(noticia) Famed ballet, flamenco dancer Maclovia Ruiz dead at 95

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - Maclovia Ruiz, the first ethnic dancer in a major American ballet company who went on to play the lead role in "Carmen" at New York's Metropolitan Opera House, has died. She was 95.

Ruiz died on Dec. 31 of complications from pneumonia, according to her daughter-in-law Woujie Mailer.

Born in 1910 in Guadalajara, Mexico, Ruiz moved with her family to San Francisco as a child and was taught folk dancing by her father. The young girl would perform in neighborhood clubs, but was repeatedly turned away from dance schools because of her skin color.

(leer +) [vía mercury news]