· Research

Emotional Flamenco

Decoding the neural signatures of duende - EEG during flamenco dance performances

Decoding the neural signatures of duende - EEG during flamenco dance performances

Flamenco is known for its raw emotional intensity — the Spanish call it duende, that moment when art transcends technique and becomes pure feeling. This project captures EEG data from flamenco dancers to understand how this intense emotion manifests in brain activity.

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Flamenco dancer performing with EEG cap during data collection

The Research Questions

  • What neural patterns emerge during moments of high emotional expression?
  • How does the brain of a flamenco dancer differ during technical vs. emotional passages?
  • Can we identify the neural signature of duende?

Methodology

Using mobile EEG technology, we record brain activity from flamenco dancers as they perform:

  • Zapateado — Rhythmic footwork
  • Braceo — Arm movements expressing emotion
  • Llamada — Calls between dancer and musician
  • Emotional crescendos — Moments of peak intensity

Cultural Context

Flamenco originated in Andalusia, Spain, born from a fusion of Romani, Moorish, and Spanish cultures. Its emotional depth makes it the perfect subject for studying how cultural art forms engage the brain.

Goals

This research aims to:

  1. Document neural correlates of emotional expression in dance
  2. Understand cross-cultural patterns in artistic emotion
  3. Contribute to the broader “brain-art map” for potential therapeutic applications

My Role

I was responsible for coordinating and organizing the venues for this project, ensuring that all logistical and technical requirements were met for successful data collection. I actively supported the team in the setup of the recording environment and participated in the acquisition of multimodal data—including EEG and complementary signals—during live flamenco performances.

In addition to the technical execution, I contributed from a neuroscience perspective by integrating my doctoral research focus on emotion and brain dynamics. I placed particular emphasis on understanding the emotional and cognitive processes underlying artistic expression, bridging the gap between neural data and the affective experience of performers.

Timeline

Data collection took place from May to June 2025.

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