This course is an introduction to Mexican folk dance--movement and music. Coupled with hands-on arts activities, this class will take children (and their parent) on a musical dance journey. Along the way, they will be exposed to different musical rhythms, be introduced to imitative dance movement, and practice their school-readiness skills. The class will culminate with a presentation to open the DUF Class Recital on Sunday.

Rudy Figueroa was born and raised in Tulare, CA and has been dancing various regional Mexican styles since 1971. He was an instructor for the University of San Diego’s Summer Program in Guadalajara and was director of the children’s group Niños de Aztlan. Other experience includes as a performing member of Xochipilli and Los Lupenos, guest instructor for numerous Bay Area companies and panelist for the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival auditions. Rudy is a guest performer for Los Cenzontles.

This class is for students grades k-1 and will include repertoire from: Chiapas, Jalisco & Veracruz

Ana Bustos Ponce - Since 1986, Ana has developed education and dance leadership skills as she embraces diversity, family roots, culture, language, and children's background through educational, community volunteer work, and love of our Mexican culture.

In 1991, Ana was a children's Folkloric dance instructor for four years at Calwa Recreation Park in Fresno, CA. In 1991-1993 Ana danced through community adult dance group El Sol Company. Then in 1995-1999 Ana joined professional adult Grupo Folklorico TEOCALLI as a founding dance member. As a result of her experiences with folklorico dancing, in 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007-2011, Ana has continuously been invited as an instructor in the California statewide 1,000 participant Danzantes Unidos annual festival. In the summer of August 2006 Ana joined Escuela TEOCALLI as one of three professional children's dance instructors teaching TEOCALLI's Mexican Culture Class. Ana has the pleasure of choreographing Escuela TEOCALLI's performance at the annual Fresno Christmas Parade which was awarded 1st place in 2006 and 3rd place in 2008 under International Cultures - City of Fresno.

In May 2008, Ana was awarded 2008 Mexican American Teacher of the Year through the Association of Mexican American Educators. In 2011, Ana completed her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Presently, Ana teaches third grade at Balderas Elementary in Fresno, California.

This class is for students grades 1-3 and will include a sampling of repertoire from: Sinaloa, Jalisco & Veracruz

Born and raised in Orange County, Rosalie's parents sought out activities to keep her linked with her Mexican heritage. She started folklorico classes in 1975 at the age of seven. Folklorico dance gave Rosalie many opportunities, but the greatest development was her teaching skills. At fourteen, Rosalie was tutoring her own class. By age 16 she was teaching folklorico dance to children, teens, adults and seniors. She organized mini-concerts and full-scale productions, helped bring in Maestros from other groups in the states and Mexico. Most important to Rosalie was the educational material that she gathered all the while continuing to develop her skills in the creation, maintenance and repair of folklorico costumes and props. She currently teaches Ballet Folklorico Amor de Mexico, Fiesta! Grupo Folklorico and Ballet Folklorico Los Soñadores. Rosalie has been an active member, student and board member of the Asociacion Nacional de Grupos Folklorico (ANGF) in the United States since 1990. Rosalie has also participated, taken and taught classes in the Danzantes Unidos Festival since 1989.

"No matter how much hard work is involved, it's a small price to pay if one person is inspired to learn about Mexico’s glorious and complex culture."--Rosalie DeVerona

This class is for students grades 1-3 and will include a sampling of repertoire from: Sinaloa, Jalisco & Veracruz

This class is for students grades 2-4 and will include a sampling of repertoire from: Baja California & Veracruz

This class is for students grades 3-5 and will include a sampling of repertoire from: Hidalgo, Tamaulipas Norte, Nuevo Leon

This class is for students grades 4-6 and will include a sampling of repertoire from: Nayarit, Chiapas & Chihuahua

Born and raised in Kettleman City, California, Mrs. Cerda has over ten years experience in folklorico. It all began when she joined her first folklorico group, Anahuac at Fresno City Community College. Shortly thereafter she joined Teocalli, a Fresno-based adult folklorico group. As her potential and experience grew, she became Teocalli’s assistant director. She has also assisted for Aguilas de Oro at Clovis West High School, which led her to start her own group at Kastner Intermediate. Currently, her involvement with the Kings Cultural Center in Kings County has lead to a first ever Teocalli Chapter in that area. With Teocalli, she has participated in several events locally and nationally: Fiesta en la Mision, Baja California; Festival de Bailes Tradicionales de Mexico, San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, MX; International Dance Festival, Las Vegas, NV; Folkclovisco, Calidanza, Ethnic Dance Festival, and, of course, Danzantes Unidos Festival. Her involvement with the Danzantes Unidos Festival is not new since the Festival has been hosted in Fresno, CA, five times by Teocalli. She’s involved annually by taking or teaching a workshop at Danzantes Unidos. Mrs. Cerda resides in Clovis, CA with her wonderful husband who is also very involved with Danzantes Unidos Festival.

Mrs. Cerda will be teaching, Nayarit - El Buey, Chiapas – El Torito, Chihuahua - Gallinita

This class is for children grades 5-7 and will include a sampling of repertoire from: Guerrero, Jalisco & Michoacan

This class is for children grades 6-8 and will include a sampling of repertoire from: Baja California Norte.

Anel Alvarez - Directora del Grupo de Danza Folklorica Wa- Kushma de San Diego, CA. Maestra del Ballet Folklorico de Hilltop High School. Presidenta de la Asociacion Internacional de Danza Folklorica Mexicana 2007-2010 . Experiencia en mas de 6 Estados donde participo en los talleres sedes de la Asoc .Participo en la Asoc Nacional De Grupos de Danza Folklorica Mexicana durante el periodo 2005-2007 donde asistio a 5 Estados de la Republica tomando el repertorio de dichos estados. En Julio del 2007 organizo la sede en Baja California para la Asoc Nacional de Grupos De danza Folklorica Mexicana. Fue parte de la organizacion de los talleres en Chula Vista CA." Amigos por la Danza". Maestra de Danza Folklorica del campamento de Artes Visuales del Distrito Escolar de Sweetwater. En el verano del 2001 termino la carrera en la "Escuela Tecnica en Danza Folklorica Del Noroeste" en la ciudad de Tijuana. Bailarina del Ballet Folklorico Ticuan a cargo del dirc Cecilio Cordero Loaiza durante los periodos 1996-99 y 2007-2010. Maestra de danza folklorica de la Normal Colegio Ensenada Campus Tijuana durante el periodo 2001-04. Su Inicio en la danza folklorica fue en el grupo de danza folklorica "Kicukpaico" a cargo del maestro Juan Gil Martinez Tadeo investigador de los calabaceados de Baja California.

This class is for children grades 6-8 and will include a sampling of repertoire from: Nayarit

El Profesor Sartiaguín nativo de San Blas, Nayarit, ha sido un incansable estudioso de las tradiciones de Nayarit, especializándose en todo lo relacionado con la danza folklórica y la música tradicional, además de tener una extraordinaria carrera como administrador público en la cultura por 25 años y ha desarrollado infinidad de proyectos culturales de rescate de diversos temas.

This class is for students grades 7-9 and will be an introduction to the Fandango style of dance from Veracruz with emphasis on learning the Fandango Rules of protocol for participating on the Tarima.

