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Founded in 2011 by Kareli Montoya, Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles (BFLA) has distinguished itself as the nation's premier Mexican folk dance company. Their skillful dancers have graced world-class venues such as the Anaheim Convention Center, Orpheum Theater, Nokia Theater, Greek Theater, John Anson Ford Amphitheater, Santa Barbara Bowl, Valley Performing Arts Center, the Staples Center, Tempe Center for the Arts and the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Since its inception, BFLA has worked with the industry's finest Grammy Award-winning artists such as Lila Downs, Pepe Aguilar, Mariachi Divas and Mariachi Los Camperos.

They have shared the stage and accompanied mariachi greats like Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan, world-famous Mariachi Vargas and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar.

Not shy of any genre, Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles has worked with music celebrities like Ana Barbara, Morrissey, Ruben (Cafe Tacuba), Las Cafeteras, Beatriz Adriana, Banda El Recodo, Paquita la del Barrio, Empress Of, and Armenian pop star Lilit Hovhannisyan. This amazing dance troop was the first Folklórico company in the country to accompany symphony orchestras such as the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra and the Marina del Rey Symphony, both conducted by Frank Fetta.

Media coverage has made BFLA internationally recognized especially after being featured in the 2016 National Geographic Traveler UK edition and with their collaboration with Mitu Network on a Mariachi Remake of Beauty and the Beast's "A Tale as Old as Time," featuring Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar and BFLA's Director, Kareli Montoya. The video went viral on Facebook at 15 million views (and counting)! If you have seen the Pixar "Coco Live" at the Hollywood Bowl or on Disney+, then you have already had the opportunity to see BFLA in action, as they assisted Disney Studios with magical performances during 2017 for the release of "Coco." They were the folkloristas at the D23 Expo where they performed on stage with Benjamin Bratt, Mariachi Divas, and the Grammy®-winning Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band.

Perhaps you caught them at the Coco Premiere at El Capitan Theatre or even on Dancing With the Stars,

"Disney Night." If you missed those performances we are sure you saw them grace the stage at the 90th Annual Academy Awards alongside Natalia Lafourcade, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Miguel with a rendition of Coco's Academy Award-Winning song, "Remember Me."

Kareli Montoya

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Kareli Montoya’s professional career began at age fifteen, when she became the youngest dancer to perform at the to her craft led to a tenure with La Fonda lasting many years. Ms. Montoya continued her professional dancing career while attending Cal-State University of Los Angeles, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2011. Having fulfilled the goal of being the first in her immediate family to receive a college degree, Kareli traveled to Colima, Mexico to realize another professional goal: study with the internationally known Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad de Colima. During her time in Colima, Kareli continued to acquire new techniques and a stronger passion for Folklórico which then led her to return to Los Angeles with a distinct goal to establish her own professional dance company. From this drive and commitment to the art of Folklórico, the Ballet Folklórico de Los Angeles and BFLA Performing Arts Academy, currently known as Kareli School of Folklorico, were born.

While Kareli had been recognized for her work within the Folklórico community, it was her extensive effort as the “COCO” choreographer for Disney Studios that put her on the international stage. Her choreography work for Disney Studios began in 2017 at the D23 Expo, where Kareli assembled over 100 Folklórico dancers who closed the Pixar presentations. Impressed with her professional capabilities, Disney Studios called on Kareli to choreograph the cempasuchil carpet entrance for the world premiere of “Coco.” 2017 was rounded off on “Dancing With the Stars,” where Kareli assisted Artem Grigoryev with his choreography of the song “Remember Me.” Kareli’s work throughout 2017 led to an opportunity of a lifetime when she was asked to assist Mandy Moore (Choreographer for the movie La La Land), at the 90th Academy Awards with a rendition of the Academy Award-Winning song “Remember Me” which was then brought to life on air by Kareli and several BFLA dancers. Never would have Kareli thought that her love and passion for Folklórico would lead her to assist Cindy Stuart with the Disney On Ice for the COCO segment of Mickey’s Search Party Show or that her choreographies and performance would be streamed on Disney Plus with “Coco Live” at the Hollywood Bowl. Disney, however, isn’t the only organization to recognize Kareli’s talents as she can now add the off-Broadway musical “Americano” to her growing list of choreography consultations.

On top of the highlight of having worked/performed as part of the 90th Academy Awards, Kareli also had the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned choreographer Nika Kjun on a featured number that was performed with Banda El Recodo and Lila Downs. Before her work with Disney Studio, Kareli was internationally recognized as the “Mexican Belle” for her performance and choreography in partnership with Mitu Network and Mariachi Garibaldi’s de Jaime Cuellar’s remake of “A Tale as Old as Time” which has become a viral video with over 15 million views.

Continuing to work on her craft and give back to the community, Kareli has earned her master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Southern California adding Dance Movement Therapy to her vast list of skills.

First week of rehearsals for our ¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva América! Tour 🇲🇽 🇺🇸 Primera semana de ensayos para nuestra gira ¡Viva México! ¡Viva América! #balletfolkloricodelosangeles #folklorico #balletfolklorico #vivamexicovivaamerica2024 #vicentefernandez

@allstarmariachiacademy Spring Showcase 2024!

Ballet Folklorico Los Angelitos practicing for their Spring Showcase. 🌟 #karelischooloffolklorico #folklorico #balletfolkloricolosangelitos

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