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educational programs in-person & online
lecture-demonstration/ assembly-style performance
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.
virtual assembly performance & Workshops
All of our arts-in-education services are offered online via virtual events. A live MC provides interactive narration via Calpulli’s Zoom, or your own platform. Via screen share, dancers perform distinct choreographies from various states and ethnic regions in Mexico. The assembly is suitable for all ages. See our virtual programming FAQ page for answers to frequently asked questions.
Learn more about Our Educational Journey to “Puebla: The Story of Cinco de Mayo,” Calpulli’s first entirely virtual assembly exploring the history of the Battle of Puebla through dance and music. The performance is also available in-person.
Photo: Students join an online workshop hosted on Calpulli's zoom.
instructional workshop about mexican dance
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.
dance residencies with calpulli
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.
virtual Residency
A virtual assembly is essentially the same as in-person residency only hosted online. Virtual classes meet over Zoom for one or more sessions per week for several weeks with the option for a culminating event. See our virtual programming FAQ page for answers to frequently asked questions.
Photo: Artistic Director & Co-Founder Alberto Lopez Herrera leads an online residency for students at Forest Hills High School in Queens, NY.
Live music
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.
Garment & Costume Making Workshops & residencies
Artistic Director & 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.
master classes
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.