About Marifé Giménez
Venezuelan
born Marifé Giménez has become a star on the Florida dance scene. The passion
and exuberance which she brings to her dancing have captured the attention
of patrons, as well as the media. She was chosen best female dancer
in South Florida in 2001, and again in 2002, by the Miami Sun Post. She
is as lovely as she is talented.
Winner of Venezuela’s National Award, "Casa Del Artista" and the "Jose Felix Rivas" medal from the Venezuelan government for outstanding artistic achievement, Marifé has been a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Caracas and with the Miami City Ballet. She has traversed the world, performing at the Edinburgh Festival, the Spoleto Festival, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the 1996 Olympics. She has appeared at Wolf Trap’s 25th Anniversary, at "United we Dance" in San Francisco, at festivals in Spain and Chile, and at concerts throughout South, Central and North America.
Does it get any better than this?
It does, if you aspire to a creative life that is balanced with true love. In 1995, while at the Miami City Ballet, Giménez was paired with a promising Brazilian dancer named Douglas Gawriljuk, in "La Casa de Bernarda Alba", in which they played lovers divided by society and family. "That was when I first had romantic feelings,'' Giménez says. "From then on, I knew I felt something." Adds Gawriljuk: "The more we danced together, the more I felt a connection. Dancing with her, I felt everything I wanted -- a wonderful ballerina, wonderful personality, everything connecting.''
Marifé married her prince and, together, they made the decision to leave the Miami City Ballet, partly because they couldn't dance together as much as they wanted. In May of 2000, they joined the Maximum Dance Company of Miami. When not rehearsing, Marifé plays basketball with Douglas and, to keep the balance, he attends music concerts with her, particularly those featuring Latin balladeers, which she loves.
Both admit to being sensitive when either of them embraces another dancer. "I understand it's artistic," says Douglas, "So I live with it. But I don't watch.'' And, says Marifé, "If it's a very romantic pas de deux that I wish I was doing -- yes, I get jealous, too." For this couple, who are married to each other and also to dual careers, it is all about give and take and sometimes compromise.
The Maximum Dance Company
Described as the crown jewel of the South Florida art scene, the Maximum Dance Company is a ten-member troupe with a unique repertoire ranging from classical pas de deux to innovative explorations into contemporary ballet. The company is known for its multi-disciplinary collaborations.
If you're in the Miami area this winter and wish to escape the maddening crowds of Florida nightlife, you can enjoy a performances by the Maximum Dance Company at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 Flagler Street, Downtown Miami. If you happen to live in New York, with a planned visit to Florida, here is an excellent opportunity to enjoy an evening of wonderful ballet, at a mere fraction of the cost of a New York performance.
Winner of Venezuela’s National Award, "Casa Del Artista" and the "Jose Felix Rivas" medal from the Venezuelan government for outstanding artistic achievement, Marifé has been a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Caracas and with the Miami City Ballet. She has traversed the world, performing at the Edinburgh Festival, the Spoleto Festival, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the 1996 Olympics. She has appeared at Wolf Trap’s 25th Anniversary, at "United we Dance" in San Francisco, at festivals in Spain and Chile, and at concerts throughout South, Central and North America.
Does it get any better than this?
It does, if you aspire to a creative life that is balanced with true love. In 1995, while at the Miami City Ballet, Giménez was paired with a promising Brazilian dancer named Douglas Gawriljuk, in "La Casa de Bernarda Alba", in which they played lovers divided by society and family. "That was when I first had romantic feelings,'' Giménez says. "From then on, I knew I felt something." Adds Gawriljuk: "The more we danced together, the more I felt a connection. Dancing with her, I felt everything I wanted -- a wonderful ballerina, wonderful personality, everything connecting.''
Marifé married her prince and, together, they made the decision to leave the Miami City Ballet, partly because they couldn't dance together as much as they wanted. In May of 2000, they joined the Maximum Dance Company of Miami. When not rehearsing, Marifé plays basketball with Douglas and, to keep the balance, he attends music concerts with her, particularly those featuring Latin balladeers, which she loves.
Both admit to being sensitive when either of them embraces another dancer. "I understand it's artistic," says Douglas, "So I live with it. But I don't watch.'' And, says Marifé, "If it's a very romantic pas de deux that I wish I was doing -- yes, I get jealous, too." For this couple, who are married to each other and also to dual careers, it is all about give and take and sometimes compromise.
The Maximum Dance Company
Described as the crown jewel of the South Florida art scene, the Maximum Dance Company is a ten-member troupe with a unique repertoire ranging from classical pas de deux to innovative explorations into contemporary ballet. The company is known for its multi-disciplinary collaborations.
If you're in the Miami area this winter and wish to escape the maddening crowds of Florida nightlife, you can enjoy a performances by the Maximum Dance Company at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 Flagler Street, Downtown Miami. If you happen to live in New York, with a planned visit to Florida, here is an excellent opportunity to enjoy an evening of wonderful ballet, at a mere fraction of the cost of a New York performance.
