About CaliDanza
Preserving tradition. Empowering community. Dancing our culture forward.
Calidanza Dance Company is a Sacramento-based folklórico organization dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the rich traditions of Mexican dance. Through performance, education, and community engagement, we bring the stories, rhythms, and history of Mexico to life—one step at a time.
Founded on a deep love for culture and community, Calidanza is more than a dance company. We are a family of dancers, educators, artists, and supporters committed to honoring our roots while creating space for the next generation to learn, grow, and express themselves through movement.
Meet The CaliDanza Staff
Behind every performance is a dedicated team working with care, creativity, and purpose. Our staff supports Calidanza’s mission through leadership, instruction, coordination, and community outreach—ensuring that each dancer has the guidance and resources needed to grow both artistically and personally.
Founder
Executive/Artistic Director
Steven Valencia
Steven Valencia is the founder and Artistic Director of Calidanza, established in 2013. An award-winning director with over two decades of experience, he has been creating, commissioning, and producing professional choreography since 2005 and serving as an artistic director since 1998. Steven is also an accomplished grant writer and arts administrator, dedicated to advancing the arts and supporting creative innovation.
Through bold productions and visionary leadership, he continues to shape and inspire the folklórico dance community.
After School Coordinator
Academy Instructor
Rosario Rosas
Rosario has been dancing with various groups and companies since 1996 and brings a deep commitment to education and cultural preservation. In 2015, she completed a Diplomado en Didáctica de las Artes through SEP and ANMPA, culminating in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. Since 2018, Rosario has been teaching Folklórico, sharing her knowledge and passion with the next generation of dancers.
Her work reflects both technical excellence and a strong dedication to community-based arts education.
Academy Director
Company Assistant Director / Dance Instructor
Megan Benitez
Megan has danced with multiple groups and companies since 2003 and has been teaching Folklórico since 2018 in Sacramento and Southern California. She fulfilled a lifelong dream by performing in the Disneyland Parade celebrating 100 years of Disney and the 10th anniversary of Viva Navidad. Megan has trained with renowned companies including Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández and México de Colores.
She currently serves as Assistant Director of the Calidanza Performing Company and Director of Calidanza’s Academy, mentoring emerging dancers.
Meet The Instructors
Our dancers are the heart of Calidanza. Each brings their own passion, discipline, and story to the stage, united by a shared love for Mexican folklórico and cultural expression. Together, they carry tradition forward while creating powerful, joyful performances rooted in community.
Josué Sánchez
Dance Instructor
​​
Josué Sánchez has over 20 years of experience dancing with groups such as Nube de Oro and Calidanza. He brings five years of teaching experience and especially enjoys sharing the vibrant folklórico styles of Baja California and Sinaloa. Josué holds a bachelor’s degree in Dance and is deeply passionate about preserving and promoting folklórico through both performance and education.
Fatima Gutierrez-Ramirez
Dance Instructor​
​
Fátima Gutierrez-Ramírez began dancing folklórico over ten years ago with multiple groups throughout the Bay Area. She began teaching in 2021 and enjoys sharing the energetic and expressive rhythms of Sinaloa. Fátima currently studies at UC Davis and is working toward earning her teaching credentials, combining her love of education with a deep passion for folklórico performance.
Alejandro Murguia
Dance Instructor​​
​
Alejandro is an alumnus of the Calidanza afterschool program, where he participated for two years and served as co-president of the folklórico club at his high school. He is also a member of the Calidanza Dance Company and enjoys continuing his growth as both a dancer and instructor. His favorite region to teach is Jalisco, and is passionate about sharing folklórico with the youth.
Saira Ruelas
Dance Instructor​
​
Saira Ruelas has danced folklórico for six years with Grupo Cali and brings two years of teaching experience across all dancer levels. Her favorite regions to teach are Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Chihuahua. Saira is passionate about continuing to learn new techniques and regional styles while sharing her love of folklórico with students through movement, discipline, and cultural pride.
Larisa Rosales
Dance Instructor
​​
Larisa Rosales began dancing folklórico eight years ago with Nuevo Amanecer and later continued training with other groups. She is also an alumna of the Calidanza afterschool program and has been teaching with Calidanza since 2023. Larisa’s favorite region to teach is Sinaloa, and she enjoys helping students develop strong technique while connecting deeply with cultural tradition.
Saira Ruelas
Dance Instructor​
​
Saira Ruelas has danced folklórico for six years with Grupo Cali and brings two years of teaching experience across all dancer levels. Her favorite regions to teach are Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Chihuahua. Saira is passionate about continuing to learn new techniques and regional styles while sharing her love of folklórico with students through movement, discipline, and cultural pride.
