Juanita Lopez, Co-director/Master Costume Design
Born in Santa Paula, California, Juanita Lopez is one of Southern California's finest folklorico instructors and Folklor Pasión Mexicana Co-Director and Costume Designer. In addition to her role in Pasión, she is also the lead instructor of the folklorico dance department at Plaza de La Raza School of Performing and Visual Arts. A position she has held for over 30 years! Ms. Lopez is one of the original founders of Danza Floricanto USA, has won various awards for her eye for costuming and is highly respected by the folklorico industry for revolutionizing the female style.
Juanita Lopez began her studies in folklorico dance in the late 1960's in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico. On a quest to learn Spanish as a foreign student, she found a passion in folklorico dance instead. Upon her return to the U.S., she attended Ventura College near her hometown of Santa Paula and began instructing folklorico classes. Soon after, Ms. Lopez made a move to the city of Los Angeles and began to dance professionally for Mexicapan Dance Company under the direction of Benjamin C. Hernandez.
It was in the late 1970’s when Ms. Lopez, alongside Gema and Frank Sandoval, founded Danza Floricanto USA, which quickly became the elite dance company of California in the 1980’s. Throughout her dance career, Ms. Lopez studied with various renowned dance instructors and choreographers and learned a variety of dance styles, such as jazz, modern and American folk dancing. She studied closely with renowned choreographer Rafael Zamarripa Castañeda from the University of Colima.
Ms. Lopez is specially known for revolutionizing the female styling in folklorico dance; mastering body control and arm coordination of the female dancer to create magical skirting movements. Her exquisite taste in costume design has also gained her the respect of the folklorico industry. Executing some of the finest costumes in folklorico with an eye for attention to color, fit and structure like no other. She has received several awards for her work in costume design; her work can be seen in print, TV, and film. She was recently honored when she was selected to design the wardrobe for the “Sueños de California” float for the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade which was winner of the coveted Governors Trophy Award.
Smiling woman in a red shawl against a blue background.
Tony Ramirez, General Director
Antonio Ramirez was born and raised in North East Los Angeles, California. He has sustained a career as a professional dancer for more than 15 years. Currently, he serves as the General Director and primary founder of Folklor Pasión Mexicana, leading the company to become one of the premier traditional folklorico dance ensembles in the nation.
Mr. Ramirez's folklorico career started early on. Throughout his K-12 years, he participated in various community and semi-professional dance companies throughout Los Angeles. However, it was in 1995 as a middle school student when his passion for folklorico dance took off. From middle school onward, he studied a variety of repertoire and techniques to improve his dance capabilities. In 1999, he was invited by Miguel Angel Diaz to join Danza Teocalt, which at the time was the exclusive dance company for La Fonda de Los Camperos. For the next 8 years he established a career as one of the primary dancers for the original La Fonda de Los Camperos in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Ramirez traveled extensively throughout the country presenting prominent performances of song and dance with Danza Teocalt and with Nati Cano and Mariachi Los Camperos, as well as with other renowned Mariachi ensembles.
Over the years Mr. Ramirez has participated in numerous Mariachi conferences throughout the county, primarily following the teachings of Rafael Zamarripa-Casteneda of the Universidad de Colima. He has also participated in many multi-cultural events and has produced student-based productions of Mariachi and Folkorico.
Oscar Salas, Artistic Director/Multidisciplinary Artist (RIP)
Active Company Founders
Cindy Eligio Almaguer, Founder
Cindy Eligio Almaguer has been bringing the beauty and art of Folklorico dance to the stage since the age of 9. Varying her dance studies in several genres, Cindy has had the honor of studying under Folklorico masters Rafael Zamarripa, Juanita Lopez, Oscar Salas, and Miguel Angel Diaz amongst others. One of her greatest honors has been collaborating and sharing the stage with well-known artists and the best Mariachi ensembles, including the Grammy award winning Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Cindy has had the joy of bringing her passion and love for the art and culture of traditional Mexican dance to stages across the America, Canada, and Germany.
Passing the tradition and love of the craft through patience and dedication, Cindy has also taught Folklorico to all ages leading her to one of her greatest accomplishments. In 2009, Cindy helped co-found Folklor Pasión Mexicana de Los Angeles, an authentic and culture preserving Folklorico dance company alongside Tony Ramirez. Folklor Pasión Mexicana has had the honor of sharing the stage with icons such as Juan Gabriel, Ana Barbara, and many more while continuing to tour and collaborate with Mariachi Los Camperos in several successful productions. Outside the stage, Cindy enjoys helping others through her profession as a nurse, being a wife, and spending time with her family and friends.
Jason Torres-Rangel, Founder
Mayra Mejia, Founder
I love that we are just like a family. We have are ups and downs, but we always stick together.
Our director, Antonio Ramirez brought me into folklorico. Back in the days when I was in middle school we had the option for folklorico dance or Physical Education. Well, I hated dressing for PE so Tony convinced me to join folklorico. Besides he was my BFF and spending time with him was priceless.
My most precious moments with Pasión are when we come to rehearsals and just have fun! Seeing everyone grow, some graduating college, others buying a house and some of us having kids! (Well mostly me). I thank Pasión members and the directors for not only accepting me into their family but allowing my kids to be a part of it as well.