Michigan Folklórico Festival 2024
Join us for upcoming events!
Welcome to El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil!

Committed to education through the performing arts.

Mariachi Music
Traditional Mexican Dance

About Us




El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil is a non-profit organization focused on preserving the Mexican culture and enriching children’s lives through dance, music, and education.

For over 25 years, El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil has been the leader in providing Hispanic cultural programs to Michigan.

The El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil dance program teaches students the artistry of folkloric dance originating from Mexico. Through focus and discipline, students learn to fine-tune their craft and perform throughout the Midwest region.

El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil also offers instrumental and vocal instruction for beginners and intermediate musicians. Students learn technique and musicianship through classical repertoire and Mariachi style presentations.

El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil es una organización no lucrativa, comprometida en aumentar confianza en sí mismo y liderazgo para jóvenes diversos por medio de la educación, práctica de la herencia cultural, valores, artes y presentaciones en tradiciones mexicanas.

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BENEFITS OF ARTS PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH

In a study conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts on at-risk youth, students involved in the performing arts, both in school and with structured community programs, have strong links to positive outcomes. Children who have the opportunity to engage in the fine arts are inclined to do better in academics, make better citizens, and choose a higher career path.

Classes & Lessons

Register now for Mexican Folkloric Dance, Mariachi Music, and Bilingual Theater Classes!

Music – private lessons $60/semester/instrument

Students who wish to take private lessons for more than one instrument must have at least one year of experience and a recommendation from a teacher.

Music – ensemble lessons $40/semester when taken in conjunction with private lessons

Dance – $60/semester

 

Ensemble schedules:

Mariachi class on Saturdays

11:30 AM –  1:00 PM

 

For questions contact: music@ebfedance.org

 

Dance schedules:

Youth – Fridays 6 PM – 7 PM

Teens / Adults – Fridays 7 PM – 8 PM

Location:
Latinx Technology & Community Center
2101 Lewis St, Flint, MI 48506

Fees:
The registration fee can be paid online through the EBFE Online Service Store.
Guitar rentals available at EBFE: $10/month
Violin rentals are available at Schwartz Violins, G-4137 Fenton Rd, 766-1450

For more information:
Call (810) 736-3700 or (281) 935-1311
Email EBFE@msn.com

Register for classes

Pay Registration Fee Online & Partial Payments

Guitar Rentals

Upcoming Events

Class registration – Classes are now in session.


Literacy in Heritage Language

Program for Spanish speakers and for non-Spanish speakers.
Enrollment is still open!! • ¡¡Inscripción abierta!!



Vaccinations for COVID-19 are available on Tuesdays at
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 2316 W. Coldwater Rd., Call ahead: 810/787-5701 


Michigan Folklórico Festival 2024


2024 Youth Mariachi Summer Camp

Register now!

Our Students

“The rhythm of playing the piano makes me feel alive…and my name comes from music! I love dancing to the music and twirling my skirt in dance class. I am excited to start learning violin soon too. I love EBFE!”

Cadence

Cadence

“My favorite thing about playing the piano is that the music is beautiful. I like the dance classes because I feel a groove in my body. I love my lessons at EBFE and want to add guitar lessons in the fall.” 

Callum

Callum

“My favorite thing about playing the piano is that it makes me happy and that I can learn a lot every single day practicing the piano. My favorite memory with EBFE was performing “Fur Elise” at the recital for my family and friends.”

Samantha

Samantha

“I learned how to read notes. I enjoyed reading the music notes and playing music. And I feel happy when I learned new things.”

Damián

Damián

Staff

Susana Quintanilla
Samantha Palmer
Lucas Perro
Andrew Cramer
Alejandro Quintanilla
Nathan Cross
Michael Abbasspour
Hannah Nettleton
Gean Vincent Almendras
Susana Quintanilla

Susana Quintanilla

Founder and Director of El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil

Maestra Susana Quintanilla is a classically-trained Mexican folkloric dancer who began her studies at the Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. She has studied under accomplished choreographers such as Amalia Hernández (Ballet Folklórico de México), Rafael Zamarripa (Universidad de Colima), Francisco Bravo (Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes), Graciela Tapia (Los Angeles), Luz María Gallego (Pánuco, Veracruz) and Miguel Vélez (Universidad de Veracruz).

