How EBFE Prepared Me for College

Dancing with EBFE has helped me in many ways, especially when it came to preparing for college.  It made me strive for perfection in school, and everything else I do.  Thanks to that, I am going to a better college than I thought would be possible. EBFE also helped me to prepare financially for college.  Our director showed us where to find financial aid, grants, and scholarships to help pay for college.  Thanks to that, I have my entire first semester paid for without paying any money out of my pocket. She taught us how to save our money as well. All of the financial responsibility and discipline that dancing with EBFE has taught us will help us immensely through college and throughout life.

EBFE visits the Castle Museum in Saginaw

EBFE visits the Castle Museum in Saginaw to view the exhibit of migrant workers in Michigan, "Bittersweet Harvest". Check out MLive.com for the story: Smithsonian in Saginaw - Exhibit stop at Castle Museum, recounts the stories of migrant workers.

Grandparents Day 2011 - Dedications

Dear Grandma and Pops,
       Thank you so much for teaching me early in life how lucky I am to be Mexican.   Thank you for sparking my interest in Folklórico! I hope I can continue to make you proud!
Love from your first grandchild,
Casandra

Dear Grandma Sally,

        Thank you so much for giving birth to my mother, Marcella. If Marcy didn’t exist, I sure wouldn’t exist.  I also want to thank you for making the majority of your children join El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil. I might not have danced if you never made your children dance. God bless!  
               Andrew Forsleff

Dear Grandpa and Grandma,

       Thank you so much for teaching my Mom to love dance, which she also taught me to love.  Also, thank you for coming to America where I was able to be introduced to many different cultures such as Mexican, which has allowed me to dance with EBFE. Thank you so much!
        Sara Yufa

Dear Grandma Sally,
         Thank you so much for always supporting me throughout my years of dance.  Thank you for always being at the performances and cheering me on.  And last but not least, thank you for encouraging me to dance with EBFE. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Love you!
          Madelynn Guerra

Dear Grandma Sally, “Granny”
        Thank you for ALL of the support, and continuing the tradition that El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil is passing down.  It’s been such a big part of my life, and it’s so cool to tell people the kind of dance I do.  It is because of you that I’m sitting here writing this.  I love you, and thank you so much for helping me get to where I am.
        Betty Forsleff

Dear Grandma Sally
        I just want to say thank you.  Thank you for supporting my Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil career for so many years.  It’s been great to be part of this.  I love you, and thank you again.
        John

A New Experience....

My first performance with El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil was at the Fiesta in June 2011. I had never danced Mexican Folkloric dancing and I had never even seen it until 2 weeks prior to my first performance at Fiesta. It was totally a new experience for me. The costumes have huge skirts that you have to dance with along with the fast dance steps. It was hard to learn the dances so quickly, but all of the members of El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil were very helpful and patient with me. The performance was so much fun and our audience enjoyed it immensely. Since then I am hooked on E.B.F.E., I love the members and the dance moves and music. It is really special to be a part of recreating parts of Mexican culture.

Just wanted to take this opportunity to express our delight in your dancing groups performance at our 6th Anniversary Fiesta! The All Seasons' residents loved the beautiful and colorful costumes and the professionalism of the dancers.

I really appreciated that everyone arrived early and all the details were taken care of. Also, you personally were so wonderful to work with.

Everyone truly had a fantastic time and we would love to have you back again sometime.

Denise Jones
Activity Director
All Seasons of Rochester Hills

EBFE Summer Intensive 2011

After taking a break from El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil (EBFE), coming back for the summer intensive program was a challenge. The decision to start up again meant a lot of sweat and sore feet, but it was worth it.
Some of the dance steps came back to us easily, like riding a bike, but taking a break from the group didn’t mean the class stopped learning new things. We came back to brand-new dances, difficult skirt work and challenging dance moves. 4 out of 5 days of the week we were improving our skills and reviewing all of the other dances, old and new.
Like any other dance group, things wouldn’t be as enjoyable if the members of the group didn’t have good chemistry. EBFE definitely makes it their own. We were so lucky to fall into such a close-knit, easy-to-get-along-with group. EBFE groups we’ve been involved with in the past were awesome, but this particular clan just clicked. Maybe it’s our youth, and similar sense of humor, but altogether we just work.
How often do teenagers get the opportunity to Mexican dance? After rejoining the group, our appreciation and love for our culture has deepened, and our respect has been strengthened.
It sure is hard work, but in the end, with the pride you feel, it’s worth it.

EL BALLET FOLKLORICO ESTUDIANTIL conduct classes in Flint and Pontiac for beginning, intermediate and advance students. For more specific information regarding performances, fees and tuition credits, please send email to EBFE@msn.com.

S.Quintanilla
810/736-3700

EL BALLET FOLKLORICO ESTUDIANTIL is supported by in part by the Ruth Mott Foundation, Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, Bishop Trust and Citizens Bank.

CLASS INFORMATION 2011/2012

FLINT AREA:
Youth Classes:
Saturday 11:30 - 1:00

LOCATION:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
G-2316 W. Coldwater Rd.
Flint 48505

COMPANY CLASS TIMES:
Monday/Wednesday
6:00 - 8:00 Ages 13 - adult

FLINT LOCATION:
St. Mary’s Parish Center
2600 N. Franklin, 2nd floor

Instructor/Coordinator:
Casandra Flores 248/343-0411
Email: tigra1011@hotmail.com

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PONTIAC AREA:

CLASS TIMES:
Tuesday/Thursday
6:00-7:00

PONTIAC LOCATION:
Azteca Youth Enrichment Center
195 W. Montcalm Ave
Pontiac 48342

Coordinator:
Yolanda Flores 248/332-6514
info@aztecaonline.org

Instructor:
Casandra Flores 248/343-0411
tigra1011@hotmail.com

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TUITION:
Monthly: $35
Additional brother/sister $20
Monthly payments due on the 1st .

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS:
15-week semester: $150
Additional brother/sister $ 75
Payments due Sept 15 & Jan 15

Spring/Summer Sessions FREE with semester payment.

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ATTIRE: All students should arrive dressed for class. Girls should wear hair in a bun (as in performances) for EVERY class and dress appropriately-no jeans or street wear. Practice skirts, dancewear and dance shoes are required. (See MariachiConnection.com) Black and white shoes are required for performances. Serious students will opt for leotards and tights. Optional items include sweat pants and ballet shoes for warm-ups. Guys should wear T-shirts, sweatpants and dance boots. Black and white boots required for performances.
No food or drinks are allowed. Parents are asked to respect this rule, to wait outside of the classroom, and to monitor their children if they are waiting for class to begin or for their ride home.

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Class Schedule – Pontiac 2011-2012

Contact coordinator for dates.