ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET FOLKLÓRICO SANTA FE FACULTY
Francisco Nevarez, Folklórico Director
At the age of 14, Francisco became part of Compania de Danza Folklórica in Chihuahua, Mexico. From 1978 to 1990, under the direction of Leonor Avalos, he learned a large repertoire of traditional and popular Mexican dances, costume design, choreography, lighting and set design. In 1992, he founded and served as General Director and Choreographer for Mexico: Images and Traditions Folkloric Group for adults and children in the New York City metro area. He was also the Princeton University Ballet Folklórico Artistic Director from 2000 to 2002.
Renee Roybal-Windham, Teacher
A native New Mexican, Renee Roybal-Windham began her career in dance at the age of five, dancing with Los Matachines del El Rancho in her small community of El Rancho. In her teens she danced with Baile Espanola under the direction of Angela Miller, and Baila! Baila! under the direction of Israel Garcia. In 1995, she went on to study with Professor Martin Rodriguez and Bernadette Garcia y Rodriguez. In 2000, Renee started her own dance group, Baile Ilusion, delighting audiences throughout New Mexico with spectacular and colorful expressions of the authentic folklore of Mexico.