Mina’ s work with Folklorico has proven her point. Her only requirements for newcomers are that they have a sense of direction in order to do the dance moves and that they are respectful to their parents and families. Kids of all skill levels are welcome to join and learn traditional dances from each Mexican state, including a young boy in a wheelchair named Antony, who always has a big smile when he’ s performing. Many parents have told Mina that their kids have been doing better in school since they started dancing, and she has seen the transformative effect of Folklorico firsthand.“ It takes a lot of courage to put on a dress and perform in front of people. It gives them a boost of confidence and when they’ re dancing they’ re so proud. They’ re like a different person on stage,” Mina said.
“ It gives them a boost of confidence, and when they’ re dancing they’ re so proud. They’ re like a different person on stage.”
— Mina Castaneda
In five years, this open-door policy has helped Folklorico skyrocket from just three students practicing on Mina’ s porch to a studio full of dozens of kids, a second-place award for best dance studio in Gilroy, and more dresses than Mina has closet space for.
Folklorico has become so popular that they were invited to perform at the 34th Hispanic Heritage Festival in Hawaii on October 10. Folklorico parents have spent months putting together gift baskets and selling tickets to help fund travel expenses for the 17 families and 23 dancers attending. be a good experience for our group, traveling out of our circle here,” Mina said.“ Some of these kids will never even get an opportunity to leave Santa Clara County, let alone go to Hawaii,” Jimmy added.
In addition to the two performances Folklorico will be doing, they will get to meet another dance group from Hawaii, teach them Folklorico dances, and learn something from Hawaii’ s culture in return. The group will also have an extra day after the festival to explore Hawaii and have fun.
Mina thinks the Hawaii performance could pave the way for more big trips in the future.“ When the group is performing, you never know who’ s there. Some might see us and think,‘ I like that. I want to bring that to my country,’” Mina said. In fact, much of Folklorico’ s popularity has come from a snowball effect of people seeing their performances and wanting them to perform for another event. Mina has heard of folklorico groups from Mexico traveling through Europe, introducing Mexican culture to places like Spain, France, and Portugal, and doesn’ t see why her own group can’ t do the same if given the right opportunity.
Ultimately, however, Mina and Jimmy just want the Hawaii trip to be a positive experience the kids will never forget. At a time when racial discrimination and injustice are at their peak, dancing Folklorico serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural ties. Each child isn’ t just learning dances; they are absorbing the rich tapestry of history, traditions, and values woven through each Mexican state. It reaffirms a sense of pride and connection to each other, at a time
Not only will this Hawaii trip be a new experience for Mina and Jimmy, who have never been there before, but it will be the biggest trip Folklorico has ever made.“ It’ s going to
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