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 holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Fresno Pacific University and a Master of Social Work degree from National University.  

Ramon Martínez is the instructor of our Comeback Class and Middle School Class. Ramon has a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Spanish, a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing from Fresno Pacific University, and is pinned as a Registered Nurse

Instructor of the Teen Class. Maribel has many years of experience as a dancer, and now she is sharing her knowledge of dance with the next generation of folkloristas. Maribel is currently working on her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business at Fresno Pacific University.

Hannah has been dancing at Centro de Folklor for seven years. She will be teaching our 4Year 5-year-olds in the Parent & Me Class. She 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 fortunate to have her as part of our team. 

Criselda Padron-Benavidez holds a B.A. in Child Development and works for the Kings Canyon Unified School District. She leads our Parent and Me Class with the support of the Fresno First 5 Grant. Both of her daughters also dance, one in the Parent and Me Class and the other in the Teen Class. 

Helen teaches our Juvenile 2 Class, where she prepares our young ladies with effective skirt movement, strong footwork, and a graceful style. She also dances with the Comeback Class. We are fortunate to have such a prolific folklorista in our midst. Helen attends Reedley College and plans to major in Liberal Studies with the ultimate goal of becoming a teacher. 

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.  Carmen also is a lead at Garfield Elementary Extended Learning Program. 

Jonathan "Jonny" Godinez is a Sophomore at Selma High School where he is involved in leadership and maintains 4.0. He assists in the Primary Class where he brings his experience and good nature to the learning environment. He also dances with the Teen Class. Jonny is now teaching in the extended learning program at Roosevelt Elementary.

Alexis Guzmán is a Sophomore at Selma High School where he also dances with Los Paisanos. Alexis dances with both the Teen Class and the Comeback Class. He is co-lead instructor at Garfield Elementary's Extended Learning Program. 

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. 

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 and dances with the Teen Class.