Cruz Isael Mata was born in Caracas, Venezuela.

He started his dance training at the Instituto Superior De Danza Caracas, Venezuela in 1992 and continued his studies at the Central University of Venezuela, where he followed classes in theatre sciences, fine arts, and philosophy. He toured in Latin America as a soloist and company member. In 2000 he came to Belgium, where he became a member of the X-Group in P.A.R.T.S., directed by Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker. Besides his dance education, he also studied circus techniques at the Ecole Nationale du Cirque – Academie Fratellini, physical therapy, and psychology in Paris. He danced with several dance companies: Espacio Alterno – Venezuela, Tim Feldman – Denmark, Michél Noiret Company – Belgium. He collaborated with artists such as David Zambrano, Roberto Olivan, Nadine Ganase, Virginie Thirion, Josse de Pauw, Maria Clara Villalobos, Mey-Ling Bisogno, and others.

Cruz created the productions „Puzzle“ and „Casa“, which premiered in Paris in 2005. He has been giving company training to various dance companies, such as Ultima Vez – Wim Vandekeybus since 2010. Cruz Mata has been teaching Flying Low, Acrobatic Dance, Release Technique, and Contact Improvisation in Latin America, Europe, and Asia for more than 22 years-

Flying into gravity skills 

“Flying Into Gravity Skills” focuses on developing and maintaining the body´s fluent and weightless movement patterns. Different exercises are exploring the relationship
with the floor as well as towards other people, space, gravity, and towards one’s own mindset while experiencing oneself in the present moment. The body is being given the opportunity to activate the relationship between the centre and the periphery with the aim of moving more efficient and using the ground as well as the gravity as support.
Cruz explores the principals of recreating movements of daily life and exploring the influences of voice onto the body´s movement. Figuring out what the body has to say in the moments when it doesn’t move and doesn’t produce sound is one of the main approaches, which is being achieved through dynamic dance sequences, partnering work, and diverse techniques including Flying Low and Release Technique.
Answers are appearing, when we calm down the mind but open the space for the body to talk.”