Women who move us
Avatâra Ayuso
AWA DANCE Founder & Director | Award Winning Choreographer | Women & Girls
advocate | Clore Fellow | Passionate about cacti, dark chocolate and a good scuba dive in the Mediterranean Sea.
When was the moment you knew you wanted a career in dance?
When I suffered a major injury—a tumour on my left leg—and doctors told me I’d never dance again. Hearing them say, "You can't," ignited a fire within me to prove them wrong. I was not going to let anyone crash my dream of becoming a dancer.
What is a quote you live by?
"I'm not longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept" Angela Davis
If you could have lunch with any woman (living or from the past), who would you pick and why?
Michelle Obama, no doubt! Her insights on life and leadership are always inspiring, she seems very approachable and empathetic. I also love her sense of humor!
Is it more important to be liked or respected?
Respected. Being liked can come and go depending on the situation or people around you, but respect lasts and shows that others value who you really are.
How do you manage stress?
I try to plan ahead and anticipate possible factors that might cause stress, so I rarely reach that state. When it does happen, a good ballet class with live music and plenty of "allegro" helps me a great deal. A nice matcha tea will probably follow.
Where is your happy place?
I have several! Standing in the Sahara Desert is magical—it fills me with awe and reminds me of the breathtaking beauty of our planet and the vital duty we have to protect it. Another is the stillness of an empty theatre; there's something electrifying about the silence, as if it’s holding its breath, waiting to be taken back to life.
If you were a fruit or vegetable, which would you be and why?
Pineapple! Colorful, upright, unapologetic and a bit spiky —just enough to set boundaries if things start heading the wrong way!
In our dance sector, what do you think is the most pressing issue for women and girls right now and what are you doing about it?
The lack of opportunities to develop their activist voice. For too long, we’ve been told to follow rules, to stay silent, to not ask questions. The sector must stop creating followers and start nurturing leaders—leaders who are bold enough to advocate for what they believe in. AWA DANCE is my way of contributing to this change. In 2025, we’re celebrating five years of empowering women and girls! I can’t wait to see even more of them growing with us and beyond us, breaking barriers and leading the way forward.
What’s something you regret in your professional dance career?
Listening to the wrong people—those who gave me advice that didn’t align with my values. Fortunately, I’m strong-willed and determined, and I managed to carve out my own path despite their so-called "advice." It taught me the importance of trusting my instincts and staying true to myself.
What question do you wish more people would ask you?
"How are you?"—but in a genuine way, with real interest in how I’m feeling. Too often, it’s asked out of habit rather than care. It would mean so much if people truly paused to listen and connect.
What are the 3 leadership traits that best define you?
Communication, empathy and Action!
What book/film/documentary do you recommend most to others?
Lately, I’ve been captivated by The Diplomat, a Netflix series featuring a brilliantly written protagonist who breaks stereotypes—a real woman with a strong personality and an incredible sense of justice. I also have a deep appreciation for the films of Sofia Coppola, whose storytelling is always rich, layered, and visually stunning.
Which lesson has been the hardest to learn?
That the dance sector is not a fair place. It mirrors the same patriarchal structures found in wider society, perpetuating inequality and limiting progress. Recognising this has been challenging for me, but it’s also fuelled my commitment to creating meaningful change.
What's next for you?
As a choreographer, I’m currently creating a new ballet about Anna Pavlova for a company in Ecuador. Pavlova was an icon—not just as a dancer but as an international entrepreneur who brought ballet to the world and inspired countless people to follow their dreams. Beyond that, I’ll continue dedicating my life to the causes I’m most passionate about: dance, and the empowerment of women and girls.
Cinderella, Pocahontas, Alice in Wonderland or Malefica?
Pocahontas. She is brave, outspoken, athletic and confident in her own skin!
