Artefyl Dance Shoes offers the following self-portrait by:

“I came into this world to learn”

by Manuel Moraga

The encounter

I was about two when I used go to the fair, and just like all the other little girls from my neighborhood, I’d dress up like a little flamenco dancer and dance to whatever music there was. It was my father who thought it might be worthwhile sending me to dance school. I learned rumba, sevillanas, tanguillos, and all in three months. From that time on, I knew I liked this and wanted to dance for real. There was an important turning-point in my life. When I was five, I danced tientos with the famous Antonio; it was the first time I’d ever danced with a live guitarist and we didn’t rehearse anything. I just said “play some tientos and whatever happens, happens!” Antonio stood up and that was an amazing experience for me. He told me not ever to give it up, not to take it just as a hobby.

My teachers

Up until the age of fifteen I was taking two-week courses and watching tons of videos and television, because I didn’t have the money to go to Madrid and study. I saw Sara Baras, Canales, Joaquín Ruiz, Joaquín Cortés, Grilo, Manolete, Güito, Gades – he’s one of the people who influenced me the most. As far as women, Carmen Amaya, without a doubt. And of people nowadays, Eva Yerbabuena, Manuela Carrasco... I saw all the great dancers on the TV screen. In person, my most influential maestros were Javier Latorre, Belén Maya, the Hermanos Reyes, Azorín, La Tati... But by then I was in Madrid... When I was five I took a course with Cristóbal Reyes. They were all great, grown-ups all of them, and me so small. They always thought that was so funny.

My decision

I chose this life because it’s what I genuinely like, it’s my way of life. I can’t skip a day without doing compás on the table (she knocks out some rhythm), or singing a little, or doing a little footwork. I can’t.

Cante and guitar

Ramón Montoya, Sabicas... You have to draw from the veterans. Each one had something you could learn from them. Today as well, everyone has something to offer. I couldn’t really say “I wish I’d danced like this one or that one”, but I wouldn’t have minded dancing like some of those old-timers. I’d also like to dance with some modern people, the ones who play those variations to die for, they’re so pretty. I think there’s something to be learned from everyone. The same goes for singing. I came into this world to learn. At one time or another I’ve shouted “ole!” to each one. That’s when you learn... I would have liked to dance with Camarón and Paco de Lucía, both of them... And Carmen Amaya doing palmas for me! [she laughs]. Just kidding...

My dance

I’m not looking for anything in particular, I’m not aiming for anything because it would be too obvious. I want to give the same importance to feet as to hands and not abuse technique, but show what I can do. And I work very hard from the inside so that when that curtain goes up I can forget about technique and just express what I feel. That’s my way of working. Just six months or a year ago I wasn’t dancing the way I am now. You mature as a person and as a dancer at the same time. You might feel more inspired or less inspired at times, but it’s always different.

My reality

What used to be a dream is now a reality: my own company and a show to work it with. I’ve had my company since September (Ballet Belén López, “Atrapados por el arte”, www.balletbelenlopez.com). In actual fact I’ve been working with them since May of last year, 2004. When I won a prize at the Córdoba contest a man proposed creating the company and producing a show. Then he walked off with the money, and my family and I decided to charge ahead all the same. It was a little like a marathon: the video, the first performance in Tarragona... When the producer vanished, logically, most of the dancers left since they were afraid of not getting paid. With that panorama I had to put together like five different companies in the space of a few months. Now I’m struggling to make the group a success.

Gratitude

I’m very grateful to everyone in the company who stuck it out with me. They’re fine people first, and artists second. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. When I got the prize I remembered my grandfather. My grandfather, my mother and all my people, the ones who love me and made it all possible.

My dream

I wouldn’t like to go unnoticed as an artist or a person. I’d like to create a “school”, so that people say “I want to dance like her”. In any case, I try to set my goals high so it’s harder to arrive, always just out of reach. But I don’t have many aspirations. I just want to work and take things as they come, no major ambition. I want to get on with my life and be recognized for my work. Not only myself, but all the people who’ve been struggling since the beginning.

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