THE DIRECTORS

Founder and Director of the México 2000 Folk Dance School and Artistic Director of the México 2000 Folkloric Ballet, Maestra Mary Palencia possesses vast experience in the performing arts industry. With over 40 years of experience in dance, Mary Palencia is an artistic director, choreographer, and costume designer, boasting 25 years as a dance instructor. She studied dance in her home state of Sinaloa, Mexico, under the tutelage of Professor Blanca Ramos Alarcón Barroza, and performed with various groups in Baja California Norte. Additionally, she spent two years in Chiapas and Oaxaca, immersing herself in the culture and traditions of these beautiful regions. In 1991, she relocated to Dallas, Texas, where she resumed her career as a folklorist. Alongside her husband, Alex Palencia, she traveled throughout the United States, promoting and presenting Mexican folklore at schools and universities. From 1994 to 1998, she served as a principal dancer for the ANMBF. In 1998, Maestra Mary and Alex Palencia founded the México 2000 Folkloric Dance School, where they have since taught students ranging from four-year-old children to adults, covering levels from beginner to professional. Maestra Felicitas, known for her extensive knowledge of traditional dance and music, designs costumes for numerous dance companies across the United States and Mexico. Experienced and energetic, she creates all the costumes for México 2000 productions and for various dance programs within school districts across Texas and Oklahoma. Her passion for the art of dance and Mexican culture and traditions shines through in her work. Furthermore, she serves as the choreographer for the advanced company, Ballet Folklórico México 2000. As the school's director, she takes on several responsibilities, including establishing goals and deadlines, organizing annual classes and workshops with guest specialists, and producing large-scale community and private events to promote culture, diversity, and the arts. With over 40 years of experience as a dancer, instructor, choreographer, and director, Mary Palencia prepares her students to perform on any stage, representing Mexican culture with the utmost respect. An active member of the IIDDM, A.C., she participates with the Tamaulipas delegation and engages in intensive dance refresher courses focusing on the diverse states of Mexico. Since 2019, Maestra Palencia has been an active member of IIDDMAC. With her group, the Ballet Folklórico México 2000, she has participated in various folk dance competitions in Dallas, Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio, and Lubbock, Texas, as well as in Los Angeles, New York, and Colorado, earning over 300 awards across all categories. She has received more than 35 local and state proclamations from city mayors and a Texas governor. The México 2000 Ballet Folklórico has been listed in the Texas Commission on the Arts’ Touring Roster since 2003 and received the “American Masterpiece” designation in 2009 from the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts). Mary Palencia aims to foster an appreciation for Mexican folklore, music, culture, and traditions wherever she goes, delivering every performance with enthusiasm and passion, driven by a deep love for the art of dance.

Maestro Leopoldo "Alex" Palencia boasts a dance career spanning 48 years of professional experience, beginning at the age of six when he learned to dance under the guidance of his father—Maestro Leopoldo "Polo" Palencia, a renowned master and researcher of Mexican dance. Alex accompanied his father on significant research expeditions between 1970 and 1986, witnessing the *Danza de Caballitos Pames*, the *Danza de Chichimecas*, the *Fiestas de Huapango Arribeño* of San Luis Potosí, and the *Danza de Viejitos* of Jarácuaro, Michoacán, among others. 

Polo Palencia Jr. danced from 1980 to 1984 with what is now the National Folkloric Dance Company of Nieves Paniagua and later performed with the Ballet Folklórico de México of Amalia Hernández from 1984 to 1986. His training during these years included folkloric dance technique, classical dance, modern dance, choreography, props, and costume design. With these companies, he toured Central America, South America, and Spain. 

From 1986 to 1992, he engaged in intensive studies in modern dance at the National Ballet School of Mexico under Guillermina Bravo, along with training in classical ballet, jazz, and tap at the studios of Sergio Salazar and Ema Pulido, and acting at the Núcleo de Estudios Teatrales. He also served as an exclusive dancer for Televisa and performed in musical comedies such as *Calle 42* in Mexico City. 

In 1992, he relocated to Dallas, Texas, where he continued his career as a folklorist. Together with his wife, Mary Palencia, he traveled across the United States, promoting and showcasing Mexican folklore at schools and universities. 

From 1994 to 1998, he held the position of principal dancer and choreographer for various dance troupes. In 1998, alongside his wife Felicitas Palencia, he founded the México 2000 Folkloric Dance School and the México 2000 Folkloric Ballet, where they remain the general directors today. 

Alex Palencia conducts folkloric dance workshops for school groups and dance companies in both Mexico and the United States. In 2019, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Folkloric Dance from the Zitlalkiahuitl School of Higher Education in Folkloric Dance. 

Polo has been an active member of the IIDDMAC since 2019, participating with the Tamaulipas delegation. With over 48 years of experience as a dancer, instructor, choreographer, and director, he prepares his students to perform on any stage, representing Mexican culture with great respect. The dance troupes of the México 2000 Ballet Folklórico have performed at a wide variety of cultural and private events, completing over 1,500 performances in 26 years. 

With his group, the Ballet Folklórico México 2000, he has participated in folk dance competitions since 1999 in Dallas, Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio, and Lubbock, Texas, as well as in Los Angeles, New York, and Colorado, winning more than 300 awards across all categories. He has also received over 35 local and state proclamations from city mayors and a Governor of Texas. The México 2000 Ballet Folklórico has been included in the Texas Commission on the Arts’ Touring Roster since 2003 and received the "American Masterpiece" designation in 2009 from the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts). 

Alex Palencia is the dance instructor for all groups and classes at the México 2000 Folklorico Dance School. His primary objective is to teach students traditional Mexican dance using techniques based on his extensive dance experience, while always preserving the traditional styles of the different regions of Mexico.