Nuestra Historia

"El Grupo de Danza y Arte Folkórico" was formed to preserve and promote Mexico's rich and colorful cultural heritage through folkloric dance and is a Sport Club under the Division of Recreational Sports.  This performing dance organization is comprised of students and staff whose attitude in its work has produced a dedicated and talented group of dancers.  Its repertoire includes dances from the states of Jalisco and VeraCruz, as well as regional dances from the Huasteca Tamaulipeca, Huasteca Potosina, Chiapas, Yucatán, Campeche and Mexico's North.

The founding members of the organization: Roy Lozano and Sylvia Quiñones Sierra, both of Corpus Christi; Patricia Haynes-Guerra, of Laredo; and Juan Pablo Gutierrez, of San Antonio, were students of Sanjuanita Martinez Hunter, PhD, a former dance specialist in the HPER (Health, Physical Education and Recreation) department.  J.P. and Patsy had been giving informal performances around Austin.  Roy and Sylvia had been members of Ballet Brillante in Corpus Christi.  They all had a desire to continue studying and performing ballet folklorico in addition to their academic studies.  Sanjuanita's varied dance classes, including Ethnic Dance, produced more interested students, and on a hot September day back in 1975 she brought together what became the core group.  Among them were Michael Carmona, Zelma Bazaldua Zapico, Frances Lerma, Natalia Dowd, A. Oscar Polanco, Dolores Soto Maldonado, Jesus A. Vasquez, Lydia Karney, and John Steele, to name but a few.  As the founding Faculty Sponsor, Sanjuanita was instrumental in identifying and obtaining funding sources, making community contacts to create performing opportunities, and providing the discipline and guidance critical throughout the formation and evolution of the group of students who were not dance majors.  We are eternally grateful to "The Divine Miss M" for all her encouragement and support.

The current student organization continues the spirited traditions begun not just twenty-nine years ago by a handful of University students, but ones which have been passed from generation to generation.

Scan from The Cactus, 1977

1st Group Photo in New Costumes - Palmer Auditorium - December 1976 - Citywide Virgen de Guadalupe Celebration
Dolores-Raul-Zelma-Rolando-Benny-Carmen-Ruben-David-Frances-Oscar-Patsy-Ric-Eva-Cecilio-Natalia-Michael