Meet Calidanza
Founder
Executive/Artistic Director
Steven Valencia
Steven started dancing in the late 1980's. He made his national reputation as the Artistic Director for the Instituto Mazatlan Bellas Artes de Sacramento from 1998 to 2012. Since starting Calidanza in 2013 he continues to produce quality dance productions and programs.
Lead Instructor/Coordinator
Rosario Rosas
Rosario has danced for several groups and companies since 1996. In 2015, she completed a Diplomado Didactica de las Artes through SEP (secretaria de educación pública) and ANMPA (Asociacion Nacional de Maestros para las Artes) with the culmination in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. She's been teaching Folklorico since 2018.
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Academy Director
Social Media Manager
Megan Benitez
Megan has been dancing with groups and companies since 2003. She has taught Folklorico since 2018 in Sacramento and Southern California. She recently completed her dream of dancing Folklorico in the Disneyland Parade celebrating 100 years of Disney and 10th anniversary of Viva Navidad. We are lucky to have her back 2024 to teach at the academy and other programs.
Dance Instructor
Idbin Acosta
Idbin first started his Folklorico journey as a dancer at UC Davis and has been dancing since his collegiate years. Idbin connects with his roots and draws his inspiration for dance through traditional ceremonial danza Mexihca in the town of Woodland, Ca. His hobbies include playing mariachi music at the University of California Davis and teaching mariachi and string orchestra in public schools.
Dance Instructor
John Solis
John has been dancing Folklorico since 2015. John is also proficient in Tap, Contemporary and Ballet. He’s attended multiple dance conferences like ACDA, DUF, UDC. He is a Dance Major at CSUS and loves spreading Culture through dance.
Dance Instructor
Fatima Gutierrez-Ramirez
Fatima is our newest addtion to the team. Dance has been part of her life for over 10 years and still remains one of her biggest passions as she studies at UC Davis. “If we, as dancers, do not teach what we know, our art dies with us. I love teaching and sharing folklorico because I am able to plant a little bit of the love I have for my culture in each of my students.”
Dance Instructor
Briana Hanes
Briana began dancing at age six with El Ballet Folklórico Tepatitlán led by Monica Zuniga for 10 years. When she moved to Sacramento, to attend college, she danced with Raices de Mi Tierra, and later with Grupo Folklórico Los Alteños. Briana has been teaching locally since 2016. Her two most favorite regions are Chiapas and Sinaloa. Briana is very excited to have the opportunity to share this art with our newest generation!
Apply Today
Do you have experience in Folklorico? Join our team today by contacting Calidanza:
916-599-3441