Odette Cortez

Odette Marina Cortez Palacios (born 27 May 1987) is a Panamanian choreographer, dancer and folklorist. She is a partner and founder of the Folklore Dance Studio and has represented Panama at international dance events like the Yilan International Folklore Festival and Children's Folk Games (YICFFF) in Taiwan.

Biography Cortez was born on 27 May 1987 in Panama City, Panama. She grew up among musicians and folklorists as the daughter of the Panamanian piano accordionist Ormelis Cortez, and the granddaughter of the Panamanian violinist, piano accordionist and composer Escolastico Cortez, who was known as "Colaco" and was the composer of the song Guarare, Guarare, Guarare. She is a partner and founder of Folklore Dance Studio, where she trains dancers, including Margarita Henríquez, and disseminates Panamanian traditions such as skirt movement. She performs dances such as Diablicos Sucios, Flamenco, Santeño (styles from the Province of Los Santos) and Tamborito. Dancers from her studio participate in cultural events such as the annual Panama Folklore Gala and traditional flamenco performances at Anita's Peña.

In 2019, Cortez performed at a celebration of the 500th anniversary of Panama City. In 2023, she represented Panama with the Folklore Dance Studio delegation at the 2023 All Dance Intercontinental, held in the Dominican Republic. She has also performed in Washington D. C., Buenos Aires, Madrid, Lisbon, Taipei, Santo Domingo, Cancún, Miami, New York, Barranquilla and San José.