Maestro Gabriel Avila at DUF 2015

A Native of Mexico, Maestro Gabriel Avila has been dancing since the age of ten.  Mr. Avila has been educated in many disciplines of Dance & Movement, including African, Ballet, Flamenco, Folklorico, Modern, Jazz and Movement for Musicals. He attended Hollywood High for the Performing Arts, and has a degree in Art History. Mr. Avila is a former principal dancer with Pacifico Dance Company, as well as guest instructor for local groups in the LA Basin. In addition to directing his own company, Pasion De Mi Tierra Dance Company, Mr. Avila has traveled and performed all over the US, and internationally. Notable performances include, a residency at the prestigious Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., the Los Angeles Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, the Mariachi USA Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, the Dolby Theatre, the Broad Stage and various Dia De Los Muertos festivals at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and the Gene Autry Museum in Los Angeles, CA. In 2016, Mr. Avila was commissioned to produce an all-Folklorico stage for the famous Los Angeles Day of the Dead Festival in Hollywood CA. He has performed extensively for various artists such as Culture Clash, La Santa Cecilia, Perla Batalla, Ana Barbara, Pepe Aguilar, Eugenia Leon, Angeles Ochoa and Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez.

“El Catrin”

Mr. Avila has trained extensively with Adriana Gainey Astorga, Karen McDonald, Charlotte Richards, Denise Leitner, Kenny Long, Nzingha Camara, Carla Luna, Clarita Corona, and Judith Douglas. Mr. Avila has been the recipient of various scholarships and awards including the Simon Trust Scholarship Fund, and Artists Showcase Award. He resides in Los Angeles, where he is consistently teaching at various studios, and engaging in workshops dedicated to the preservation and awareness of Folklorico music and dance.

At DUF 2017

Folklorico High: Guanajuato & Nuevo Leon

Maestro Gabriel Avila will be teaching Sones de Celaya from Guanajuato; as well as traditional huapangos from Nuevo Leon (Guajolotes/Potrillo) and Polkas (Viva Linares and Circo). Teachings are based on repertorie from Maestro Jaime Guerrero and Raul Alvaro Garcia (Both Scholar Folkloristas and winners of the Torre Blanca award).