Ballet Nepantla presents a synergistic celebration crossing geographic, historical and artistic borders. It explores the in-between-ness of cultures within the realm of dance, harmonizing traditional Mexican Folklorico, Contemporary and Classical Ballet.
Ballet Nepantla bridges borders. Its purpose: to move the human spirit from places of peace and enlightenment.
Ballet Nepantla originated from a series of platicas between founders Andrea Guajardo and Martin Rodriguez, two artists whose early professional identities emerged from distinct genres: Andrea from classical ballet and contemporary dance, and Martin from traditional Mexican folklorico. They envisioned a new form of expression that fused the two modalities, and they envisioned an aesthetic that would speak to the historical, cultural, and social realities of a broader narrative of being Mexican, Mexican American, immigrant, and trans-cultural.
 ANDREA GUAJARDO, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
|
Company co-founder Andrea Guajardo draws inspiration for her innovative choreography from childhood cuentos and experiences growing up in "La Frontera," her birthplace known as the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. After graduating from the Fordham/Ailey BFA program in New York City, Andrea danced with MOMIX and Kazuko Hirabayashi Dance Theater. In addition to performing and choreographing, she frequently returns to her hometown of Edinburg to conduct master classes for young aspiring dancers of South Texas. |
 MARTIN RODRIGUEZ, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
|
Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, Martin Rodriguez co-founded Ballet Nepantla and is the company's associate director. He began dancing folklorico at the age of 9 at Academia de Danza Imagen. As a youth dancer he traveled to rural indigenous villages in Michoacan, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Colima, and Jalisco to learn the traditional dances and history of the local people. In 2006 he joined Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company in Los Angeles, eventually coming the company's principal dancer. In 2016 Martin moved to New York City to explore opportunities and in 2017 co-founded Ballet Nepantla. |
Ballet Nepantla is a place based: born on the Us-Mexico borderlands and located in New York City, it challenges political, historical, symbolic and geographical boundaries. Ballet Nepantla is also a search for personal identities of being Mexican, being American, and artistic production while living in both worlds.
To get tickets click here.