20 Second Story
Why it all started
I was first introduced to the dance when two of my aunts started taking classes while they they were in high school. Growing up I saw them perform multiple times and every time I fell in love with it even more. To me this dance is a deeper connection to my heritage and a part of my identity. I know that for myself and many other Mexican-Americans, it is difficult to find one's true identity when there are two completely different worlds to be a part of. It was a huge struggle for me to understand that I didn't need to be just Mexican or just American, but that I could find my own perfect balance between both aspects of my life. Going into this assignment I knew I wanted to explore my culture and get more involved, so I decided to learn how to dance ballet folklórico. Not only will I be learning to dance, but will also be doing research on the side to learn about the history behind the different regional dances. My goal is to put on a performance at my school, Woodside Priory, towards the end of the school year to showcase my progress, share my culture, and take donations that will go to the dance program I am working with. Overall I hope to inspire kids, not just at my school but everywhere, to tap into their culture, find their identity, and be proud of their family background. Along the way I will be making updates on my progress through comments, pictures, and videos.