Manuel Barriga was born in Utrecht, Holland, and was raised in Madrid, Spain. He started his ballet studies at the age of six in Victor Ullate Ballet Academy under the tutelage of Aaron Watkin, Vladimir Álvarez, Anne Marie Holmes and Victor Ullate himself.

After three months in the Carmen Roche Ballet Academy, Manuel continued his studies with Carmina Ocaña as well as Pablo Savoye also being trained in the Bournoville technique.

He has participated in several school festivals and has appeared in the magazines Marie Claire (1994) and Tiempo (1996). Recently, he completed the Ballet San Jose School Summer Intensive 2007 with Lise la Cour and Peter Brandenhoff.

Manuel joined Ballet San Jose in 2007 as an Apprentice and is now a Company Member.