Maestro Oscar Bustos was born in 1995 to a family of lifelong folkloristas. That was the same year that his father’s Folklorico group, “Teocalli” was founded. Maestro Oscar has been dancing with Teocalli Cultural Academy for fifteen years, teaching for the Academy for three years now. Additionally, he has danced two years at Kastner Intermediate and four years for Clovis West. As an instructor, he has had an opportunity to teach at Kastner...
The accomplished Maestro Cesar Alejandro Orta began his dance career in the year 1989 under the direction of Maestra Rita Cobos Lugo. Post this, he formed part of the Ballet Folklórico Rarajipame del Cbtis 122 directed by Maestro Victor Barriga Gallegos. He is a graduate of the Escuela Superior de Danza Folklorica in Chihuahua, where he studied under Maestro Marcelo Torreblanca; and also an alumni from Escuela de la Danza Mexicana in...
Maestra Maria Valdovinos was fascinated with Folklorico dance ever since she saw a local group perform when she was in elementary school. Soon after, she joined the group and has been dancing ever since. Her passion to preserve our culture fuels her motivation to continue to learn about Mexican culture and to share it with a larger audience and in public spaces. Seeing her students perform is what brings her most joy, knowing they have learned and now...
Maestra Mayra Villalobos has danced ever since she joined her high school Folklorico group. She continued her love for Folklorico by taking Folklorico classes at Fresno City College. While in college, she was invited by Maestro Julio Bustos to join Teocalli Cultural Academy. She has been dancing 15 years with Teocalli. For the past six years, Maestra Villalobos teaches students in Kindergarten to 4th grade at Teocalli Academy. Her love for Folklorico...
Rosemarie Olais Pantoja is a Fresno native who first began to learn Folklorico through a City of Fresno Parks and Recreation class offered to the public. That class awakened a love for Folklorico that now manifests in her thirty-seven years practicing this cultural and traditional art. At the end of that first class, try-outs were held for a local performing children’s group, Marisela's Dancers & Marimba taught by Marisela Saavedra. Not only was it...
Maestro Rafael Valpuesta has served as the Artistic Director and Choreographer of Resurrección Mexican Folk since 1998. Maestro Valpuesta’s extensive dance training has allowed him to create a stylized and theatrical interpretation of Mexican folk dance. With over 30 years of dance experience and directing, experience dancing with renowned teachers and organizations, Valpuesta is dedicated to teaching the dances of Mexico to the youth of his community. Mr. Valpuesta began his dance...
Christie Rios is Assistant Director to Danza Floricanto/USA and Programs Director for The Floricanto Center for the Performing Arts. She is a graduate of Cal State Los Angeles with a degree in English and a minor in anthropology. Maestra Christie Rios has danced with Danza Floricanto since 1980 and has toured with the company throughout the American Southwest and Mexico. She has since gained mastery of the company’s diverse repertoire, ranging from the traditional...
Maestra Blanca Araceli Soto is a veteran and accomplished actress, choreographer, director, producer and dancer. Her passion for the performing arts led her to study theater and dance at the University of Guadalajara, her natal city. As a dancer, she has 40 years of experience working with international dance companies such as: Ballet Folklorico del Instituto Cultural Cabañas, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez, Floricanto U.S.A., Los Angeles Mexican Dance Company,...
Zenón Barrón began his career as a dancer at the age of four in the group Matlachines. Since then, he has studied classical and folkloric dance in depth. Zenon is a researcher of Mexican and Latin American folklore, costume design and scenic design. He graduated from Instituto de Artes Escenicas in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and in 2009, he earned his certificate from the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. In 2012, he received...
Born in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, Maestra Karina Estrella was influenced by the richness of the Mexican Culture and its Danzas Folkloricas. At age 5, she joined La Casa De La Cultura de Ensenada. Her family later immigrated to the San Fernando Valley in California, where she joined Ballet Folklorico Ollin. At age 18, she began to utilize her dance experience and skills to promote bailes folclóricos as a volunteer at various...