Mariachi Tapatio, directed by Felipe Garcia since 1982, joined the dancers to deliver a stunning celebration of Mexico’s cultural heritage. The journey began with Veracruz’s Danza de los Negritos, renowned for its intricate footwork, and moved through Zacatecas, Oaxaca, Nuevo León, and Sinaloa, each region vividly portrayed with its unique rhythms and styles. A mariachi interlude brought iconic songs like Volver Volver and Que Viva Mexico before the grand finale in Jalisco, where charro suits and flowing skirts dazzled in a whirlwind of precise choreography and theatrical flair. The show radiated pride and passion from start to finish, leaving the audience deeply moved and filled with joy.
The following are excerpts from interviews with three members of Los Laureles.
Bryan Guzman Morales, a San José native who has danced for 16 years and taught with Los Laureles for six months, reflected on his dual perspective during the performance.
“I watched the performance from both a maestro’s and a dancer’s perspective,” he shared. “As a maestro, I considered whether the regional dances were performed traditionally or with changes. As a dancer, I focused on how well the dancers communicated without talking on stage.”
Bryan was particularly impressed by the dancers’ confidence in their custom-made vestuario and their ability to captivate the audience. “Watching as a dancer, I felt entertained; everything just fit together. All Laureles dancers are so young, yet they’re passionate,” he said.
Cassandra Citlali Ochoa, a San José native, has been dancing for 15 years since age five. For the past nine years, she has been a dedicated member of Grupo Folklorico Los Laureles.
Reflecting on the recent Alegría Mexicana performance, Cassandra shared her favorite piece to perform: Jarabe Mixteco. “It was a solo I had with one of my closest friends in the company, Jesus Sanchez,” she explained. “I made the extra effort to learn it with my younger brother, Anthony Ochoa, in Oaxaca. We learned it from Maestro Santiago Olarte Pichardo in Huajuapan, where the dance originated.”
The performance was especially meaningful for Cassandra, whose family is from the Mixteco region. “Bringing it to the States was special,” she said, her voice filled with pride. My abuelitos came from Oaxaca and watched me dance it. They are proud that I was able to show this dance to everyone.”
Dancing Jarabe Mixteco was an emotional experience for Cassandra. “I got emotional while dancing and doing the gritos for Oaxaca. After the entire show was over, I cried out of emotions afterward,” she shared. “At our gala show, I proudly represented the state of Oaxaca, where my family is from.”
Osvaldo Jesus Palomino Martinez, a San José native, began his journey in Mexican Ballet Folklorico six years ago at 22. Though relatively new to the art form, his passion and dedication have led him to dance with Grupo Folklorico Los Laureles for the past year.
Reflecting on his growth, Osvaldo shared the pivotal role of mentors in shaping his folkloric journey. “Yes, I have had many mentors over the years,” he said. “The two main ones have been Maestra Maria Luisa Colmenarez and Maestro Rudy F. Garcia.”
Osvaldo credits these mentors as his guiding lights from the very beginning. “They were my first maestros when I began dancing,” he explained. “Through various opportunities, they have helped me grow as a dancer and individual.”
Their influence continues to inspire Osvaldo as he immerses himself in the vibrant tradition of Mexican Ballet Folklorico, building upon the foundation they helped him create.
