The dancer Sonia del Rio, ambassador of flamenco in Quebec, who had a successful international career in the colors of Iberian dance, died on Friday, her family announced.

Originally from Rouyn-Noranda and born under the surname of Boisvenu, “the mother of flamenco in Quebec” lived and worked for a long time in Europe and collaborated with the great masters of Latin dance. Sonia del Rio has influenced several generations of local dancers at the start of their careers, in addition to training future performers by giving flamenco dance classes.

When she was younger, the Abitibienne studied classical and Latin dance before leaving for Europe. She made her way there with choreographers and dancers, such as José Greco, and within prestigious companies, such as La Scala in Milan, where she was a soloist.

Back in Quebec, Sonia del Rio was a dancer and choreographer for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, before becoming the owner of the La Chaconne concert café, a popular venue in the theater community in the 1980s and 90s. Several artists, poets and musicians launched their careers in this intimate café-concert in the Latin Quarter, on Ontario Street, in Montreal.

Personality of La Presse, in 1998, when she was honored by King Juan Carlos I of Spain, the passionate dancer was the subject of a biography, Sonia del Rio: Living my life and dancing, published by Pierre Turcotte Publisher.