will make you a pro at the basics of flamenco dancing. Sprints: If you’re a jogger, just apply a couple of sprints for 20-30 seconds, then continue jogging. Yoga will work like magic for your posture while dancing. During Flamenco, your posture plays a very...

SHOP

Jill Tunbridge, let her creative work INSPIRE you. Shop novels plus Jill's self designed greeting cards and more.

Like A Butterfly…Screaming (Paper Back)

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Like A Butterfly…Screaming (Kindle)

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Fairy of the Night and Still (Kindle)

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Fairy of the Night and Still (Paperback)

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Fairy of the Night and Still (Audio Book)

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Fairy of the Night and Still – 8 Card Set

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Flamenco Art – 10 Card Set

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Jim Morrison 6 – Card Set

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Jill Tunbridge is a talented teacher. She has a way of breaking down complicated dance steps into understandable pieces. Jill is always positive and happy. Jill's sense of humor leads to classes that are filled with laughter and a sense of joy, safety and belonging to everybody. At Flamenco Del Mar we learn to dance AND we have fun together. How lovely!

byRhona Segarra

Flamenco Dance has helped me to get to know the part of my heart, I was hesitant to look at. It is like a flame that has entered in my heart and instead of fade away grows bigger and warmer. Jill is the motor that allows me to develop the passion not only for Flamenco but for life itself. A great writer Jill. Her books have stories that make you have a vivid experience into fantasy and mystery (just like her!!) Thank You Jill and Flamenco del Mar for allowing me to keep you in a special place in my heart.

byMaria Reeves

Jill Tunbridge is someone you come across once in a lifetime. A true artist, you can feel Jill's passion through her dance, her productions, her writing, and storytelling. Jill is a master teacher with immense knowledge of Flamenco dance. She has a great way of connecting with her students whether they are 10 or 60 years of age. She makes her classes fun, the atmosphere a welcoming and accepting one. It has been a great pleasure and joy learning from Jill.

byZahra

I love the dance classes & I've been associated with her for 14 years! That says it all! Jill’s Book, Like a Butterfly Screaming - you won’t be able to put it down, the story sucks you in and won’t let you out until the end of the book!

byHelen Mariche

The four years I danced with Jill Tunbridge were pure joy! Jill coaxed the essence of my spirit and inspired her to dance. She challenged me to be authentic and step into my strength and power as an individual. Jill is a passionate soul, not only in dance but also in her creative drawings and stories.

byDiane Williams

I met Jill almost 4 years ago when we moved into the same condo building. She was such an interesting person, positive, creative, imaginative. she also taught Flamenco, I just had to sign up. I am now a senior and have over the years taken a few dance lessons but never have I had a teacher that could tell was so passionate about her dance. She invokes enthusiasm in all her students, young and "older", and is so patient. Most importantly to me, she makes it FUN! ..... with anything, if it is fun, one wants to continue. Regarding her ability to write, Wow! I read her book "Like a Butterfly Screaming " and she is right up there with the writers of Breaking Bad. Such imagination. "Fairy of the Night and Still" was enchanting and magical". I look forward to her future books and fairytales, and her illustrations.

byLeila Crozier

Discovering Jill is gold panning. There are sparkles and glints of genuine richness unleashed in her work, that speaks of a lode soon to be fully found, mined and forged. She fearlessly escapes all bonds of tradition in any of her considerable artistic endeavors to set free, a rare and natural genius.