Navidad: A Mexican-American Christmas

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company presents Navidad: A Mexican-American Christmas Artistic Director & Choreographer: Grisel Pren Monje Music Director: George Saenz Story by: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera & Juan Castaño Dramaturg & Guest Choreographer: Gabriela Garcia Scenery and Projections: Ariel Rodríguez Flores & Carolina Ortiz Stage Manager: Emily Vizinia Lighting Designer: Carolina Ortiz Props: Daniel Valle Cast Clarita: Kate Flores Mendoza Mother: Crystal Deosaran Father: Juan Castaño Diablo: Christopher Cortez

Dancers/ Friends & Family/ School Performers: Juan Castaño, Crystal Deosaran, Sydney Almeida, Nina Deacon, Carlos Islas, Miguel Flores, Cindy Garcia, Victoria Leon, Daniela Romero, Chris Vega, Chris Cortez, Lucero Velázquez, Yisel Xique Musicians: Alí Bello (Violin), Luisa Bastidas (Violin), Joshua Castillo (Drums), Marilyn Castillo (Voice/Guitar), Jackie Coleman (Trumpet), Yahir Montes (Voice/Guitar), George Saenz (Bass) Guest Performers from Calpulli Community: Susana Camerino, Delaney Campos, Caia Cano, Camilla Cano, Guillermina Castillo, Vanessa Cortes, Brandon Cortes, Enriqueta Duncan, Merilyn Flores, Sofia Flores, Samantha Flores, Samantha Gonzales, Elizabeth Guerrero, Giselle Lopez, Sherlyn Lopez, Johanna Lopez, Griselda Lopez, Ivis Mayorga, Iker Mayorga Medina, Valentina Mayorga Medina, Ian Morales, Ivy Morales, Mia Morales, Santiago Morales, Rayito Morales, Ruth Nieves, Alexa Pacheco, Nathalie Perez, Magali Ruiz, Daniela Santiago, Mia Santiago, Maria Skennion, Maria Tochihuitl Juarez, Rosa Tochihuitl Juarez, Angel Velasco.

Letter from our Artistic Director, Grisel Pren Monje Dear Friends, As a Mexican living in the United States, it is my pride and honor to be able to present you a beautiful story that speaks of true identity, family, union and Mexican traditions. Dancers, musicians and staff from various parts of the world have come together to express their love of art and Mexican culture. I hope you get inspired by Clarita's story and the importance of embracing all cultures. May you have a happy holiday season!

Con cariño, Grisel Pren Monje Artistic Director Calpulli Mexican Dance Company

Carta de nuestro Director Artístico, Grisel Pren Monje Queridos amigos,

Cómo mexicana viviendo en Estados Unidos es un gran orgullo y honor poder presentarles una bonita historia que habla de nuestra identidad como una sola, la familia, la unión y las tradiciones Mexicanas. Bailarines, Músicos y staff de varias partes del mundo se han unido en este recinto para expresar su amor por el arte y la cultura Mexicana. Espero que se sientan inspirados por la historia de Clarita y la importancia de abrazar a todas las culturas. ¡Espero que tengan unas felices fiestas!

Con cariño, Grisel Pren Monje Director Artístico Calpulli Mexican Dance Company

Program Notes/Synopsis

Navidad: A Mexican-American American Christmas The Departure: A young couple leaves their home in northern Mexico with a bittersweet farewell dance with their friends and family. The opportunities of New York City await them. There they find work as garment makers and, through long hours of hard labor, make their living and begin a family.

Mexican Traditions: Years have passed, and it’s the 12th of December. The sound of the church bells calls the family to the celebration of La Virgen de Guadalupe. At the gathering, the young girl observes the dances of the concheros, native dances honor the Aztec deity Tonantzin with now a strong Christian influence. The family enjoys the music of the mariachi and the dances in her honor. The parents look for every opportunity to share their traditions with their child with the hope that she will make the traditions her own.

The Holidays: The young girl arrives at school to help with preparations for a special holiday event. There she enjoys popular holiday music and dance with her friends, very different from what she experiences with her family. The performance also brings a surprise- classical music and ballet featuring a toy soldier and a ballerina. At the end, she gathers with friends and meets the dancers.

