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: Ricardo Gomez
Secretary: Karina Gracia-Cerda
Board Of Directors
- Mario Celis
- Anthony Cerda Jr.
- Fernando Durazo
- Diane Gomez
- Yvette Quijada
- 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: Ricardo Gomez
Secretary: Karina Gracia-Cerda
Board Of Directors
- Mario Celis
- Anthony Cerda Jr.
- Fernando Durazo
- Diane Gomez
- Yvette Quijada
- Chantal Ralls
- Maribel Vazquez
Our Instructors
Chantal Ralls
Chantal Ralls is the founder and director of Compañia de Danza Folklorica Arizona. She has been dancing for 29 years and teaching for 15 years. Students at all levels of the company flourish from her dedication, creativity, attention to detail and passion for the art and company. “Folklorico is my passion, and I love sharing my culture with the community.” – Chantal Ralls
Luis Urbina
Luis Urbina has been dancing for 14 years and teaching for 5 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
Aniya Celis
Aniya Celis has been dancing for 12 years, 7 of which have been with have been with Compañía de Danza Folklórica Arizona. Sharing her love of the art with the next generation from a young age. “Folklorico has become a second home with amazing people and dancers to work.” – Aniya Celis
Esteban Cruz
Esteban Cruz has been dancing folklorico over nine years ago and hopes that it will continue to be for the rest of his life. He has been an instructor for the past for four years and brings the same level of energy to his classes that he does to the stage. “Bailar folklorico es poder vivir la historia de mi linda tierra Mexicana.” – Esteban Cruz
Yazmin Campa
Yazmin Campa has been dancing for 19 years and has been sharing her skills and dedication with our students for the past 4 years. “Dancing folklorico has always been a passion of mine that has made me feel most in touch with my culture.” – Yazmin Campa
Jacqueline So
Jacqueline So has been dancing folklorico for the past 19 years and been an instructor for the company sharing her graceful technique with the next generation for the past 2 years. “Folklorico is what keeps us connected to our roots and I love being a part of the dance community.”
Elizabeth Gracia
Elizabeth Gracia has been a folklorico dancer for the past 7 years and has shared her love of dance as an instructor with our students for 5 years. “Folklorico will forever have a special place in my heart, I love having the opportunity to share my culture with our students and the community.” – Elizabeth Gracia