Maray Gutierrez Ramis is a native of Havana, Cuba where she trained at Escuela Nacional de Arte – the prestigious National School of Dance. For 10 years, she was a principal dancer for the internationally acclaimed Danza Contemporánea de Cuba and worked with esteemed choreographers Giovanni di Cicco, Donald McKayle, Joaquin Sabaté, Jan Linkens, and Marianela Boán (Founder of DanzAbierta), among others. She has performed throughout Europe, the U.S., and the Caribbean, as well as, for British television and the Venice Opera. Maray has performed at the American Dance Festival; The International Dance Festival in Berlin, Germany; The Holland Dance Festival; and the International Ballet Festival in Genoa, Italy.
Since relocating to Chicago, she has danced with Hedwig Dances, Luna Negra Dance Theater, CDI/Concert Dance Inc; the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Houston Grand Opera. She received an Emmy-nomination in 2008 for her performance in the PBS Documentary of “Ruth Page’s 1947 groundbreaking ballet cartoon”, Billy Sunday, presented by CDI/Concert Dance Inc. She was also a featured performer in the dance film, Arch of Repose, produced by Hedwig Dances in 2009. Maray was named Artistic Associate of Hedwig Dances in 2007.
Maray was selected by “See Chicago Dance” as one of the 10 Top Women in 2006 for her choreography of, Eterno Despertar, for Luna Negra Dance Theater. Other choreographic credits include three new pieces she created for Hedwig Dances, and works for Ballet Hispanico of New York (2010) and Milwaukee Ballet II (2013). Maray has taught at Hedwig Dances; Faubourg School of Ballet; School of DanceWest Ballet; Southeast Missouri State University; Kansas State University; and, the Milwaukee Ballet School.
Photo by Vin Reed