Skills to be learned include Fandango terminology and how to enter and dance on the tarima. Dances to be learned are primarily mudanzas for balies de monton, such as El Butaquito, La Morena, and Café con Pan.

Assistant Director to Danza Floricanto/USA, Christie Rios, is a graduate of Cal State Los Angeles with a degree in English and a minor in Anthropology. She has danced with Floricanto since 1980 and has toured with the company throughout the American Southwest and Mexico. She has mastered all of the company's repertory-from the Azteca dances to the flirtatious skirt work of Jalisco and more recently, fandango style of Veracruz. Christie is also the coordinator of the Floricanto Institute, the teaching arm of the company now on its tenth year and is responsible for its current 170+ student enrollment. Christie has studied dance with some of the most important folkloric and modern dance masters, such as Rafael Zamarripa and Loretta Livingston. She continues to be one of the most sought after folklorico teachers in the Los Angeles area.

This high-energy class will introduce Latin dances including salsa, bachata and merengue. Students will learn the basics of these dances including timing, partnering, footwork and styling. This class will also incorporate dance techniques that students can apply to their ballet folklorico training and performance as well as social dancing.

Amelia Beniquez is one of the principal dancers of "La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego" directed by Yolanda Chacon-Beniquez. She has been raised in ballet folklorico and has performed in numerous venues including many Danzantes Unidos Festivals. She is also currently training, performing and teaching with the most awarded salsa dance company in the West Coast, Alma Latina Dance Company of Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, CA. In December 2010, Alma Latina Mexico won the 1st World Latin Dance Cup, awarding the team a world championship title. Her performance experience with Alma Latina includes salsa congresses in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Sweden and Japan. This will be her second year teaching this fun workshop at the Danzantes Unidos Festival.

This class is for ALL level dancers ages 14+ and will feature dances from the state of Sinaloa: El Parraleño, El Gallo, El Sinaloense, El Sauce y La Palma.

Yolanda Chacon Beniquez received her Baile Folklorico Maestra status from "Mazochoquim" in Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico. Ms. Beniquez was invited to establish folklorico classes within the Chula Vista Park and Recreation Centers since 1983 where she continues to teach. She taught folklorico courses at Palomar College from 1999 to 2001. As choreographer, she was commissioned for "gateways 96" sponsored by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundation at Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center/San Antonio, Texas, a bi-national collaboration with choreographers, music composers and dramaturgy consisting of 7 artists from Mexico and 7 from the U.S. She choreographed a cameo appearance of her company in an "Evening with Lalo Guerrero" a 1940's Zoot Suit Show at the San Diego Repertory Theatre and the Stage in San Jose. By invitation from the late Lalo Guerrero, she choreographed his 1st U.S.A. World Premier show, "Las Ardillitas", at the Madrid Theatre in Los Angeles and Palm Springs. To the music of the 5th Dimension, she choreographed the Latino segment of the Super Bowl XXXII Pre-Game Show at the Qualcomm Stadium/Stadium/San Diego, CA. She also co-choreographed, with Jean Issacs, the Daniel Valdez Chicano Opera "Ollin" directed by William Virchis. Since 1999, Ms. Yolanda has been teaching Baile Folklorico for the Sweetwater Union High School District, (S.U.H.S.D.) Visual and Performing Arts Department, Eastlake High School. She was selected by the Folklorico District Board to direct the District-Wide Folklorico Concert and has done so for the last eight years and continues her work in this capacity. Ms. Beniquez served on the Chula Vista Mariachi Scholarship Foundation Board. In 1999 Director, Mr. Virchis invited Ms. Yolanda to choreograph the first musical, "Mariachi Quixote" at Southwestern College featuring Mr. Robert Ojeda. Receiving standing ovations nightly before sold out audiences, an extended run resulted. This production went on to compete at the Kennedy Center American College Theater festival held at the S.U.H.S.D. Visual and Performing Arts Department, 3rd Annual Summer Theatre Institute. Ms. Beniquez was invited to choreograph this production with Mr. Danny Valdez playing the lead. She has served on the "Danzantes Unidos" a state-wide non-profit organizational board . Founding "La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego" in 1983, Ms. Beniquez directs and choreographs a roster of 100 dancers receiving invitations to present her work at the annual San Diego County Fair, Sea World, Spanish Village, San Antonio Municipal de Tijuana. Ms. Beniquez presented her dance company, La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego at the annual event she established "12 May, 2007-El Dia de Las Madres" folklorico concert at the Memorial Bowl in Chula Vista. Ms. Beniquez’ work was showcased at the Plaza de Mexico, San Diego County, Fair in Del Mar. She has been invited to present her folklorico company at "Tribute to our Community Heroes" an award ceremony presentation aired by KPBS Public Broadcasting Station. Recently Ms. Beniquez was requested by Sea World San Diego Executive Producer to select, stage and direct Latin artists to perform at "Viva La Musica-2009". "Viva La Musica" production ran for (4) weekends in succession beginning at 9:00am to 7:00pm. This non- stop diverse Latin professional entertainment was met with success and she now serves as Latin Talent Coordinator for SeaWorld.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 14+ and will feature dances from the state of Veracruz

This class is for ALL level dancers ages 14+ and will feature polka and shotis from the state of Durango : Por Amor a Mi Madre, El Tropezon, El Revolcadero, El Jaral. Over time, the Durango people added their own style to European ballroom dancing and created their own Bailes de Jalón.

Julio C. Flores was born in Mexicali, Baja California Norte. He immigrated to the United States when he was only eleven years old. He grew up in the heart of East Los Angeles. His education as a dance instructor started in 1985, after graduating from Roosevelt High school. Maestro Julio C. Flores studied under the direction of Professor Juan Hernandez from Ballet Folklórico Cuitlahuac in Tijuana, Baja California Norte. In 1989, after completing his dance studies, he founded his dance group with the name of Ballet Folklórico Mixteco, East Los Angeles. Maestro Julio travels to Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, every summer to continue with his dance investigation. He brings new repertory which he later teaches to his dance group and many groups around the USA and México. Maestro Julio Flores is the artistic director of the Grupo Folklórico Sones de Mi Tierra in the city of Long Beach, CA and Grupo Folklórico Tierra del Sol in the city of Stanton, CA. From 1997 to 1999, he studied under the direction of Maestro Eleazar Rodarte from Grupo Folklórico Mexcaltitan. Maestro Julio has worked with the following dance groups: Grupo Folklórico Tapatío, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México; Danza Faisan, San Luis Río Colorado, México; Ballet Folklórico del Estado de Puebla, Puebla, México; Bailadores de Bronce, Seattle, Washington; Grupo Folklórico Mexicapan, San Antonio, Texas; México Vivo, Las Vegas, Nevada; México Lindo Ballet Folklórico, Minnesota; and many groups in the Los Angeles area.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 14+ and will feature chilenas from the state of Guerrero, Costa Chica: Arrinconamela, La Paloma, El Toro Rabon.

