El Centro de Folklor: Dance Studio

Lisette is the administrator for the First Five Grant. She is also the lead instructor for our Parent and Me 2 Class. She has a Bachelor's in Social Work from Fresno Pacific University and is currently working on her Master's Degree. 

Ramon Martínez is the instrutor of our Comeback Class and Middle School Class. Ramon has a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Spanish and a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing from Fresno Pacific University. 

Instructor of the Teen Class. Maribel has many years of experience as a dancer and now she is taking her knowledge of dance and teaching it to the next generation of folkloristas.  Maribel is currently working on her bachelor's of art degree in Business at Fresno Pacific University.

Hannah has been dancing at Centro de Folklor for seven years. She is the co-instrutor of the Folk 101. Hannah is a biology major at Fresno State University and is a dancer in our Comeback Class. She  has a strong work ethic and is both a team player and a leader. We are so lucky to have her be part of our team. 

Rory is one of our oringal dancers who started when she was in the sixth grade. Over the years she has developed as a dancer, but this year she decided to be part of the teaching team. She is currently attending Reedley College and is the co-instructor for our Primary Class. 

Criselda Padron-Benavidez has her B.A. in Child Development and works for Kings Canyon Unified School District. She leads our Parent and Me Class with the support of Fresno First 5 Grant. 

Helen is one of the newest members of our folklorico family. Helen is the co-instructor of he Primary Class and dances with the Comeback Class. We are fortunate to have such a prolific folklorista in our midst. Helen attends Reedley College. 

Veronica Cruz, known as Ms. Vero, is the assistant in the Parent and Me 1 Class. She has a heart for children and goes above and beyond to make sure each of them feel safe and seen. We are lucky to have her on our teaching staff.

Carmen Zárate has been with us since our second year. She is an outstanding dancer and she is developing her teaching skills every day. She is the assistant in the Middle School Class. 

Jenna is an assistant in our Juvenil Class. She is currently attending College of the Sequoias in Visalia and hopes to become a Special Education Teacher. 

Mia is one of our Junior Assistants. She is only in the eighth  grade, but already has an interest in being an instructor. She does a fantastic job preparing for the Parent and Me Class. She also dances with the Teen Class

Luis Campos has been dancing with Centro de Folklor since we opened in 2016. He is now in our Teen Class and he is a Junior Assistant in the Primary Class. 

Benny started dancing last year - and he is a natural. In addition to dancing in the Teen Class, he also assists in the Parent and Me Class. 

Oscar Hernandez did his undergrad and grad work at Fresno Pacific University. He is in his 31st year of teaching. He currently teaches 12th Grade English for Kings Canyon Unified. He is a life-long folklorista who's passion for teaching translates into guiding the next generation on pedagogy and curriculum design. He teaches th Beginning Intermediate Adult Class and co-leads the Primary Class. 

Cindy has been dancing at Centro de Folklor for five years. Cindy is assisting in the Primary Class. She is a Freshman at Selma High School.