The Division: The young girl joins her family for a yearly ritual- making tamales for the posada they host on the 24th of December. Guests bring Mexican gifts of poinsettias, fruits and sweets, sweet bread, a piñata, music, and dance. The fandango begins! The parents urge the young girl to join them, but she remains apart. More guests arrive with la rama (the branch)- a Christmas tradition in Veracruz. Unable to enjoy the celebration without her, the parents bring the young girl into the fandango against her wish. She wants to dance in the way she saw at school and with different music. When her parents insist, she rejects them and storms out of the room.

The Dream: Alone in her room, the young girl tries to understand what came over her. The emotions have taken their toll, and she can’t resist a deep sleep. When she awakens, the bright colors of the day call to her. Abruptly she realizes she is not in her home, but in fact in a wintery world. Strange creatures run just out of distance, and she is taken by the beauty of this place. She dances with joy in this new land only to pause when a distant sound approaches. She hides while magical dancers move gloriously. They welcome a Charro Toy Soldier. His friendly demeanor puts her at ease. Nearby, though, a mischievous character stalks the soldier and girl, offering a warning of separation. The soldier brings other friends including Las Hadas (the fairies), Santa’s Tapatias, and more Charro Toy Soldiers. Out of the shadows, Diablo appears with his message. Diablo wants for all to be clear and separate. Very separate. The creatures of this world fear Diablo because their existence is just what Diablo wants to undo. But the young girl wants to hear what Diablo has to say. The Charro Toy Soldier returns with reinforcements- one of the brave hadas who believes cultures can come together. Diablo and La Hada duel for the young girl.

Rejoining Family: The young girl awakens from the dream-turned-nightmare to find her two dolls together. She turns to her phone to recall the recent images and is shocked when she finds an image from her dream. “Was it a dream?” she asks herself. She runs to rejoin the celebration in the other room and to see her parents. There she surprises them with a gift they had long hoped to receive.

ESPAÑOL La partida: Una joven pareja se despide de su hogar en el norte de México con un baile con sus amigos y familiares. Las oportunidades de la ciudad de Nueva York les esperan. Allí encuentran trabajo en una maquiladora y, a lo largo de largas horas de arduo trabajo, se ganan la vida y forman una familia.

Tradiciones mexicanas: Los años han pasado, y es el 12 de diciembre. El sonido de las campanas de la iglesia llama a la familia a la celebración de la Virgen de Guadalupe. En la reunión, la joven observa las danzas de los concheros, danzas nativas en honor a la deidad azteca Tonantzin con una fuerte influencia cristiana. La familia disfruta de la música del mariachi y los bailes en su honor. Los padres buscan cada oportunidad para compartir sus tradiciones con la esperanza de que ella las haga propias.

Los días festivos: La joven llega a la escuela para ayudar en los preparativos de un evento festivo especial. Allí disfruta con sus amigos de música y bailes navideños populares, muy diferentes de los que experimenta con su familia. La actuación también trae una sorpresa: música clásica y ballet con un soldado de juguete y una bailarina. Al final, se reúne con sus amigos y conoce a los bailarines.

La División: La joven se une a su familia en su tradición anual de hacer tamales para la posada del 24 de diciembre. Los invitados traen regalos mexicanos de flor de nochebuena, aguinaldos, pan dulce, piñata, música y baile. ¡Comienza el fandango festivo! Los padres instan a la joven a unirse a ellos, pero ella permanece separada. Más invitados llegan con la rama, una tradición navideña en Veracruz. Incapaces de disfrutar la celebración sin ella, los padres traen a la joven al fandango contra su aparente interés. Quiere bailar como lo hacía en la escuela y con otra música. Cuando sus padres insisten, ella los rechaza y sale enfadada de la habitación.

