Dyami Kerr Photography dyami@fullsail.edu

www.malaga-artsconnection.com/bibi.html 696-83-64-28 (Spain) 914-837-3781 (USA) Available for classes and workshops. Fluent French, Spanish, and English.

Cristina "Bibi" Franco, from Estepona, Málaga, Spain, began dancing at age 10 in her hometown with Jazz instructor Deloris Perlmutter. She was spotted by Danny Robin, French actress and after high school, received a scholarship to study at the Ballet Theatre Joseph Rousillo, in Paris, France. She became a member of the company and for three years was touring around Europe and Russia. While performing in the south of France and giving workshops with the company, Bibi met Alvin Ailey in Arles, while he was on tour with his company. Alvin offered her to audition for his school, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in NYC. Back in Paris they met again to present herself for the audition. She received a scholarship at age 19 and went to NYC to join the school, after 2 rigorous years training in Graham, Horton, Ballet, Jazz and Dunham, Tina Ramirez of the Ballet Hispanico of NY came to the school and offered Bibi a position in the company.

Bibi performed for Ballet Hispanico as a soloist in several occasions in the USA. After a couple of years, she went on to experience the Brasilian culture and joined the Jelon Vieira Dance Brazil company in NYC. Getting exposure to Capoeira and the culture of Bahia through its dances, music and beliefs, along with modern dance performances, she continued her exposure and experience with other cultures.

Bibi’s experience includes the Arts Connection organization in NYC, a non profit organization, where she served as a coordinator, bringing the arts to inner city children through performances and workshops in public schools. Bringing great artists such as members of the Metropolitan Opera; Latin Jazz great Tito Puente; Joyce Trysler dance company; Jelon Vieira, and many others; as well as acting workshops, poetry, etc.

After taking time to raise her two sons, Bibi arrived to the Tampa area in July of 2002 and realized she had a desire to go back to her roots. She found Tina Benayas, from Toledo, Spain, residing in Largo, and Tina began teaching her the great art of Flamenco, to continue her experience in dance through the poetry, passion and fire of her culture. Bibi is currently teaching Modern at the Guilfoil Academy of Dance in Clearwater, FL., as well as choreographing for the Guilfoil Dance Company and is a member of the board of directors. In 2004 founded Malaga  Arts Connection. For more information on workshops, etc, click here Her teaching experience includes Jelon Vieira Dance Brasil company clases, workshops in Spain (Costa del Sol), the Caribbean and Brazil. Featured in television in Tampa: "The Spot" and "The Daily Show". Radio: "Tampa Media Talk", "Rumba 680". Choreographer for Shaka Kahn's Art Club, for Shaka Kahns Clearwater Jazz Festival 2006, for her song "I Believe" .

Bibi’s instructors and schools include, in Paris:Ballet Theatre Joseph Roussillo, Daniel Agesilas, Jean Marc Boittiere, Joseph Roussillo, Solange Golovine, Catherine Richet, etc.In NYC: Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Alvin Mc Duffy,Denise Jefferson, Pat Thomas, Robert Christopher, Anne Marie Forsyth, Milton Myers, The Joffrey Ballet School, Ballet Hispanico of NY, Jelon Vieira Dance Brazil, and others.
Flamenco: NYC: Victorio In Tampa: Tina Benayas, Ester Suárez, José María Moreno and David Rojas. Workshops in Tampa: Peter Suárez, Omayra Amaya, Estrella Moreno. In Jeréz de la Frontera, Spain: La Chiqui de Jeréz, Juana Amaya, Javier Latorre, Domingo Ortega.