By Bethany Sanderson/reporter
Beginning with vital foot warm-ups, a NW Campus class prepared for a rigorous routine of foot-stomping dance steps.
NW Campus presented a Ballet Folklorico dance class Nov. 20 under instructor Raul Hernandez, who has taught Folklorico for more than 20 years including four years in Mexico.
The 15 students who attended the course were initiated immediately to a multiple-dance-step routine.
Repeated stamping and stomping motions with each foot flowed into sequence to a traditional Hispanic instrumental song.
“I have never learned this before,” said NW student Rosy Perez. “It was pretty fun. I will be joining next semester for sure.”
NE dance associate professor Amy Sleigh said Hernandez was excellent.
“It was very challenging rhythmically,” she said. “Rhythms are very rewarding to get to the body. What I like about folk dance, it lifts the spirit.”
Ballet Folklorico is typically danced in colorful traditional costumes reflecting the regions of Mexico. The ballet choreography and musical pieces reflect various regions and folk music genres from Mexico.
Girls often start learning the dance as early as 2 years old.
Student Desirae Lopez took the trial class.
“I learned that it is very hard-working,” she said. “A lot on your heels than you do in regular dancing, a different experience, different culture.”
The Ballet Folklorico class was a preview for those interested in the traditional and multicultural style of dance.
The course will be offered in the spring taught by Hernandez, who was a member of Ballet Folklorico Hispano de Dallas from 1985-1991 and the founder, artistic director and choreographer for Grupo Folklorico Lindo in Dallas.