Over the course of her career, Maestra Quintanilla has organized and produced the Midwest Folkloric Dance Workshops (Flint, Lansing, and Holland, MI), Folkloric Dance Seminars for EBFE students (Mexico City and San Juan del Río, Querétaro) and the Huapango Dance Workshop (Houston, TX). She has brought about youth performances with Mono Blanco, Sones de México, Los Folkloristas, Zazhil, Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández and Mariachi Guadalajara. She has danced competitively in Concurso de Huapango (San Joaquín, Querétaro) and the International Folkloric Dance Competition (Chicago) where EBFE was awarded Second Place and the only U.S. group to place in the competition.

Maestra Quintanilla and the dancers she has trained have performed in concert with such internationally renowned artists, such as Angeles Ochoa, Linda Rondstadt, Lola Beltrán, Lucero, Guadalupe Pineda, Lila Downs, Pepe Aguilar, Pablo Montero, Pedro Fernández, Vikki Carr, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Mariachi Cobre and Mariachi Los Camperos.

In an effort to preserve the Hispanic culture within her community, Maestra Quintanilla has seen that EBFE has received continuous funding. She has helped the organization receive grant funding from the Ruth Mott Foundation, Community Foundation of Flint, Bishop Trust, Welch Foundation, Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, Michigan Dept of Education, and the Texas Humanities Council.

Always seeking cultural preservation and continuous improvement, Maestra Quintanilla’s teaching focus for EBFE is to develop dancers and musicians as instructors with professional performance experience and academic knowledge in culture and literacy as well as to effectively empower all students with pride in themselves and respect for all ethnic groups.

Samantha Palmer

Samantha Palmer

Music Instructor

Samantha currently studies Music Education and Vocal Performance at the University of Michigan-Flint with a minor in Violin Performance. Since entry in 2020, Samantha has completed a Junior Recital,  acts as the choral librarian for the University’s vocal ensembles, and is the recipient of the Friends of Music scholarship. She also sings at First Presbyterian Church as a Choral Fellow. 

Samantha found a great love of music at the young age of eight. She learned violin at an after-school program, and quickly received a scholarship for private instruction at the Flint Institute of Music. She continued to thrive and eventually participated in the Flint Youth String Orchestra for three years. Immediately following her time in orchestra, Samantha decided to also participate in her school’s choir, which she fell in love with. Choir has given her great experience with many different instructors and ways of teaching, which inspired her to teach.  Upon arriving at the university, she studied voice with Dr. Matthew Daniels and Hannah Wikaryasz. In the 2022-2023 school year, she studied conducting with Dr. Gabriella Hristova, which inspired her to consider conducting for her master’s degree. 

In the next few years, Samantha looks forward to a conducting masterclass at the ACDA Conference (American Choral Directors Association) and a Music Education trip to San Antonio, Texas where she will be studying Mariachi music. 

Lucas Perro

Lucas Perro

Music Instructor
Lucas is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, and studying classical guitar under Professor Francesco Cavallini at the University of Michigan – Flint. Coming from rock, funk, pop, and hip-hop experience before college, Lucas’ time at UM-Flint has only broadened his diverse interests while studying among many of the music program’s ensembles, which consist of classical guitar, jazz, and choir being his main musical ensembles of choice. Lucas strives to teach students and ensembles how to find and enjoy their passions and styles through their instruments while still having them try to be the best musicians they can be.

Andrew Cramer

Andrew Cramer

Music Instructor

Andrew Cramer is a resounding and efficacious teacher and pianist. His musical endeavors have brought him around the United States, including most recently acceptance to the Brevard Music Festival in North Carolina, and a fully-funded music education research trip to San Antonio, Texas to study the teaching of traditional Mariachi ensembles and music. Andrew received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at Bowling Green State University. Andrew serves as Music Director at Grand Blanc United Methodist Church in Grand Blanc, MI, and teaches a private, flourishing piano studio. He continues to enjoy teaching his fantastic piano students both online and in person through EBFE.


Alejandro Quintanilla

Alejandro Quintanilla

Mariachi & Folkloric Dance Director

Alejandro Quintanilla is EBFE’s current director of both dance and the professional mariachi. After studying dance abroad for a year at La Universidad de Colima under the direction of Maestro Rafael Zamarripa, he graduated in 2014 with his BFA in Dance from the University of Michigan. Alejandro has over 30 years of performance experience in Mexican folkloric dance and 10 years in Mariachi music playing vihuela and guitarrón. He has been a part of various projects including the staging of an original Mariachi musical, “Cenicienta”, special events held by the Mexican Consulate of Detroit, MI and Windsor, Canada as well as Yo-Yo Ma’s Day of Action in Flint, MI.

