About Irene

MsC. Irene Rodríguez

-Director and founder of Compañía Irene Rodríguez (Professional Dance Company and international touring troupe)
-Teacher and Choreographer of Classic Ballet, Contemporary dance and Flamenco style (Teaches workshops, seminars and master classes worldwide)
-Choreographic Advisor and Rehearsal Instructor – Ballet Nacional de Cuba
-Principal Dancer of Spanish Dance and Flamenco at Ballet Español de Cuba, Compañía Irene Rodríguez and Guest Artist of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.
-Choreographic Advisor of the Spanish repertory in Classic Ballet companies and schools
-Member –UNESCO International Dance Council
-Director of the Flamenco and Spanish Dance Program School at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in 2019
-Member –National Commission of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba.
-Artistic Director of the International Festival: “La Huella de España” (“The Print of Spain”) in Cuba

HONOR/AWARDS

  • 2022- First Prize, Ensemble Category at the Youth American Grand Prix with the work “España” danced by the Next Generation ballet of the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
  • 2022- Outstanding Choreographer Award at the Youth American Grand Prix
  • 2018- Order “Isabel La Católica”. Spain’s highest civilian honor (Cruz category). Said recognition is awarded in recognition of extraordinary conduct or civic virtue exemplified by Spanish peoples and foreigners, that benefit the Spanish Nation or those who contribute in a significant way to foster the friendship and cooperation of the Spanish Nation with the rest of the international community. Said title carries, moreover, the signatures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from the King of Spain himself.
  • 2017- IBEROAMERICAN MEDAL given by the HONORIS CAUSA FUNDATION of the University of Guadalajara, México.
  • 2017 – AUDIENCE Award at the chorography competition: IV CONCURSO DE DANZA DEL ATLÁNTICO NORTE “CODANZA” y “GRAND PRIX VLADIMIR MALAKHOV” for her choreography: “El mito”.
  • 2017- Award UNEAC (National Commission of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba) in conjunction with the IV CONCURSO DE DANZA DEL ATLÁNTICO NORTE “CODANZA” y “GRAND PRIX VLADIMIR MALAKHOV” for the choreography piece: “El mito”.
  • 2015- BEST CULTURAL EVENT 2014, given by the Cultural Press to the best dance performance showed during the year in the city. This was given for her performance: “Gala por el XV aniversario de Habana Radio”
  • 2013- Inclusion, once again, in the “Honor Book” of the Gran Teatro de La Habana for the significance of her performances in this theater.
  • 2012- First Prize – VIII Certamen Iberoamericano de Coreografía “Alicia Alonso” CIC’2012 awarded by the General Society of Authors and Publishers of Spain and the Cuba National Ballet for the choreography: “El Crimen fue en Granada”
  • 2011- Inscription in the “Honor Book” of the Gran Teatro de La Habana for numerous successful performances with the Cuba National Ballet.
  • 2011- Ramiro Guerra Award from Asociación Hermanos Saíz given to the best interpretation of Folkloric dance by a woman.
  • 2006- Choreography Award – National Commission of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba for excellence in her artistic interpretation.

OTHERS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS/RECOGNITIONS

  • 2019– Gold Medal given by the Federation of Asturias Societies of Cuba
  • 2019– Recognition given by the Federation of Asturias Societies of Cuba for constancy in the preservation of the cultural diversity of Spain and the defense of our Cuban and Spanish identity.
  • 2017– Recognition Habana del Centro given by Dirección Municipal de Cultura de Centro Habana.
  • 2016– Special Recognition 60th Anniversary of the Federation of Spanish Societies of Cuba of the Compañía Irene Rodríguez for its support in developing of the Spanish Dance in Cuba.
  • 2015- A dress used by Irene Rodríguez is placed at the Díaz Ayala Collection of Cuban and Latin America Popular Music at the FIU (Florida International University). This piece was given to Verónica González, MLIS (Instructor Librarian, Sound and Image Resources Department) and will be there permanently in this institution.
  • 2015– Recognition of the Federation of Galicia’s Societies of Cuba to Irene Rodríguez for her excellent work as artistic director of the XXVI Festival “La Huella de España”.
  • 2015– Recognition by the Consejo Nacional de las Artes Escénicas to the Compañía Irene Rodríguez for its tireless work.
  • 2014– Recognition from the California Assembly Speaker Emeritus John A. Pérez: “On behalf of the 53rd Assembly District and the California State Legislature, I want to commend you for sharing a unique cultural experience in Southern California by hosting special live Spanish Cuban Dance performance at the Museum of Latin American Art. May your passion continue to enrich your audience’s lives and bridge the cultural divide through the art. I wish you the best in your future endeavors and continued success”.
  • 2013– Asociación Hermanos Saíz – Recognition for achievements of the Compañía Irene Rodríguez in that year.
  • 2013– Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra – Recipient of the highest award given by Federation of Spanish Societies of Cuba for her ample trajectory as a distinguished figure in Spanish dance. “Her art and her work as an educator have converted her into the Ambassador of Spanish culture in our country and she has been a fervent collaborator with the Spanish Societies of Cuba”.

TEACHER AND CHOREOGRAPHER:

With more than 20 years of experience, Irene Rodríguez has been a Teacher, Rehearsal Teacher and Choreographer of Spanish Dance and Flamenco Style for prestigious dance institutions, including the National Ballet of Cuba, the National Ballet School and the National Spanish Dance School of Cuba.

