OUR FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Gabriela Ramirez
years active: 2017-present
Born and raised in Pasco, Washington, Gabriela was brought up by two hardworking Mexican immigrants, who moved to Washington so that their families can live a more fulfilling life. Her parents have taught her the traditions and customs of the Mexican culture and how to be proud of her culture. She also learned from a very young age that one of her greatest passions is dance. Gabriela first learned ballet folklórico in her sophomore year of high school at a local church group. In 2017, Gabriela and a friend decided to start their own folklórico group, Ballet Folklórico ‘Cielo de México’. Their mission was to keep the Mexican traditions alive through dance and bring people from community closer together. In 2019, the group grew from a group of 3 dancers to a group of 40. She graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and minored in Spanish. She currently teaches Spanish and ballet folklórico at her previous high school. As artistic director of Ballet Folklórico ‘Cielo de México’, she hopes to continue to inspire people in her community to learn about their culture and preserve the traditions for the next generation.
instructor
Andrea ramirez
years active: 2021-present
Andrea Ramirez started learning folkloric dance in 2017 with BFDCM. She started co-teaching our Tiny Tots and Angelitos classes in 2021. Andrea is currently a senior at Pasco High School and plans to attend Columbia Basin College in the fall.
OUR FOUNDER
Anahi Hernandez
years active: 2017-2020
Anahí Hernández was born in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco to hardworking parents who soon migrated to the United States when she was 2 years old. Growing up with the Mexican culture present in everyday life was something she loved. Her parents would sing/dance rancheras and mariachi music and every night they would sit and watch old Mexican films. At 11 years old she was invited by some friends at church to dance in a folklórico group for the New Year’s celebration. Along with her brother she joined a group of 24 people who together ranged from 10 years of age to 30. While the group only lasted a couple years, she always enjoyed dancing and decided that with a friend they would continue the group. Together they donated their free time to teaching others while still attending school. Anahí is currently majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish at Washington State University and is one year away from graduating. Although school and dance take up a lot of her time, she enjoys every single bit of it. Her favorite part is when parents or grandparents tell her how proud they are that they continue to express the culture in the United States. She has grown to be a teacher and friend to her students and an advocate of the Mexican culture in her community.