El sueño: Sola en su habitación, la joven intenta entender lo que pasó. Las emociones la han agotado, y ella no puede resistirse a un sueño profundo. Cuando amanece, los colores brillantes del día llaman a la joven. De repente, se da cuenta de que no está en su casa, sino en un mundo mágico invernal. Extrañas criaturas corren a lo lejos, y ella queda prendada de la belleza de este lugar. Baila con alegría en este nuevo mundo solo para hacer una pausa cuando se acerca un sonido lejano. Ella se esconde mientras los bailarines mágicos se mueven gloriosamente. Dan la bienvenida a un Soldadito Charro. Su actitud amistosa la tranquiliza. Cerca, sin embargo, un personaje travieso acecha al soldado y la niña, dando una advertencia de separación. El soldado trae a otros amigos, como Las Hadas, las Tapatías de Santa y más soldados de juguete Charros. Fuera de las sombras, aparece Diablo con un mensaje. Diablo quiere que las cosas sean claras y separadas. Muy separadas. Las criaturas de este mundo temen a Diablo porque su existencia es justo lo que Diablo quiere deshacer. Pero la joven quiere escuchar lo que Diablo tiene que decir. El Soldadito Charro regresa con refuerzos, una de las valientes hadas que cree que las culturas pueden unirse. Diablo y La Hada luchan por la joven.

Familia reunida: La joven despierta del sueño convertido en pesadilla y encuentra a sus dos muñecas juntas. Acude a su teléfono para recordar las imágenes recientes y se sorprende cuando encuentra una imagen de su sueño. "¿Era un sueño?", se pregunta. Corre a unirse a la celebración en la otra habitación y a ver a sus padres. Allí les sorprende con un regalo que llevaban tiempo esperando recibir.

Program-Navidad: A Mexican-American Christmas The Departure

Mexican Traditions

Santa Rita Ahualulco en Nueva York

Choreography: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera Wardrobe: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera & Elias Roldan Choreography: Grisel Pren Monje

La Guadalupana

Choreography: Grisel Pren Monje & Juan Castaño

Los Concheros Choreography: Juan Castaño Wardrobe: Guadalupe Camacho, Valeria Medina, Aarón Chimal Carrasco, Judith González Ríos, Delia Olarte, Luz Ariadna Castillo Paredes, & Aníbal Alcántara Becerril

USA Holidays

Musical interlude:

Las Mañanitas Tapatias (Vocalist: Marylin Castillo) Choreography: Gabriela Garcia & Grisel Pren Monje

El Gusto

Choreography & Wardrobe: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera

Sleigh Ride Let It Snow

Jingle Bell Rock

Choreography: Gabriela Garcia Choreography: Grisel Pren Monje Costumes: Amanda Gladu Choreography: Javier Dzul Costumes: Amanda Gladu Choreography: Gabriela Garcias & Juan Castaño

En El Nombre Del Cielo

Choreography: Juan Castaño, Grisel Pren Monje, & Gabriela

El Colas

Choreography: Grisel Pren Monje Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera Choreography: Grisel Pren Monje Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera

The Nutcracker March

The Division Garcia

La Rama

--- INTERMISSION --The Dream

El Sueño

Aztec Dream

Charro Toy Soldiers Jesusita en Chihuahua La Negra en Navidad Diablo La Batalla/ The Duel

Rejoining Family

Musical Interlude: El Canelo La Vieja Musical Closing:

Choreography: Juan Castaño & Grisel Pren Monje Set to an adaption of “The Magical Castle on the Mountain of Sweets” Choreography: Grisel Pren Monje Costumes: Sergio Vidaña, Rosalba Vivar, & Daniel Valle Set to an adaption of the Nutcracker “March” Choreography: Juan Castaño & Grisel Pren Monje Costumes: Amanda Gladu Choreography: Francisco Graciano Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera & Amanda Gladu Choreography: Noemy Hernandez & Juan Castaño Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera & Amanda Gladu Choreography: Javier Dzul Costumes: Amanda Gladu Choreography: Francisco Graciano Costumes: Amanda Gladu & Alberto C. Lopez Herrera Silent Night/ Noche de Paz Choreography: Noemy Hernandez Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera & Elias Roldan Choreography: Grisel Pren Monje Costumes: Alberto C. Lopez Herrera Mariachi Sleigh Ride

