Stars of the Festival
Alicia Márquez

Born in Sevilla in 1972, Alicia began her studies of Spanish dance with Matilda Corral at the age of ten and went on to study Dramatic Arts at the Conservatory of Seville. Upon completing her studies, she entered the world of professional flamenco, joining “La Compañia de Mario Maya” in its production "Ritmo y Amor Brujo''. Alicia performed at the 1988 Flamenco Biennale with Rafael Aguilar and Matilda Corral. She was part of the grand spectacular "Azabache'' with Manolo Marin at the 1992 Expo of Seville. Alicia was also invited to take part in two Carlos Saura films, "Flamenco'' and ''Sevillanas'', as well as a made-for-french-television film for Channel 3. In 1994 she joined the “La Compañia Andaluza de Danza” under the direction of Mario Maya in the theatricals "De Lo Flamenco'' and ''Réquiem''. During 1996 she toured important theatres with the Manolo Marin shows, ''Suite Ibería'' and ''Tientos Tangos'', and the María Pages production ''El Perro Andaluz''.
In 1997 she participated under the direction of José Antonio in the debut of ''La Vida Breve'' in Teatro Real of Madrid. In 1998, she danced in various productions of “Compañia Andaluza” including Javier Latorre's ''Cosas de Payos'', Javier Barón's ''Ramito de Locura'', Manolete's ''Latido Flamenco'', ''Turina'' and ''Picasso'' by José Antonio, and ''Encuentros'' (choreographers Alejandro Granados, Isabel Bayón, Eva Yerbabuena, and Rafael Campallo).Alicia participated in the 2000 Flamenco Biennale with Fernando Romero in his show ''Bachdaliana''The same year she began working at her solo program.
She landed her role as a soloist, performing at “La Zarzuela” Theatre in Madrid with the troupe of Joaquín Grilo in the production ''De La Noche'' followed by performances with the company of Paco Peña in the spectaculars ''Voces y Ecos'' and ''Flamenco Concert''.
In 2002 Alicia rejoined “La Compañía Andaluza”, this time as the choreographer’s assistant. During this time she had the pleasure of working with Antonio Gades on ''Bodas de Sangre'', in which she interpreted the role of The Mother. In 2003, as part of the series “Flamenco viene del sur”, Alicia debuted her own spectacular ''De La Memoria'' at the Alhambra in Granada and the Teatro Central in Seville. In 2005 she performs the play ''Dos Mujeres Dos Mirados'' at the Festival of Jerez, followed by a tour throughout Austria. Alicia also toured with Paco Peña throughout the United States and Canada as a soloist and performed in the summer of 2005 at the Festival of Mondemarsan with Isabel Bayón and Alejandro Granados in the spectacular ''Maestros''. Alicia revived her spectacular ''De La Memoria'' at the Festival of Jerez, joined by Ramón Martínez.
It is also worth mentioning.the inauguration of the first Toronto International Flamenco Festival, Canada, which took place in August 2007, where she got acquainted with the famous bailaor Nano.
Alicia currently maintains an intense schedule, touring and conducting courses both in her own academy in Seville and throughout the world as she perpetuates the very best of the art and technique of flamenco.