BALLET FOLKLÓRICO IMPERIAL
About Us
"Somos Imperial" - We are Imperial
Located in Santa Maria, California and founded in 2022, Ballet Folklórico Imperial was created to provide an avenue for traditional Mexican folk dance amongst high school graduates and adult enthusiasts across all ages. Serving as a non-profit, the mission of Imperial is to enrich the community by preserving and showcasing the diversity and heritage of Mexico through dance classes, workshops, and performances; as well as developing integrity and respect amongst its members while sharing our passion for folklorico to the community.
Meet The Team
Aaron began his folklorico education in 1995 at Righetti High School and later continued his dance education at Allan Hancock College. Practicing styles in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, and Folklorico, he also choreographed for mainshow showcases, including Disneyland Summer Showcases. Being a dancer and choreographer with over 30 years of experience, he also assumes leadership roles at the Elks Lodge Organization and is currently in the the Exalted Ruler position.
Aaron Castellanos
Chair of the Board
Luis began his first folklórico education in 2002 at Righetti High School under the instruction of Ricardo Gabaldón, Sr. and has been dancing now for over 20 years. He has choreographed and performed for many ¡Folklórico! productions since 2007, as well as for Dance Spectrum and Dimensions in Dance for Allan Hancock College. He has also performed for the LA Lakers and LA Sparks half-time shows in the Staples Center, as well as in a television segment for Univision’s Despierta America under the direction of Alicia Mendibles of Paso de Oro Dance Company. Continuing his folklorico education, he is currently a member of the Asociación Nacional de Grupos Folklóricos (ANGF) and Centro Mexicano de la Danza Organization in Mexico.
Luis Lopez
President/Artistic Director
Stacey began her folklorico education in 1993 at Righetti High School and later continued his dance education at Allan Hancock College. Excelling in choreography, she choreographed for mainshow showcases, including Folklorico and Fiesta Mexicana productions. Being a dancer and choreographer with over 30 years of experience, she has also performed for the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival.
Stacey Garcia
Vice-President
Marivel Lozano
Secretary
Marivel Lozano started her dance education at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, CA and has continued as a dancer and/or choreographer since 2003. She has studied several styles including ballet folklorico, classical ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, hip hop, tap, flamenco, latin styles, and bollywood. She has been teaching dance for children since 2010 and says “above all, I love ballet folklorico because I am very proud of my heritage and through music and dance I am able to share it with the world.” Lozano has directed a couple of dance groups for the past six years, including the group which she founded and is currently directing since 2018, Ballet Folklórico Corazón de la Costa. Lozano also teaches other styles including classical ballet, tap, hip hop, contemporary, etc at KleinDance Arts in Santa Maria, CA. Besides dance, Lozano also teaches Spanish through the World Languages and Cultures Department at Cal Poly SLO.
Chavela Matias
Treasurer
Chavela Matias-Lopez was born and raised in Santa Maria, California and has been involved with Folklorico since 2008. Upon graduation, she continued her love for Folklorico at Allan Hancock College by taking dance classes and participating in different performances throughout the years she attended. Chavela attended a national Folklorico conference in 2015. Having graduated from Allan Hancock College with an Associates in Criminal Justice Chavela decided to leave to Mexico in search of experiencing Folklorico from the state of Jalisco, Oaxaca and Veracruz. Chavela came back and choreographed for Allan Hancock College but once Ballet Folklorico Imperial was formed she decided to form part of this group and remains with us today. Chavela is a dancer, choreographer and assists with marketing at Ballet Folklorico Imperial. She also holds the position of Director for the Pioneer Valley High School Ballet Folklorico.
Instructors/Choreographers
Jackie Lopez
Instructor/Choreographer
Juan Antonio
Choreographer
Marco Lucatero
Choreographer