Ballet Folklorico is everywhere in Southern California, but Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles is doing something that feels fundamentally different. You’ve probably seen them. Maybe it was on the Oscars stage during the "Remember Me" performance from Coco, or perhaps you caught one of their viral music videos with the legends of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán.
They’re professional. That’s the first thing you notice. In a world where folklorico is often relegated to backyard parties or small community festivals—which are beautiful in their own right—this company treated the art form like high-level theater from day one. Founded in 2011 by Kareli Montoya, the group hasn't just preserved traditions; they’ve essentially modernized the "spectacle" of Mexican dance for a global audience.
It’s not just about the spinning dresses. Honestly, it’s about the precision. When you watch a standard group, the footwork (zapateado) might be a bit muddy. With BFLA, the sound is like a machine gun. Every heel strike is synchronized. That doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from a grueling rehearsal schedule and a director who saw a gap in the Los Angeles arts scene and decided to fill it with world-class talent.
The Kareli Montoya Vision: More Than Just a Dance School
Most people don't realize how young Kareli Montoya was when she started this. She was in her early twenties. Think about that for a second. While most people are just figuring out their first "real" job, she was busy building a professional dance company and an academy (Danza de los Angeles) to feed that company with fresh talent.
She grew up in the world of folklorico. She danced with the legendary Bobby de Castro. But she saw that there was a glass ceiling for dancers in the U.S. If you wanted to go pro, you usually had to go to Mexico and join the Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández. Kareli basically said, "Why can't we have that level of prestige right here in East L.A.?"
The academy is the backbone. It’s located in Whittier now, and it’s a powerhouse. They don’t just teach steps. They teach the history of the regions. You can’t dance Jalisco the same way you dance Veracruz. The posture is different. The "grito" is different. Even the way you hold your skirt—the "faldeo"—changes depending on the humidity and the soil of the Mexican state you’re representing.
Breaking the Disney Barrier
The turning point for Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles was undoubtedly their collaboration with Disney. When Coco became a cultural phenomenon, Disney needed a group that could represent the authenticity of the film on the biggest stages in the world. BFLA became the "go-to" ensemble.
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This wasn't just a gig. It was a validation. Seeing dancers in traditional Michoacán attire on the Academy Awards stage changed the trajectory of how folklorico is viewed in American pop culture. It moved it from "heritage act" to "A-list entertainment." They spent years performing at Disney California Adventure’s "Festival of Holidays," and if you’ve ever stood in that crowd, you know the energy is electric. People who have never been to Mexico are suddenly crying during a performance of "La Llorona." That’s the power of what they do.
The Technicality of the Zapateado
Let's talk about the shoes. Folklorico shoes are basically percussion instruments. They have tiny nails hammered into the heel and the toe. When a dancer from Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles hits the stage, they aren't just dancing; they're playing a drum solo with their feet.
The group is known for a very specific, crisp sound.
- Jalisco Style: This is the most famous. Think "Jarabe Tapatío" (the Mexican Hat Dance). It’s fast. It’s loud. The men wear charro suits and the women wear those massive, colorful ribbon dresses.
- Veracruz: This is more delicate. The outfits are all white. The footwork is intricate but lighter, influenced by Spanish flamenco and African rhythms.
- Sinaloa: This is the party. The music is "banda," and the movements are much more explosive and sensual.
BFLA mastered the transition between these styles. Most groups specialize in one or two. This company jumps from the militaristic precision of Northern states like Chihuahua to the tropical fluidity of the coast in a single set. It's exhausting just to watch.
Why Authenticity Matters in a Digital Age
We live in a time where everything is "fusion." You see folklorico mixed with hip-hop or ballet. And while BFLA does do modern collaborations—like their work with Pepe Aguilar or their performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic—they are surprisingly strict about the "roots."
If they are doing a piece from Nayarit, the machetes are real. The hats are authentic. The embroidery on the dresses is often sourced directly from artisans in Mexico. This matters because folklorico is a living history book. It was created after the Mexican Revolution to unify a fractured country through shared culture. When a group like Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles performs, they are carrying the weight of that history.
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There’s a common misconception that folklorico is just "folk dancing" for kids. BFLA proves it’s an athletic discipline. These dancers are athletes. They deal with shin splints, back issues, and the sheer cardiovascular demand of smiling while doing high-intensity cardio for two hours in a ten-pound dress.
The "Coco" Effect and Beyond
It’s impossible to talk about this group without mentioning the 90th Academy Awards. That night changed everything. When they shared the stage with Natalia Lafourcade and Gael García Bernal, they weren't just backup dancers. They were the visual centerpiece of a celebration of Mexican identity.
But what happens after the Oscars?
BFLA didn't just fade away. They leaned into digital media. Their YouTube channel is a masterclass in how to market traditional arts. They produce high-quality music videos that look like cinematic shorts. Their collaboration with Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar on "The Nightmare Before Christmas" medley is a perfect example. They took "This is Halloween" and turned it into a folklorico masterpiece. It was weird, it was bold, and it worked. It got millions of views because it wasn't what people expected.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Group
A lot of people think BFLA is a city-funded entity because of the name. It’s not. It’s a private company. They’ve had to fight for every bit of recognition they have. There’s no massive government subsidy like the national companies in Mexico City get.
Another misconception? That they only perform in L.A.
They tour. Extensively. They’ve taken Mexican culture to places where people have never seen a huapango. They are essentially cultural ambassadors, and they do it with a level of polish that rivals the Radio City Rockettes.
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Actionable Steps for Aspiring Dancers or Fans
If you're looking to engage with Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles or just the world of folklorico in general, don't just watch from afar. The community is surprisingly accessible if you know where to look.
1. Attend a Live Show at a Major Venue
Stop waiting for a free park performance. While those are great, you haven't seen BFLA until you've seen them at a venue like the Soraya in Northridge or the Hollywood Bowl. The lighting and acoustics change the experience entirely. You can feel the floor vibrate from the zapateado.
2. Audit a Class at the Academy
If you’re in the Southern California area, the Danza de los Angeles academy is where the magic happens. They offer classes for all ages. Even if you don't want to be a pro, taking a "folklorico fitness" class or a beginner adult class gives you a profound respect for the coordination required. It’s harder than it looks. Much harder.
3. Support the Artisans
When you see the elaborate costumes, remember that these are often handmade. If you're a fan of the aesthetic, look into the history of "bordados" (embroidery) from regions like Oaxaca or Puebla. Many of the dancers and directors in the BFLA orbit are experts in textile history.
4. Follow the Collaborations
BFLA is at its best when they work with others. Follow Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar. They are the musical counterparts to BFLA. When those two groups team up, it’s the gold standard of Mexican performing arts in the United States.
5. Understand the Regions
Before your next show, spend ten minutes on YouTube looking up the difference between "Son Jarocho" and "Son Jalisciense." Knowing the rhythm makes the performance ten times more enjoyable. You’ll start to hear the counter-rhythms in the feet that you missed before.
Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles has managed to do the impossible: stay relevant in a city that constantly chases the "new." They did it by being better, louder, and more colorful than everyone else. They turned a traditional dance into a powerhouse brand without losing the soul of the "pueblo." Whether they’re on a movie screen or a local stage, they remain the definitive voice of Mexican-American identity in motion.