Throughout my 25 years of folklorico dancing, I have had the opportunity to learn from various maestros from Mexico and the United States. Attending conferences and workshops has allowed me to learn dances from the diverse regions in Mexico and to appreciate the traditions and customs that are present in folkloric dance. My commitment to preserving and sharing the Mexican culture through dance has allowed me to not only dance, but also to teach and direct. As director of El Sol Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Fresno, I continue to expand and share my knowledge in Mexican folkloric dance with children, teens, and adults.--Irene Gonzalez

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 14+ and will feature Sones Antiguos and Danza de Los Negritos from the state of Puebla: Sones Antiguos-Los Parianes.

These are songs that were played in Puebla during the nineteenth century by the popular classes and especially by the "Chinaco" population. Danza de Los Negritos - One day a black slave sent her only son into the woods. Suddenly, a snake bit the child. A healing ceremony was performed around the ill child in hopes of his recovery. This is a very fast-paced danza with intricate footwork.

Irene Hernandez, director and founder of Grupo Folklorico Sabor de Mexico has over 30 years experience. Some highlights include: April 2006, awarded 1st Place for Best Costume Design at the Costa Brava/Barcelona International Dance Awards; received the key to the City of Carson as the director of Grupo Folklórico Sabor de Mexico on May 2, 2006; July, 2006 she was chosen by Saddleback Valley Unified School District to be the Artist-in-Residence folklorico instructor for the Dual Immersion Program; recognized by Congress and the House of Representatives at a reception on August 5, 2006; debut as Maestra for Danzantes Unidos 2007 in Whittier. She taught Chihuahua Polkas; conducted a short lecture and a taught a workshop in Hawaii; hand selected to start a folklorico program at USC; private workshops have been taught by me in Mexico City, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Wyoming, New Mexico and Italy. My group, Sabor de Mexico has performed throughout California as well as Las Vegas, Mexico, Hawaii, Spain, Italy and Brazil.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 14+ and will feature dances from the state of Jalisco.

Alejandro Rey has been dancing for Paso De Oro Dance Company for 16 years. In this time he has won many regional and national competitions in various fields of dance. He has performed for Latin recording artists Oro Solido, Monchy y Alexandra, Xtreme, and Regional Mexican recording artist Graciela Beltran. He has been a featured performer on national television programs like "Vista LA", "Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento", "12 Corazones", and Latin Americas #1 show "Sabado Gigante". As an instructor and performer, Alejandro Rey has shared his passion for music and dance with thousands across the United States. From New York to Miami, he has been a resident and guest instructor at national dance conventions, universities and grade schools. He attributes his many accomplishments as a dancer, athlete, and as an individual to his mother, Alicia Mendibles, the founder and owner of Paso De Oro Dance Company.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 14+ and will feature huapangos from the state of Tamaulipas: El Querreque, Las Chaparreras, El Caballito.

"The Huapango"
As with many of the Mexican regions, the dances are energetic and show flirtation between a man and a woman. In this class you will learn basic advanced movements and footwork. Please bring dancewear and towels. Be ready to work and dance to your full potential.--Alicia Mendibles

Alicia Mendibles is the founder and director of the award winning Paso de Oro Dance Company and the Steps of Gold Dance Academy. An accomplished dancer and instructor, Alicia studied jazz under the direction of Jenni Lee, Salsa with Bernard and Sonyo of Dance Sport. Alicia embraced Ballet Folklorico since childhood under the direction of Lily Aguilar and Maria Quiroz. She has shared the stage with accomplished artists such as: Linda Ronstadt, Lalo Guerrero, Mariachi Cobre, and Mariachi Sol de Mexico. Alumni of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise (FIDM); Mrs. Alicia creates and designs all original dance company costumes. As her dance group matured, Alicia decided to venture out to other disciplines and thus formed Danza Latina and the Latin Gold Dance Teams. It is her personal experience and training that encourages her vision and gives her the strength to continue promoting self-worth and cultural pride in her heritage through numerous performances.

This class if for Beginning level dancers ages 14+ and will feature standards from throughout Mexico.

This class is for ALL level dancers ages 14+ and will feature dances from the state of Oaxaca: La Malagueña, El Son, La Vaca, El Pato. Plus verses for La Indita and an introduction to Danza de Los Diablitos.

Nuestra clase estara enfocada basicamente a la Costa Chica del estado de Oaxaca. Conoceremos mediante audio y video parte de la historia y remembranza de lo que es el folklor de esta region; su influencia, sus elementos africanos y espanoles. Asi como la asimilacion y transformacion de estas dos corrientes para dar paso a la musica y baile de lo que hoy conocemos como "chilenas", baile popular y muy representativo de la Costa Chica de Oaxaca. De igual forma se pretende dar una intruduccion a las diferentes manifestaciones dancisticas que dentro de la misma region existen y que son poco exploradas. Por mencionar alguna "La Danza de los Diablos". Guiaremos a nuestros alumnos de manera que logren sentir, vivir y disfrutar la musica y el baile como si estuvieran dentro de lo que es el carnaval. Asi como la algarabia y tradicion de la costa chica de Oaxaca...nuestro objetivo sera que el alumno se motive a seguir conociendo, explorando y descubriendo sus raices a traves de nuestro folklor, nuestras costumbres y tradiciones. Con el fin de seguir transmitiendo y pasandolo de generacion en generacion. Cabe mencionar que haremos un recorrido por las diferentes regiones del estado de Oaxaca, pero claro asentuando que nuestro taller se enfocara a "las chilenas". Sin olvidarnos de los "versos o coplas" que es un elemento basico dentro de la interpretacion de estos bailes.-–Omar Quezada

Omar Quezada nacio en la ciudad de Cordoba, Veracruz. Inicia sus estudios de Danza a la edad d los 12 años cuando se muda a vivir al estado de Oaxaca y es ahi donde ingrasa a la Casa de la Cultura de Tuxtepec, Oaxaca. Durante 5 años consecutivos pertenecio a la agrupacion de dicha dependencia. Al tiempo que terminaba sus estudios se muda a la Ciudad de Mexico y continua sus estudios profesionales sin dejar de lado la pasion por la danza y el folklore mexicano. En 1991 llega al estado de Tlaxcala donde inicia sus estudios de lleno en el ambito de la danza y la educacion artistica de igual manera. Pasa a formar parte de grupos reconocido como los Grupos Folkloricos del Seguro Social y el DIF respectivamente. Al poco tiempo pasa a formar parte de el ballet Tradicional de Tlaxcala, bajo la direccion de la maestra Martha E.Garcia. Con dicho ballet realiza inumerables presentaciones, giras dentro y fuera de la republica Mexicana. Asi como tambien inicia el estudio e investigacion del Carnaval de Tlaxcala,el cual lo realiza por mas de 10 años y al mismo tiempo culmina su carrera en el Centro de Estudios Superios del estado de Tlaxcala, opteniendo un especialidad en Sistemas de Educacion Telesecundarias. En el 2005 se muda a los EEUU y se establece en la ciudad de San Jose, CA donde inicia conjuntamente con un grupo de jovenes entusiasta--la agrupacion que hoy se conoce como el Ensamble Folklorico Tierra Mestiza.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 14+ and will feature dances from the state of Guerrero: Las Amarillas, La Iguana, El Toro

Ana Gabriela Raya-Vega was born and raised in Mexicali Baja California, Mexico where she began her love of dance at the age of six. She studied folklórico dance, gymnastics and ballet at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California as a young child and in her early teens. She moved to the Bay Area at the age of 12 and continued with folklórico dance, gymnastics and theater classes at the high school level. In 1996 she joined Los Danzantes de Aztlán from California State University Fresno under the direction of Ernesto Martinez. While in the company, she was invited to be part of the teaching staff for Los Niños de Aztlán for several years once in the company. She also had the opportunity to travel, perform, and study dance all over México and the United States with the troupe while pursuing her B.A in Spanish with an emphasis in Cross Cultural Language Academic Development and a minor in Business Administration. One of her latest accomplishments has been obtaining her Master Degree in Educational Leadership while professionally dancing and teaching full time. She currently teaches Spanish and Folklórico at Reyburn Intermediate School and Clovis East High School in Clovis CA and is the director for both folklórico groups. Raya-Vega has not stopped dancing since the age of six. She is currently one of the founding (2003) members and the Artistic Coordinator of El Ballet Folklórico de Oro from Fresno CA under the direction of Victor Hugo Rosas.

