Children's Mexican Ballet Folklorico Class Begins Saturday

Texas A&M International University's Office of Continuing Education is offering two sessions of "Mexican Ballet Folklorico" classes for boys and girls in elementary, middle, and high school.

The classes will be held at the University in the Kinesiology/Convocation Building on Saturday mornings.

Class times for boys and girls are as follows: children ages 11 - 18 (middle and high school students in 6th - 12th grades) 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.; children ages 8 - 10 (4th - 5th grades) 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.; and children ages 5 - 7 (1st - 3rd grades) 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Session I classes will be held on Saturday mornings Jan. 29, Feb. 5, 12, 26, and Mar. 4.

Session II classes will be held on Saturday mornings Mar. 25, Apr. 1, 8, 15, and 29.

Tuition is $30 for each session or $50 for both sessions. Children do not need prior knowledge or background in Ballet Folklorico to enroll.

Classes will focus on dance principles to build strength, balance, posture, grace and discipline. All students will begin with "zapatedo" footwork basics before moving on to Mexican folkloric dance technique including correct skirt work, dance and performance techniques, and footwork for Mexican folk dances. Mexican culture, traditions, and customs will also be explored.

Girls may wear casual clothing to class, however a black leotard with white tights is preferred and a solid color Mexican Ballet Folklorico practice skirt is required. A skirt pattern is available upon request. Boys should wear comfortable clothing. A shoe with a heel is required.

Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia, Dance Director of the University's Ballet Folklorico group, and Associate Director of Student Development at A&M International, will conduct the classes. She was a member of a professional dance troupe, Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico de Tejas, in Austin from 1991 to 1995.

To register for the class or for more information, please call the University's Office of Continuing Education at 326-2700, or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 431. University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Additional information may also be obtained by email at contedu@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu