The platform
You hear the footwork before you see it
Every dance at the academy has footwork in it, and it is practiced on a wooden platform.
Dancers begin with the rhythm in their hands, move to their feet slowly and, once they have it, dance it to the music. Cirilo Farfán plays the guitar and the jarana at the Saturday rehearsals, so each group dances to live music.
A wooden platform in the main studio
Practice shoes first, then heeled shoes
Live music at the Saturday rehearsals
From north to south
The dances you learn
- Semillas and Retoños
Jalisco
The jarabe tapatío is the first complete dance of many groups. It is learned with the ribbon skirt, and the footwork grows with each session.
- Retoños and Juvenil
Veracruz
The sones jarochos call for heeled footwork and a fan in hand. The music keeps the beat, and the dancers answer it with their feet.
- Juvenil and Jóvenes
Chihuahua
Polkas and redovas are danced in pairs and in a ring, in boots, and teach dancers to keep time beside a partner.
- Jóvenes
Oaxaca
Sones and jarabes from the valleys and the isthmus, with embroidered huipiles, rebozos and soft steps that change from one son to the next.
- Jóvenes
Puebla
The jarabe poblano is danced in the china poblana dress and the rebozo, in a light step with many turns.
- Juvenil and Jóvenes
Tamaulipas
The huapango norteño and the polkas of the northeast are danced in hats and boots, with plenty of footwork.
See your dancer's dance
Pick a class from the schedule and come and try it.