TAMIU Ballet Folklórico Travel to Hawaii, Take Part in Cultural Celebration 

This June, 10 students and members of the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Ballet Folklórico program traveled to perform in Hawaii, where they took part in a week-long celebration of King Kamehameha Day performing traditional Mexican folkloric dances.

During their trip, students also experienced the Hawaiian culture and took part in several site-seeing excursions.   

Members of the TAMIU Ballet Folklórico include Amber González, Camila Morgado, Andrea Muñoz, Ana Gisela Pérez, Ana Rodríguez, Victoria Rodríguez, Jessica Salcido, Lovella Santos, Mireya Turrubiartes and Jocelyn Zamudio. University alumni also met and joined students, and included Juan Carlos Flores, Carolina Hinojosa and Erika Martínez.  

During their stay in Hawaii, members of the University’s Ballet Folklórico program performed at the Mauka Warriors Luau, where they danced traditional Mexican folkloric dances from Tamaulipas, Mexico, explained Nayeli López, Ballet Folklórico adjunct faculty member and Outreach and Precollege program manager. 

“The Luau had an audience of over 900 people in attendance who gathered to celebrate Polynesian culture with performances and cooking demonstrations. Our group was invited to perform to showcase the unification of both Mexican and Polynesian cultures. This was a cultural exchange for our students where they were able to witness Polynesian traditions and showcase our Mexican traditions,” said López.

Additionally, the University’s Ballet Folklórico program participated in the King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony and in the King Kamehameha Floral Parade where they wore their traditional Mexican folkloric attire and danced along the streets of Hawaii, walking approximately 6 miles. Members also took a Hula class and learned more about the Hawaiian style of dance and its traditions. 

During their stay at Hawaii, Ballet Folklórico members took part in a number of destination visits, including a hiking trip to Manoa Falls, surfing at Waikiki Beach, and a full island tour of O'ahu that included stopping to see the beautiful sites of Diamond Head Beach Park, Koko Head District Park, Sandy Beach Park, Waimanalo, Makapuu Beach Park, Nu'uanu Pali State Wayside, and Kualoa Regional Park.

“The O'ahu island tour also included interactives stops such as Macademia Nut Farm, where they were able to see and taste the wide range of nuts in Hawaii, and drink natural coconut water from coconuts. At Kuilima Farm, they were able to taste local natural fruits and vegetables. In Hale'iwa, they went snorkeling with sea turtles. At the last stop of the O'ahu island tour, they visited the DOLE plantation where they had the original dole whip and saw the vast array of pineapples, fruits, and vegetables that they grow at the plantation,” said López. 

Additional excursions included visits to Pearl Harbor and Kualoa Ranch.

“Overall, it was a great cultural experience for our students to perform in Hawaii. Not only did they expand their artistic skills, but they experienced different cultures, customs, and traditions,” López affirmed.

Students interested in joining the University's Ballet Folklórico program can participate in beginner, intermediate, and advanced Ballet Folklórico. No dance experience is required. 

For more information on the University’s Ballet Folklórico program, contact López via email at nayeli.lopez@tamiu.edu.

Registration for the Fall 2026 semester at TAMIU is now underway. Visit our dedicated Registration Hub at https://go.tamiu.edu/registration to learn more and register.

The first day of classes for the Fall 2026 semester is Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.

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