Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles

Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles was founded in 2011 by artistic director Kareli Montoya as a means for serious dancers to thrive both artistically and spiritually. Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles prides itself on the fact that there is no folklorico company similar. The true intention of the organization is to teach artists to respect and love the art of dance, not only for the personal satisfaction it provides, but more importantly for the positive and lasting effect it has on society. Our hope is that our dancers learn to appreciate differences in themselves and others, understanding that these differences are a means for creativity and growth.

Though young, the company has already performed in several well-known venues such as the Nokia Theater, Greek Theatre, John Anson Ford Amphitheater, Staples Center (LA Clippers Halftime), Disneyland, StubHub Center( LA Galaxy), LA and OC Fairs. The dance company has also been accompanied by Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan and has accompanied celebrities such as Lila Downs, Beatriz Adriana, and Paquita la del Barrio. Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles has also had the pleasure of dancing to the music of the San Bernardino Symphony, under the direction of well-known conductor Frank Fetta, whom they will be working with throughout (phone number hidden)5 season. The company has been invited back to the International Folk Dance Festival in Tennessee where they delighted audiences last June.

About Director:
Kareli Montoya’s career in the folklorico and mariachi world began at the young age of seven at a community park in the city of Commerce, CA. Throughout her childhood Kareli had the fortune of learning from well-known instructors such as Maria Venegas founder of the Ballet Folklorico Profesional del Sur de California, and founding member of the Ballet Folklorico deGuadalajara and founder of professional dance company Mexicapan, Benjamin Hernandez. At the young age of twelve, Kareli was invited to form part of professional dance company, Danza Teocalt, directed by Miguel Angel Diaz, where she was given the opportunity to tour with Grammy award winning Mariachi Los Camperos. At age fifteen, Kareli became the youngest dancer ever given the opportunity to perform at the legendary La Fonda de Los Camperos. In 2009, Kareli and three other folklorico colleagues founded Folklor Pasion Mexicana, a professional dance company. While in this company Kareli performed in the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade, the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival, and shared the stage with various well-known mariachi bands such as Mariachi Los Camperos, Mariachi Vargas, and Mariachi Monumental de America. In 2011, after graduating from California State University, Los Angeles with a degree in Social Work, Kareli traveled to Colima, Mexico where she studied and performed with the internationally known Ballet Folklorico de la Universidad de Colima, directed by folklorico icon, Rafael Zamarripa. After returning from Colima, Kareli began teaching children and young adults at La Fonda Restaurant and founded Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles. Kareli recently opened BFLA Performing Arts Academy located in Alhambra, CA.