El Centro de Folklor: Dance Studio

Lisette Salgado is wears many hats, she is incharge of costuming, managing the day to day operations and is our Social Emotional Learning Coordinator, making shure that all of our classes integrate SEL into their curriculum.  She holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from Fresno Pacific University and a Master of Social Work degree from National University.

Ramon Martínez is the instructor of our Comeback Class and Middle School Class. Ramon has a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Spanish, and a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing from Fresno Pacific University, and he is pinned as a Registered Nurse. Although Ramon has learned from some of the masters in folklorico from all over Mexico, his favorite region are The Huastecas. 

Instructor of the Teen Class. Maribel has many years of experience as a dancer, and now she is sharing her knowledge of dance with the next generation of folkloristas. She is known for her creative choreographies and the integration of acting into her sets. Maribel works full time, is full time mom and is finishing up her  Bachelor of Arts degree in Business at Fresno Pacific Univeristy. 

Criselda Padron-Benavidez holds a B.A. in Child Development and works for the Kings Canyon Unified School District. She leads our Parent and Me Class, a class made possible with the support of the Fresno First 5 Grant. Both of her daughters also dance, one in the Juvenil 1 Class and the other in the Teen 2 Class. Her expertise is evident in her developmentally appropriate pedagogy. 

Helen co-leads our Juvenile 2 Class, where she prepares our young ladies with effective skirt movement, strong footwork, and a graceful style. She also dances with the Comeback Class. We are fortunate to have such a prolific folklorista in our midst. Helen attends Reedley College and plans to major in Liberal Studies with the ultimate goal of becoming a teacher. 

Melina Jimenez is the co-lead of the Juvenil 2 Class. Melina started dancing when her Uncle Peter registered her for classes as a sixth grader when we opened in 2016. Today she is a pharmacy tech and is studying to be a pharmacist. Melina is also a dancer with the Comeback Class. 

Oscar Hernández is the General Director at Centro de Folklor. He is the lead teacher for  Beginning/Intermediate Adult Class. In addition, he is in his 33nd year of teaching for Kings Canyon Unified where he teaches 12th Grade English, Leadership and Film as Literature. Oscar began his folklorico journey with Los Paisanos de Selma High School, Directed Ballet Folklorico de Dinuba and danced for El Sol Dance Company of Irene Gonzalez. 

Mia started dancing at Centro de Folklor when it opened in 2016. She loves the arts and has performed in many productions at the Selma Art Center, Sings in the Selma High School Choir, and Dances with Los Paisanos de Selma High School. She is the an Assistant in the Juvenil 1. Class and is Co-Lead at Jackson Elementary ELOP.

Juan Vasquez was a standout instructor this past year at Jackson School being a co-lead with Ms. Mia. He works hard at building relatinships with students. He will be Co-lead in the Juvenil 1 Class. Juan is a Senior at Selma High School where he also dances with Los Paisanos. He is active as a dancer with our Teen 2 Class and the Comeback Class. His favorite song is "Swim" by BTS.

Ms. Vero as she is known, has. a heart for the littles. She has been Mrs. Criselda's lead assistant for three years and now she will be assiting her in our new Infantil Class. Ms. Vero studied early childhood development at Reedley College and works at a daycare full time. 

Hannah has been dancing at Centro de Folklor for seven years. She assiting Mr. Ramon in the Teen 1 Class. She is a biology major at Fresno State University and is a dancer in our Comeback Class. She has a strong work ethic and is both a team player and a leader. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team. 

Jaden has been dancing at Centro de Folklor for five years. She will be the leade assistant in the Juvenil 1 Class. Jaden is a Sophomore. at Dinuba High School where she plays flute in their very intertaining marching band. Jaden. Also dances in the Teen 2 Class at Centro de Folklor

Cindy has been dancing at Centro de Folklor for five years. Cindy is assisting in the Infantil Class.  She is a Junior at Selma High School where she is involved in many clubs, sports and activities. and dances with the Teen Class at Centro de Folklor. 

Valeire has been dancing for two years at Centro de Folklor. She will be a Jr. Assistant in the Infantil Class. Valerie is a Sophomore at Sanger West High School. Valeire also dances with out Teen 2 Class. 

Anyssa attends Parlier Unified. She dances with our Teen 2 Class and assists Ms. Melina and Ms. Helen on Thursdays with the Juvnil 2 Class.