Fandango Improvisation is recommended for Intermediate/Advanced Fandango students. In order to best take advantage of this class, student should have footwork skills at intermediate/advanced level and have a basic knowledge of the fandango protocol.

Skills to be learned are:

• How to develop improvisations based on "cafe con pan" and "saca puntas" rhythms.
• What is the difference in the Veracruz style one must dance when stepping "sobre la tarima."
• Improvisations for La Bamba, Zapateado and other bailes de pareja

Gema Sandoval, founder, artistic director and choreographer of Danza Floricanto/USA is devoted to illuminating her Mexican-American heritage through dance. Over the past fifteen years, Sandoval has staged theme works in addition to traditional regional dances of Mexico. Among these are: "Si Se Puede/Yes You Can," a work inspired by labor activist and United Farm Workers founder, Cesar Chavez; Sandoval's "Dia de los Muertos-Day of the Dead Celebration" which, since 2001, has become an annual community tradition which Floricanto performs somewhere in the Southland; her 2003 collaboration with Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Dance company, "From Acapulco to Manila-Another Story from the Pacific Rim" commemorating the musical and dance traditions of the Mexican and Philipino people and their mutual influence and transformation through centuries of Spanish trade in the galleons; her now ten years old ongoing collaboration with Whittier College's Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, "Navidad en Whittier"; her work with Quetzal "Fandango Without Borders" in 2004; "Un Zapateado Chicano-Rhythmic Footprints," in 2008, project and her current work, "Alma Llanera-Spirit of the Plains," inspired by Rudolfo Anaya's novel, Bless Me Ultima in San Francisco and Los Angeles during 2010, and premiered at the Downey Theater in March 25 2011. This work will be presented at CounterPulse in San Francisco, April 13 and 14 2012.

Along with her company, Sandoval is the winner of the 1994 and 1995 Horton Award for the Staging of Traditional Dance, a year 2000 award from the California Arts Council's Fellowship in Dance Program, a winner of the Irvine Foundation's California Dancemaker awards for 2001. Sandoval and her company are also the proud recipients of a New England Foundation for the Arts National Dance Project production grant for 2003-04, for "Fandango Without Borders." and the recipient of the 2006 Irvine foundation's Dance Creation to Performance Fellowship for "Un Zapateado Chicano" also funded by the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture.

This class is for ALL level dancers ages 14+ and will feature dances from the state of Tabasco.

Steven Valencia has studied Mexican folk dance since age 6. Mr. Valencia is an accomplished dancer in not only Ballet Folklorico but also classical ballet and Modern dance techniques. Steven had the opportunity to study folklorico with Rafael Zamarrippa at the University of Colima in Colima Mexico and also studie with Professor Sergio Valles of "Los Decanos de la Universidad de Guadalajara" in Guadalajara, Mexico. Mr. Valencia has also collaborated with Dr. Susan Cashion, director of dance at Stanford University, Robert Palmer of San Jose dance repertoire, Jose Vences of Grandeza Mexicana Mexican Folk Ballet Company of Los Angeles; He has also worked with Nolan T'sani, Dr. Linda Goodrich, and Dale Shool while attending CSUS. Mr. Valencia also studied Isadora Duncan Technique with Vidala of the Isadora Duncan Academy, New York. Mr. Valencia also trained at the dance Department of San Jose State University while attending and touring with reknowned Mexican Folklorico Company Los Lupenos. He has been directing IMBA since 1998.

This class is for ALL level dancers ages 17+ and will include repertoire from Bolivia: Caporales. It is a typical dance from La Paz, Bolivia, that centers on a colonial-time character named "Caporal". It contains a mix of African and Andean elements and it has derived from an older dance known as Tundique which represented the hardships that African slaves endured when brought to the highlands of the Andean territories since the XVI century. The costumes are inspired on an existent syncretism of the millenary Aymará people (the Andean inhabitants of the Kollao who live near Lake Titicaca). It is performed every year during the main festivities of Bolivia, but its popularity has extended beyond it’s frontiers throughout South America. The beauty of the Caporales music was put in evidence when one Caporal melody was used for the original "Lambada" of Brazil.

Luis Valverde is a musician, dancer and researcher of Andean Art. As a member of a family of artists, he began his career in Lima in 1991 training in music and dance with masters Americo Valencia and Edgar Meza. He has been Director of the Conjunto de Zampoñas de San Marcos and also a member of the celebrated ensemble Brisas del Titicaca, the Center for Peruvian Music Reasearch (CIDEMP) and the Center of Folkore of the Universidad Mayor de San Marcos (CUF). In 2000 he moved to San Francisco, CA where he founded and directed the troupes Antakella and Peruvian Dance Company. Valverde’s choreography have been presented at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, Spring Choreographers Showcase, Living Room Series, and the American College Dance Festival. He was also selected to participate of The Regional Dance Development Initiative (Dance Lab) and served as panelist of the 2006 Dance/USA National Round Table in Portland, OR. He is a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO). Valverde’s work is permanently intended to bring the extraordinary variety of Andean Dance to the American audiences with special emphasis on the staging, adaptation and performance of indigenous and mestizo dances from Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.
www.valverdedance.com

Netza Vidal in the Founder/Artistic Director of Netzahualcoyotl Ballet Folklorico of Marin County; dedicated to the research and sharing of Mexico's most prized gifts--its dances, customs and traditions. Netzahualcoyotl Vidal was born in the city of Compostela, Nayarit, Mexico in 1972. He studied Mexican Folkloric dance at the Escuela de la Danza Mexicana Jaime Buentello Bazán from the time he was a young boy on through his early adult life. For the past fifteen years, he has been an instructor and director of Mexican Folkloric Dance. He started his dance career as a director at San Rafael High School in Marin County where he taught for three years. He currently teaches both adults and children in various locations in San Rafael, Concord and Santa Rosa, CA.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 17+ and will feature huapangos from the state Tamaulipas. This class will compare and contrast styling across Las Tres Huastecas; San Luis Potosi, Hidalgo & Tamauilpas utilizing contemporary popular music "Sangre de Indio" and "Pica Que Pica"--both from Vicente Fernandez. We will also learn basic warmups and conditioning for dancers.

