Mission

Perpetuate and display the splendor of Mexicos traditional dance, music, dress and promote public awareness and appreciation of this rich cultural heritage.

Quetzalen
Quetzalen is a word created by the founders of the ballet. Its meaning comes from the quetzal, one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Mayan and Aztec cultures described the quetzal as a symbol of luminescence and life. This ancestral meaning, the wide range of colorful feathering, and the uniqueness of the bird were some of the characteristics that the founders agree represented the essence of the Mexican Folklorico Dance.

Meaning of

About quetzalen
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalen is dedicated to promote public awareness and appreciation of the art of Mexican Folklorico thoroughout the North Bay and surrounding areas. Mexican Ballet Folklorico Quetzalen was founded on May 2008 by Sonoma Valley High School students and by the members of Saint Francis Catholic Church Youth Group. As the group learned more about Mexican folklore, they felt the need to share their knowledge with younger generations. With this, the ballet that started as a student senior project, later was presented to the community as Sonomas first Mexican ballet folklorico. Ever since, the company has constantly moved forward reaching new levels of excellence. Two years in a row Quetzalen received the 1st Place in the General Category at the Sonomas 4th of July Parade. In 2012, Quetzalen was recipient of the Neighborhood Grants by Sonoma Foundation Sonoma County. Quetzalen is Sonomas official ballet folklorico for latin cultural events such as Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Independence Day and Da de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Quetzalen supports local schools, educational programs and non-profit organizations through special appearances and performances. Since 2010, Ballet Folklorico Quetzalen is under the direction of Juan Martinez, and it is open to anyone interested in learning the folkloric dances of Mexico.

Juan Martinez
Quetzalens Artistic Director
Juan Martinez was born in Autlan, Jalisco, Mexico. He started his dance career at a young age. Martinez attended the University of Guadalajara where he completed his dance and teaching education in stage direction, contemporary dance, classic ballet, and traditional folkloric dance. As a dancer, he joined some of the most famous ballet companies in Mexico such as the Ballet Folklorico del Ayuntamiento de Guadalajara and Ballet Folklorico of the University of Guadalajara. In 2001, he began teaching in the United States at Mexico Danza, a folk ballet company based in Hayward California. Since 2010, he has handled the artistic direction of Sonomas Mexican Ballet Folklorico Quetzalen.

Organizational Structure
JUAN MARTINEZ ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BOARD &

QUETZALEN

COMMITTEES

STUDENTS

STUDENT PARENTS

Courses and Classes

WE OFFER THREE COURSES PER YEAR: 1ST COURSE JAN-APRIL 2ND COURSE MAY-AUG 3RD COURSE SEP-DEC

6 ON-GOING CLASSES 3 BEGINNER CLASSES CLASS AGES: CHILDREN: 4-9 | TEENS: 10-14 | 3 ADVANCED CLASSES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT & ADULTS: 15 AND OVER

EACH CLASS HAVE TWO REHEARSALS PER WEEK - 1 HOUR AND 15 MINUTES EACH REHEARSAL BEGINNER CLASSES WORK ON SHORT TERM DANCE PROJECTS EACH CLASS HAVE A RECITAL AT THE END OF THE ON-GOING COURSE ADVANCED CLASSES WORK ON LONG TERM DANCE PROJECTS ADVANCED CLASSES REPRESENT THE COMPANY IN PUBLIC PERFOMANCES

Program

Children Company

Dance program / Tracklist: Dzidzantun Fiesta del Pueblo Las Mujeres Que Se Pintan El Chinito Coi Coi

Children Company

Dance program / Tracklist: Los Machetes Las Alazanas El Jarabe Tapatio

Youth Company

Dance program / Tracklist: Las Chiapanecas El Gallito Ecos de Grijalba El Alcaraban Palenque

Youth Company

Dance program / Tracklist: El Calambre Las Cotorras Cafe Colon

Adult Company

Dance program / Tracklist: La Bruja El Colas Aguanieves La Bamba El Jarabe Loco

Adult Company

Dance program / Tracklist: China a Bravo Los Guajolotitos Pavido Navido El Circo Picame Tarantula

Adult Company

Dance program / Tracklist: Tranchete Son de la Negra Jarabe Tapatio/Diana El Autlense

Special & On-Going Performances

Martin Vineyards LLC Robledo Family Winery Paradise Ridge Winery Cournerstone Gardens Wells Fargo for the Arts Sonoma State University Santa Rosa Junior College Sonoma Valley High School Adele Harrison Middle School Dunbar Elementary School Flowery Elementary School Park Side Elementary School Woodland Charter School Sonoma Charter School Sonoma Valley Teen Services La Luz Bilingual Center Nuestra Voz Sonoma Community Center CommonBond Foundation Community Foundation Sonoma County Sonoma Valley Unified School District MECha of Sonoma County California Mini-Corps Sonoma County Fair Earth Day Celebration Tamale Cook-off Festival Roseland Cinco de Mayo Festival Mexican Indepence Day Celebration Binational Health Week Fair Dia de los Muertos Celebration Redwood Empire Estate Planning Council Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors

Workshops & Other Programs

Quetzalen Club, is a free dance program for High School students. In this club, High School students have the opportunity to develop physical, academic, artistic, and social skills including: poise in front of public, standards of excellence, leadership, creative problem solving, team work, and cultural awareness.

La Bamba

A workshop where students interact with dancers and are introduced to La Bamba, the original dance from the region of Veracruz, Mexico. Students learn the movements of this dance along with its history and the meaning of its traditional dress. The culmination of this workshop and cultural exchange brings together students and dancers in a performance full of energy.

Artistic Director: Juan Martinez Dance Company Manager Victor Ferrer Treasurer: Alejandra Fajardo Cesar Martinez Mexican Traditional Dress Design: Elias Roldan [Elias Designs] Noemi Lobato Wardrobe: Jeimi Arellano Coontributors: Angel Santoyo Antonio Valentine Carmen Farias

ADDRESS: PO Box 1195 Boyes Hot Springs CA 95416 EMAIL: quetzalenbfsonoma@gmail.com PHONE: 707.939.5704

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