User:Maandi64/sandbox

= Maria Carrasco = Maria de Milagros Carrasco Cerrillo, known as Maria Carrasco, is a Spanish Flamenco dancer and choreographer, born in Madrid, Spain, and director of her own dance company.

Biography
Maria Carrasco was born in the flamenco quarter of Madrid, Anton Martin, and her passion for dance began at the age of four. Gifted with a natural talent and a true calling, she completed her studies of Spanish Dance with a notable artistic individuality. After several years of intense training with some of the great maestros of Flamenco, she augmented her studies abroad, with Classical and Contemporary dance. Completing her degree in Design from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, she also acquired her Masters in Set Design, Theatre Lighting, Costume Design, and Theatre Directing, in Milan, as well as a Masters in Performing Arts, from the Rey Juan Carlos I University of Madrid. She has worked as a choreographer with name music theater companies, as well as conducted specialized courses of Flamenco and Spanish Dance at some of the most prestigious schools, at home and abroad.

After receiving first place in the acclaimed "New Talents of Flamenco" competition, organized by the City of Madrid, and already having founded her own dance company, Maria Carrasco began appearing in the most celebrated venues in the flamenco circuit, where she quickly received recognition from both critics and a rapidly growing public alike, who have always seen her "duende" and charisma.

With her own company, Maria has produced nine shows: Embrujo, Tiempos Flamencos, Carmen, Al Compás de Lorca, Flamenco Libre, Concierto Flamenco, Cinderella, Made in Spain, and Aires Flamencos. All have been performed within and beyond the borders of Spain, and with her dance, she has toured countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Cuba, Portugal, Turkey, Poland, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, France, England, United States, among others.

Maria has been recognized for her artistic vision and talent, receiving many awards, like the 2004 Max Theatre Awards for Best Show (Carmen) and Best Dancer (Carmen), the 2007 Silver Antenna Award, the 2008 Golden Microphone Award for Best Dance Company, the Quality Award for Culture of the European Association For Tourism & Leisure, as well as the Award for Best Artistic Expression, presented to her in the Spanish Senate by the Parliamentarian Bullfighting Association.

Shows, presented by her company:

 * Embrujo
 * Tiempos Flamencos
 * Carmen
 * Al Compás de Lorca
 * Flamenco Libre
 * Concierto Flamenco
 * Cinderella
 * Made in Spain
 * Aires Flamencos

Awards

 * 2004 Max Theatre Award, for Best Show (Carmen) and Best Dancer (Carmen)
 * 2007 Silver Antenna Award
 * 2008 Golden Microphone Award, for Best Dance Company
 * Quality Award for Culture, of the European Association For Tourism & Leisure
 * Award for Best Artistic Expression, presented to her in the Spanish Senate by the Parliamentarian Bullfighting Association.