About Danza Floricanto/USA School

Floricanto Dance Institute

Staff Bios

Marie Christine Rios
Floricanto Institute Teacher and Coordinator

Marie Christine Rios is a graduate of Cal State Los Angeles with a degree in English and a minor in Anthropology. She has been a dancer for Floricanto since 1980. In that capacity she has toured with the company throughout the American Southwest and Mexico. She has mastered all of the company's repertory-from the intricacies of the conchero dancer to the flirtatious skirt work of Jalisco. And she functions as dance mistress during some of the company's rehearsals. From 1994-1999 she also held the responsibility of company manager/director of the chamber group that does the educational assemblies (over 150 a year). Since 2000, she has become the teacher and coordinator of the companys Floricanto Institute. Finally in late 2002 she was named the companys Assistant Director. Ms. Rios has also functioned as grant writer and administrative assistant to the company. Her skills in this capacity continue to help the artistic director codify and organize the folklorico lesson plans. Christie has been the Institutes coordinator since its inception.

Michelle Aispuro
Floricanto Institute Teaching Assistant

Michelle Aispuro is a graduate of Wilson High School and a current student at Cal Sate Los Angeles. She is a past member of the Institute but began her folklorico training as a child, dancing for six years with the locally renowned Sierra Park Elementary Folklorico. Michelle is also a professional dancer with Floricanto.

Cruz Espinoza
Floricanto Institute Teaching Assistant

Cruz began with Floricanto as a tenth grader at Wilson High School. He has been dancing for six years and is a past member of the renowned Sierra Park Elemenary Folklorico. And now, as a senior in high school, he comes to provide a much needed male dancer image within the Institute.

Sandra Mendoza, Institute Teacher

Sandra Mendoza was a long time participant of the locally renowned Sierra Park Elementary Folklorico and a graduate of Wilson High School. She has been with Floricanto for the past six years and is a second year student at Pasadena City College. Sandra has been a teacher in the Floricanto Institute for the past to years.

Roger Aguirre Jr.

Roger Aguirre Jr. danced folklorico for four at Bell Gardens High School. He has been dancing with Floricanto for seven years and has been teaching at the Floricanto Institute for the past year.