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Curriculum
The Ballet Folklorico Conservatory, directed by Marlene Peņa-Marin,
was added to the Orange County High School of the Arts in
2002. Ballet Folklorico introduces students in grades 7-12 to
Mexican Folk dances from different regions of Mexico. Students
will be exposed to the movement, forms, dance history and
culture inherent in Mexican Folk Dance.
Techniques that are basic to folk dances of Mexico:
Appropriate steps, styling and choreography for each dance
Basic exercises and techniques necessary for the development
of proper styling and projection of each dance
Appropriate costuming for each dance
History of geographical location and regional influences of
each dance
General characteristics of Mexican Folk Dance as
differentiated from other national folk dances
Appropriate musical accompaniment for each dance/region,
including the major musical differences such as rhythm and
instrumentation
History of Mexican Folk Dance as a national form
Classes Offered
Courses offer practical experience in the preparation and
performance of dance forms and regions from Mexico with
instruction from experienced professionals.
During their six-year education at OCHSA, students learn
the technical skills necessary to pursue a dancing career and
develop valuable habits that last a lifetime. Ballet
Folklorico classes include:
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Course Offerings |
Folklorico Technique
Repertory
Dance Conditioning |
Classical Ballet Technique
Folklorico History/Lecture |
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Faculty
Bios
Marlene Peņa-Marin, Director Ballet Folklorico
Marlene Peņa-Marin joined the Orange County High School of the
Arts in 2002 and currently serves as director, Ballet
Folklorico Conservatory. Widely recognized throughout the
Southern California dance community, Peņa-Marin has been
featured in prestigious performances such as the International
Folkdance Festival at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the
Mariachi USA Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, the City of Los
Angeles Mexican Independence Day Grito , and the L.A. Fiesta
Broadway for the City of Los Angeles , which was profiled by
KMEX-TV. An expert in dance education, Peņa-Marin has
instructed students in the art of ballet folklorico for more
than 20 years. In addition to her role at the Orange County
High School of the Arts, she currently serves as director of
Relampago del Cielo Grupo Folklorico. Peņa-Marin received her
dance training from renowned instructors including Rosie Peņa,
Emilio Rivas and a variety of maestros from the United States
and Mexico . She has continued her dance education training by
participating in conferences sponsored by the Asociacion
Nacional de Grupos Folkloricos and Instituto Nacional de
Belles Artes in Mexico City .
Cynthia Karim
Cynthia Karim has served on the Orange County High School of
the Arts faculty for more than four years. Offering an
extensive background in various arts disciplines, she teaches
courses in the Ballet Folklorico, Film and Television,
Integrated Arts, Music and Theatre, Opera, and Production and
Design Conservatories. Her theater experience includes work as
a professional make-up artist as a licensed aesthetician since
1975. Karim also worked in the production and design field in
children’s theater from 1990-2000, focusing on stage make-up
and hair, costuming, set design, scenic design, props and
stage management.
Her art experience includes work as an art docent
coordinator for the Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School
district for 15 years, where she wrote and planned the art
history lessons for the Renaissance, Impressionist, Japanese
and Modern art periods. Her areas of expertise are classroom
organization, lesson planning, stage make-up, costume design,
stage management and art history. Jay Wallace
Jay Wallace joined the Orange County High School of the Arts
in 2004 and currently serves on the Ballet Folklorico
Conservatory faculty. Originally from Kansas City , Wallace
received his master of fine arts degree in acting and theatre
from California State University , Long Beach (CSULB) and his
bachelor of fine arts degree in acting from Emporia State
University . While attending CSULB, Wallace served as a member
of the resident professional theatre company, Cal Rep. He
continues to be actively involved in theatrical productions
while forging a career in film and television. Additionally,
Wallace has worked as an acting coach and acting / theatre
teacher for more than seven years. Wallace has taught a
variety of classes at the Orange County High School of the
Arts including acting, movement for actors, musical theatre
history, improvisation, audition techniques, theatre history,
acting for non-majors, and a film and television acting
practical. The pursuit of honest creative expression is the
foundation of Wallace's teaching fundamentals
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