Baile folklórico, literally "folkloric dance" in Spanish, is a collective term for traditional Latin American dances that emphasize local folk culture with ballet characteristics - pointed toes, exaggerated movements, highly choreographed arrangements. Baile folklórico owes its inception to Amalia Hernandez who started her dance company in the 1960s with a small group of dedicated dancers.

Each region in Mexico, the Southwestern United States and Central American countries is known for a handful of locally characteristic dances. The costumes and the music attempt to reflect the living cultures of their regions.

Given the synthesis of cultures in each

region, elements from all cultures

are combined to produce a

language of movement that

inspires and represents

the regional,

national and personal

notions of beauty and

entertainment.

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