Gabriel Avila started dancing at the age of 10 and hasn’t stopped since. A Native of Mexico, Mr. Avila has been educated in many disciplines of Dance & Movement, including African, Ballet, Flamenco, Folklorico, Modern, Jazz and Movement for Musicals. Mr. Avila attended World Famous Hollywood High for the Performing Arts, and has a degree in Art History. He is a former Instructor-in-residence for Paso De Oro Dance Company. Mr. Avila...
Maria Romero was born and raised in the City of Santa Clarita, California. Her love for the performing arts began when she joined a local folklórico group, The Santa Clarita Community Center Ballet Folklórico. She later joined Grandeza Mexicana, a well-known Mexican Folklorico dance company in Los Angeles under the artistic direction of Jose Vences. Maria has performed with the company in many prestigious theaters and performing arts centers such as the Ford...
Irvind Garcia was born and raised in East Los Angeles, CA. He has been dancing Folklorico for ten years and has taught Folklorico to children for three. Irvind danced under the direction of Benjamin Hernandez, whom Irvind considers a mentor and a form of inspiration for the work he does. Being first-generation in the States, for Irvind, Folklorico became an integral part in keeping him connected to his roots; more personally, it...
University Folklorico Summit Convenes Leaders in Collegiate Mexican Folk Dance at San Jose State University February 19-21, 2016 San Jose, CA (December 17, 2015) – The leaders of collegiate (and high school) Mexican folk dance groups in the United States will come together for the 4th Annual University Folklorico Summit UFS 2016 “Leaders Today to Create Legacies Tomorrow”. UFS 2016 will take place on February 19 to 21, 2016 at San José State...
Danzantes Unidos Festival DUF 2015 "Reconquistando el pueblo con danza y cancion" taking place on March 27, 28, & 29 at Clovis West HS in Fresno, CA is around the corner! Amidst the last minute details, check-lists, check-offs and adrenaline rush as DUF draws near, Danzantes Unidos would like to thank its supporters, partners and padrino sponsors; this year’s celebration would not be the same without their help. Alliance for California Traditional Arts, Artemex Ballet Folklorico Raices Mexicanas B + Limitless...
Article written by Rosa Angelica Castañeda Photographs taken by Richard Magaña and Rosa Angelica Castañeda In mid-February, collegiate folkloristas set their shoes aside as they connected through an educational and insightful conference. “It is really interesting to see, not just the challenges that we all face, despite how different we are; it is interesting how we can come together,” Jazmin Rodriguez stated, an undergraduate student at UC Irvine. “Now we have connections, and we’ve...
2015 is going to be a great year for folklorico dancers everywhere. New dances will be learned/taught, performances will occur and countless folklorico memories will be made. Just in case you haven’t chosen your New Year’s resolution(s) for 2015, we compiled some ideas to help get you started. Learn the history of a region you don’t know much about and share the information with your group. Meet a folklorista who participates in folklorico group...