Vancouver Ballet Folklórico

Vancouver Ballet Folklórico is a non-profit traditional Mexican dance group that focuses on colorful presentations of Mexican folk dances and Pre-Hispanic Dance. Dancers take part in traditional Mexican dance, yearly installations of Dia de los Muertos, and the Luminarias Dia de Los Muertos / Day of The Dead event, as well as performances at events and festivals.

• Ages: 5–18 years old

Vancouver Ballet Folklórico’s mission is to inspire, motivate and engage children of Hispanic descent to learn, appreciate and preserve the roots and traditions of Mexican culture through music, respect, discipline, creativity and dance, and it works to nurture Hispanic heritage within the Clark County community and beyond. The group originated under the name Olincalli, meaning “House of Movement” in the Nahuatl language, and rebranded as Vancouver Ballet Folklórico in 2018. Tepeyac Pre-Hispanic Dance was first established in 2013 under the direction of Anna Cruz, and Vancouver Ballet Folklórico was founded in 2014 by Anna Cruz and Jesus Chavez; it was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2022. A professional dance instructor from Portland became instrumental in the growth of Vancouver Ballet Folklórico in 2018, and the current team includes approximately 40 dancers, instructors, and a supportive board, with Marianna Cruz serving as Social Media Manager. 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.

Vancouver Ballet Folklórico hosts and organizes the Luminarias Dia de Los Muertos / Day of The Dead event along with local supporting organizations and has participated in events and performances from Eugene, Oregon to Longview, Washington. It has supporters such as the City of Vancouver, ARTSTRA, LULAC, Fourth Plain Forward, and others, and has been a friend and collaborator to the Ridgefield Multicultural Initiative since its inception in 2022. Vancouver Ballet Folklórico is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dance group and has received several recognitions connected to its leadership, including awards to founder Anna Cruz such as the Community Champion Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington in 2021, the Keeper of the Culture Award from Ridgefield Multicultural Festival in 2022, recognition for the Iris Awards in 2024, and the “Latino Art BRAVO Award Winner” from the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber in 2024. In 2022, Vancouver Ballet Folklórico also won the 1st place trophy for Best Float at the Hazel Dell Parade.

Last updated May 30, 2026.