Annabelle Garcia recently arrived in America from Cuba speaking very little English and missing the family members she and her father left behind, but she quickly found a group of friends at Lake Highlands High School after joining a new dance group, Folklorico. Founded by LHHS teacher Suzanne McKown, Folklorico performs traditional Mexican folk dances at school and community events.
McKown, who has taught Wrangler prep and other dance classes at LHHS for years, began Folklorico as an after-school program in 2011. This is the first year Folklorico is offered as a class during the school day, and students receive a fine arts credit for graduation.
“I’ve always loved this type of dancing,” McKown told me, as I watched the students prepare for their performance at the Hispanic Parent Festival at Richardson High School on Saturday. “I’ve always loved the folk dances of countries, and I think that started with ballet, which was my beginning training, and which takes a lot of stories from folk dances.”
You can see a video of Saturday’s performance here.
Lake Highlands High, which is approximately one third Hispanic, is the only Richardson ISD school to have a Folklorico group, but McKown hopes her efforts to arrange frequent performances around the district will result in interest at other schools.
“We’re still a little new. I’m not sure the RISD administrators at the top level even know about us,” she joked.
McKown began Folklorico after taking a weeklong workshop through Dallas ISD. She continues to take classes, and she passes along what she learns to her students.
“The best part of dancing in Folklorico is the people I get to meet and the smiles I get to see when we perform,” said Beatriz Galvan, whose mom and dad were born in Mexico. “My parents are proud of me when they see me dance.”
Though Maria Rodriguez was born in San Luis Potosi, she admits she never learned traditional Mexican dancing until she came to Lake Highlands. “Folklorico is helping me learn about my culture,” Maria told me.
“I encourage my friends from all backgrounds to join,” said Christian Martinez, whose parents came to LH from Nuevo Laredo. “Right now, Wranglers is more popular, but I think once Folklorico gets more exposure, and when people see how much fun it is, more people will join.”
Karen Nunez, born in Oaxaca and the oldest sibling of her family, says Varsity Revue was one of the highlights of her school year.
“When we performed at VR before the whole student body, our friends loved it. They clapped and said we did great.”
“I often see the shy kid come out of his shell,” said McKown, “in fact I see that with all my dance – Wrangler prep, ballet, jazz – all dance.”
In addition to VR, Folklorico has danced at LHHS’ Senior Show, at DPD’s Chief on the Beat and at various elementary schools.
“The kids from other cultures have really enjoyed watching Folklorico perform,”McKown continued. “They’ve been very supportive, that was really cool. They love the costumes. There are different types of costumes based on what state of Mexico the dance comes from. What we’re trying to achieve to is purchase authentic costumes for each dance, but of course that takes money.”
If you’d like to make a donation or arrange for Folklorico to perform at your event or for your group, you may call McKown at the school at 469-593-1144 or email her at Suzanne.mckown@risd.org.
“This has renewed my passion for dance,” said McKown. ”I’ve danced a long time out of my 62 years – about 58 of those years have involved dance, whether performing or taking class or teaching. Having traveled to Mexico several times and seen Folklorico done there, then having an opportunity to take a weeklong workshop, I just got really excited about this opportunity, and I thought this is what our kids need at Lake Highlands High School. I want LH to see what we have right here in our own community. We’re all neighbors and we’re all globally connected. This is another way to share that.
