MARIA RÄÄK

Maria graduated Tallinn University, the department of choreography, professor Mait Agu’s course (choreographer, dancer, dance teacher), studied flamenco in Amor de Dios flamenco academy in Madrid (AEF and Eesti Kultuurkapital grants) and in other dance studios in Seville and Jerez.

Maria discovered flamenco while learning Spanish language (started learning the language at the age of 9; besides dance Maria worked as a teacher of Spanish language, translator and guide).

Maria taught and performed flamenco in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Germany and Spain. Since 2001 she has been closely cooperating with the principal dancer and choreographer of Ballet Flamenco de Madrid Ivan Gallego.

STUDIES STUDIES

2015-2018 studied in Alicia Marquez flamenco dance studio in Seville: Alicia Marquez, Ramon Martinez
2017 Marco Flores and Javier Latorre courses during Jerez flamenco festival
2010 studied in Chiqui de Jerez flamenco studio in Jerez, teachers: Chiqui de Jerez, Ana Maria Garcia
2008-2014 studied in Manuel Betansoz flamenco studio in Seville, teachers: Manuel Betansoz, Rafael Campallo, Adela Campallo, Andres Pena, Pilar Ogalla
2008 Adela Campallo master class in Manuel Betansoz flamenco studio in Seville
2007 La Truco master class Amor de Dios flamenco academy in Madrid
2007 Estefania Cuevas workshop
2006 Estefania Cuevas workshop
2005 La Truco master class Amor de Dios flamenco academy in Madrid
2004-2008 studied in Matilde Coral flamenco studio in Seville
2002 Farruquito master class in El Horno dance school in Madrid
2001 Manolete master class in Amor de Dios flamenco academy in Madrid
2000 Eesti Kultuurkapital grant for studies in Amor de Dios flamenco academy in Madrid
2000 Open Estonia Foundation grant for studies in Amor de Dios flamenco academy and University of Granada
1999 Аndrés Marin master class in Helsinki
1998 studies in Alicia Vega and Аndrés Marin studios in Seville
1997-2007 studies in Amor de Dios flamenco academy in Madrid, teachers: Maria Magdalena, Ciro, El Guito, La China, La Tati, Tomas de Madrid, Manolete, La Truco, Rafaela Carrasco, Domingo Ortega, Belen Maya, Manuel Reyes, Antonio Reyes, Cristobal Reyes, Candela Soto, Paco Romero
1993-1997 Tallinn University – dance and choreography department
1996 Аndrés Marin master class in Helsinki
1994 flamenco and classical dance course, Tallinn Pedagogical University choreography department, teacher Olga Socias
1999-2000 Tallinn University, dance education

IMPORTANT PROJECTS PROJECTS

2017 choreography and dancing in “Arte Flamenco. 20 aastat hiljem” («Arte Flamenco. 20 years later») performance with Ivan Gallego, Cunco Vargas, Jorge Arena, Indrek Кruusimaa and Reigo Ahven
2016 choreography for theatre performance “Prügi“ («Garbage») in Miskteater
2016 participating in documental „Flamenco sin fronteras“ («Flamenco without borders») by Filippo Ciardi
2015 „Kellasüit“performance with Ramon Martinez and Jose Torres trio
2015 choreography and dance in music video «Шлюха» (“Scareltt woman”) by Russian pop singer Slava
2014 Spanish music concert-performance with Maano Männi, Ivan Gallego and Vaasa city orchestra
2013 Spanish music concert-performance with Ralf Taal
2012 Spanish and Russian music concert-performance with Manika-Evelina Liiv and Ralf Taal
2012 flamenco performance in Vision festival with Jose Torres and Karo Sampela
2011-2012 series of Eesti Kontsert „Flamenco!“ school concerts with Kristo Käo and Reigo Ahven
2011 “Romance de la Luna” performance in Estonian National Opera with Ivan Gallego, Julia Menes and Antonio Santiago
2010 „Flamencamor“ performance with Spanish musicians and dancers (Ivan Gallego, Gero Dominguez, Giorgio Kyrkilis, Julia Menes, Juan Murube, Ismael Chataigne, Fernando G. Rico, Luis Criado)
2010 “Ibeeria” concert-performance with Kristo Käo and Reigo Ahven
2009 choreography for „Vihmatants“ performance staged in Estoian Drama Thearte
2009 „Madriid 1895“ concert performance with Kristo Käo and Riho Ridbek
2008 „Tulinе ja kirglik flamenco“ concert performance with F1Guitars (Indrek Kruusimaa, Iljo Tooming, Mihkel Mälgand, Tanel Ruben)
2008 „Viva Espanol“ concert performance with Kristo Käo, Roland Liiv and Piina Pikan
2007-2009 „The Dance Album“ concert performance with Kristo Käo
2007-2009 „Pop-Jazz-Flamenco“ concert performance with F1Guitars
2007 „Flamencomania“ performance with Spanish musicians and dancers (Ivan Gallego, Gero Dominguez, Hugo Alvarez, Antonio el Pola, Enrique Gonzales, Alberto Perianes, Carlos Jimenez, Enrique Jimenez)
2007 choreography and dance in ETV „Flamencomania“ dance film
2006-2007 participation in the documentary about Dorian Supini dance “Eurydike otsinguteel“ (“In search of Eurydike”)
2002 flamenco arrangement in IX school dance festival “Vikerkaar”
2002 choreography and dance in Dave Benton’s music video „Mas que un millon“
1997 choreography and dance in Rakvere Theatre performance „Don Juan ehk armastus geomeetria vastu“ (“Don Juan or The Love of Geometry“)