Rocío Molina, bailaora. Flamenco interview

“I'm someone very
convinced of what I do”

Carlos Sánchez. Seville, January 2006

At the mere age of twenty-one, Rocío Molina has become one of the bailaoras of the day. Despite her youth, her career is shining with shows such as ‘Entre paredes’ and ‘El eterno retorno’, plus her collaboration in ‘Los cuatro elementos’, on the bill of the main flamenco festivals. She had already gotten up on stage when she was just three years old. She hasn't taken off her shoes ever since. The young Málaga-born artist is aware that this world is very complicated and that nothing is gained without effort. So for the time being, her aspirations don't go beyond enjoying herself on stage and keeping up the line which is bringing her so much success. Her goal is to get lost in that world of sensations which, when dancing, makes her entirely free.

Rocío Molina

Do you consider yourself a child prodigy?

That's for people to decide; it's not for me to decide. Dancing has always been easy for me. That might have made me stand out a little more. What I can tell you is I've been hard-working and toiling to the max, sometimes too much so. And all the people who've studied with me know that.

Have you stood out since you were little?

I started dancing when I was really little. I got up on stage at the age of three and it's been non-stop ever since. I used to be very dull dancing because I took it very seriously. My face was very serious, but everyone's eyes were glued to me. My mother couldn't understand how people noticed me, being as I was.

Is the fact that you're so praised a responsibility or a motivation?

It's a motivation because you know people like what you're doing. The thing is that as you move along, it becomes a responsibility because you have to give people what they ask you for. It's not the same for you to be discovered as to have to keep yourself up and do new things to continue along your line.

Have you felt pressured at any time?

I go along doing what I feel like most. I've always gone about seeking within myself, seeking my way. If I find it and I do it with the conviction that it's nice, people are going to like it. I'm someone very convinced of what I do.

You premiered a show at the age of only thirteen, didn't you?

Well, rather it was an audition (she smiles). When you're little you're a lot less afraid to do things. But as you grow, the fear increases.

As a choreographer, you've done something in the María Pagés Company, haven't you?

Yes, I did a farruca for the girls. I was in her company for some time to see what working in a group was like. She'd see me restless and gave me the chance to do some little thing.

Why did you leave for Madrid? Didn't you see any future in Málaga?

There came a time in Málaga when you used to end up doing the hundred-some peñas that are there over and over again. And of course, if you're restless, you feel like something more. I left for Madrid to see other things and to finish my dance studies.

Is it hard to have a good outlook from Málaga?

It's like everything. The thing is you have to be really sure of things. I decided to leave for Madrid when I was thirteen. You have to get on the go. Then I was going to study in Granada, Seville or Jerez.

How do you size up the current flamenco scene in your native land?

It's had a big boost this year with Málaga en Flamenco. I think it was about time. Málaga's been important in flamenco. It was a chance for the artists of the land to be able to develop their things on stage. We've always been at peñas and summer festivals.

Rocío Molina

What did you think of Málaga en Flamenco?

At a personal level, it was great luck to be able to premiere my show ‘El eterno retorno’ in Málaga. As far as organization, you have to bear in mind that it's the first time it's been done. Some things will have to be corrected.

Did you think you'd have achieved so much success when you were just twenty-one years old?

You don't decide those things, but rather the audience that comes to see you. What I do is dance and try to be at ease.

How would you define your baile?

	"I think I'm sincere with my way of dancing"

Well, simply me. I search within myself a lot according to that moment in my life, according to what I've seen or what I've hear. All those things influence me. I think I'm sincere with my way of dancing. I do it a certain way because it comes out that way for me. I really like sensuality, though at given moments I also want to be strong. I think people like that mixture.

next >>