Vancouver Ballet Folklórico

Vancouver Ballet Folklórico is a non-profit traditional Mexican dance group that focuses on traditional Mexican dance, including colorful presentations of Mexican folk dances and Pre-Hispanic Dance. The program includes a Pre-Hispanic Dance subgroup called Tepeyac, whose dancers perform with rattles and feathers, with their feet bare. Vancouver Ballet Folklórico also creates yearly installations of Dia de los Muertos and hosts the Luminarias Dia de Los Muertos / Day of The Dead event.

Vancouver Ballet Folklórico is a non-profit 501 (C)(3) traditional Mexican dance group based in Vancouver, Washington, USA. Its mission is to inspire, motivate and engage children of Hispanic descent to learn, appreciate and preserve the roots and traditions of the Mexican culture through music, respect, discipline, creativity and dance. The organization has an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy stating that everyone is welcome regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, sexual preference, beliefs or physical abilities and that discrimination will not be tolerated.

Tepeyac Pre-Hispanic Dance was first established as a dance group associated with a local church in 2013, and Vancouver Ballet Folklórico was founded in 2014. The group was named Olincalli in 2014, rebranded as Vancouver Ballet Folklórico in 2018, and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2022. Tepeyac predates Vancouver Ballet Folklórico, originating around 2010.

The leadership team includes Anna Brackney Cruz, President, founder of Tepeyac Pre-Hispanic dance group and founder of Vancouver Ballet Folklórico, artistic director and board President; Christine A. Richardson, Vice President | Treasurer; Adriana Govea, Secretary; Grace Rodgers, Board Member; and Marianna Cruz, Social Media Manager. Anna Cruz studied dance and choreography at the University of Guadalajara and at IVEC/Instituto Veracruzano de Cultura. Christine A. Richardson has 34+ years working for non profit performing arts companies.

Vancouver Ballet Folklórico works to nurture Hispanic heritage within the Clark County community and beyond and has participated in events and performances from Eugene, Oregon to Longview, Washington. Tepeyac has danced at various cultural events in Clark County and Portland, including the Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Waterfront, the Clark County Fair, and events in Eugene, Oregon, and is known for dancing at St. John the Evangelist Church for the celebration of the Virgin Guadalupe. Vancouver Ballet Folklórico hosts and organizes the Luminarias Dia de Los Muertos / Day of The Dead event along with local supporting organizations, and this event honors the ancestral tradition of Dia de Muertos that has been an indigenous celebration before colonization. The organization is grateful to have many supporters such as City of Vancouver, ARTSTRA, LULAC, Fourth Plain Forward, and more.

Vancouver Ballet Folklórico received the 1st place trophy for Best Float at the Hazel Dell Parade in 2022. In 2021, Anna Cruz received a Community Champion Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington. In 2022, she received the Keeper of the Culture Award from Ridgefield Multicultural Festival. Anna Cruz has been recognized for the 2024 Iris Awards and received the “Latino Art BRAVO Award Winner” in 2024 from the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber.

Last updated February 28, 2026.