About Us... Monique N. Michel-Duarte was born and raised in Los Angeles, California in 1973. She began taking classical ballet and the art of Mexican folk dancing, or, Ballet Folklorico, at age 6. Initially Monique was taught Folklorico dancing by Vicky Sosa and was a member of Ballet Folklorico de Victoria Maria in her hometown of Pico Rivera. As a teenager, she joined Barbara Delgado and became a member of Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo, out of Bellflower, California. It was with Mexico Lindo that she was exposed to many opportunities to perform and travel, and it was with Mexico Lindo that she spent her teenage and early adult years. In 1988, Monique's Quinceanera involved a trip to Cancun, Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula. It was there that Monique witnessed for herself the amazing and spectacular dancing of the one and only Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, de Amalia Hernandez. (Monique jokes with her students that Amalia Hernandez is to Ballet Folklorico what Babe Ruth is to baseball). It was after that trip to the Yucatan Peninsula that Monique added Aztec and Flamenco dancing to her Ballet Folklorico repertoire. These classes were taught by instructors within the group. These additions not only added to her cultural heritage, but enriched the already existing relationships within her dance group. As a young adult, Monique became an understudy to the professional touring group within her group, Ballet Folklorico del Sur de California, or, the Ballet Folklorico of Southern California. Eventually she traveled outside of the Los Angeles area and began performing regularly with Mexico Lindo and Sur de California. Performances also led to conference and competition opportunities and included locations like Salinas, California, Phoenix, Arizona, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Las Cruces, New Mexico and Catalina Island, Avalon, California. Through her groups, Monique became a member of two different Mexican folk dance organizations. The National Association of Folklorico Groups (translated and abbreviated as ANGF) and Danzantes Unidos (translated as United Folk Dancers). Both of these organizations offered yet more opportunities for travel, workshops and competitions. In l997, Monique left her beloved Los Angeles, her family and dance friends, and moved to Idaho with her new husband. Prior to her leaving though, the group gave her a bridal shower and even attended her college graduation and wedding. In 2003, with tremendous parental support from local parents, Monique was able to form a new generation of friends and dancers, alike. The friendships made in Los Angeles are still maintained and even assisted Monique in forming her own group, affectionately named, Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo. The new Mexico Lindo has successfully performed at over 100 public and private shows and is eagerly awaiting their five year anniversary in March of 2008. The group originally began with four dancers, and no practice site. Today, the group consists of 21 dancers ages five to adult. And in January of 2007, Monique opened Idaho's first and only all-Folklorico dance studio in downtown Nampa, "Alma Folklorica", or "Folkloric Soul". The studio offers varying levels of Mexican Folkloric dancing on various days of the week. The groups’ success has included performances at the last Boise River Festival, Hispanic Heritage Festival in Twin Falls, Boise’s Festival of Trees, the Western Idaho Fair, Fiesta Idaho, National Night Out, Community Fun Night, Light the Night Parade, Cinco de Mayo, and Boise City Arts Commissions’ Performers at the Market to name a few. Recognition for the group includes articles in the "Idaho Press Tribune", "La Prensa Libre" and "The Idaho Statesman". Awards include a Traditional Arts Apprenticeship from the Idaho Commission on the Arts in 2001, which technically grants Monique the title of "Master Folk Dancer", and a grant from Zion's Bank in 2005 for their "Smart Women Smart Money" grant. Monique has also been honored on KBOI's "Speaking on Business" with Fred Ball in December 2001. Collaborative efforts include Ballet Idaho in 2004 for "Dance Discovery", Caldwell Fine Arts in 2006 for "Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli de Vera Cruz" where Monique arranged a Folklorico workshop featuring dancers from Vera Cruz, Mexico. Civic memberships include the Nampa Civic Foundation, Caldwell Fine Arts, Caldwell Chamber of Commerce, National Association for Latino Arts & Culture, and Danzantes Unidos. Today Monique continues her passion of sharing her rich Mexican heritage to a new generation of dancers. New friendships have been formed and memories are made on a weekly basis. Monique considers her dancing to be a true blessing and one of the best things to ever happen to a shy kid from the heart of Los Angeles. For information on classes or performances, Monique can be reached at (208) 353-0966.
		©2007 Ballet Folklorico Mexico Lindo. All Rights Reserved.