Victoria Santa Cruz

About

Afro-Peruvian choreographer, composer, and activist who is known as the founder of the Cumanana company. She is also known for her songs "La Buñolera" and "Las Lavanderas."

Before Fame

She came from a household full of artists and musicians and was introduced to the fine arts at a young age. She studied in Paris.

Trivia

In 1966, she founded the group "Teatro y Danzas del Perú" and they performed at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. It was her parents who introduced her to Afro-Peruvian dance, doing so at an early age. This inspired her heavily, ultimately leading her to take part in musicals. 

Family Life

She is the daughter of Nicomedes Santa Cruz Aparicio and Victoria Gamarra. Her and her brother Nicomedes Santa Cruz were credited in a revival of Afro-Peruvian culture in the 1960s and 1970s. 

Associated With

She first attended the Université du Théâtre des Nations at the age of 42, where she studied theater and choreography with professors that included Eugene Ionesco and Maurice Bejart.