Background
Baile folklórico, (literally "folkloric dance" in Spanish) is a collective term for traditional Latin American dances that emphasize local folk culture with ballet characteristics - pointed toes, exaggerated movements, highly choreographed. Baile folklórico owes its inception to Amalia Hernandez. Baile folklórico differs from danzas and regional bailes. "Folk dances", that is, "dances that you will find in the villages, not on stage" were researched and disseminated by Alura Angeles de Flores. A good rule of thumb is if the woman raises her hands about her head (thus showing her legs), it is folklórico.
Monaco middle School
The Folklorico Program at Monaco Middle School was active from 2002-2012 but ended abruptly when its program director left to raise her growing family.
Rancho High School
After several successful years of teaching baile folklorico to students at Rancho High School, the group Ballet Folklorico Sol Huasteco was created as an expansion of the program. Jacquelyn Guzman is the director of Ballet Folklorico Sol Huasteco and Ballet Folklorico Sol de Rancho. The group is made up of 12 members, who range from teenagers to adults. Guzman said the group is largely composed of students and graduates from Rancho High School, but it is open to anyone interested in joining.
Janette Bravo, 20, has been performing with the group for three years. She started performing when she was a student at Rancho High School and has since continued because of the emotional passion she feels when she is on stage. “I love the feeling that we get when we’re dancing on stage and we can see the excitement of the audience who is proud of us for showing off our culture to the community,” Bravo said.
The group’s name was inspired by La Huasteca region in Mexico, which includes the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosi and Queretaro. As a second-generation American, Guzman sees the importance of connecting people with their culture.
“It’s a region that embodies multiple cultures, people and values,” Guzman said. “It is similar to our dance group. Some of us are from California, Arizona or Las Vegas and we have family in Sinaloa or Jalisco. Since we’re diverse, we wanted a diverse area to call ourselves after.”
I want to let people know that our culture isn’t dead yet,” said folklorico member Jose Corral, 18, student at Rancho High School. “Dancing with the group makes me feel proud of who I am. This group is going somewhere. I see big things for us.”
Janette Bravo, 20, has been performing with the group for three years. She started performing when she was a student at Rancho High School and has since continued because of the emotional passion she feels when she is on stage. “I love the feeling that we get when we’re dancing on stage and we can see the excitement of the audience who is proud of us for showing off our culture to the community,” Bravo said.
The group’s name was inspired by La Huasteca region in Mexico, which includes the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosi and Queretaro. As a second-generation American, Guzman sees the importance of connecting people with their culture.
“It’s a region that embodies multiple cultures, people and values,” Guzman said. “It is similar to our dance group. Some of us are from California, Arizona or Las Vegas and we have family in Sinaloa or Jalisco. Since we’re diverse, we wanted a diverse area to call ourselves after.”
I want to let people know that our culture isn’t dead yet,” said folklorico member Jose Corral, 18, student at Rancho High School. “Dancing with the group makes me feel proud of who I am. This group is going somewhere. I see big things for us.”
