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Since 2003, Calpulli offers an array of programming to educators allowing access to the company’s expertise in Mexican traditional dance, music, garment-making, and culture. Programs include in-person and virtual lecture-demonstrations, workshops, and residencies. Calpulli’s arts-in-education programs add value to educational experiences by complimenting curriculum with arts-based interactive, engaging content.
Explore our list of services below which can be customized to meet your goals.
Calpulli shares Mexican folkloric dances with their unique costuming and rhythms from the company’s active repertoire. Talented dancers perform and a narrator explains historical and cultural backgrounds and leads fun, interactive workshops with audiences. Workshops include faldeo (skirt-work), footwork, and rhythmic exploration. The assembly can be tailored for all ages- from Pre-K to Universities- and can accommodate large venues.
Photo: High school students in Red Bank, NJ learn about "Dia de Muertos" at an assembly with live music.
Teaching Artists lead an interactive program in which dances are explored through movement. Dances are modified to the audiences' ability and often include the use of props. We discuss the cultural background of each dance, which can include “La bamba,” a 100-year old wedding dance from the state of Veracruz, and “El jarabe tapatio,” better-known as the Mexican hat dance, the national dance of Mexico. A workshop can accommodate as many as 30 individuals.
Professional development workshops are also available.
Calpulli has extensive experience with special-needs students.
Photo: Middle school students in Elizabeth, NJ participate in a workshop about Aztec dance.
Residencies are extended engagements with Calpulli Teaching Artists in which lessons in the classroom are complimented with dance curriculum. Classes meet for one or more sessions per week for several weeks culminating with a student performance.
Calpulli works closely with faculty to develop lesson plans and goals for the residency that include students, teachers, parents, and even the community. Calpulli is also able to provide professional costuming for student performances.
Photo: Elementary school students in New Rochelle, NY perform dance of the Quetzales at the conclusion of their residency.
Calpulli Musicians present the unique genres of music that inspire Mexican dance. All arts-in-education services by Calpulli are offered with the option of musicians performing live music. They can also be stand-alone programs with music and instrumentation as the focus.
Photo: Calpulli Musicians perform during a workshop at the Hudson River Festival in Manhattan.
Director of Arts In Education & Co-Founder Alberto Lopez Herrera designs and leads workshops and residencies sharing his skill in garment-making within the content of Mexican traditional dance.
Photos: Skirts designed and sewn by Mr. Lopez for Calpulli's repertoire.
For pre-professional artists, we offer master classes that provide training and new opportunities to grow in dance and music. Past hosts have included universities, ballet folklorico groups, and educational institutions including the National Dance Institute and the National Young Arts Foundation.
Photo: Students in the dance department and ballet folklorico at Humboldt State University take multi-day master classes with Calpulli.
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company offers Arts In Education (AIE) experiences in New York City and beyond. In the video below, students and teachers in Sussex County, Delaware speak about the impact of Calpulli's work. Director of AIE and Co-Founder Alberto Lopez Herrera with Teaching Artists and Dancers Yisel Xique and Christopher Cortez toured schools delivering performances in partnership with the Freeman Arts Pavilion.
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company Arts-In-Education Services Guide 2024-2025 (pdf)
DownloadArtistic Director & Co-Founder Alberto Lopez Herrera leads a workshop at the Museum of the City of New York.
All arts-in-education programs are available in English and Spanish
All arts-in-education programs can be offered to include the community and parents.
Teaching Artists are available to train educators on Mexican folk dance and music.
All programs can be modified for seniors to participate and enjoy. Calpulli has extensive experience with SU-CASA programs in NYC.
All arts-in-education programs can be offered afterschool and on weekends to provide enrichment and/ or training to students in dance and music.
We would love to hear them.
Teaching Artists with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company work continuously with special needs audiences and adapted-mobility participants. Our goal is to share our art form with as many people as possible, and we do all we can to make that happen.
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company is a registered vendor with the following:
It is able to contract directly via Parent's Associations and/ or purchase order process of any kind.
Teaching Artists with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company design programs with the NYC Department of Education Blueprint for Dance Learning, and it can incorporate any additional local and state learning standards into its lesson plans.
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company is a partner or roster artist with the following arts education presenters:
- Arts Horizons
- Brooklyn Public Library
- Brooklyn Arts Council
Teaching about the Day of the Dead? Share this Paper Flower Tutorial with your students!
For a complete high resolution study guide please email our Educational Projects Coordinator, Christina Fischer at cfischer@calpullidance.org
"Thanks for hosting such a brilliant assembly! I counted over 230 audiences logged in, and many others were participating from the classrooms. I hope they all enjoyed and carried the joyful moments to the weekend!
See you at the next great show!"
-Sio Man Lam, Flushing Town Hall
"Calpulli Mexican Dance Company provided an enthralling and educational performance at our museum site in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The group delivered an engaging program that combined dance with enriching educational context and audience participation. Steeped in authenticity and professionalism, Calpulli honored Hispanic and Latino culture of greater New York, and offered a performance our audience will never forget."
-Luke G. Boyd, Director of Education & Public Programs, Historic Richmond Town
"Recently, (my daughter) was selected as a semi-finalist for the Uniquely U Scholarship at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts...Wholeheartedly, we believe that this opportunity would not have been afforded to her without Calpulli's influence on her development as a dancer and student."
-Lenia, Calpulli Student Parent
"I want to say thank you for coming and teaching my students at Rocky Point Elementary in N.C.; as we were reviewing their favorite moments from the school year, learning the Mexican dances was at the top of their list!"
-Ms. Black, Rocky Point Elementary
"Working with the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company has been a wonderful experience for our students. As educators, we know that providing children the opportunity to participate in a performing art has countless benefits. Thanks to our residency with Calpulli hundreds of our students have enjoyed learning and showcasing their skills in the performing arts. We cannot say thank you enough for providing such a wonderful experience for our students."
-Danielle Lentini, PS89Q
"We are so thankful that we were able to have the presentation! Our families were blown away by the dancing, and they loved how interactive it was. Thank you very much."
- Christina Armstrong, Site Director for Prevention Links, Senior Center
"Our audience ranged from young to old today, and everyone was awed by the talent and skill of the dancers. Thank you for showcasing a beautiful aspect of Mexican culture for our community—we hope to have Calpulli perform at our branch again."
-Marisa Kuras, Children's Librarian
Brooklyn Public Library - Kings Highway Branch
"Thank you SO MUCH for the amazing presentation! You are so so so good at what you do and the kids were so amped to work with you!!!"
-Jaimie Warren
Co-Director, WHOOP DEE DOO
"Grisel and the entire dance company were just extraordinary. The performances, the costumes and the history behind each dance really enhanced the entire showcase. Please extend a huge thank you to everyone!"
-Sandy Riddle
Arts Education & Events Director, Monmouth Arts
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Calpulli Mexican Dance Company embraces and celebrates diversity in all its forms,
valuing every gender expression, race, and ability.
We welcome everyone and strive to create an inclusive space.