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez
Dance Instructor​​
​
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez began dancing folklórico in 2014 with Maestra Janet of Nostalgias de México and has since danced with multiple groups throughout Sacramento. She enjoys teaching the energetic styles of Sinaloa and Nayarit Costa. Marjorie is passionate about sharing folklórico with her community and is excited to begin her journey as a dance instructor with Calidanza
Karen Angel
Dance Instructor​​
​
Karen has over a decade of experience as a folklórico dancer and instructor. She discovered her passion at Sacramento High School under the mentorship of Roxana Reyes and later danced with Danzantes del Alma at UC Davis while earning her bachelor’s degree. She has performed and taught children and adults with Raíces de Mi Tierra and Folklórico Latino de Woodland. She is excited to continue her journey as an artist instructor.
Larisa Rosales
Dance Instructor
​​
Larisa Rosales began dancing folklórico eight years ago with Nuevo Amanecer and later continued training with other groups. She is also an alumna of the Calidanza afterschool program and has been teaching with Calidanza since 2023. Larisa’s favorite region to teach is Sinaloa, and she enjoys helping students develop strong technique while connecting deeply with cultural tradition.
Saira Ruelas
Dance Instructor​
​
Saira Ruelas has danced folklórico for six years with Grupo Cali and brings two years of teaching experience across all dancer levels. Her favorite regions to teach are Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Chihuahua. Saira is passionate about continuing to learn new techniques and regional styles while sharing her love of folklórico with students through movement, discipline, and cultural pride.
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez
Dance Instructor​​
​
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez began dancing folklórico in 2014 with Maestra Janet of Nostalgias de México and has since danced with multiple groups throughout Sacramento. She enjoys teaching the energetic styles of Sinaloa and Nayarit Costa. Marjorie is passionate about sharing folklórico with her community and is excited to begin her journey as a dance instructor with Calidanza
Karen Angel
Dance Instructor​​
​
Karen has over a decade of experience as a folklórico dancer and instructor. She discovered her passion at Sacramento High School under the mentorship of Roxana Reyes and later danced with Danzantes del Alma at UC Davis while earning her bachelor’s degree. She has performed and taught children and adults with Raíces de Mi Tierra and Folklórico Latino de Woodland. She is excited to continue her journey as an artist instructor.
Larisa Rosales
Dance Instructor
​​
Larisa Rosales began dancing folklórico eight years ago with Nuevo Amanecer and later continued training with other groups. She is also an alumna of the Calidanza afterschool program and has been teaching with Calidanza since 2023. Larisa’s favorite region to teach is Sinaloa, and she enjoys helping students develop strong technique while connecting deeply with cultural tradition.
Saira Ruelas
Dance Instructor​
​
Saira Ruelas has danced folklórico for six years with Grupo Cali and brings two years of teaching experience across all dancer levels. Her favorite regions to teach are Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Chihuahua. Saira is passionate about continuing to learn new techniques and regional styles while sharing her love of folklórico with students through movement, discipline, and cultural pride.
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez
Dance Instructor​​
​
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez began dancing folklórico in 2014 with Maestra Janet of Nostalgias de México and has since danced with multiple groups throughout Sacramento. She enjoys teaching the energetic styles of Sinaloa and Nayarit Costa. Marjorie is passionate about sharing folklórico with her community and is excited to begin her journey as a dance instructor with Calidanza
Karen Angel
Dance Instructor​​
​
Karen has over a decade of experience as a folklórico dancer and instructor. She discovered her passion at Sacramento High School under the mentorship of Roxana Reyes and later danced with Danzantes del Alma at UC Davis while earning her bachelor’s degree. She has performed and taught children and adults with Raíces de Mi Tierra and Folklórico Latino de Woodland. She is excited to continue her journey as an artist instructor.
Meet The Dancers
Our dancers are the heart of Calidanza. Each brings their own passion, discipline, and story to the stage, united by a shared love for Mexican folklórico and cultural expression. Together, they carry tradition forward while creating powerful, joyful performances rooted in community.
Josué Sánchez
Dance Instructor
​​
Josué Sánchez has over 20 years of experience dancing with groups such as Nube de Oro and Calidanza. He brings five years of teaching experience and especially enjoys sharing the vibrant folklórico styles of Baja California and Sinaloa. Josué holds a bachelor’s degree in Dance and is deeply passionate about preserving and promoting folklórico through both performance and education.
Fatima Gutierrez-Ramirez
Dance Instructor​
​
Fátima Gutierrez-Ramírez began dancing folklórico over ten years ago with multiple groups throughout the Bay Area. She began teaching in 2021 and enjoys sharing the energetic and expressive rhythms of Sinaloa. Fátima currently studies at UC Davis and is working toward earning her teaching credentials, combining her love of education with a deep passion for folklórico performance.
Alejandro Murguia
Dance Instructor​​
​
Alejandro is an alumnus of the Calidanza afterschool program, where he participated for two years and served as co-president of the folklórico club at his high school. He is also a member of the Calidanza Dance Company and enjoys continuing his growth as both a dancer and instructor. His favorite region to teach is Jalisco, and is passionate about sharing folklórico with the youth.
