Sierra Park Elementary School Folklorico & Mariachi Cielo Nuevo
Sierra Park Elementary School Folklorico is a group of students ranging from 9 to 15 years of age, known for their excellent ability to perform the intricate footwork and skirtwork of Mexico’s traditional dances. The group won first place in the 2005 McMariachi & Folklorico Juvenil dance competition, earning a trip to perform in front of Governor Schwarzenegger. They have also performed at the REDCAT Theater and alongside Mexico City’s Los Folkloristas at the John Anson Ford Theatre in 2000.
Director Felix Salcedoeducates his students not only on the aesthetics of the Mexican regional dances, but also on the meaning behind each dance. Since 1984, he has taught Mexican dances in several elementary schools. In 1992, he founded the Sierra Park Elementary School Folklorico.
Mariachi Cielo Nuevo is a youth mariachi ensemble from Middleton Street Elementary School. The ensemble humbly began with the use of only discretionary funds and support from The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. Under the direction of Juan Cuevas, the ensemble currently boasts a repertoire of more than 50 songs and a performance history of more than 200 public appearances. In 2002, the ensemble was the only nonprofessional group invited to perform at the Latin Grammy’s Person of the Year Dinner at the Kodak Theater.