She has also been director of the Flamenco and Spanish Dance Program at the world-renowned School at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in the US and has taught many Master Classes internationally at Universities and renowned dance centers such as Juilliard School, Florida International University (FIU), University of South Florida (USF), West Valley College, University of the Arts of Cuba; among others.

 

In 2013 in Cuba, she created her own Professional Academy of Spanish and Flamenco Dance and a Vocational School of Dance directing, teaching and choreographing for the Academy including the organization of various Summer Programs and Master Classes. Because of the academic results the Academy was selected to be the representative of the *Escuela de Flamenco de Andalucía* in Cuba, which she directed for several years.

 

As a choreographer, she has won several international awards such as the First Prize in the VIII Ibero-American Choreography Contest CIC’ 2012; among others, having many works commissioned by Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and the Los Angeles Opera; among others.  All of her works have been critically acclaimed and have received important and very positive international reviews from publications such as the New York Times and others.

 

Her work as a choreographer includes multiple titles performed by the Kansas City Ballet, the Spanish Ballet of Cuba, the Irene Rodríguez Company, the Next Generation Ballet, the National Academy of Spanish Dance, the National School of Ballet of Cuba, the Professional Academy of Spanish Dances and the National Company of Lyric Art of Cuba; among others.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL MASTER CLASSES
AND SUMMER INTENSIVES
BY IRENE RODRÍGUEZ:

USF, Dance Career and Theater Career. Tampa, US. 2022
The Juilliard School. NYC, US. 2021
Kansas City Ballet School, Kansas City, US. 2021
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. Tampa, US. 2021–2022
Brucie Klay’s Dance Studio. Tampa, US. 2021–2022
Florida School for dance Education. West Palm Beach, US. 2021
Jacqueline Ballet School. Utah, US. 2021
HZ Ballet Classique. Vancouver. Canada. 2021
Southwest High School. California, US. 2020/2021
Jeté Dance Academy. California, US. 2020/2021
Carola Zetuche, for the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. NYC, US. 2019
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Massachusetts, US 2019
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Massachusetts. US 2017
Washington Contemporary Ballet. Tacoma, US. 2015
Espacio Flamenco. Seattle, US. 2015
San José Ballet. San José, California, US. 2014
Montalvo Arts Center. Saratoga, California, US. 2014
Academia ProArte. Querétaro, México. 2003–2009

 

EDUCATION:

2012 – Master’s Degree (Theoretical Studies of Dance) National Arts University – Havana, Cuba.

 

Thesis title: “Lo Hispánico en el arte de Alicia Alonso” (“The Hispanic influence in the Art of Alicia Alonso) resulting in numerous academic conferences on this topic. 

 

2011 – Graduate Certificate (History of Dance) National Arts University – Havana, Cuba.

 

2007 – Bachelor of Theater Arts Degree (Acting) National Arts University –Havana, Cuba. “Gold Diplomate” in theater arts, with a major in acting; a distinction bestowed in recognition of numerous acting roles.

 

COMMISSIONED CHOREOGRAPHIES:

2021- “Amor Brujo”. Piece in an Act for the Kansas City Ballet commissioned by the Midwest Trust Center and premiered at Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kansas City.

 

2020- “Following my dreams”. By the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival for the virtual Event DANCE WE MUST

 

2020- “Las Cinco Lunas de Lorca”. By Los Angeles Opera recorded at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Theater at the Music Center LA.

 

2020- “Towards your shore”. By The Laguna Dance Festival for the virtual Laguna Dance Winter Festival 2020

 

2019- “El grito”. By the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival for season 2019

 

2017- “La Pena negra”. By the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival for season 2017

 

CONFERENCES

“Irene Rodríguez: su más reciente proyección coreográfica” at the FIU Cuban Research Institute (Florida International University, January 31st , 2020)

 

“Una ventana a la Educación patrimonial de la danza”. Master class taught by Irene Rodríguez for the Taller Internacional sobre Patrimonio Histórico-Documental de la Música en Hispanoamérica. (Sala Fernando Ortiz of the University: Colegio San Gerónimo de La Habana. April 26th, 2018)

“Lo hispánico en el arte de Alicia Alonso” (“The Hispanic Influence in the Arte of Alicia Alonso”). Teached in:

  • XXIV International meeting of Academies for Ballet teaching. (April, 2018)
  • Project Rutas y Andares organized by the Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad, at the Centro Hispanoamericano de Cultura, La Habana, Cuba (August, 2015)
  • West Valley Collegue of California, USA. (August, 2014)
  • XIV International Festival “La Huella de España” at the “Dance Museum”, La Habana, Cuba (May, 2012)

Lecture in: “Desayuno Martiano”. José Martí Scholarship Committee. (Florida International University, January 28th, 2016)

“The Spanish Dance Influence in Cuba,” at the FIU Cuban Research Institute (Florida International University, October 20th, 2015)

“El flamenco puro y su fusión con otros géneros danzarios” (“The pure flamenco and its fusion with other Dance Styles”) given at the Sociedad Catalana of Cuba (July 16th, 2013)

The King of Spain, Felipe VI, bestowed on Irene Rodriguez the Order of “Isabel La Católica”

In October of 2018, The King of Spain, Felipe VI, bestowed on Irene Rodriguez the Order of “Isabel La Católica”, Spain’s highest civilian honor (Cross category). Said recognition is awarded in recognition of extraordinary conduct or civic virtue exemplified by Spanish peoples and foreigners, that benefit the Spanish Nation or those who contribute in a significant way to foster the friendship and cooperation of the Spanish Nation with the rest of the international community. Said title carries, moreover, the signatures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and from the King of Spain himself.