After realising extended studies in ballet, flamenco, folk and Spanish classical dances in Spain at Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza in Madrid and independent studies with María de Ávila, she was awarded with a scholarship (Spain & UK) to study completing BA (Hons) and PgDIP in Contemporary Dance and Performance from London Contemporary Dance School and MA Creative Practice from Trinity Laban/Independent Dance.
Zafrilla Olayo has also danced, performed and collaborated in the choreographic projects of Trisha Brown and Gordon Matta-Clark (Barbican Art Gallery), Jonathan Borrow & Matteo Fargion (SDS), Florence Peake (YSP Longside Gallery), Tai Shani (Hayward Gallery), Theo Clinkrad (UK tour), Pablo Bronstein (Tate Britain), DV8 (Tate Modern), Lina Lapelyte (DRAFT), Linda Remahl (Northern Sustainable Futures), Frauke Requardt (Sadler’s Wells, Young Vic and The Place Theatre), Franz Erhard Walter (London Frieze Art Fair), Eva Recacha (Spain tour), Aletta Collins (Opera North), Punch Drunk (site specific London), Carolyn Roy (Roehampton University), Cally Spooner (Serpentine Sackler Gallery), Richard Alston Dance Company (Joyce Theatre), amongst others.
For 20 years Zafrilla Olayo has been leading dance and movement workshops for education, art and non-profit organisations; most recently facilitating movement studies to investigate notions of trust, communication and support at Independent Dance, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, the Royal College of Art, the Royal School of Speech and Drama in London, Conservatorio Profesional Superior de Danza de Málaga in Spain and The School of Hope’s international art program for young creatives in UK.
Margarita co-founded the experimental dance research platform Spirals & Horizontal Connections (2012/14) and artists collective La Ventana (2002/2004). She collaborated as ID Ambassador and volunteering with artist-led organisation Independent Dance (2011-2021).
Zafrilla Olayo has also danced, performed and collaborated in the choreographic projects of Trisha Brown and Gordon Matta-Clark (Barbican Art Gallery), Jonathan Borrow & Matteo Fargion (SDS), Florence Peake (YSP Longside Gallery), Tai Shani (Hayward Gallery), Theo Clinkrad (UK tour), Pablo Bronstein (Tate Britain), DV8 (Tate Modern), Lina Lapelyte (DRAFT), Linda Remahl (Northern Sustainable Futures), Frauke Requardt (Sadler’s Wells, Young Vic and The Place Theatre), Franz Erhard Walter (London Frieze Art Fair), Eva Recacha (Spain tour), Aletta Collins (Opera North), Punch Drunk (site specific London), Carolyn Roy (Roehampton University), Cally Spooner (Serpentine Sackler Gallery), Richard Alston Dance Company (Joyce Theatre), amongst others.
For 20 years Zafrilla Olayo has been leading dance and movement workshops for education, art and non-profit organisations; most recently facilitating movement studies to investigate notions of trust, communication and support at Independent Dance, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, the Royal College of Art, the Royal School of Speech and Drama in London, Conservatorio Profesional Superior de Danza de Málaga in Spain and The School of Hope’s international art program for young creatives in UK.
Margarita co-founded the experimental dance research platform Spirals & Horizontal Connections (2012/14) and artists collective La Ventana (2002/2004). She collaborated as ID Ambassador and volunteering with artist-led organisation Independent Dance (2011-2021).