About Us, Our Mission & Instructors
Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona – Tucson, AZ
Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona is a non-profit dance organization based out of Tucson, Arizona, which was founded in 2013 by Chantal Danay Ralls. What started as a small group of fifteen dancers rapidly evolved into fifty dancers by the end of the first year.
Today the company is composed of six different levels (ranging from the age of four years old to college age students) and close to 150 dancers. Though young, CDFA has already had many great opportunities such as touring and performing with Grammy Award winning Mariachi Los Camperos and performing throughout the states of Arizona, California, and New Mexico.
The company takes pride in participating in and performing at multiple conferences and festivals including the Tucson International Mariachi Conference, ANGF, and the Bisbee Mariachi Festival. CDFA has also had the opportunity to perform in different styles of concerts including performing with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Carlos Sabien, and others.
In 2024 CDFA will be celebrating it’s 10th anniversary and has a year full of exciting celebrations and surprises in store for everyone. As the company celebrates this milestone and thanks everyone who has been a part of helping us reach it, we also look forward to the next ten years!
Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona is a non-profit dance organization based out of Tucson, Arizona, which was founded in 2013 by Chantal Danay Ralls. What started as a small group of fifteen dancers rapidly evolved into fifty dancers by the end of the first year.
Today the company is composed of six different levels (ranging from the age of four years old to college age students) and close to 150 dancers. Though young, CDFA has already had many great opportunities such as touring and performing with Grammy Award winning Mariachi Los Camperos and performing throughout the states of Arizona, California, and New Mexico.
The company takes pride in participating in and performing at multiple conferences and festivals including the Tucson International Mariachi Conference, ANGF, and the Bisbee Mariachi Festival. CDFA has also had the opportunity to perform in different styles of concerts including performing with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Carlos Sabien, and others.
In 2023 CDFA will be celebrating it’s 10th anniversary and has a year full of exciting celebrations and surprises in store for everyone. As the company celebrates this milestone and thanks everyone who has been a part of helping us reach it, we also look forward to the next ten years!
Our Mission & Values
One Team, One Dream.
The mission and goal of CDFA is to provide young students and the community of Southern Arizona with a traditional education of Mexican Folklore.
President: Anna Ralls
Vice President: Yvette Quijada
Secretary: Karina Gracia-Cerda
Board Of Directors
- Anthony Cerda Jr.
- Fernando Durazo
- Diane Gomez
- Chantal Ralls
Our Mission & Values
One Team, One Dream.
The mission and goal of CDFA is to provide young students and the community of Southern Arizona with a traditional education of Mexican Folklore.
President: Anna Ralls
Vice President: Yvette Quijada
Secretary: Karina Gracia-Cerda
Board Of Directors
- Anthony Cerda Jr.
- Fernando Durazo
- Diane Gomez
- Chantal Ralls
Our Instructors
Chantal Ralls
Chantal Ralls is the founder and Director of Compañía de Danza Folklorica Arizona. She has been dancing for over 30 years and teaching for 18 years. Students from all levels flourish from her dedication, creativity, attention to detail and passion to the art and company. “I am beyond blessed to have the opportunity to work with so many amazing families, students, instructors, board members and community members each day.”- Chantal Ralls
Luis Urbina
Luis Urbina has been dancing for 17 years and teaching for 8 years. “Our company has given me the goal and passion to inspire our youth to carry on their roots and traditions into the next generation.” – Luis Urbina
Gabby Lopez
Gabby Lopez has been dancing for about 20 plus years and developed a love and passion to teach the community the beautiful culture we have for the last 8 years. “ Folklorico is not only a hobby but a lifelong passion” Gabby Lopez
Yazmin Campa
Yazmin Campa has been dancing for 22 years and has been sharing her skills and dedication with our students for the past 6 years. “Dancing folklorico has always been a passion of mine that has made me feel most in touch with my culture.” – Yazmin Campa
Paul Guzman
Paul Guzman has been dancing folklorico for 10 years and has been teaching for 3. Teaching has become his passion. Taking any and every opportunity to learn. “Dance has no limits, one of my earliest memories was telling my mom that I would one day perform at Disneyland, now not only did I complete that dream but so did my students.” – Paul Guzman
Elizabeth Gracia
Elizabeth Gracia has been dancing for the past 9 years, and has shared her love for dance with our talented dancers as an instructor for 7 years. “Folklorico will forever have a special place in my heart, It is a tremendous privilege to have the opportunity to share my culture with our students and the community.” – Elizabeth Gracia
