Corazón Guerrero: a Summer Ballet Folklórico Performance

In celebrating its 7th year in the making, Corazón Folklórico invites you to the premier of the show, Corazon Guerrero (Warrior Heart), a summer ballet folklórico performance that celebrates the blend of cultures seen in folkloric Mexico. Join us as Corazón takes stage for the first time at the Atlas Lang stage.

Corazón will be joined on stage by guest dancers from across the country for the staging of the Ballet de Mexico Masterclass repertoire from the State of Guerrero, Mexico. This is a 60 minute show followed by an intermission and then a certificate of recognition ceremony to the dancers completing their Ballet de Mexico Masterclass education program. Guest performers include Bailes de Mi Tierra, Danza Alegría, and the debut of J. Manú, a Latin-folk instrumentalist and singer-songwriter based in Washington, DC.

Corazón Folklórico DC, Inc.
Corazón Folklórico Dance Company promotes and celebrates the cultural diversity of Mexico through Ballet Folklórico dance performance by building a community of passionate dancers throughout the DMV area. Corazón seeks to create a space where anyone can participate in the joy and art of Ballet Folklórico. The dance company achieves their mission by offering free engaging dance classes to students of all backgrounds and levels, collaborating with community members and organizations on presenting exciting dance performances at events throughout the year, and producing an annual showcase at a local DC theatre for the general public to enjoy.

Founded in 2017, Corazón continues to enroll new and experienced dancers alike from Virginia, Maryland, and DC. Notably, Corazón is a member of The Kennedy Centers Social Impact Program as a Culture Caucus member. This event is brought to you with the help of grassroots fundraising efforts by the dancers, small business sponsorships ranging from $250 – $1000, grant award support from the DC Government Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and foundation support from the Kennedy Center. Visit our website CorazonFolkloricoDC.com for more information about our programs or to get involved with our organization or board of directors.

Amalia Viviana Basanta Hernández

Artistic Director of the Ballet Folklórico de México by Amalia Hernández, and founder and Artistic Director of the new Ballet of Mexico by Amalia Viviana Basanta Hernández in the USA. Maestra Basanta Hernandez was born in Mexico City, the daughter of the Mexican choreographer, Amalia Hernández and the Argentine writer, Joaquin Basanta Crece.  She began her dance training at the age of five, studying classical ballet under Nellie Happee. At age thirteen, Ms. Basanta Hernandez joined the National Ballet of Mexico under the direction of Guillermina Bravo. She pursued her interest in contemporary dance, studying abroad with Alvin Nikolai, Murray Louise, Hanya Holm, Leo Amaya, and Alvin Ailey.

In 1977, Ms. Basanta joined the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernández as a dancer, then became a soloist and later the Artistic Coordinator of her mother’s company for 15 years. In addition, she directed the school of the Ballet Folklórico de México for ten years. She was also a soloist by invitation of the “Le Sorilege” Dance Company in Montreal, Canada. Honors bestowed upon Ms. Basanta Hernandez include the Cesar Chavez award from the University of Michigan, the Artistry of Mexico Award presented by the United States Congress, a Fellowship at Modern Dance Theater Faculty of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Board of Trustees member at Dance USA, and the prestigious “Ulama” Award by the Mexican Secretary of Education.