We’re so happy that you’ve shared 20 years of teaching with Ballet Folklórico here in the Valley, where did you learn to dance?

I learned Folklórico dance in Chihuahua, Mexico- I started as a Kindergartener, then joined a professional group at the age of 13.

What events/performances can we see throughout the year?

Through the ASFB Folklórico Program we have so many different performance opportunities both here in the RVF and other places. Our Spring Recital with all of our Folklorico students at the Aspen District Theater every year, Día de Muertos Celebration here in Carbondale, Music Festival in Aspen. Several organizations have invited us to perform in their festivals like Carbondale Arts, Wilderness Workshop, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, just to name a few.

Can you share some cultural background on certain dances, and or costumes? You create the costumes as well, right?

We always change our repertoire, if I mention all of the choreographic background over the last 20 years it would be a very long answer. The dances span generations, but recently we’ve been listening to José Alfredo Jiménez songs who is one of the great music composers of Mexican songs (betray, love, parties, celebrations, friendship, storytelling); and for Day of the Dead this year, we are preparing dances from Michoacan State, a Mexican region where Day of the Dead has the most strong and mystical celebration.

Yes, I design and make most of the costumes we use in our Folklórico Program. At this moment I am working on the costumes we will be using on November 4th, some mending, some new designs, some enhancements.

Día de Muertos, 2021. Photo by Sarah Overbeck

What has been your greatest accomplishment in building up the Folklórico program?

The greatest accomplishment I've experienced in this program is to see our communities dance our traditional Mexican dances. Thousands of children have been part of this Folklórico Program during the last 20 years and now they know a little more about our traditions, dance, celebrations, our culture. I gave them discipline, responsibility and pride.

What are some other fun projects you work on that we may not know about? What are other passions or hobbies of yours? Where can we find you outside of Third Street Center?

My other "projects"? I like to garden, bike, hike, cook, make bread and goodies from my family with my grandparents' recipes and TRAVEL the world. I like to be around town during our different celebrations with my friends, and I just like to be a "Carbondalian".

Paco Nevarez-Burgueno