Maria Pages is an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer and director who has been associated with the production Riverdance for more than 20 years. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful figures in the world of Irish dance.
Early Life and Career
Maria Pages was born in Madrid, Spain in 1973. She began her dance training at the age of five, studying classical ballet, Spanish folk dance and flamenco. In 1989, she was accepted into the National Conservatory of Madrid and graduated with honors in 1994. After completing her studies, she began her professional career as a soloist with the National Ballet of Spain.
In 1995, Pages was invited to join the cast of Riverdance, the groundbreaking Irish dance show created by producer Moya Doherty. She performed with the show for two years, touring throughout Europe, North America and Australia. In 1997, she was appointed the show’s principal dancer and artistic director, a role she held until 2004.
Choreography and Direction
In addition to her performance work, Pages has also choreographed and directed a number of acclaimed productions. In 1999, she created a show entitled “A New World” which debuted at the Edinburgh Festival and went on to tour internationally. She also choreographed the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
In 2006, Pages was asked to choreograph the first full-length Riverdance show since its original production in 1995. The show premiered in Dublin and went on to tour throughout Europe, North America and Australia. In 2011, she directed the Riverdance 20th Anniversary Show at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, which was attended by over 100,000 people.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Pages has received numerous awards and accolades for her work. In 2000, she was named one of Spain’s “50 Most Influential Women” by the Spanish magazine Mujer Hoy. In 2003, she was honored with the Golden Medal of Merit for Dance by the Spanish Ministry of Culture. In 2010, she was named “Best Choreographer” by the Irish Times.
Legacy
Maria Pages has established herself as one of the most influential and successful figures in the world of Irish dance. Her work with Riverdance has been credited with popularizing Irish dance around the world, and her choreography and direction have been hailed as some of the best in the business. She is an inspiration to dancers everywhere and her legacy will live on for many years to come.