Mercedes Ruiz
Born in 1980, starts dancing as a professional in 1986 performing “Semilla Flamenca” a piece directed by Ana Maria López.
Some years later, joins the Manuel Morao y los Gitanos de Jerez’ show “Esa Forma de Vivir” which is staged in Madrid and New York for several months.
1992: Various performances with the Manuel Morao Company in Seville’s EXPO’92 at the La Cartuja Auditorium in the Andalusian Pavilion.
From the 20th of April to the 2nd of May 1992, performs with Manuel Morao y Los Gitanos de Jerez at the Town Hall Theatre (New York).
Later the same year, returns to Broadway (New York) to perform at the Plymouth Theatre for a two month season.
Combines these performances with appearances in peñas and flamenco festivals.
Appears in the “Jerez por Bulería” flamenco show at the El León de Oro” Theater, Canada.
1998-2000: Joins Antonio El Pipa’s company and performs in his “VIVENCIAS” show which is staged at the Jerez Flamenco festival (Villamarta Theatre), l’Opéra de Gratf (Austria), Madrid’s Centro Cultural de la Villa, and the Las Minas de la Unión festival.
2001: Joins Eva Yerbabuena’s company to perform“5 MUJERES 5” (premiered at the 11th Bienal Flamenco Festival). Continues working with the company and travels around the world with Eva Hierbabuena for a year.
Appears at the World Music Festival (Italy) with Miguel Poveda.
Performs at the Auditorium of the Caja de Ávila during the 11th Week of Female Flamenco Singers accompanied by Mariana Cornejo.
Joins Adrian Galia’s Company to perform in “Pensando Flamenco”, a piece premiered in Mont de Marsan.
2002: On various occasions performs as a co-star with Andrés Peña at the El Monte Centro Cultural as part of a series of performances grouped under the title of Conocer el Flamenco (Discovering Flamenco), and appears in various festivals: Mont de Marsan, Gimont, Biarritz (France).
Tours Japan together with flamenco dancer Belén Maya. Joins the Andrés Marín Company and performs in Más Allá Del Tiempo (in which her solo performance in the Petenera receives special mention). Performs at the Los Angeles New Flamenco Festival (USA).
After wining the first prize at Seville’s Bienal in September 2002, embarks on a solo career and presents the first choreographed piece by her own company: “Dibujos en el aire”.
In 2004, she presents her show in Paris and Helsinki and performs as guest star in Miguel Poveda’s show at the Teatro Central in Seville.
She is currently preparing a new piece “Gestos de mujer” (Women’s gestures) which will be premiered at Lyon´s Bienal of danse festival in 2004, and presented her piece in Festival Flamenco de Nimes, in Festival Flamenco de Jerez,
In 2006, Mercedes Ruiz throughout this year is announced to be in the most prestigious stages of all Europe as the Théâtre de la Ville of Paris, the Maison de la Danse of Lyon or in Festivals like Mira! and Montpellier Danse. She presents her show “Juncá” (2007) all over Europe.
Today, she is preparing her new show “Mi Último Secreto” that she will present in March 2009, in Jerez.
Source : ArteMovimiento