Nathan Cross

Nathan Cross

Newsletter/Website/Media

Nathan Cross earned his Bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Michigan-Flint. He has performed on trumpet with several groups around Genesee county including the El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil Mariachi and the Lapeer Symphony Orchestra. Nathan has studied Mariachi music with José Hernández, director of Sol de México, at the National Mariachi Workshop for Educators in 2014. In addition to performing, Nathan has studied music composition and arranging with Patrick Prouty (University of Michigan), a published composer from Detroit. Currently, he gives private instruction for trumpet, beginning guitar, general music, and teaches instrumental and choral music in Flint.

Michael Abbasspour

Michael Abbasspour

Youth Mariachi Music Director

Michael Abbasspour is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Flint (2018) where he earned his degree of Bachelor of Music – specializing in classical guitar – under the guidance of Professor Francesco Cavallini. Along with classical guitar, he loves to study other genres such as choro, flamenco, jazz, rock, and mariachi. Michael has been a member of El Ballet Folklorico Estudiantil Mariachi since 2014 and is currently the youth music director. He had the pleasure of being the music director for the production of Cenicienta (2018). He is an active educator of guitar and mariachi music.

He has traveled to places such as Puerto Rico and Mexico to collaborate and study with wonderful and world-class musicians and artists.

Michael plans to soon pursue his master’s degree in classical guitar.

Hannah Nettleton

Hannah Nettleton

Dance Instructor

Hannah Nettleton began her early dance training with Young People’s Ballet Theatre. In 2017, she received her B.S. from the University of Michigan-Flint with a major in Biology and a minor in Dance Studies. Hannah is currently pursuing a physical therapy degree at UM-Flint. Her goal is to improve public health by promoting physical activity. She has taught dance classes in a variety of different styles including lyrical, contemporary, ballet, and pointe. Hannah is continuing her exploration of dance as a member of El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil.

Gean Vincent Almendras

Gean Vincent Almendras

Music Instructor / Outreach Cordinator

Gean Vincent Almendras is an instructor on multiple instruments including Violin, Piano, Guitar, and Mandolin. He started his musical journey at a young age playing the ukulele and guitar with his musical family. He then picked up the violin at an elementary age and continued his studies in folk and classical music, performing in various youth orchestras and ensembles in the Ann Arbor area in addition to competing in multiple district and state Solo & Ensemble Festivals. He started playing the Mandolin in middle school and fell in love with the tradition of classical mandolin and guitar music whilst still playing the Violin avidly. Soon, he became involved in many different genres of world music ensembles.

Besides playing Violin in the EBFE Mariachi, he performs with his own String Quartet, and the University Orchestra. Additionally, he plays the Mandolin, Bandurria, and Laúd in the Ann Arbor Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra, PACE-MI Rondalla, and the Kalamazoo Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra. He has been invited to participate in several conferences and masterclasses on Mandolin with world renowned mandolinists such as Chris Thile, Avi Avital and Alon Sariel.

Currently, he is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance on Classical Mandolin with a minor in violin performance, as well as a second Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in the field of Ethnomusicology.

Scholarship Info

Scholarships:

Local
Flint Promise Scholarship (only for Flint High School Students)
 
The Genesee Opportunity
 
Flushing High School
 
 
Rotary Club of Greater Flint Sunrise
 
State
Alsame Scholarship – https://alsame.org/scholarships/
 
 
Hispanic and Latino Commission of Michigan has a scholarship resource page
 
 
National
 
Hispanic Scholarship Foundation

Sponsors

      Ruth Mott Foundation        Michigan Arts & Cultural Council     National Endowment for the Arts 

S. Jean Simi Fund for the Arts of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint

              Share Art Genesee                        C. S. Mott Foundation

 

This program is supported in part by the Greater Flint Arts Council Share Art Genesee Grant program made possible by the Genesee County Arts Educations and Cultural Enrichment Millage Funds. Your tax dollars are at work!

Photo credits by Saúl González, Sudeep Studio, Nathan Cross,
Ben Cunningham, Robert Killips