Folklórico Nacional Mexicano (Juvenil), est. 1987
San Jose, CA
San Jose, CA
"Folklórico: a heritage in motion"
Based in San Jose, CA, The FNM Juniors are a group of young people age 10-18 training in and performing traditional dances of Mexico (ballet folklórico). We are dedicated to celebrating Mexican culture and history and sharing this with our community. FNMJ works to build self-pride in its young dancers as well as pride in one's heritage that will last a lifetime. Our commitment to community service through performance stems from a desire to display our pride and encourage others to do the same.
When Founding Director, Elena E. Robles, retired as a professional choreographer and instructor, she left the directorship of Los Lupeños de San Jose in 1987 and started the community dance company Folklórico Nacional Mexicano de Elena Robles and its academy of dance, El Grito de la Cultura, to insure that there was a community outlet for her years of research and training in Mexican regional dances. Folklórico Nacional Mexicano de Elena Robles soon became known as FNM, and after 10 years became primarily a teen, rather than an adult, company.
The academy, El Grito, thrives to this day, with well over 75 continuing members from ages 4 to adult.
Ms. Elena, as her students call her, is the primary instructor for all ages. Maestro Raul Herrera of Mexico City also teaches the adult class and there are periodic guest instructors as well.
Some annual performance events that are open to the public include Día de los tres Reyes Magos, several Fiestas Patrias, Santa Clara County Parks’ Family Fandango, Children Discovery Museum Lunadas, the San Jose International Mariachi Festival, Días de Muertos, the Peace Fair, and Las Posadas del Pueblo. Other highlight performances include “Dancing in the Park” in the San Francisco Golden Gate Park for National Dance Day, the Binational Health Week Fair, and the NASA/AMES holiday celebration. The company is also contracted for appearances for fundraisers, schools, non-profit organizations, Senior Centers, festivals, county fairs, weddings, and similar occasions.
FNM develops and presents dance suites that are typically centered on a regional style relative to a particular period of Mexican history as well as of a societal class of that time. Performers are not only taught the dances, but learn about the cultural nuances, history, costuming, music, traditions and staging. They may also learn the movement essentials of a particular dance style (rather than just choreography) if that is part of its character, so that they can accurately interpret and dance to a particular piece of traditional folk music.
There exists some modality of modernization and theatricalization of each piece for purposes of entertainment with a modern audience, but the performers learn how to individualize and personalize these adaptations so that presentations have emotion and popular appeal. This is sort of like a jazz piece where individual instruments can be played outside a rigid melody and yet retain authenticity and a recognizable song.
Performances are considered community service appearances. Therefore, children can sign up for the ones they want. Every child who learns at least one dance and has a costume, can perform.
When Founding Director, Elena E. Robles, retired as a professional choreographer and instructor, she left the directorship of Los Lupeños de San Jose in 1987 and started the community dance company Folklórico Nacional Mexicano de Elena Robles and its academy of dance, El Grito de la Cultura, to insure that there was a community outlet for her years of research and training in Mexican regional dances. Folklórico Nacional Mexicano de Elena Robles soon became known as FNM, and after 10 years became primarily a teen, rather than an adult, company.
The academy, El Grito, thrives to this day, with well over 75 continuing members from ages 4 to adult.
Ms. Elena, as her students call her, is the primary instructor for all ages. Maestro Raul Herrera of Mexico City also teaches the adult class and there are periodic guest instructors as well.
Some annual performance events that are open to the public include Día de los tres Reyes Magos, several Fiestas Patrias, Santa Clara County Parks’ Family Fandango, Children Discovery Museum Lunadas, the San Jose International Mariachi Festival, Días de Muertos, the Peace Fair, and Las Posadas del Pueblo. Other highlight performances include “Dancing in the Park” in the San Francisco Golden Gate Park for National Dance Day, the Binational Health Week Fair, and the NASA/AMES holiday celebration. The company is also contracted for appearances for fundraisers, schools, non-profit organizations, Senior Centers, festivals, county fairs, weddings, and similar occasions.
FNM develops and presents dance suites that are typically centered on a regional style relative to a particular period of Mexican history as well as of a societal class of that time. Performers are not only taught the dances, but learn about the cultural nuances, history, costuming, music, traditions and staging. They may also learn the movement essentials of a particular dance style (rather than just choreography) if that is part of its character, so that they can accurately interpret and dance to a particular piece of traditional folk music.
There exists some modality of modernization and theatricalization of each piece for purposes of entertainment with a modern audience, but the performers learn how to individualize and personalize these adaptations so that presentations have emotion and popular appeal. This is sort of like a jazz piece where individual instruments can be played outside a rigid melody and yet retain authenticity and a recognizable song.
Performances are considered community service appearances. Therefore, children can sign up for the ones they want. Every child who learns at least one dance and has a costume, can perform.