Mark Alatorre, born and raised in the central Valley. I have danced ballet, Jazz, Tap and Folklorico. I have danced Folklorico for over 40 years. I have had the following teachers Ernesto Martinez, Rey Ramirez senior, Irene Gonzalez, Vicki Filgas. I have participated in most of the DUFs. I was at the first DUF in LA with John Estrada. I love to dance and even love teaching more.

From the region North of Jalisco and South of Zacatecas this class will cover the following material: El Medio Toro, Los Gorgorritos & Jarabe.

Zenón Barrón is a professional dancer trained in modern dance and classical ballet, as well as Mexican folk dance. He is a researcher of Mexican and Latin American folklore, costume designer, and the founder and Artistic Director of Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco. Es director y coreógrafo egresado del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes de la ciudad de México. En la actualidad es el director artístico de "Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco". Sus raíces indígenas (por parte de padre) lo vincularon con los orígenes de la cultura de su país. A los cuatro años inició su carrera como bailarín en el grupo "Matlachines", para luego acercarse a la danza clásica y a las danzas folklóricas mexicanas. Zenón, que ejerce una importante labor docente en la difusión de las danzas mexicanas, es investigador y realizador de vestuarios típicos de las diferentes regiones de México. Es además, diseñador y realizador del vestuario del grupo como también de otras compañías folklóricas.

This high-energy class will introduce Latin dances including salsa, bachata and merengue. Students will learn the basics of these dances including timing, partnering, footwork and styling. This class will also incorporate dance techniques that students can apply to their ballet folklorico training and performance as well as social dancing.

Amelia Beniquez is one of the principal dancers of "La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego" directed by Yolanda Chacon-Beniquez. She has been raised in ballet folklorico and has performed in numerous venues including many Danzantes Unidos Festivals. She is also currently training, performing and teaching with the most awarded salsa dance company in the West Coast, Alma Latina Dance Company of Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego. In December 2010, Alma Latina Mexico won the 1st World Latin Dance Cup, awarding the team a world championship title. Her performance experience with Alma Latina includes salsa congresses in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Sweden and Japan. This will be her second year teaching this fun workshop at the Danzantes Unidos Festival.

This class is for ALL level dancers ages 17+ and will include repertoire from Nuevo Leon: El circo, Como me las pongan brinco, El satellite.

Cecilio DeCastro started dancing at the age of fifteen in Southern California under the direction of Nellie Slivkoff of Ballet Folklorico Las Florecitas del Campo, which later went on to become Ballet Folklorico Azteca. His first teacher was Sal Magallanes from the Ballet Folklorico Mexicapan. At the age of seventeen, he auditioned for Mexicapan under the direction of Benjamin Hernandez. He stayed with the company for three years. During the first two years of dancing he was taught by Mexicapan members, Lupe Aldaz and Oscar Castro. After joining BFM, Cecilio began to teach in different cities and different groups as he continued to learn more about folklorico and its history. He traveled to various cities in Mexico to continue his studies in folk dancing and folk music. Along the way he made new friends who taught him a lot about dancing, music and the ways of presenting folklorico on stage. Mr. DeCastro has been teaching since the age of seventeen. He has taught at UCSB, UCLA, Rio Hondo College, Roosevelt HS in Los Angeles, Mountain View HS, El Monte HS and many other high schools throughout the state of California. Cecilio's performance collaborations include: Banda el Recodo, Mariachi Vargas, Rosenda Bernal, Beatriz Adriana, The USA Olympic Committee, Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm. Cecilio has been a guest instructor for numerous groups throughout the state, including: Paso de Oro Dance company, Sabor de Mexico, Nube de Oro, Raises de Mi Tierra, and Alma Latina de Long Beach. Cecilio DeCastro has been a faculty member of the Danzantes Unidos Festival since 1999 and currently represents Los Angeles on the DUC Board of Directors.

This class is for ALL level dancers ages 17+ and will feature tecnica de zapateado & instrumentation in the improvisational style most commonly seen at a "fandango". Repertoire will include a son de monton, son de pareja and a specialty dance. Son Jarocho is a musical tradition from the south of Veracruz, Mexico, that encompasses poetic lyricism, improvisation and dance. It was formed in the melding of Arab-Spanish, African and indigenous Mexican cultures. Son Jarocho is played at fandangos, important community celebrations where people come together to prepare food, dance, sing and play music, often all night long.

This class is also open to musicians who wish to expand their repertoire of chord and strum patterns. Musicians should have a basic knowledge of chord progressions and must bring their own jarana or guitarra de son.

The word Zapateado describes the percussive footwork central to the fandango and the music of Son Jarocho. Zapateado is performed on a tarima, a wooden dance platform that is itself considered one of the principal instruments of the fandango. In this class, you will learn basic steps that define each of the sones that are played in the fandango. You will learn repiqueteos (hard percussive footwork), cepillados (soft brush steps and patterns) and mudanzas (rest steps) for each son. Finally, you will learn to improvise steps and step patterns.

Alfredo Herrera González, "El Godo", originario del puerto de Veracruz, inicia desde muy pequeño sus incursiones en el son jarocho en fandangos y fiestas populares. En 1989 se incorpora a los talleres de son jarocho impartidos por el grupo Mono Blanco, y es precisamente de esos talleres donde surge, en el año de 1990, el grupo Son la Plaga del cual es miembro fundador. En 1996 apenas contando con trece años, fue nombrado maestro titular del taller de zapateado y jarana en el Instituto Veracruzano de Cultura (IVEC) en el puerto de Veracruz y, en el año de 1997, director artístico del grupo Son la Plaga, con quienes realiza, desde que inicia el grupo, diversas giras de presentación dentro y fuera del pais. En 1999, como ejecutante de jarana 2ª, quijada y zapateado se integra al grupo Son de Madera participando durante 8 años en múltiples presentaciones en México, E.U.A, Canadá, Cuba, Europa y Marruecos. De manera independiente en el 2000, viajó a Santiago de Cuba como invitado del grupo Rumbamba al Festival Del Fuego, dedicado a África. A compartido escenario con musicos como Eugenia León, Café Tacuba, Lila Downs, Maldita Vecindad, Los de Abajo, Petrona Martinez, Zack de la Rocha, Quetzal, Los Leones de la Sierra de Xichú, Los Camperos de Valles, y Celso Duarte, por mencionar algunos.

This class if for Beginning level dancers Adults and Young Adults and will feature standards from throughout Mexico.

This is a new class that is being offered to potentially help students to break down steps that they might be struggling with in their personal performing groups or high school groups. Also teachers of beginning level adults may find this class helpful in their quest to teach and reach as many potential students for their groups as they can. “It is my personal opinion that dancing is for everyone and that they can learn to keep up with more advanced and accomplished dancers and dance groups through a little extra time dedicated to helping them understand the parts of steps and how they can used or applied to various regions and music."--ROP

Rosemarie Olais Pantoja is a native Fresnoan who first began learning folklorico through a City of Fresno Parks and Recreation class offered to the public. That class awakened a love for folklorico that has stayed with her for thirty-seven years. 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 a performing folklorico group, but members were also taught to play the Marimba. Two years later, she became a founding member of the Ballet Folklorico y Marimba de Fresno. In that group, she credits Ron Cavasos as the person who really taught her how to teach folklorico to beginning dancers and break down steps so that more children could participate and feel that sense of pride and accomplishment. As a teenager she participated in the group, Folklorico Musical, and stepped in as Dance Instructor for that group for the next five years. At age 19, she joined El Sol Dance Company under the direction of Irene Gonzales. After having been a performing member, as well, as one of the teachers of the El Sol Jr. Dance Company during the 25 years that she was a active member of El Sol, she helped to create the first folklorico dance class at McLane High School and became their first Folklorico Dance teacher from 1995-1999. She is currently the instructor of Los Guerreros de Fresno High School who will be participating in the workshops and performances this year.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 17+ and will include dances from the state of Nayarit: Las Lomas de Ixcuintla, El Parraleño, Vuela Paloma.

