The North Texas Ballet Folklórico Contest Showcases Student Dancers

Student Dancers Shine at The North Texas Ballet Folklórico Contest

Public and Private Schools from Ten Cities Participate in First In-Person Competition of its Kind in DFW

(DALLAS) – The nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center today announced the winners of The North Texas Ballet Folklórico Contest that took place Wednesday, February 8 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre. Over 300 K-12 students competed and performed for an energetic audience of fellow students, teachers, school administrators and parents. The beginning to advanced educational Ballet Folklórico programs were adjudicated and rated by professionals, and participating schools received the following awards:

The AMALIA HERNANDEZ AWARD went to the following schools that submitted three or more dances and received a superior rating on most criteria.
Creekview High School
Grand Prairie High School
Sam Houston High School
South Grand Prairie High School

The SILVIA LOZANO AWARD went to the following schools that submitted three or more dances and received an excellent rating on most criteria.
Bowie Fine Arts Academy
Lake Highlands High School
Pearce High School
Richardson High School
Sunset High School
Vivian Field Middle School
Young Women’s Leadership Academy High School
Young Women’s Leadership Academy Middle School

The ANITA N. MARTINEZ AWARD went to the following schools that submitted one or two dances and received an excellent rating on all criteria.
Molina High School
Rosemont International Language Preparatory Middle School
Ted Polk Middle School
W.E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy
Woodrow Wilson High School

The DIANA ELIZABETH GALLEGO AWARD went to the following schools that submitted one or more dances and received a developing rating for most criteria.
Cristo Rey Dallas Junior Varsity
Cristo Rey Dallas Varsity
Fannin Middle School
L.V. Stockard Middle School
W.H. Adamson High School

Best Solo went to Sam Houston High School.

Best Duet went to Creekview High School.

Best Small Ensemble went to Grand Prairie High School.

Best Large Ensemble went to South Grand Prairie High School.

Baile folklórico or ballet folklórico is a genre of dance that is a mix of traditional folk cultural forms. It is best recognized by its brightly colored costumes and twirling dresses. Different regions of Mexico and the Southwest United States have their own unique styles, and the genre has become a huge tradition in Texas.

The Center created The North Texas Ballet Folklórico Contest in collaboration with local dance educators as an online competition in 2022 to help public and private schools across Texas build and grow folkloric dance programs. The contest focuses on the technical, athletic and cultural artistic interpretation of Mexican folkloric dances and provides feedback to each group from an expert panel of judges. This is the first year the competition was held live at the Wyly Theatre. The online competition for schools who could not travel will be held on February 17.

The contest was designed and organized with the expertise and support of a group of seasoned dance educators from various school districts. The group was led by Leah Longoria Huggins of Sunset High School; Karla Hardaway of Creekview High School; and Daniel Negrete of Emmett J. Conrad High School. With their guidance, the competition was designed to model ratings and constructive feedback similar to UIL music, band, art and orchestra. Judges for this year’s competition included Ballet Folklórico experts Anastasia Flores, Gayle Armstrong and Daniel Alvarado.

The eight-hour live competition showcased students in seven solos, six duets, 30 small ensembles and 23 large ensembles competing in non-varsity and varsity classifications. Univision 23 news anchor Raul Solis Glez emceed the contest, and AT&T Performing Art Center’s resident company Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklórico performed prior to the award ceremony.

“The Center is honored to partner with dedicated dance educators to highlight the talents and commitment of young ballet folklórico dancers across Texas,” says AT&T Performing Arts Center CEO & President Warren Tranquada. “If the inspiring performances seen on the Wyly stage this week are any indication, the future of this important cultural artform is in great hands with this new generation of dancers.”

The Center congratulates all the students and teachers for their excellent work in the competition. For more information on The North Texas Ballet Folklórico Contest, please visit: https://www.attpac.org/education/student-programs/the-north-texas-ballet-folklorico-contest/

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Media Contact:
Aleira Martin
Publicity Manager
214.978.2822
aleira.martin@attpac.org