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| Interior of the School of the Ballet Folklorico, creation of the architect Agustin Hernandez. |
From the beginning of the 1960´s, Amalia Hernández conceived of the idea of creating a School of the Ballet Folklórico, to promote and strengthen its artistic expression, as well as to prepare dancers who would be capable of responding to the company´s needs.
Despite the fact that it did not have his own space, the school, in practice, began to function in two studios that the National Institute of Fine Arts offered the Ballet. In these, the professional company rehearsed, and classes were
Also offered to children and young people. At the same time, folk-dance classes were given at another location close to the Palacio de Bellas Artes. Such space,however, was still insufficient.
With the desire to have a space that would satisfy the needs of a formal school. Amalia Hernández decided to construct a special building. The person in charge of this important task was her brother, the architect Agustín Hernández.
In 1966, construction of the school began, on property located at the intersection of Violeta and Riva Palacio streets in the Colonia Guerrero of México City. The result was spectacular, since the architectural design of the work based on the stylistic characteristics of the era: a modern building in an avant-garde style. Inside, it included two large rehearsal studios, a theater and offices.
On March 26, 1968, President Gustavo Díaz Ordáz inaugurated the building, and the Ballet of the Five Continents highlighted the event with its performance. In 1973, five years later, an annex to the school was also built, for the purpose of adding three more professional-sized rehearsal studios.
From a methodological point of view, the school has a four-year program of studies. Prior to this, there is a youth level for children from seven to thirteen years of age. After this course, students who are fourteen or older may Continue their studies by taking the four-year program. Upon finishing this period of studies, the student receives the diploma of Practicing Dancer . There is also an option to continue the student´s training for one or two more years, depending on his or her abilities.
The dance curriculum for students consists primarily of folk and classical ballet classes, although occasionally courses in modern dance are given by guest teachers specially invited for that purpose.
A student´s entrance into either of the companies-resident or travelling-is not automatic. The aspiring dancer first has to become part of the understudy group, where he or she receives special preparation and learns the Ballet repertoire. To become a member of the company itself, it is not necessary to have completed the program of studies; admission depends more on the abilities of the dancer. Nonetheless, the school has played an important role as aspring board for professional dancers, since, in practice, former students make up approximately 70% to 75% of the two companies. Thus, the school fulfills one of the purposes for which it was founded. To promote the study and preservation of traditional music and dance througout México.
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| Exterior of the School of th Ballet Folklórico, creation of the architect Agustin Hernandez. |