Ricas tierras productivas de tabaco, apenas a 7 metros sobre el nivel del mar; y comunicantes con otras regiones por los paredones de la sierra madre Occidental, que rió escarba desde la región serrana a esta región se llamo Costa de Oro o Costa Brava; ahí se localizan las principales poblaciones; Tuxpan, Santiago, Ixcuintla, Tecuala y Acaponeta la población en su mayoría es mestiza , aun también existen grupos étnicos de de Huicholes y Coras.

En la Costa Brava de Nayarit se practica un tradición musical con un origen relativamente reciente, personajes líricamente con instrumentos de viento formaron pequeñas bandas de Sinaloa adquiriendo su propio estilo los músicos de la región son básicamente profesionales; aunque no todas sean de tiempo completo y combinan la música con las actividades agrícolas y las pesqueras, los músicos son contratados para diversos festejos; bodas bautizos, bailes tradicionales ferias,velorios fiestas religiosas levan atamiento de cosechas de tabaco.

Es notorio el estilo peculiar de la ejecución de la gente costeña atravesé de la danza. Gente fogosa que, en la mujer - su constante vaivén de la cadera la hace mas atractiva; en el hombre es muy peculiar su altivez y su serenidad, su ligero trotecillo al ritmo de su movimiento cadencioso, su precisión en el zapateado en algunos casos con alto grado de dificultad.

Juan Cecilio Santana received his folklorico dance training in his home state of Nayarit, Mexico. He studied dance as a member of INBA in Tepic, Nayarit as well as, as a member of the Ballet Folklorico de la Universidad de Nayarit under professor Jaime Buentello Bazan. He has served as Artistic Director for Grupo Folklorico "Hermandad Mexicana" in Santa Ana & BF de Riverside in California and as workshop instructor in the Orange County High School of the Arts.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 17+ and will include dances from the state of Chiapas.

Teaching Mexican folkloric dance has been Mr. Carlos Santoyo's life's work with the Sweetwater District. He has worked for the District since 1973 to the present time as a Cultural Awareness Facilitator/Dance Instructor. During these past 37 years he has taught Mexican folkloric dance at various Junior, Middle and High schools of our District. He is currently teaching at Castle Park and Chula Vista High Schools. Mr. Santoyo founded, instructs and directs two Sweetwater District folklóricos: Grupo Folklórico Castle Park High School, since 1975 to the present; Grupo Folklórico Chula Vista High School, since 1977 to the present. Grupo Folklórico Chula Vista is part of the SCPA (School for the Creative and Performing Arts) program, Sweetwater District's Visual and Performing Arts Department housed at Chula Vista High School. His background in Mexican folk dance is extensive: Academia de la Danza Mexicana, Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico (1972-1977), Teaching Credential, Facilitator of Mexican Dance from the Department of Education and Culture of the State of Nayarit, Mexico. Institución Nacional de Bellas Artes, Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico (1972-1977), Advanced courses in folkloric dance and history; California Community Colleges, San Diego, CA (1976-1978), Lifetime Community Limited Service Credential in Dance. Apart from teaching and directing dance groups for our school District, he founded and was Artistic Director/Choreographer of two very successful semi-professional community Mexican dance companies: Grupo Folklórico Nayar, Inc. (1973-1988) and Grupo Folklórico de Escondido, CA (1983-1992). To sustain his cognitive dance knowledge, technique and nimbleness, he has been affiliated with two Mexican folkloric dance associations, at State level: Danzantes Unidos, (1973 to present) and at a national level: Asociación Nacional de Grupos Folklóricos, 1978 to present, to which at one time served on the Board of Directors for six years. He sums up his teaching experience in these words, "My students have been my best teachers"

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 17+ and will include polka, redova & shotis from the state of Tamaulipas: El Sapo y la Rana, El Socorrito, El Circo, Los Gorgoritos

Internationally acclaimed folklórico dancer and instructor José Tena, from Las Cruces, New Mexico, has been dancing for more than four decades on his forever-young legs and has set thousands more in motion with his dance troupe of 30 years, the Ballet Folklórico Tierra del Encanto. He has been the recipient of several coveted honors and supporting grants for his outstanding contribution to the arts and has been the subject of a bilingual children's book, "The Man Who Set the Town Dancing" by Candice Stanford. Jose Tena not only set his town dancing, but has also traveled from coast-to-coast, from Washington DC and Boston, MA, to Fresno and Sacramento, CA, giving folklorico workshops. He is the driving force behind the folklorico workshops at the annual Las Cruces International Mariachi Festival and has served on the board of directors and as a conference director for the Asociacion Nacional de Grupos Folkloricos.

This class is for ALL level dancers ages 17+ and will feature sones from the state of Jalisco: El Gavilancillo, El Pasacalles, El Viajero

Ana Rosa Valle was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She has devoted much of her life disseminating folkloric dances of Mexico both in Mexico and other countries such as Spain, the United States, Nicaragua and Colombia. She majored in dance at the University of Guadalajara from 1978-82 and from 1977-84 was a member of the University of Guadalajara folkloric dance group, then participated with Bellas Artes of Jalisco from 1984-87. Her instructors were recognized masters of dance: Rafael Zamarripa Castaneda, Carlos Ochoa and Gabriela Rodriguez. Other courses and seminars include diplomas of Jalisco culture of the 19th centuries - XX, History and Geography of Jalisco, and Jalisco Contemporaneo, all of them studied in the Colegio de Jalisco from 1998-200 Her professional experience is the Founder/Artistic Director groups Infatil de danza folclorica of the Bank of credit Rural of Guadalajara, Banca Promex ,El Grupo folclorico del Palomar de Tlajomulco, Jalisco, el Groupo Sol de Zapopan and Real de Zapopan. Winner two years’ consecutives of the first place dance in Jalisco with the seniors DIF Zapopan folkloric group . She has participated in workshops, for the Mariachi Festival in Guadalajara , and she was part of the parade. She teaches a course in the 15th anniversary of the National Association of groups folkloric in ANN ARBOR University Michigan. She is a member of the Deans of the University of Guadalajara folkloric group. Recently she took part with representation of Jalisco in the parade of the independence of Mexico in East Los Angeles, 2010. She was guest of the celebration of the bicentenary of the independence of Mexico in the consulate of Mexico, in Los Angeles, California. Likewise took part in the event of the election of the Queen of the Valle de Guadalupe, Jalisco in 2011 in the city of Culver City, California. She was part as a member of dance group folk of Mexico in the celebration of the week of dance in East LA College, California.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 17+ and will include dances from Apatzingan, Michoacan: El Relampago and La Morena.

