April 2026

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Welcome to Spring at Joyas Mestizas Folklórico Dance!

We’re excited to bring another season of youth folklórico news to the families, friends, and supporters who help this community thrive. This quarterly newsletter is your window into the vibrant world our dancers are building and sharing. This season promises new opportunities for our youth - workshops, collaborations, and special projects that help them grow as artists and leaders.

Inside this edition, you’ll find:

• Dedication in the Studio - Behind the Scenes

• Upcoming Performances

• Dancer Spotlights featuring Clara Orozco, Vanessa Miramontes, Diego Carrillo, and Sofia Juarez

• Pacific Northwest Folklórico Festival 2026: Save the Date!

• Studio Upgrades

• Thanks to our Sponsors

• A countdown to GiveBIG, and an invitation to support our work to present and preserve the traditional dances of Mexico and inspire youth in the Pacific Northwest.

In the studio, teachers and dancers have been hard at work, growing through leveled weekly classes that support learning at every stage. Newer dancers spend an hour each week strengthening their foundational footwork, while others dedicate three to four hours to mastering advanced choreography. Across every level, their commitment to the art of folklórico shines through as they sharpen footwork, discover new steps, and bring fresh choreography to life in preparation for sharing their artistry with the community.

See Joyas Mestizas Live in Performance- Coming Soon!

Join Joyas Mestizas at one of our upcoming performances and celebrate the hard work, talent, and cultural pride of our young dancers.

• May 2nd - 1:45pm, Centro de la Raza, Seattle

• June 6th - Legacy Park, Renton

Want to book Joyas Mestizas dancers for an upcoming community event? Reach out to performance@joyasmestizas.org. Please note: daytime performances during the school day are usually not available.

Dancer Spotlight

We’re proud to introduce our Dancer Spotlight, where we share the journeys of the young performers who make Joyas Mestizas shine. We invite our community to get to know the dancers who bring so much heart to our stage.

May 5th is GiveBIG – A Day to Support Joyas Mestizas!

Details are on the way, and we look forward to welcoming the community to the 2026 PNW Folklórico Festival on Sunday, August 16 at the Brockey Center at South Seattle College. This year’s theme, Seguimos Volando, reflects the persistence and collective strength of our community, honoring how we move forward, rise, and carry our traditions with us even through challenge and change.

While we remain grounded in our traditions, we also recognize the importance of responding to our community’s need for safety and security. After canceling last year’s festival, we made a commitment to a safe and welcoming return this year. We have taken thoughtful, proactive steps to ensure that families, dancers, and audiences can gather with confidence and joy.

To support this commitment, attendance at this year’s festival will require advance registration. Registration will open in June, and additional details will be shared soon. Interested in joining us as a vendors and performers at this year’s festival? Reach out to info@joyasmestizas.org for more information.

We are excited to bring our community back together in celebration.

Thanks to the many generous companies who support our work and ensure that Joyas Mestizas dancers continue to learn, grow, and showcase their talent with pride. Your support keeps cultural heritage alive and ensures that future generations embrace the artistry of folklorico. Interested in learning more about sponsorship? Visit our website or Send us an email!

A big shoutout to our dedicated longtime sponsors, Hooks Construction and Tacos Chukis! Your continued commitment has made a lasting impact on our dancers, our studio, and the cultural work we share with the community. Your years of support have helped our dancers grow, shine, and celebrate their cultural heritage with pride.