Manuela Carrasco performing the gypsy dance at the Jerez Festival

Manuela Carrasco was born in Seville. She is the daughter of the dancer José Carrasco 'El Sordo'. Self-taught, she made her debut at the age of 11 at the Tablao La Cochera in Seville. At 13 she went on a two-year tour of Europe with the company of the dancer Curro Vélez. At the age of 18 she won the 'Pastora Imperio' National Dance Prize at the National Flamenco Art Competition in Cordoba. In Italy, she was awarded the International Dance Prize in San Remo in 1976. In 1995 she filmed her soleá for the film 'Flamenco' directed by Carlos Saura, accompanied by the voice of José Mercé. In 2007 she won the National Dance Prize in the interpretation category and in 2008 the Medal of Andalusia.