Grisel Pren Monje – Artistic Director & Choreographer Grisel Pren Monje is a director, choreographer and teaching artist. She was born and raised in Cancun, Mexico and began her dance training at a young age in local dance studios. She became a professional dancer and entertainer in many of the Resorts in the Riviera Maya. In 2007, Grisel moved to the United States to study ballet, jazz, and musical theater in New York City under the International student visa program for dance and continued her dance training in renowned schools such as Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Alvin Ailey. She has performed and choreographed for several dance companies throughout her dance career and made her Off Broadway debut in 2012 with Zapata! The Musical at the New York Musical Festival with a principal role. In 2008, she joined the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. She’s toured with the company, both nationally and internationally. She is the co-writer for Calpulli's newest production Monarcas. As a teaching artist, Grisel works toward building an appreciation for dance and the arts by providing culturally enriched dance training and classes for children, adolescents, and adults. She currently works as a Dance Teaching Artist for Society of the Educational Arts, Center for Modern Dance Education, Grunin Performing Arts Academy, New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Calpulli Community. Grisel holds a Mexican Folk Dance teacher certification from El Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez, a Mexican Folk Dance and Raza Technique Training Diploma from El Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad de Colima de el maestro Rafael Zamarripa and has attended and completed Traditional Mexican Dance workshops and a Stage Production training program in La Escuela Nacional de Danza Folklórica in Mexico City.

George Saenz – Music Director Trombonist/Multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator, George Saenz is originally from Laredo, Texas. In May 2005, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts to study brass performance and jazz composition at Berklee College of Music. Since graduating in 2008, he performed with many award-winning artists such as Gloria Estefan and The Edge (U2), Ruben Blades, McCoy Tyner at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Bob Mintzer at the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra, The Cornerstone Chorale and Brass Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, Maria Schneider and The Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra, and Phil Wilson’s Rainbow Band at the Beantown Jazz Festival. In addition to playing the trombone, Mr. Saenz is also a talented button accordionist, bassist, pianist, guitarist and composer/arranger, having an original arrangement of the jazz standard “I Love You” be debuted at the Heineken Jazz Festival in Puerto Rico in 2008. Mr. Saenz now resides and works in New York City, working as a freelance musician, composer/arranger and educator.

Gabriela Garcia – Dramaturg & Guest Choreographer Gabriela Garcia is an artist dividing her time between the theater, dance, commercial and education industries. She holds a BA in Performing Arts from Saint Mary's College of California, and is Co-Founder and Director of R.Evolución Latina (RL), a nonprofit organization making a difference through the arts. Some of her theater credits Half Time the musical directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, CHICAGO The Musical Mexico City and Vienna (Velma Kelly), CHICAGO Broadway (cast member and dance captain), CHICAGO Düsseldorf (Dance Associate), and Sweeney Todd at the Barrow Street Theater (Movement Associate). As a choreographer, she served as Associate Choreographer for Public Works' musical production of Twelfth Night. She has created works for the Joffrey Ballet School's NYC Jazz and Contemporary summer intensive performances, BC/EFA benefits, R.Evolución Latina's Choreographer Festival and for Preludio Cultural Association in Peru, where she choreographed a production of Sweet Charity and CHICAGO. Her ballet and theater dance classes have reached schools in Sweden, Peru, Mexico, China, Germany and other countries. In New York she has taught at institutions such as Ellison Ballet, PACE University, Ithaca College, and was co-coordinator for the Joffrey Ballet School’s Joffrey Ensemble. Professional dance companies include Tanzforum Koeln (Germany) and Pacific Northwest Ballet. TV credits include: “Succession,” “Jessica Jones.” Film credits: In The Heights, Whatever Lola Wants (Tribeca film festival) and Enchanted. As a voiceover actor, her voice can be heard in numerous TV commercials and radio spots for the US national Hispanic market as well as Spanish language audio books. To learn more visit www.Gabriela-Garcia.com

