Business Details
50 Years
experience
Traditional Mexican Dance Classes in Riverside
Founded in 1976 by Ana de la Tejera, Ballet Folklorico de Riverside was established to preserve Mexican culture and heritage through traditional dance. Starting with 13 children practicing in driveways and garages, we have grown to over 100 dancers aged 5 and up. Our performances showcase traditional Mexican folk dances from 33 regions, including Jalisco, Veracruz, and historical periods like the Aztec era and Mexican Revolution. We present dances rooted in ancestral stories and rituals, ranging from European-influenced polkas to prehispanic Aztec ceremonies.Our organization operates with a modest staff, parent volunteers, and community support, offering educational programs that engage youth in positive cultural activities. We serve as a community role model, hosting annual events like our Day of the Dead celebration in partnership with Division 9 Gallery. Our mission emphasizes cultural preservation, community engagement, and intergenerational education through dance. With 50 years of experience, we continue to share Mexico's rich traditions through vibrant performances and structured dance instruction.
Services
Beginner Dance Classes
Advanced Dance Training
Cultural Workshops
Performance Groups
Costume Rentals
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We have 50 years of experience preserving Mexican dance traditions
- Our repertoire includes dances from 33 Mexican regions and historical periods
- We offer age-specific classes from beginner to professional levels
- Our community partnerships enhance cultural programming opportunities
- We provide authentic costume-based performances and educational workshops
What people say
Best dance studio
Learning folklorico dance
Inland Empire
Annual Day of the Dead event
50 years of dance
Services
Beginner Dance Classes
We offer beginner classes for children aged 5-12 through our Escuela program. These classes focus on foundational dance techniques while teaching cultural significance. Students learn traditional dances from various Mexican regions in a supportive environment that emphasizes cultural appreciation and physical coordination.
Advanced Dance Training
Our Compaa program provides advanced training for experienced dancers aged 10+. Participants refine technical skills through complex choreography from historical periods. This program emphasizes performance readiness, cultural authenticity, and stage presentation while maintaining rigorous technical standards.
Cultural Workshops
We conduct workshops exploring Mexican cultural traditions through dance. Participants learn about regional variations, historical contexts, and costume symbolism. These educational sessions combine dance instruction with cultural storytelling to provide comprehensive understanding of Mexico's diverse heritage.
Performance Groups
Our performance groups present traditional Mexican dances at community events. Dancers perform authentic routines from 33 regions, including Jalisco's Jarabe Tapatio and Veracruz's son jarocho. These shows feature historically accurate costumes and music, offering audiences immersive cultural experiences.
Costume Rentals
We provide authentic Mexican dance costumes for performances and events. Our collection includes regional variations like Jalisco's charro suits and Veracruz's China Poblana dresses. Each costume maintains historical accuracy while ensuring performance functionality for dancers.
People
Ana de la Tejera
Founder/Director
Ana de la Tejera founded Ballet Folklorico de Riverside in 1976. With over 50 years of experience, she has grown the organization from 13 children to over 100 dancers. She continues to lead with a commitment to cultural preservation through dance.
Kristy Cordova
President
Kristy Cordova serves as President of Ballet Folklorico de Riverside. She brings extensive organizational leadership experience to support the group's mission of cultural preservation through traditional Mexican dance education and performances.
Vanessa Mulari
Parent Rep
Vanessa Mulari contributes as Parent Representative to Ballet Folklorico de Riverside. She supports the organization's community engagement efforts while ensuring family perspectives inform program development and operational decisions.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We teach traditional Mexican folk dances from 33 regions, including Jalisco, Veracruz, and historical periods like the Aztec era and Mexican Revolution.
What age groups do you accept?
We offer classes for ages 5+ through our Escuela (beginner) and Compaa (advanced) programs with age-specific groupings.
Do you perform publicly?
Yes, we perform at community events including our annual Day of the Dead celebration and present dances in authentic traditional costumes.
How much are membership fees?
Membership costs $55/month for the first family dancer and $30/month for additional family members with a $15 late fee after the 10th.
When is the dance season?
Our dance season runs from August through June with new enrollment available July 1-15 each year.
