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Living the Culture of Mexico through the Dance

Taught by Jonathan Trejo

August 19–25, 2018
This workshop culminates in a formal concert at the Union Hall,
Vianna Maine on Saturday, August 25, 7:30 p.m.


Jonathan Trejo in Class and Performance
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Mexico is home to a variety of climates and fauna and flora, and has a diversity of music and dance that has made it culturally rich and full of color. Mexican folkloric dance is a wide mixture of cultures, including Arab, Christian, African and Caribbean influences that fuse to create the immense scale of traditions of dance and music—celebrated during holidays across the length and breadth of the country. It is this great cultural mosaic that has identified Mexico throughout the world.

This workshop will focus on Mexican folk dance and is divided in two parts: a traditional section that will include dances from various regions of Mexico and with a variety of rhythms, and a creative part where we will explore Ravel’s Boléro, Huapango de Moncayo (a symphonic work by José Pablo Moncayo), and Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers where the motives for movement are inspired by the aesthetics of Maestro Rafael Zamarripa.

The workshop will conclude with a formal Mexican Folklórico performance on Saturday, August 25, at the Union Hall in Vienna, Maine.

Comments from dancers who have taken Jonathan’s classes :

“My experience with the workshops that you have given me have been nothing but a huge pleasure! You are very professional, knowledgeable, and know how to make the class fun and entertaining, and above all, super respectful! I am immensely happy with what you have taught me, for it has helped me grow so much as a folklorico dancer. You have inspired me to continue growing in the field of folkorico, and I am sure you will continue to do so for others!”  —Victor Alvarez, dancer, Ballet Folklórico of Los Angeles

“When you led at Bearnstow I felt you were very charismatic and clear. Very versatile with many techniques that reach out to a broad range of dance styles and levels. I especially loved the physical consistency of your Horton class—it challenged me. Your class for Adriana was unexpected and broadened my understanding of the capacity for dance and empathy. I was also impressed by the way you engaged the Day Campers in their class—you clearly introduced fundamental technique while having fun; they all left smiling.”  —Ellen Oliver, dancer and choreographer, Resident Artist at Bearnstow 2016, 2017

“Jonathan hace un par de años más o menos cuando te conocí, simplemente el saber que eras alumno del gran Maestro Rafael Zamarripa, me entusiasmó muchísimo. Después de integrarme a uno de tus talleres, me fascinaste! Eres simplemente exce­lente como maestro; mucha técnica, mucho enfoque en el cuerpo total y súper ejemplo a seguir. Muy profesional y estricto! Mi hija Citlali opina lo mismo!”  —Adriana Martinez, former folklorico dancer, California

“Mi experiencia con él ha sido bastante satisfactoria, enriquecedora y por qué no formativa, su metodología para la enseñanza de la danza en la técnica Horton, es bastante buena e interesante, con usted aprendí a mover y accionar partes de mi cuerpo que muy pocas veces utilizamos de manera consiente, el desarrollo de la clase es emocionante y de forma gradual el nivel de complejidad que se maneja en la misma, aprendí demasiado de usted ya que ahora tengo una enorme curiosidad por ahondar más en esta técnica, le agradezco Maestro Jonathan excelente Licenciado en Danza Escénica orgullo de nuestra alma mater Universidad de Colima.”  —Gustavo Caudillo, bailarín profesional y Licenciado en Danza Escénica



Jonathan Trejo
Jonathan Trejo, from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, is a professional dancer at Ballet Folklórico of the University of Colima, Mexico, and is a consultant, choreographer and honorary assistant director for Ballet Folklórico of Los Angeles. He also teaches art in elementary school in Colima. He has a bachelor’s egree in Art with major in Stage Dance from the University of Colima.

Jonathan has been dancing his entire life. After beginning foklorico with a small group in his hometown, he began his study as professional at the University of Colima with the great Mexican artist Rafael Zamarripa (choreographer, sculptor, artist, director). From there, he continued with several courses, workshops and seminars with such masters as Christine Dakin, Kazuko Hirabayashi, Julius Brewster-Cotton, Duane Gosa, among others.

Download flier for this event (PDF):
English version or Spanish version

Contact trejov.jonathan@gmail.com for more information.



The Jonathan Trejo Workshop, summer 2018




Bearnstow dancers with Ruth Grauert

Jonathan Trejo, Bárbara Valencia, Ocoee Chapelle, Ruth Grauert,
Sophia Diehl, Daniel Ramírez, and Symara Johnson


Program: back and front cover


Program: inside pages