Fluorescent spotlights beamed on the stage, highlighting the intricate patterns and vibrant colors of the dancers’ costumes. The long, radiant dresses flowed to the dancers’ heels, which tapped rhythmically to the beat of the Mexican folkloric music. They grasped the hems of their colorful dresses as they gracefully spun across the stage, creating swift swirling effects that mesmerized the audience. They danced as one, their movements blending in synchronicity as they passionately celebrated their culture with the crowd.
On November 21, Austin High School’s Ballet Folklorico performed in Bowie’s theater for a crowd of students in advanced Spanish classes and the Spanish Honor Society. Ballet Folklorico is a traditional Mexican folk dance featuring lively music and colorful clothing to share their heritage and celebrate Mexican culture. Erika Mitchell, the Spanish teacher at Bowie and sponsor of Spanish Honor Society, coordinated the event with Austin High School. She wanted her students to enjoy a special performance and have the opportunity to be immersed in Hispanic culture the day before Thanksgiving Break.
“A Ballet Folklorico live performance brings Spanish to life and students are not just studying the language, they are living it,” Mitchell said. “It deepens cultural understanding, connects history to traditions, and builds authentic communication in a real and memorable way.”
The Ballet Folklorico performance was primarily attended by students in advanced Spanish classes and the Spanish Honor Society, but students in other languages and lower levels of Spanish were also welcome to attend. The performance featured dances from three different regions of Mexico, including Hidalgo Huasteco, Zacatecas, and Jalisco. Spanish Honor Society presidents, seniors Sara Lenahan and Ava Lee, looked forward to being immersed in Hispanic culture through dancing and music.
“I’m most excited to see the dancers expressing their heritage and sharing their culture,” Lee said. “I think that in the Spanish Honor Society, we spend a lot of time learning the language and being taught about the Hispanic and Latino culture, but with the Ballet Folklorico, we are more immersed in the culture and getting first-hand experience.”
The ballet folklorico performance was primarily attended by students in advanced Spanish classes and the Spanish Honor Society, but students in other languages and lower levels of Spanish were also welcome to attend. This Ballet Folklorico show was Bowie’s fourth collaboration with other schools in the Austin school district to bring a culturally immersive performance onto campus. In past years, Bowie has hosted a Panamanian dance group, a mariachi band from Akins High School, and another AISD Mexican folkloric dance group.
“Having a different high school bringing and showing their traditions and cultures is just so amazing, and I’m so happy that we’re able to put it on this year,” Lenahan said.
The show was 30 minutes long and took place during flexible instruction time, so students would not have to miss other classes. Sophomore Addy Hampton attended the Ballet Folklorico and enjoyed watching the unique performances during school and learning more about Hispanic culture.
“I really loved all the designs on the dresses,” Hampton said. “They were very colorful and bright, and whenever the dancers twirled, the fabric would be very graceful and mesmerizing. The moment they went on stage, my attention was drawn to them.”
Austin High School charged a fee to showcase their performance at Bowie, which was paid for by parents and students in Mitchell’s advanced Spanish classes. Mitchell is thankful for the support of all parents and students, who helped raise $335 for the show. Mitchell also acknowledged the help and support of principal Mak Robinson, academic director Kaylin Brett, and assistant principal Crystal Keck.
“They have been extremely supportive these past four years, whenever we bring groups,” Mitchell said. “They are the first ones to be on board and very supportive of all these activities, and they just want the best for the Spanish learners.”
