Bio & Photos

Valentina Ortiz
Valentina Ortiz speaks the stories of ancient and modern Mexico. She has traveled many countries with her work, taking the Latin American traditions to audiences young and adult. Her stories are entertaining, full of hope, a window into the daily life of the people of Mexico. She moves comfortably from myth to the personal story, from folktale to her voice about migration. She loves to play with the diversity of languages, Spanish, English, French and the ancient Mexican indigenous voices. To her flow in stories, she adds her skills as a longtime professional drummer and singer. She is recognized for her workshops in Universities and Community Centers as well as for leading rhythm and storytelling residencies for children of all ages. She published 4 books and produced 4 records of her original stories and music. She has a Bachelor´s Degree from Barnard College in New York and a Masters in Arts Management from Mexican Metropolitan University UAM; in 2018, she received the Teacher´s College (Columbia University) Certificate for Teaching of the Arts.

Photos and Flyer for Downloading

Training
Special Skills

Languages : Spanish, English, French and basic knowledge of Portuguese and Nahuatl.
Professional Afrocuban drummer since 1992, also plays marimba, prehispánic instruments and frame drum.
Writer (4 books published)
Composer (4 records produced)
Teaching Artist (with Young Audiences and Arts Connection in New York City and in Mexico with Editorial El Naranjo, Zazanilli Cuentos A.C. among others)
Community Organizer and Arts Administrator (General Director of Zazanilli Cuentos A.C. since 2007)

Performance Highlights

Feria Internacional del Libro de Antropología e Historia, Museum of Anthropology Mexico
National University of Mexico, UNAM : Regaladores de Palabras ( 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
National University of Mexico, UNAM : Feria del Libro y la Rosa
National University of Mexico, UNAM : Museum of de Palace of the School of Medecine ( 2007, 2009, 2016, 2020).
Cultural Centre Spain (2014, 2016, 2018)
Cali Colombia : Festival Women who Tell Stories, XIV.
Singapore International Storytelling Festival
Mishki Shimi, International Patrimonial Storytelling Conference, Ecuador.
Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Center (2018, 2019, 2020), New York.
Provincetown Playhouse, New York University.
Storytelling Summit (2018), National Storytelling Network.
Connected, National Storytelling Network 2020.
Worldwide Virtual Storytelling Conference, India, 2020.
Feria Internacional del libro Infantil y Juvenil, México.
National University of Mexico, UNAM: Centro Cultural, Morelia, México.
Facultad de Letras de la Universidad Michoacana San Nicolas de Hidalgo, México
Universidad Intercultural, Estado de México, México