About us
Currently the Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl is made up of approximately 100 dancers ranging from 5 to 45 years of age. In the past, there have been families that have had three generations participate in the Ballet. Most of the dancers live in Aurora, IL, however, there are some that travel from West Chicago, Plainfield, Yorkville, Oswego, Montgomery, Naperville and Dekalb, Illinois, to attend the practices. The group strives to give it's members a place in which they can learn to dance and learn more about their heritage in a safe and positive environment.
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl performs, on average, two to three times each month at festivals, schools, universities, city activities, private parties and other special occations. The Group has also made its presance known in National Fokloric Damce Compititions. in 2001, Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl participated in San MArcos, TX, from which the group brought back three first place awards, 7 trophies and 2 medals in two first places. In 2004, Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl also participated in the 13th Folklorico Festival of North Texas, in Dallas, TX. In 2005 the Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl participated in the Buc Days Folklorico Competition in Corpus Christy, TX, from which the group brought back once first place trophy and one third place trophy. And most recently, in 2011, the Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl participated once agin in the Buc Days Folklorico Competition from which they brought back one first place trophy three 2nd place trophies and one third place trophy.
About us
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl is led by Director And Choreographer Juan Manuel "Nery" Cruz, From San Luis Potosi, Mexico, who currently resides in Aurora, IL. According to Nery, the group was originally formed to meet a need: the need to preserve the most important aspects of the Mexican culture which is the folkloric dance. In Mexico, dance has always been an important part of the culture. Children often perform folkloric dances in schools during holidays and other special occasions. This is how Nery began his dancing career in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, where he grew up. Later he studied dance at the San Luis Potosi, Instituto de Bellas Artes. Every year, Nery travels to San Luis, Mex. to polish up on his skills by taking lessons to learn new steps and dances from different regions of Mexico. Throughout the year, he teaches his students these steps and dances that are usually debuted during the group's annual performance at the Paramount Arts Centre in Aurora, IL.
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl is a Mexican folk dance troupe that has been delighting audiences for over 35 years throughout IL, and as far as Mexico. The groups dream is to one day reach Europe. The group received it's name "Quetzalcoatl" in 1983, the meaning of Quetzalcoatl originates from the ancient Mexican and northern Central American Civilizations. The name "Quetzalcoatl" literally means snake or serpent with feathers of quetzal, which implies something divine or precious in the Nahuatl language. Quetzalcoatl was the god of wisdom of the primitive Mexicans, a god of the air or a sun-god and a benefactor of their race who instructed them in the use of agriculture and metals as well
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization that does not receive any financial support from any organization and solely relies on the donations it receives from its performances and fundraising from its members. Anyone wishing to donate any resources can do so by sending their donations to :
P.O. BOX 4071, Aurora, IL 60507