Magaly Flores was born in Coyuca de Catalan, Guerrero, México. She is a qualified Art teacher in Mexico, specialising in Contemporary Dance and Education and is a Spanish and Dance teacher in the UK. After finishing her degree, she joined the Dance Research Centre (Centro de Investigacion de la Danza), which investigated and helped resurrect and protect the culture of many regional folk dances across Mexico. She says of this period : “What fascinated me at the time about folk dance was talking with the dancers in the villages, understanding what a piece of folk dance means to the community, and getting involved in the town’s fiestas.”
Upon moving to the UK, Magaly performed many traditional folk dances on behalf of the Mexican Embassy at numerous cultural events. She also acted as a practical consultant to Rosamund Shreeves in her research updating her bestselling publication “Children Dancing”, which Amazon describes as being “widely acclaimed as a source book of ideas for schools, community groups and all those working creatively with children”.
Magaly founded Colibrí Mexican Folkdance UK in 2016. Colibrí are now an established dance company of native Mexicans showcasing traditional Mexican dance throughout the north-west of England and beyond. Colibrí’s vibrant performances have been enjoyed by thousands of people at events including Manchester Days 2017-19, Wahaca Day of the Dead,, Manchester International Day, Mexican Independence Day, Liverpool Central Library, Glasgow Skypark, Edge Hill University Arts Centre, Durham University Symposium, Birmingham University, Instituto Cervantes, Manchester Central Library and many more. The group has also performed on several occasions for the Mexican consulate and ambassador to the UK and regularly collaborates with Walk The Plank Arts Group. The group successfully delivered their third annual Mexican Dance Showcase at the prestigious Bury Met Arts venue, following previous sell-out shows at Chorlton and the Waterside Arts Centre.
Magaly’s main aim as an artistic director is that the new generations of Mexicans in the UK know and feel proud of their Mexican traditions and language.
Member of the IIDDMAC in Mexico. (Institute for the Preservation of Mexican Folk Dances)
Member of the UNESCO CID Dance Council
Creative Industries Lead – Red Global MXUK
Distinguished Mexican Award 2021 from the Mexican Government for promoting Mexican culture overseas
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