BEAUMONT, Texas — Folkorico dancing has a rich history, dating back to ancient cultures including the Aztecs.
A Mexican woman named Amalia Hernández studied ballet in Europe and she combined ballet and folkorico dancing to bring it to the masses.
In Beaumont, the tradition continues in the garage of a west-end home, where Micaela Moreno is teaching ballet folkorico to the next generation. She's passing on the culture, through dance lessons.
Folkloric dance is a rich part of Mexican history. It's performed at weddings, quinceañera's and other celebrations.
"Ballet Folklorico in English just means folklore dance. The ballet part of it is actually from Amalia Hernández," said Moreno, who founded Alegria Latin Dance Studio.
Moreno has been teaching folklorico dance for 20 years.
"So we are ballet folklorico which is folklore dance from Mexico," Moreno said.
She says its footwork is full of rich history.
"Mexico has a variety of different states similar to the U.S. and each state has a very specific history. And those people have very specific things that they're known for. And so what we do is we bring those states and those traditions to our audience," said Moreno.
Alegria Latin Dance Studio, Moreno teaches 20 state dances.
"Those regions can be different. One will be known for leather making, one will be known for the beautiful flowers. One will be known for its food," Moreno said.
Dancers perform in over 50 costumes.
"So each state that we are performing their costume specific," said Moreno.
For sisters and dance students Catty and Jocelynne Martinez, annual trips to Mexico inspired them to learn how to dance.
"Seeing that it just inspired me like I can show other people what my culture is, and what it is about. And I can teach them about the dances in the dresses, everything," said Catty.
"Like I want to bring other people from other traditions, cultures like I want them to learn about our culture as well," said Jocelynne.
The sisters also perform with their dad.
"Well it's wonderful, like dancing with my dad. Cause he teaches me or I teach him," Jocelynne said.
"Dancing with our dad is just something very wonderful! Because when we go to dance in like different different places, many people, they like to see the three of us dancing together together, and he just brings them joy," Catty said.
The Martinez sisters inspired their cousin Janely Alvarez to start dancing too.
"I saw them and I really wanted to try it. So my mom signed me up," Alvarez said.
The tradition of folkloric dance is continuing to be passed down through generations.
"When I'm on stage and there's like kids in the audience that really likes it and really want to try it, that's how the generation keeps passing," said Alvarez.