The "Son Calentano" from Apatzingan, Michoacan originated at the end of the colonial period in Mexico. The songs are also known as "Sonecitos de La Tierra", which pay a close tribute to the land of the people from the Valley of Apatzingan. The dances are usually performed on top of a wooden platform also known as "tarima". The music is brought to life by a group of musicians playing string instruments. The predominant instrument that captures the essence of the music of Apatzingan is the harp. The rhythms of the harp are accentuated by the footwork of the dancers that create livelier rhythms, evocative of the songs and dances of Spain known as "Coplas y Tonadillas".

The Son Calentano is an indigenous adaptation of the different influences that entered Mexico during the conquest. The music and dances of Apatzingan demonstrate a variety cultural influences that not only represent the Spanish influence, but the different pre-hispanic rhythms that past through the valley, along with the dances and rituals from the African slaves who settled in the region.

This class will teach the dancers to understand the rhythms and percussion of the dances by creating complimentary footwork that enhances the sounds of the harp. They call this "tamboreando el arpa". The goal is to provide the dancers with well rounded knowledge of the technique that is required to interpret the dances of Apatzingan with great dexterity.

Rafael Valpuesta began his dance training at the age of seven under the direction of Alberto Muriel. It was during those early years in his life where he learned the folk dances of Mexico with great professionalism far beyond his young age. At the age of 17, Mr. Valpuesta began to teach his fellow classmates, but, soon after, he was given the opportunity to direct his Alma Mater's Mexican folk troop at Roosevelt High School in the city of Los Angeles. This was the beginning of his professional dance career. He has participated in prestigious dance organizations in Los Angeles, such as: Adriana Astorga-Gainey's Pacifico Dance Company, and Jose Vences' Grandeza Mexicana. Mr. Valpuesta has traveled all over the United States and Europe, promoting Mexican culture through dance. He has also worked with great Dance Masters in many different dance disciplines like: Viviana Basanta-Hernandez of the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez, Miguel Velez of the Universidad Veracruzana, Davincci Burkes, former Alvin Ailey soloist, and the art of Flamenco under the direction of Juana Amaya in Seville, Spain. His extensive dance training has allowed him to fuse universal ballet with traditional dance to create a stylized and theatrical interpretation of Mexican folk dance. Mr. Valpuesta plans to continue teaching the children and youth of his community about the richness in the folk dances of Mexico.

This class is for ALL level dancers ages 17+ and will include repertoire from Bolivia: Caporales. It is a typical dance from La Paz, Bolivia that centers on a colonial-time character named "Caporal". It contains a mix of African and Andean elements and it has derived from an older dance known as Tundique which represented the hardships that African slaves endured when brought to the highlands of the Andean territories since the XVI century. The costumes are inspired on an existent syncretism of the millenary Aymará people (the Andean inhabitants of the Kollao who live near Lake Titicaca). It is performed every year during the main festivities of Bolivia but its popularity has extended beyond it’s frontiers throughout South America. The beauty of the Caporales music was put in evidence when one Caporal melody was used for the original "Lambada" of Brazil.

Luis Valverde is a musician, dancer and researcher of Andean Art. As a member of a family of artists, he began his career in Lima in 1991 training in music and dance with masters Americo Valencia and Edgar Meza. He has been Director of the Conjunto de Zampoñas de San Marcos and also a member of the celebrated ensemble Brisas del Titicaca, the Center for Peruvian Music Reasearch (CIDEMP) and the Center of Folkore of the Universidad Mayor de San Marcos (CUF). In 2000 he moved to San Francisco, CA where he founded and directed the troupes Antakella and Peruvian Dance Company. Valverde’s choreography have been presented at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, Spring Choreographers Showcase, Living Room Series, and the American College Dance Festival. He was also selected to participate of The Regional Dance Development Initiative (Dance Lab) and served as panelist of the 2006 Dance/USA National Round Table in Portland, OR. He is a member of the International Dance Council (CID-UNESCO). Valverde's work is permanently intended to bring the extraordinary variety of Andean Dance to the American audiences with special emphasis on the staging, adaptation and performance of indigenous and mestizo dances from Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.www.valverdedance.com

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 17+ and will include dances from the state of Durango: El Revolcadero, Mis Cositas, Las Cacerolas

Jose Vences was born and raised in Morelos, Mexico where be 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. 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. "I will say that this job can be difficult," Mr. Vences explains, "because this company is made of dancers with a diversity of backgrounds- some are trained technical dancers, others have a more organic talent. My expectations for each of them are the same: to perform at their personal best. I provide them with strategies, with the knowledge that has been taught to me throughout my career, to empower them. It is an emotional experience. I try to connect with my dancers, through metaphors and personification, and even jokes, to draw connections between what I am expecting in the studio and their own personal experiences. Sometimes this process challenges them to change their concept of dance, a new relationship between movement, intentions, emotion, and the music. More than anything, I would say that I demand commitment because I believe that where there is genuine intention there is a good result."

This class is for group directors and Yellow/Blue level young adults seeking mentorship for further pursuits in folklorico dance. NOT recommended for Green level dancers. This class will features dances from the state of Zacatecas: Vamos al Baile de Mexicapan, Cuadrillas de Valparaiso.

Maria Guadalupe Castro Paramo, Ph.D. - Nacida en Morelia, Michoacán, inició sus estudios de danza a los 9 años de edad cuando ingresó (como la alumna más jóven que hasta el momento ha tendio San Nicolás de Hidalgo) al departamento de Bellas Artes para tomar clases de Ballet clásico. Sus estudios de folklore se iniciaron en el Instituto México-Norteamericano de Michoacán, de donde pasó al Instituto Michoacano de Arte Popular (IMAP), formando parte del grupo de actuaciones. Más tarde ingresó al grupo de ARCA (Arte y Caridad) de donde salió para viajar a Riverside, California, donde cursó un año en el Junior College. Ahí tuvo oportunidad de estudiar Danza Moderna. Subsecuentemente entró a la Academia de la Danza Mexicana en la Ciudad de México para especializarse como maestra de danza folklórica mexicana y directora de grupos, de donde se graduó en 1977. De ahí pasó a la escuela del Ballet Folklórico de México donde cada verano (1978-1982) tomaba juntos dos cursos consecutivos. Recibió su maestria, y el doctorado, de UCLA en 1992, y como parte del curriculum que a esto la llevó empezó a investigar danzas en la región propia de cada una. Con los Voladores de Papantla vivió cada verano por ocho temporadas, en Tampico estudió el huapango en todas sus formas por más de diez años, en Michoacán continuó sus estudios con Juan Antonio González Soria, y más recientemente se ha afocado a la investigación de la Danza de la Piña, para lo cual ha hecho tres viajes a la ciudad de Tuxtepec, incluyendo la celebración de los 50 años de esta danza. Desde 1990 ha impartido clases en Danzantes Unidos, y desde hace que funge como maestra de danza folklórica en Fresno City College. En 1971 fundó el que es ahora el Grupo Folklórico Oyohualli, y creó el programa Noche de Danza Mexicana, que se presenta ahora cada primavera en el teatro del Fresno City College.