Executive Director & Co-Founder: Juan Castaño Director of Arts-in-Education & Co-Founder: Alberto Lopez Herrera Company Manager: Corey Randle Development & Compliance Officer: Jay House Educational Projects Coordinator: Colleen Edwards Marketing Manager: Dilia Jelen Bookkeeper: Patricia Burgess Board of Directors: Danny Garza (President), Juan Castaño, Crystal Deosaran (Treasurer), Angelica Guel (Secretary), Alberto C. Lopez Herrera, Juan Rodriguez, & Julio Urbina About Calpulli Mexican Dance Company Founded in 2003, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company has served over one million people through its various cultural performances, arts-in-education programming, and community classes and events. Based in New York City, Calpulli provides a home for artists and audiences to explore a range of themes through a Mexican folkloric lens. Calpulli creates and tours original full-scale dance theater productions featuring folkloric and contemporary dance, rich traditional and theatrical wardrobe, and both folkloric music and new compositions. Calpulli stories speak to Americans of all backgrounds, and represent an opportunity to tell Mexican American stories from a place of dignity and beauty. Calpulli tours locally and nationally, and made their international debut in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2015 and their European debut in Turkey in 2019. In 2018, Calpulli received a prestigious National Dance Project grant from New England Foundation for the Arts for the creation of Puebla: The Story of Cinco de Mayo. Calpulli's five full-length productions include Boda Mexicana; Dia de los Muertos; Navidad: A Mexican American Christmas; Puebla: The Story of Cinco de Mayo, and Monarcas. Calpulli also delivers free and donation-based music and dance lessons to Mexican and Mexican-American families in community settings; Calpulli school-based arts-in-education programs serve students, seniors, and educators. To learn more about Calpulli, visit us online at calpullidance.org Donors: Calpulli’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, State Senator Jessica Ramos, and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council with support from Council Members Tiffany Caban, Shekar Krishnan, Pierina Sanchez, Julie Won, and Donovan Richards. Additional support for the organization comes from Howard Gilman Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, New York Community Trust, Curtis W. McGraw Foundation, Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Pfizer, Redaoui Charitable Contribution Fund, Juan Castaño, Daniel Garza, M.D., and other individual supporters. Project support for education and community programs comes from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation and ConEdison.

How To Support Calpulli! Calpulli Mexican Dance Company is non-profit (501c3) arts organization. We reach thousands of audiences and students annually, sharing the majesty of our Mexican cultural heritage with them all. Your donations are critical to our sustainability and growth. Please consider supporting Calpulli’s future artistic works, art-in-education programs, and community outreach by making a tax-deductible donation today. You can scan the QR code below to make a donation right now! . Checks can also be made out to Calpulli Mexican Dance Company and mailed to: 2512 77th St., East Elmhurst, NY 11370.

Thank you! ¡Gracias!

DANCERS Sydney Almeida (Apprentice) is a Mexican American dancer born and raised in NYC. With 18 years of experience, she began dancing Mexican Folklorico as a way to connect to her family and roots. In 2011 she joined Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Nueva York which she credits her training to, along with teachers and investigators from across Mexico. In 2018 her desire to learn led her to produce the first Master Class in NY with Ballet Folklórico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández. She is passionate about educating the community on the diversity and beauty of Mexico by way of dance.

This is her debut performance with Calpulli.

Juan Castaño began his dance training at Grinnell College with student instructor Alicia Gonzalez. More than 24 years later, he has performed with several companies in NYC, is a Master Teacher with the YoungArts Foundation, and co-founded Calpulli. He co-developed, co-wrote, and choreographed works for several of Calpulli’s productions and conducted research projects in the US and Mexico involving folkloric dance. He is a dancer, arts administrator, and educator in the arts. He holds a BA in Chemistry and MBA in Management.

Christopher Cortez is a California native who began his Folklorico training around 17 yrs old in Righetti High's The Marimba Band and Ballet Folklorico group and then continued at Allan Hancock College where he graduated in 2011 with an AA in Fine Arts: Dance. In 2012 Cortez joined Calpulli for their 2012/13 calendar year, attended Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and graduated in 2015 with a Certificate in Dance. He continued in his professional career primarily with touring companies Calpulli Mexican Dance Co and Ballet Nepantla. Due to the pandemic, Christopher chose to return to the West Coast in 2020 and began studying the healing modality of Massage Therapy where he graduated in 2021 from San Diego's Pacific College of Health & Science and is also certified by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). His return to NYC in 2022 also marked his return to dance but during his free time Cortez can be found enjoying a new spot to eat, exploring skincare, going to the movie theater, visiting a thrift store, enjoying the performing arts, finding inspiration for art projects and traveling when possible.

Nina Deacon has the delight of having a very varied professional career! Off-Broadway credits include Tchaikovsky – A New Stage Play, Still on the Corner, Finding the Golden Bird (lead), and Lake of Sorrows (Odile). Dance company credits include Ballet for Young Audiences, Jersey City Ballet, Homo Veritas Dance Theatre, New American Youth Ballet (guest artist). She is honored to have danced in Broadway Cares Easter Bonnet. She currently is a principal dancer with Ballade Ballet Theatre. Nina feels so blessed to be dancing with this amazingly wonderful Calpulli Mexican Dance Company!

