While in rainfall there is disorder and chaos, in the Denman Ballroom, footfalls of over a dozen dancers find order under choreography steeped in rich Mexican culture. Gentle rays of evening sunshine and warm pendant lights shine upon 17 dancers moving as one. Their stomps are steady and powerful like a resounding heartbeat. Bystanders get lost as the music gives way to the echoing steps of Ballet Folklórico de UT San Antonio.
Under the instruction of the Founder and Choreography Instructor of the Academy of Mexican Folk Dance, Sergio Martinez, Hispanic tradition and heritage are celebrated through rhythmic movement.
“This is not just eight counts this way, eight counts that way,” Martinez explains regarding the artistry behind Folklórico. “Every dance has a meaning, every dance has a ‘why’ and every dance was created by dance instructors who researched in the little towns in Mexico.
“Mexico has 31 states and in every state, there’s different costumes and different footwork for such state. The state you see the most is the state of Jalisco with the big, beautiful dresses that you see there in fiesta. But there’s 30 other states that each have their own dresses and their own costumes, their own traditions.”
Martinez volunteers his time to teach the students the history as well as the dances they perform. Experienced members, like Social Media Manager Zaria Wyche and Membership Coordinator Kaiya Phelps, lead the rehearsal by example.
Wyche and Phelps guide their peers in stunning fashion while donning purple and pink Jalisco skirts. They rehearse every step of “Las Mujeres que se Pintan” with remarkable power and grace, and the rest follow their lead. Skirts flow like water with every spin, heel flick and hand raise. Forceful stomps quickly give way to nearly silent steps, only to turn back again.
Phelps has an extensive background in multiple genres of dance. To her, dance has been a healthy outlet for a while.
“I’ve been dancing for most of my life now, and it’s really just a form of release for me. It helps me relieve some tension, gives me a place to just zone out [and] brings me some peace [of] mind. It’s where I can just be expressive, and it’s really helped me a lot in some rough places in my life.”
The Ballet Folklórico dancers go on to rehearse “Mi lindo Motul” and “Los Almudes.” Martinez introduces a tray with candles representing glasses of water for the class to practice balancing on their heads while dancing. They take turns showcasing incredible footwork across the ballroom for “Mi lindo Motul” and on top of a little wooden crate for “Los Almudes.” Martinez carefully examines each student’s form and posture, so their heads remain still while they perform.
Janoah Martinez, the son of S. Martinez, has been dancing folklórico for 11 years. He also helps to lead the novice dancers of the group, strengthening its sense of camaraderie and ensuring no one is left behind. Being one of three men in attendance, he shares his thoughts as to why that is.
“Most groups have an equal number of men and women, but I think it’s not exposed to a lot of people anymore,” J. Martinez said. “I think when men see men dancing, it gives them a little inspiration. That’s how I started. I’ve seen people dancing before, and I wanted to be a part of that. More women are definitely involved, but I think men should be inspired the same way.”
The rehearsal wraps up with one final run through of “Los Almudes.” Wyche is among the few whothat stay behind afterward. She reflects on how she felt during past performances held by Ballet Folklórico.
“I feel like people always cheer and have fun at our performances, especially our Dia en la Sombrilla one this last fiesta. It was probably the best crowd that we’ve ever had, so I think people really enjoyed just having fun with us,” she recalls. “I feel like we’re getting a lot more opportunities to really reach out into the community and really just bring life. ”
Ballet Folklórico meets every Monday and Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Denman Ballroom. Anyone is welcome to join, regardless of knowledge or skill level. With Día de los Muertos coming up on Nov. 1-2, Ballet Folklórico anticipates holding performances on and around campus. To find out more, follow the organization on Instagram @utsafolklorico.
