Photo courtesy Henry Huey
Photo courtesy Round Rock Ballet
Photo courtesy Round Rock Ballet
Photo courtesy Henry HueyOrganization teaches Mexican dance, culture
Since its founding in 1988, Round Rock Ballet Folklorico has had several homes—holding practices in parking lots and garages and under pavilions—but its mission to spread Mexican culture and history through dance has remained the same.
Founder and instructor Yolanda Sanchez began dancing while attending school in Mexico. She was later approached in 1986 to arrange a traditional Mexican dance performance as part of a fundraiser for St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock. Yolanda said after the fundraiser performance, she discovered a number of interested dancers.
"I had two initial members," Yolanda said. "By the time two months had gone by, we had another six people. [Our growth] came through the community. They wanted to know more about the [dances'] history and background."
Today, Round Rock Ballet Folklorico includes more than 130 dancers age 4 and older. Many members have been with the group for several years and have parents and children who also dance. Walter Guzman, who first started attending practices with his mother, has participated for more than 15 years.