Crystal Deosaran has been a performing artist with Calpulli since 2010. She has traveled and performed with the company nationally and internationally in places like Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, The Town Hall, Apollo Theater, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Turkey and more. Crystal has served as Program Coordinator for the Calpulli Community Program in Staten Island and continues to collaborate in diverse educational and cultural projects.

Victoria Leon (Apprentice) is a Folklorico dancer born and raised in New York City. Victoria started dancing in her late teenage years with various Mexican Folklorico dance groups such as Ballet Folklórico Xochiquetzal and Ballet Folklórico Nueva Juventud. In February of 2023, Victoria was part of Mexica Danza Folklorica's Mexican polka dance production, "Asi se baila en el norte'' at the Chain Theater in NYC. Prior to joining Calpulli this March, Victoria participated in a few adult dance workshops with Calpulli Community in 2018 and 2019. She is excited to premiere Calpulli's latest dance production, Monarcas, this Spring at The Queens Theater.

Kate Flores Mendoza began dancing ballet folklórico at the age of 4. Her strong and passionate love for dance was established immediately upon taking Calpulli Community classes. Kate has trained with Calpulli Community for 11 years.

She currently resides in Staten Island, where she is a junior in high school. Her goals in the future are to attend college for architecture and design and to further her dance education.

Miguel Flores is a born and raised Brooklyn native who started dancing within the Calpulli community classes at the age of 8 years old with his two older cousins. Eventually, he left the community classes by the age of 13 and came back at the age of 18 where he was invited to be a part of Calpulli’s Dance Company. As per Miguel, although focusing on his career as a mental health counselor away from the performing arts, dancing has served as a healthy outlet throughout his career.

Not only has dancing served as a healthy outlet but it has also helped with reconnecting with his culture. Miguel hopes to stay in touch with the performing arts throughout time and dedicates his work to family and friends.

Carlos Islas began dancing at age six. At age 12 he entered the Escuela Nacional de Danza Folklórica, where he served as a representative group dancer for six years. Islas graduated with a degree in Mexican Folklorico from the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes de México. He has performed with several companies in Mexico at venues such as Palacio de Bellas Artes, Auditorio Nacional, Teatro de la Ciudad, Teatro de la Danza, Estadio Azteca y Centro Nacional de las Artes.

In 2005, he founded "Estampas de México," a dance company which has represented Mexico in more than 20 countries on four continents. He has worked as a teacher and choreographer for Calpulli and with the Escuela del Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández, Academia de la Danza Mexicana, y Escuela Nacional de Danza Folklórica. He has judged dance competitions in the Philippines, South Korea and Romania.

Victoria Leon (Apprentice) is a Folklorico dancer born and raised in New York City. Victoria started dancing in her late teenage years with various Mexican Folklorico dance groups such as Ballet Folklórico Xochiquetzal and Ballet Folklórico Nueva Juventud. In February of 2023, Victoria was part of Mexica Danza Folklorica's Mexican polka dance production, "Asi se baila en el norte'' at the Chain Theater in NYC. Prior to joining Calpulli this March, Victoria participated in a few adult dance workshops with Calpulli Community in 2018 and 2019. She is excited to premiere Calpulli's latest dance production, Monarcas, this Spring at The Queens Theater.

Daniela Romero a native from Maracaibo, Venezuela, recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Houston. She began her dance training at DANMAR Academy of Performing Arts located in Katy, TX, where she danced professionally for their 2018/19 season. During her time at the University of Houston, Daniela was an active member of the UH Dance Ensemble for two years. She has also had the opportunity to collaborate with John Beasant & Dancers, performing at festivals such as the Solo Duo Dance Festival in New York, NY, and the Barnstorm Dance Festival in Houston, TX. Currently, Daniela is an apprentice with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company.

