The award-winning Ballet Folklorico de Alvaro Muñoz Academy is using dance, music and art to change lives and make a positive impact on the world.
“We want to inspire all individuals who share our passion for our cultural heritage through unity, support, strength and commitment,” said Alvaro Muñoz, the group’s executive director and artistic director.
Muñoz is the nephew of Martha Muñoz, who founded the group in 1963 along with Crispina Monrrial at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church. Formally known as St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Ballet Folklorico, the group is Abilene’s first Mexican and original Ballet Folklorico.
In 1982, with the help of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, the group was formally introduced to the city of Abilene. In 2019, Alvaro Muñoz took over, leading the group to capture two state Folklorico championships back to-back – the Viva Aztlan Best of Festival in 2023 and 2024. Celebrating its 62nd anniversary, the Ballet Folklorico de Alvaro Muñoz dancers have been a vital part of Abilene’s cultural heritage.
“Our mission is to educate, uplift and inspire children and adults of our cultural Mexican heritage while preserving it through the art of dance,” Muñoz said.
On Jan. 21, 2023, and with the support of the St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church, the ballet folklorico branched out on its own. As of May 2024, it is now officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for the expansion of community-wide growth and is now officially El BALLET FOLKLORICO DE ALVARO MUNOZ ACADEMY. The Ballet Folklorico has 40 members and is led by one of the former dancers of the St. Vincent’s Ballet Folklorico.
The group has garnered many awards, both in state and regional dance competitions. In 2023, it earned 28 first-place trophies, 13 second-place trophies, and six third-place trophies in the young adult and children category combined. It won the overall grand prize, Best of Festival, at the Viva Aztlan Festival Folklorico. The group successfully defended its title in 2024, as well as receiving 13 first-place trophies and 11 second-place trophies. The Ballet Folklorico encourages and guides all individuals that are interested in pursuing dance as a profession.
Ballet Folklorico has partnered with Abilene Ballet Theatre during ABT’s Spring Showcase at the Paramount Theatre. The group also partnered with Paramount and ABT and other organizations in the fall to present a dance and music showcase called Artes de Mexico. The 2024 show was dedicated to the memory of Monrrial.
Since 2023, the dance group has built a strong relationship with Elisa A. Fulks with the Ballet de México USA de Amalia Viviana Basanta Hernandez to promote and support the Abilene community as a cultural exchange between the two groups.
“Our legacy enriches and motivates us all to promote and to cherish our cultural heritage as a unifying force,” he said. “It brings us together in body and soul.”
Contributed By Ballet Folklorico de Alvaro Muñoz Academy
REALTED: Artfully Abilene
This is such an inspiring story! The Ballet Folklorico’s journey, from its founding to its recent achievements, shows the power of cultural heritage. Kudos to Alvaro Muñoz for leading them to new heights and making a positive impact!
Yes, awesome why and how St, Vincent’s Ballet Folklorico group was started way back when.
As a former member of the ’90s St Vincent’s Ballet Folklorico group it was established as a group to get the youth together within the catholic church and to promote the Mexican heritage based on info I’ve read.
It was much bigger than awards and trophy’s.
St Vincent’s group required active church enrollment and participation along with meeting school academic standards in order to participate.
It was a special place for the youth of St. Vincent’s Catholic Church to get together and be kids.
However, part of this article is incorrect.
Sadly on January 24th, 2023 our San Angelo Diocese along with the sitting priest at St Vincents decided to close the St Vincent’s Ballet Folklorico group.
St Vincent’s Ballet Folklorico was so much bigger than just 1 group. The legacy of the 2 lady’s that had started St Vincent’s Ballet Folklorico group live on in multiple Folklorico groups in Abilene currently.
One of which is actually celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year, Ballet Folklorico Del Big Country: Alma de Nuestras Raices.
Happy Easter to all!