Ballet Folklorico Heritage invites community to learn their roots through music and dance

REXBURG — In a small studio just north of Rexburg, above a mechanic shop, a local nonprofit has seen significant growth after expanding to Idaho Falls with the goal of bringing community members closer to their roots through music and dance.

Ballet Folklorico Heritage launched on Sept. 15, 2025. It was created by two friends, Mariana Vitali and Claudia Galicia, who wanted to teach their children about their heritage and connections to Mexico.

Both women were born in Mexico City, Mexico and immigrated to the United States over 15 years ago. When they both started families, Vitali realized the best way to bring their culture to their children was through music.

“(My children) don’t speak Spanish, but I thought that speaking Spanish was the only way for them to really claim to be Mexican,” Vitali said. “But I was so wrong.”

Watching her 7-year-old son learning these traditional dances, Vitali said she could see him light up, and it was especially meaningful when her parents saw him perform.

“My parents actually got really emotional, and it was really special because they may not speak the same language as my children, but they see their roots so engraved in them when they danced,” Vitali said.

Galicia said that, for her, it’s important that children know where their family comes from, know their country and know the stories behind their traditions.

“I feel proud for them to just be proud of their heritage,” Galicia said.

A student in Ballet Folklorico, Ayli Hernandez, 11, told EastIdahoNews.com that she got involved with the group after asking her mom to teach her a traditional dance for a talent show at her school.

Her mother, Magali Hernandez, used to do folkloric dancing when she was younger, living in Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico. Magali said her daughter was hooked after one dance.

The dance Ayli learned from her mom was El Jarabe Tapatio, often known as the Mexican Hat Dance.

“I love that my daughter is learning about our culture,” Magali said. “Because I feel like our culture is like being lost in the mix, and so it’s very nice for her to be so young and still want to learn about the culture and not be embarrassed to put on the outfits (and do) the dances. I love it.”

Another student, Alma Higley, part of the teens and adults class, said she joined to learn more about her culture so she can help her 2-year-old son learn about the traditions as he grows up.

“I want him to know more about the culture. And I thought, why not start with myself, which is taking dancing lessons and just speaking more Spanish at home, and visiting my parents more often with him,” Higley said.

Even though she isn’t a huge fan of dancing, she said that it is a great opportunity to learn more about her culture and to meet new people.

New Perspectives

While Ballet Folklorico focused on teaching those about the cultures of Mexico, it has since grown to incorporate various other cultures around the world.

With the proximity to Brigham Young University-Idaho, Vitali said this has expanded the opportunities to learn from these students, as well as families living in the area.

“We just saw an opportunity. We have educators, native educators, that can come and teach us about where they’re from, and have it delivered authentically,” Vitali said.

Studying at BYU-Idaho, Alexandra Vizcarra, from Mexico City, Mexico, learned about the nonprofit while a student at the university.

With her dance experience, she began working with Vitalia and Galicia as the programs director of the Mexican dance group.

“I love the fact that we can connect people to more of their families and be more of a community, Vizcarra said.

Earlier this summer, the group held dance classes with Polynesian community members, and later this month, a series on Hispanic and Latino cultures will start as Hispanic Heritage Month begins.

Vitali said that in the Polynesian dance classes, they had only a few educators with direct roots in that area, the support given to them shows they are part of the larger community that want to learn more about them.

“You may be a small community, but you have a huge heart, and there are people here to celebrate you and your people with you,” Vitali said.

Expansion

Now, a few weeks into the expansion, Ballet Folklorico is at 235 Lomax Street in Idaho Falls, where about 20 people fill the former photography studio.

Vitali told EastIdahoNews.com that the expansion was needed because so many children and adults from the Idaho Falls area come to Rexburg.

The new Idaho Falls location will host classes once a week.

“Beyond dance, we want everybody to connect to their culture, and dancing is just the best entry point into our heritage,” Vitali said.

Ballet Folklorico is also hosting three free cultural workshops that will range from Native American, Samoan and American traditional dances. These will begin on Oct. 5 and a multicultural celebration will be held on Nov. 6 at the Romance Theater in Rexburg.

For those looking to join, the fee is $40 a month, and items for specific dances are provided, such as traditional skirts for the folkloric dances.

To learn more about Ballet Folkorico Heritage, visit balletfolkloricoheritage.org.