Saira Ruelas
Dance Instructor​
​
Saira Ruelas has danced folklórico for six years with Grupo Cali and brings two years of teaching experience across all dancer levels. Her favorite regions to teach are Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Chihuahua. Saira is passionate about continuing to learn new techniques and regional styles while sharing her love of folklórico with students through movement, discipline, and cultural pride.
Larisa Rosales
Dance Instructor
​​
Larisa Rosales began dancing folklórico eight years ago with Nuevo Amanecer and later continued training with other groups. She is also an alumna of the Calidanza afterschool program and has been teaching with Calidanza since 2023. Larisa’s favorite region to teach is Sinaloa, and she enjoys helping students develop strong technique while connecting deeply with cultural tradition.
Saira Ruelas
Dance Instructor​
​
Saira Ruelas has danced folklórico for six years with Grupo Cali and brings two years of teaching experience across all dancer levels. Her favorite regions to teach are Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Chihuahua. Saira is passionate about continuing to learn new techniques and regional styles while sharing her love of folklórico with students through movement, discipline, and cultural pride.
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez
Dance Instructor​​
​
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez began dancing folklórico in 2014 with Maestra Janet of Nostalgias de México and has since danced with multiple groups throughout Sacramento. She enjoys teaching the energetic styles of Sinaloa and Nayarit Costa. Marjorie is passionate about sharing folklórico with her community and is excited to begin her journey as a dance instructor with Calidanza
Karen Angel
Dance Instructor​​
​
Karen has over a decade of experience as a folklórico dancer and instructor. She discovered her passion at Sacramento High School under the mentorship of Roxana Reyes and later danced with Danzantes del Alma at UC Davis while earning her bachelor’s degree. She has performed and taught children and adults with Raíces de Mi Tierra and Folklórico Latino de Woodland. She is excited to continue her journey as an artist instructor.
Larisa Rosales
Dance Instructor
​​
Larisa Rosales began dancing folklórico eight years ago with Nuevo Amanecer and later continued training with other groups. She is also an alumna of the Calidanza afterschool program and has been teaching with Calidanza since 2023. Larisa’s favorite region to teach is Sinaloa, and she enjoys helping students develop strong technique while connecting deeply with cultural tradition.
Saira Ruelas
Dance Instructor​
​
Saira Ruelas has danced folklórico for six years with Grupo Cali and brings two years of teaching experience across all dancer levels. Her favorite regions to teach are Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Chihuahua. Saira is passionate about continuing to learn new techniques and regional styles while sharing her love of folklórico with students through movement, discipline, and cultural pride.
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez
Dance Instructor​​
​
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez began dancing folklórico in 2014 with Maestra Janet of Nostalgias de México and has since danced with multiple groups throughout Sacramento. She enjoys teaching the energetic styles of Sinaloa and Nayarit Costa. Marjorie is passionate about sharing folklórico with her community and is excited to begin her journey as a dance instructor with Calidanza
Karen Angel
Dance Instructor​​
​
Karen has over a decade of experience as a folklórico dancer and instructor. She discovered her passion at Sacramento High School under the mentorship of Roxana Reyes and later danced with Danzantes del Alma at UC Davis while earning her bachelor’s degree. She has performed and taught children and adults with Raíces de Mi Tierra and Folklórico Latino de Woodland. She is excited to continue her journey as an artist instructor.
Larisa Rosales
Dance Instructor
​​
Larisa Rosales began dancing folklórico eight years ago with Nuevo Amanecer and later continued training with other groups. She is also an alumna of the Calidanza afterschool program and has been teaching with Calidanza since 2023. Larisa’s favorite region to teach is Sinaloa, and she enjoys helping students develop strong technique while connecting deeply with cultural tradition.
Saira Ruelas
Dance Instructor​
​
Saira Ruelas has danced folklórico for six years with Grupo Cali and brings two years of teaching experience across all dancer levels. Her favorite regions to teach are Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Chihuahua. Saira is passionate about continuing to learn new techniques and regional styles while sharing her love of folklórico with students through movement, discipline, and cultural pride.
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez
Dance Instructor​​
​
Marjorie Santana-Gonzalez began dancing folklórico in 2014 with Maestra Janet of Nostalgias de México and has since danced with multiple groups throughout Sacramento. She enjoys teaching the energetic styles of Sinaloa and Nayarit Costa. Marjorie is passionate about sharing folklórico with her community and is excited to begin her journey as a dance instructor with Calidanza
Karen Angel
Dance Instructor​​
​
Karen has over a decade of experience as a folklórico dancer and instructor. She discovered her passion at Sacramento High School under the mentorship of Roxana Reyes and later danced with Danzantes del Alma at UC Davis while earning her bachelor’s degree. She has performed and taught children and adults with Raíces de Mi Tierra and Folklórico Latino de Woodland. She is excited to continue her journey as an artist instructor.