This class is for group directors and Yellow/Blue level young adults seeking mentorship for further pursuits in folklorico dance. NOT recommended for Green level dancers. This class will feature dances from the state of Yucatan.

Greetings from "La Hermana Republica de Yucatan!" In this class we will learn various Pasacalles, Jaranas, Suertes and a Danza from Yucatan. Emphasis is placed on regional styling and the cultural/historical background that drives it. This is wonderful region of Maya/mestizo culture that has always fascinated me and I hope will involve you as well.—Rudy F. Garcia

Rudy F. Garcia began his dance training while a student at Stanford University. He has danced with Flor de la Esperanza, Los Lupeños de San Jose, Xochipilli de San Jose, Alegría de San Jose, as well as Jubilee American Dance Theater. He has served as Artistic Director for the San Francisco Bay Area groups Alegría de San Jose and Los Lupeños. He was Conference Director for ANGF 1990 in San Jose for the Asociacion Nacional de Grupos Folkloricos. He currently serves on the Board of Directors, as Treasurer, for Danzantes Unidos de California and is a Board Member of World Arts West, the annual producer of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. He is the author of the "Folklorico Handbook" in use in colleges with a folklorico program throughout the US. He is a contributing author in Dancing Across Borders: Danzas y Bailes Mexicanos recently published by the University of Illinois Press.

This class is for group directors and Yellow/Blue level young adults seeking mentorship for further pursuits in folklorico dance. NOT recommended for Green level dancers. This class will concentrate on skirtwork techniques.

As athletes in dance, it is fundamental to broaden our knowledge in various dance techniques in order to enhance our physical abilities to perform our beloved dances of Mexico. The understanding of which muscles we use and how they can be strengthened and lengthened is essential in executing breath-taking skirt work. This workshop will focus on educating the dancer on how to use various muscles and incorporate western technique in order to become a more well-rounded dancer, instructor or choreographer. This workshop is essential to all female dancers and vital to all male instructors and directors who wish to broaden their knowledge in western technique and skirt work. Repertoire will include selections from Nayarit and Jalisco. –Eloisa Holguin

Eloisa Holguin is a dance artist of respectable skills who is a sought after instructor, advisor and co-director due to her keen attention to artistic detail in style and technique. She pulls from a strong background in Ballet and Modern Dance to Mexican Folklore, Flamenco, Persian and Middle Eastern Dance. Her extensive knowledge in various dance styles, attention to detail and her persistency in results is the reason why dance companies commission Eloisa to assist with dance instruction and/or with the production of a dance concert from the Harriet and Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex, John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Gibson Amphitheatre, El Portal Theatre and the prestigious Dorothy Chandler Pavilion located at the Music Center in Los Angeles.

Eloisa has had the privilege of working with some of Los Angeles’s premier folk dance companies such as Pacifico Dance Company where she was not only a principal dancer for four years but also a company instructor. Dancer for three years with Angelita’s Flamenco Dancers and performed at the world famous El Cid Restaurant in Los Angeles. Jillina and the Sahlala Dancers are Los Angeles’s prominent Middle Eastern Dance Company and served as administrative director and co-producer for four years. Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company utilized Eloisa’s talents for six and a half years not just as a dancer, but in numerous other aspects ranging from company instruction of technique, summer workshops, choreography, director of women’s ensemble and primarily served as Assistant Artistic Director to Jose Vences and played a vital role in all major sold out concerts. In 2005, Eloisa had the honor of sharing the stage with Viviana Basanta Hernandez while performing with Grandeza Mexicana and the following year Eloisa re-mounted and re-staged Veracruz De Cara Al Mar, choreographed by Viviana Basanta Hernandez exclusively for Grandeza Mexicana.

In 2006, Eloisa formed Eloisa’s Eshveh Dancers, an international dance show primarily focused on Middle Eastern Dance and performed at lavish events through out Southern California and the U.S. Eloisa’s commercial work has given her the opportunity to work with Cher on her Dove Le’ Amore music video as principal Flamenco dancer, Jennifer Lopez for her Ain’t It Funny music video as chorus Flamenco Dancer and Gene Simmons for A&E’s Gene Simmons Family Jewels Show as Middle Eastern Dancer. Most recently, Eloisa obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Dance from California State University Fullerton and looks forward in making her mark in the arts.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 17+ and will feature dances from the state of Colima. The class will learn at least three or four from the following list: El Pitayero, El Perico, El Buey, El Tezmito, Las Comaltecas, Camino Real de Colima, Morismas, Toro de Once , Toro Viejo.

Luis Guillermo Oseguera Pena nacido en Guadalajara y Fundador del Grupo Tapatio de Oceanside en el año 2004. Socio activo en el Instituto, difusion y investigacion de la danza de Mexico. Director del Grupo Folklorico de Rancho Buena Vista High School y Fundador/Director del Grupo Folklorico de San Marcos High School.

This class is for Yellow and Blue level dancers ages 17+ and will feature Tradicional Sones de tabla y tarima: La Loba, El Relampago, El Cihualteco.

El montaje de estas piezas es resultado de investigacion y trabajo de campo en distintas zonas del estado de Jalisco, el cual pretende mostrar la manera y estilo de bailar e interpretar el son tradicional en el estado de Jalisco. Bailado en tabla o en tarima, el son solia ser el punto de entrenimiento en fiestas y reuniones y al mismo tiempo los bailadores tomaban la oportunidad de cortegear a posibles parejas sentimentales. El baron trata de mostrar su rigor mediante el zapateado firme y cuerpo rigido mientras la dama muestra delicadesa moviendo la falda al compas de la musica.--Marco Antonio Sanchez Ramos

Marco Antonio Sanchez Ramos began his training at the age of four in his hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico. At age six, he was recruited by award winning dance group "Grupo Folclorico Magisterial del Estado de Jalisco" children's performing company. In 1989, he joined "Grupo Folclorico Alma de Nuestro Pueblo" and also "Ballet Folclorico de Jalisco" before returning to Grupo Magisterial where he also participated as instructor's assistant under the direction of Jose Luis Cardenas Quirarte, founder of the "Instituto de Investigacion de la Danza Mexicana". In 1993 he relocated to Sacramento, CA where he was invited to instruct different area groups before founding his own company "Rincones de Mi Tierra". As a member of "Instituto de Investigacion y Difucion de la Danza Mexicana" and in order to expand his own knowledge, Marco Sanchez travels year round to Mexico to participate in workshops, perform and conduct field research. He has conducted research in states such as Michoacán, Jalisco, Sonora, Baja California, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Hidalgo and Puebla where he has learned to respect the dance tradition of "bailadores" and also the great effort done by leading folk and dance and music researchers. In 2008 Marco was invited to participate as producer and guest choreographer for "Cuextecapan: Sies Estados Una Region" in Guadalajara, Mexico. His respect for "la danza tradicional" has earned him the opportunity to work as guest instructor with groups from California, Guadalajara and the Encuentro Nacional de Danza "Tepeeg Notu" in Baja California. Marco Sánchez currently serves as General Director and Choreographer for Grupo de Danza Rincones de Mi Tierra and active member Instituto de Investigacion y Difusion de la Danza Mexicana.