María “La Manzanilla” (Flamenco dancer)
María Ruiz Ortiz, better known as María “La Manzanilla”, was born in Málaga on 1 April 1988. She showed a passion for flamenco from an early age, and in 2010 earned her Higher Degree in Dance, specialising in choreography, from the Málaga Higher Conservatory of Dance.
María has trained extensively with renowned masters such as Antonio Canales, Rocío Molina, Farruquito and Eva Yerbabuena, among many others. She has won awards at several choreography competitions and has taken part in major festivals and artistic events.
Throughout her professional career, María has worked with leading companies and artists, performing at tablaos and festivals in Spain and abroad, including Japan and Russia. She has shared the stage with figures such as Carrete de Málaga, Rancapino and Antonio Canales, who gave her her stage name. She has also performed at the Jerez Festival with Fuensanta La Moneta and worked on the Laboratorio Urbano Flamenco, produced by Raúl Comba.
Her tablao experience includes performances at iconic venues such as Los Gallos in Seville, the Peña Torres Macarena, the Peña La Platería in Granada, and many tablaos in Madrid, including Cantares (formerly Corral de la Pacheca), Café de Chinitas, Torres Bermejas, Cardamomo, Las Tablas, Sala Candela and Tablao Torero alongside El Mistela.
Today, María “La Manzanilla” dazzles audiences at La Alborea, where she combines her passion for flamenco with her extensive experience and mastery of dance. Her elegance and command of compás make her an essential figure at our tablao in Granada.