Criis Vega is a dreamer, dancer, actor and singer from Oaxaca, Mexico. Raised in Mexico City, he graduated From The National Institute of Fine Arts Mexico (INBA). He studied at The Institute for American Musical Theatre NYC, graduating as a Musical Theater dancer. He has danced on important stages in Mexico City such as Teatro Metropolitan and Auditorio Nacional, sharing stage with the National Dance Company of Mexico City. His great passion is Musical Theatre and his dream role is Angel from the musical "RENT". -I just want to thank God, my mom Patricia, my husband Jiravat, family, friends Quetzalli & Arantza and teachers Alberto Peniche, Itzel Gali, Andrew Drost, Michael Minarik, Justin Ramos, Withney Sprayberry & Andrea Herrera for helping me to achieve my dreams. “Make it Shine” Lucero ‘Luz’ Velazquez was born in Queens, NY and raised in her parents’ hometown in Puebla, Mexico. There, at the age of 6, she began to dance folklorico. She then moved back to New York and joined Ballet Xochiquetzal where she danced for 4 years and later joined Ballet Nueva Juventud. She joined Calpulli in 2016 and initiated her dance training at Hunter College, where she received her BA in psychology with a minor in dance. Lucero has had the opportunity to perform works from Kyle Abraham and participated in intensives by MODP and Contra Tiempo Company. She has worked as a dance specialist with various youth ages, teaching dance movement and creating works. Aside from dancing, Lucero works as a case planner and is a mommy to a 7 month old baby girl.

Yisel Xique graduated as a Dance Theater major from the American Musical and Dramatic Arts Conservatory in New York. A student of Calpulli Community since the age of 12, she now not only performs with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, but also is a Teaching Artist in training with the company's Arts-In-Education division. She is grateful for her parents who always pushed and supported her throughout her journey.

MUSICIANS Luisa Bastidas is a Latin Grammy nominee that gives the violin a unique sound. She was born and raised in Cali Colombia and migrated to New York City in 2000. She has shared the stage with Red Bull World Champion Dancer Bboy Neguin as the resident violinist for the Kinetic Junglist Movement founded by dancer Amy Secada.

Alí Bello is Venezuelan-born, and has become one of the most dazzling and sought after violinists, distinguishing himself for his versatility among different music styles in addition to his well-founded classical training and multidimensional improvisational skills, which have made him a top violinist of the Latin jazz arena.

Marilyn Castillo is a singer and songwriter from Juarez, Chihuahua and El Paso, TX. She has worked extensively with many Mexican and Latin-American musical groups and entities that promote arts and culture throughout NYC. She was awarded a ‘Premios Fama’ in 2019. Living in NYC, and being far from Mexico, she finds that music helps her find herself and is the perfect vehicle for bringing people together in a sense of unity.

Jackie Coleman was born in Indiana and is a Trumpeter and Electric Bassist. Jackie is well trained in a wide variety of musical styles. After receiving a Bachelor's degree from Indiana University and a Masters degree from NYU, she decided to pursue music in New York full-time. In 2017 she won a Latin Grammy with the all-female group Flor de Toloache for their album "Las Caras Lindas." In the past she has worked with artists such as Solange, Leon Bridges, Wu-tang Clan, Kali Uchis, Miguel, Natalia Lafourcade, Mon Laferte, Cuco, and Chris Perez. She was also able to work with H.E.R., Fantasia, Yolanda Adams, Victory, Jazmine Sullivanand Ledisi as part of the 2018 Black Girls Rock Band. Currently she can be seen performing with Durand Jones and The Indications, Antibalas, and many more artists.

Yahir Montes is a Mexican guitarist, vocalist, bassist, composer, songwriter and arranger originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco. At the age of fourteen he enrolled at the Instituto Universitario de Bellas Artes in the state of Colima, where he completed a Bachelor of Music with honorable mention. He also has a Masters in Composition and Arrangement from Universidad Tito Puente in Puebla, Mexico. Yahir has performed at important venues like Lincoln Center, Joe's Pub and Mass MOCA for Frida, The Musical and Broadway in Spanglish and has also written, arranged and produced for several film and musical theater projects in New York City. Yahir also is part of Calpulli Mexican Dance Company from New York which brings Mexican folklore to the stage.

George Saenz is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator originally from Laredo, Texas. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he studied music performance and Jazz Composition and currently resides in New York City. He serves as musical director and educator for NYC’s Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, and works as a freelance musician with various acclaimed musical projects in and around NYC, including as Musical Director, trombonist-accordionist and arranger with multi Grammy Award-winning artist Lila Downs. His travels have led him to performances and productions around the world throughout Europe, Latin America, as well as extensive tours of the United States and Canada.

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