We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cecilia Vasquez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cecilia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

We want to inspire a sense of cultural pride in our students, helping them connect with their roots, valuing the diversity of Mexico through dance.
We are an inclusive space that celebrates the diversity of Mexican cultural expressions, providing learning and performance opportunities to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started dancing Mexican folklore at the age of 15, and after that I never left.

When my family and I came to live in the United States, we needed to be able to continue with this discipline.

We found a suitable space and started giving classes, since then we have found on the way more people who have the need to feel in connection with their roots.

I feel that in addition to offering “Dance classes”, children, young people and adults who participate can learn about history, culture, practice Spanish, generate self-confidence and many other things.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Be honest, listen to the opinions of your work team and always be open to other points of view.

Be faithful to your principles, discipline and effort always bear fruit.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My business partner is my friend and choreographer Luis Olivas, who arrived a few months after having started classes, after working a few months together we agreed and began to divide tasks.

Luis is a dancer with a lot of experience and a great choreographer,

BF Xochihua has really grown a lot thanks to his contributions, I am very happy to have him as part of my team.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @xochihua_ballet
• Facebook: Ballet Folclórico Xochihua
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@balletfolcloricoxochihua?si=YVPT5WxkAHaeIaRe

Image Credits

@Tieradphoto