CALPULLI COMMUNITY

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company initiated its community-based program, Calpulli Community, in 2006 at the request of individuals who wanted to learn Mexican folklorico in NYC. The program, based initially in Queens, is focused on the folkloric dance and musical traditions of Mexico, incorporating lessons in history and fundamentals in dance and music. It emphasizes teamwork and dance as part of a healthy, active lifestyle. 

Calpulli Community operates year-round and serves a largely Mexican immigrant community. It complements arts-in-education services, which operate in schools all over NYC. Dance classes are segmented by age, from 5 to young adult, and include advanced training; our adult beginner class is open and accessible to various physical abilities. Music classes include classical guitar and button accordion for all ages, resulting in intergenerational learning and community building. 

Early in the program's history, Calpulli waived mandatory fees and converted to a donation-based model when we saw that dozens of families were not able to enroll their children due to their financial limitations. The Union Square Awards provided the initial investment that allowed the program to flourish under this model. Since then, the Calpulli Community operates based on voluntary donations for youth and at low cost for adults.

Calpulli Community offers over 10 different dance and music classes for children and adults in Queens (two locations including East Elmhurst Community School), Westchester County (New Rochelle Public Library), and New Jersey (Basie Center for the Arts), serving nearly 200 individuals every week. The program also operated in Staten Island from 2008 to 2018 but closed due to lack of dance space. 

Our most dedicated students are offered the opportunity for advanced instruction, weekly in Manhattan. They are encouraged to express interest to instructors directly, without prompting by parents. Young students have flourished in this model and perform publicly across NYC, gaining valuable stage experience. Some have been featured in performances by the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, namely as the student characters and dream dancers in Navidad: A Mexican-American Christmas, a story about a young Mexican American in NYC, which was created with feedback from community students. The principal dancer in the show is typically auditioned from advanced students. Many also go on to pursue advanced arts training, and we are proud to share that a total of five students from Calpulli Community now dance professionally with the Company. This is a fulfillment of our long time goal to nurture the cyclic relationship between artistry and community and a goal that will continue as a core of Calpulli Community.

Las clases comunitarias de danza y música son dirigidas por los artistas de Calpulli, y organizadas en lugares asociados en Queens, Red Bank (Nueva Jersey) y New Rochelle. El programa, que está disponible para personas de cualquier edad, se centra en danzas folclóricas y tradiciones musicales de México. La capacitación incorpora historia, fundamentos de la danza y música y trabajo en equipo, además de fomentar un estilo de vida activo y saludable. El programa funciona a través de la donación voluntaria con el fin de hacerlo posible para cualquier estrato social. Todos están invitados a esta experiencia artística única divertida, con movimiento, música y aprendizaje. ¡Sigue a la Comunidad Calpulli en Facebook e Instagram para obtener actualizaciones y más información sobre las clases!

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before class begins to register the new student

To prepare, please arrive with:

• a white T-shirt
• leggings or shorts (no jeans)
• hair swept up in a tight bun

Within each section below, along with schedules, you can find release and registrations forms for each program site. You can print, fill out, and bring the signed forms on your first day of class to expedite the process. The release forms are also available when you register through MindBody online.

Por favor lleguen por lo menos 15 minutos antes de la clase para inscribirse.

Para estar preparados, por favor traer:

• playera blanca
• pantalonera o shorts (no jeans)
• pelo en chongo

Dentro de cada sección a continuación, junto con los horarios, puede encontrar los formularios de liberación y registro para cada sitio del programa. Puede imprimir, completar y traer los formularios firmados en su primer día de clases para acelerar el proceso. Los formularios también se encuentran en línea al entrar a su cuenta de MindBody.