Like every summer, social media becomes the ideal place for endless discussions and exchanges of opinions on various topics. One of them, without a doubt, is the jonda (a word that means "jonda" in Spanish). Just a few days ago, I came across a thread in which the prestigious Chair of Flamencoology of the University of Cordoba directed by the singer and professor from Ponta Delgada david pineA debate in several directions: the presence of young people among the student body, their research and outreach work, their online format, etc. This debate has suggested to me some reflections on the Chair and its director that I want to share here in expoflamenco.
David joined the Chair in October 2019 at the proposal of the members of the Advisory Council to replace the singer Archangel, who only served as director for one year. He holds a Diploma in Teaching, a Bachelor's Degree in Advanced Music Studies and a Master's Degree in Research and Analysis of Flamenco by the UCO, David has grown up in the Chair, first as a student and later as a teacher, knowing perfectly the work of its first two directors: his admired Agustín Gómez y Louis of Cordoba. We are therefore faced with the ideal profile to lead the Chair. David combines his talent as a flamenco singer with a solid academic background and an extraordinary career of more than two decades as a teacher at the Higher Conservatory of Córdoba.
As soon as he took over the Chair, David, as a true bullfighting enthusiast, had to deal with a first-class challenge: the cursed COVID pandemic. Like so many other directors of educational institutions, but with extremely limited human resources, he devised and developed an entire online teaching and dissemination system that, five years later, has successfully established itself as an integral part of the Chair. This online approach has allowed for a considerable increase in the student body, which, moreover, is distributed throughout the world and with a profile in which, in this last academic year, only half of them are over forty years old. A system that, according to what some students tell me, works perfectly thanks to David's selfless work, always attentive to any aspect that could be improved.
«The Chair of FlamencoThe Córdoba Art Institute is the most important and prestigious institution for the dissemination of art. Flamenco that exists in the world. Its nearly three-decade history attests to this, becoming an ideal forum for reflection and debate in which the artistic and academic spheres naturally go hand in hand, establishing the theoretical guidelines that this art form should follow.
But David's innovative contributions don't stop there. Also noteworthy is his powerful and ongoing publicity on essential social media platforms. A circumstance that has led to some unpleasant situations on more than one occasion as a result of the constant criticism that abounds in those parts. Situations that David has managed to handle with elegance and intelligence, emerging unscathed.
The Chair, without a doubt, is the most important and prestigious institution for the dissemination of art. Flamenco that exists in the world. Its nearly three-decade history attests to this, making it an ideal forum for reflection and debate in which the artistic and academic spheres naturally go hand in hand, establishing the theoretical guidelines that this art form should follow. During all this time, the most relevant artists, critics, disseminators and researchers of the jondoDavid, of course, has continued along these lines in an exemplary manner, not allowing pressure or various interferences. The stage of the Chair is very attractive, but David has remained unperturbed with principles that, despite who may dislike it, prioritize equity, quality, solvency, rigor, and honesty, avoiding the cronyism to which this complex world of Flamenco.
On the other hand, David's work goes beyond merely directing and designing a program. As an experienced teacher, a good singer and a profound connoisseur of the jondo He rolls up his sleeves to the hilt in teaching tasks with highly didactic master classes through which he manages to transmit his passion and knowledge of flamenco music.
If the existence of the Chair dignifies the Flamenco By placing it in the university environment, the fact that it is directed by someone like David facilitates this consideration, giving it an extra level of excellence that should make us all proud, who in one way or another are part of this complex universe. jondo.
From expoflamenco We encourage David to continue his work. Davis Pines should be in the FlamencoWe would all be much better off.
