Danzantes Unidos DUF 2026 “Nurturing the Light” welcomes José Vences teaching Costa Chica: Guerrero & Oaxaca for Teens & Adults; ages 15+.

Jose Vences was born and raised in Morelos, Mexico where he began his training and love of dance at the age of sixteen. He studied dance with Jesus Parra Duje at the Universidad Autonoma de Morelos in 1983 while earning a degree as an elementary school teacher. He was honored with being selected to participate in the Cultural Exchange program with Kansas City, Missouri in 1984. He later became a member of the Compania Universitaria del Centro Cultural Morelos under the direction of Raul Rubi before deciding to further his professional dance training by moving to Mexico City. He attended summer classes at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1985, then auditioned for and was accepted with the world-famous Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez. He became a member of the resident company in July 1986 and later was promoted to the first company in January 1987 where he performed throughout Europe, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States.

In 1990, Mr. Vences moved to Los Angeles and in 1992 was an original founder of Ballet Folklorico del Pacifico (now known as Pacifico Dance Company), where he served as artistic director for 9 years. Jose Vences founded Grandeza Mexicana in September 2003. Mr. Vences’ approach to instruction is to place high expectations on his dancers, to push them to discover their true potential, at times beyond their own expectations. This work can be very emotional.  Mr. Vences challenges his students to work at their very best and draw from within themselves all the strength and talent ballet folklorico requires.

For DUF 2026 . . .

Maestro Vences will offer Costa Chica a region shared by the Mexican States of Guerrero & Oaxaca.  This high-intensity, intermediate/advanced class is for directors and would-be directors ages 15+ who are willing to push their physical limits and in the process experience a typical class in a professional dance company.

Cultura illuminates LIFE . . . nurture the light.

Danzantes Unidos Festival DUF 2026 “Nurturing the Light” will take place March 27, 28 & 29 in Fresno, CA.
Registration is OPEN at www.danzantes.org.  Early Registration ends on January 23, 2026.
Click here to register for this class: Costa Chica: Guerrero & Oaxaca for Teens & Adults; ages 15+