Cindy Padilla began her dance career at the age of eighteen with the Ballet Folklórico Aztlan de CSUN dance organization on the CSU Northridge campus. The need to re-charter the resident Northridge group, Ballet Folklórico Aztlan in fall of 1996 after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, was a goal for Cindy and other members who helped reinstate the forty-five year old student and community based dance troupe to what it is today.

She received her undergraduate B.A. in Journalism and Chicana/o Studies and her M.A. in Chicana/o Studies with an emphasis in Music, Dance and Folklore from California State University, Northridge. She is presently working on her second Master’s degree in Dance Science at California State University, Northridge. Her most recent written publications include her Master’s thesis entitled: A Mexicana/Chicana Testimonio Addressing Tradition and Authenticity in Folklórico Dance and Mexican Dance Origins in the Encyclopedia of Latino Popular Culture.

Cindy has directed ELAC’s very own Ballet Folklórico de East Los Angeles, student folklórico group and has coordinated ELAC’s annual “Noche de Cultura,” spring showcase. She is a proud member of the ELAC Dance Department and 20-year resident performer, choreographer, regional folklórico instructor with Ballet Folklórico Aztlan de CSUN.

Last spring she taught the Colima/Zacatecas Folklórico High workshop at Danzantes Unidos and this past September she took part in a Folklórico dance tour to Beijing, China with a collaborative group of southern California CSU Folkloristas. As of this October, Cindy was appointed as the folklórico instructor to Ballet Folklórico Joyas Divinas del Valle, juvenil folklórico group in Pacoima, CA.

“I believe that as a dance educator that we are always learning from our students and it is our duty to expose them to not only Mexican folklórico dance but also to other dance genres, research and the history out there—in order to expand their global dance repertoire and to inspire them to continue the legacy of cultural dance. In dance there are no obstacles—you only need the passion, ganas (willingness), and heart to learn any footwork and movement. Performing Mexican folklórico has always been one of those exhilarating feelings for me, but watching my students perform in a choreography on stage is phenomenal. Bringing these beautiful Mexican regional dances to life is only possible with the instructors and students who will continue to commit to teaching, researching and performing this beautiful folklórico art form in our surrounding communities and dance departments of our local colleges and universities.” -Cindy Padilla, M.A.

At DUF 2017

Folklorico High: Sonora & Yucatan

Maestra Cindy Padilla will be teaching polkas y huapangos norteños from Sonora Bronco in the style of Vaquero “Bronco” Sonorense. (El Huarachazo, El Tololoche, Caminos de Sonora.) From Yucatan she will be teaching Jaranas Yucatecas y Almudes; including a baile with a charola y cajoncillo de madera “almud.” (Nicté Ha, Aires Yucatecos, Mi Yucateca). The following props are requested of students–for Sonora: Ladies- Norte practice skirt and Men-Tejana . . . for Yucatan: Ladies- Rebozos

 

DUF 2017 “Alma Indigena” will take place on April 7, 8 & 9 in Fresno, CA.

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