Corazón Folklórico Dance Company Wows the WIS Community

From Claudia Cárdenas, Chief of Staff: "On Thursday, October 3, both campuses welcomed members of the Corazón Folklórico Dance Company to celebrate el mes de la herencia hispana (Hispanic Heritage Month). Manuel Cuellar, Associate Professor of Latin American and Latinx studies at the George Washington University and instructor and performer at Corazón Folklórico, explained some of the history of the dances and what the audiences would be seeing."

"At the Primary School, Manuel taught students about fandango jarocho, a communal celebration from Veracruz, Mexico. He discussed how influences from Spain and Africa can be seen in these fandangos through choreography, instruments, and costumes. Dancers showcased traditional costumes from Veracruz and performed songs while students clapped and shouted along!"

"At Tregaron, Manuel led Middle and Upper School students on a dancing tour of Mexico, discussing the development of Mexican National Identity through dance. He shared with students that "llevamos la historia en nuestros cuerpos" (we carry history in our bodies). Students were able to witness this historia in four performances from Guerrero, Veracruz, Nuevo Leon, and Jalisco, learning about Afro-Indigenous, Czech, Polish, and German influences that made up different parts from these regions. ¡Viva México!"

We are so grateful to the Corazón Folklórico Dance Company dancers—especially Chief of Staff Claudia Cárdenas—for sharing their many talents and this important history with our community.