Dance group helps children learn Hispanic heritage

A youth dance group known as Folklorico de Guadalupe has been dancing since the beginning of 2016. 
Instructor Luis Alaniz has performed folkloric dance since he was 14 and decided to organize the group to keep the Hispanic heritage of folkliroco dancing going. Folklorico dancing emphasize Hispanic folk culture with ballet characteristics
“It keeps the tradition going and we want to share that with others,” Alaniz said.
Alaniz, who began teaching dance in 2006,  said his passion for dancing began in 1986 as the student of the late Deacon Salome Barrera. He said Barrera, his parents and others at his church helped him and he wanted to the same for others.
“I appreciate everything they did for me,” Alaniz said. “I want to help these kids however I can.”
Alaniz said former student and current dance partner, Cinthia Solis, and former student, Jasmin Ashley, help with the group.
Solis, a kindergarten teacher at Snyder Primary School, danced with a group from 2002-06, and continued dancing with Alaniz until 2008.
She moved to Lubbock, but always promised Alaniz she would move back to Snyder to help him start a dance group.
“I promised him I’d come back and help him, because it’s kind of a big job,” Solis said.
She said she believes offering folkloric dancing is important for the Hispanic culture. The music almost always is accompanied by traditional Mexican mariachis. The costumes include colors of the region in which the dancers are from.
“(It is about) us teaching our children where our culture came from,” Solis said. “It’s time-consuming. You have to be committed. Parent involvement is very important. It’s another extracurricular activity our kids can do where it teaches our culture and there is not so much of that here in Snyder.”
Both Alaniz and Solis said a lot of preparation goes into performances. They said parent involvement is important because hair, makeup and outfit changes are a big part of the final performance.
Alaniz said his children, who are seven and 10 years old, also dance.
“I’m glad I don’t have to force them to dance and they enjoy it,” Alaniz said. “I want them to have the Hispanic culture.”
Members range in age from four to 16 years old. They are Mishei Medina, Isaac Aguirre, Jaklyn Ramiro, Alexxus Alaniz, Xavier Alaniz, Marlyn Dominguez, Jatzil Juarez and Joshua Herrera.
Ramiro, 13, said this is the first time she has learned to dance.
“It looked like fun when (my) older sister, Jasmin, danced,”  Ramiro said, “We also get to perform for our community. I enjoy performing in front of people and I get to dress up and wear makeup. I can be myself when I’m dancing and it will teach me how not to be shy.”
She said learning new dance steps is hard and is happy to be learning more about her heritage.
“I can learn more about my Spanish heritage,” she said. “The best part is that I get to dance with my cousins and my brother and sister and also I get to make new friends.”
The group, which will be part of tonight’s Snyder Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade, has been practicing and performing Jalisco dances, in which girls wear colorful dresses and the boys wear charro suits and sombreros.
Alaniz said he plans to teach students other forms of folkorico dances in the future.
Alaniz said the group will begin accepting new dancers in January. He said anyone four years old to high school age may join. Email at luisupholstery21@yahoo.com.
The group plans to host fundraisers in the future to purchase costumes and shoes. Alaniz said he plans to host a dance camp in July featuring instructor Omar Alarcon of Mexico. 
Alaniz said he is also thinking of beginning an adult dance group featuring partners.
“It’s a good workout and even can entertain a little,” Alaniz said.