Estela Merlos
Dancer
Born in Barcelona, Estela is an independent dance artist based in London.
She trained at Escola de Dansa Madó and Central School of Ballet. Upon graduation she danced for companies Cannes Jeune Ballet Rosella Hightower (2004-2006, France) and IT Dansa (2006-2008, Spain) before joining Rambert Dance Company in 2008 where she toured nationally and internationally for six years. During her time in these companies she created roles and performed works by Jiri Kylian, Nacho Duato, Carolyn Carlson, Christopher Bruce, Itzik Galili, Alexander Ekman, Rafael Bonachela, Barak Marshall, Marguerite Donlon, Javier de Frutos, Siobhan Davies among other acclaimed choreographers.
Since 2014 she collaborates as performer and/or assistant choreographer with Marcos Morau - La Veronal, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance, Opera National du Rhin, Didy Veldman - Humanoove, Patricia Okenwa, AVA Dance Company, New Movement Collective.
In April 2019 Estela was invited to perform Night of 100 solos: A Centennial Event at the Barbican Theatre to celebrate Merce Cunnigham’s centenary anniversary.
Her choreographic work has been presented in Spain and the UK across a range of theatres, public spaces and community settings, receiving commissions by Swindon Dance, Dansox, Pavillion Dance South West, Wilton’s Music Festival, Ignition Festival, British Spanish Society, Rambert’s Evening of New Choreography. In 2017 she was appointed Swindon Dance Associate Artist together with dancer Thomasin Gulgec whom she continues to collaborate since 2015. Their latest work Blind spots was funded by Arts Council England.
Her movement research and teaching practice are influenced by an ongoing interest in the health aspects of internal martial arts and somatic education. Estela is a certified Awareness Through Movement ® Feldenkrais Practitioner.