Today we’d like to introduce you to David Marroquin.
Hi David, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
David Marroquin originally created Ballet Folklorico Mayahuel in Mexico during the year of 1989, which subsequently won seven National Dance Championships. It also earned the recognition of “Champion of Champions” during the National Championship of Huapango in 1995, with the Tamaulipas style.
In 1996, David Marroquin was relocated to Detroit Michigan, opening Ballet Folklorico Mayahuel on March of 1997. Mayahuel quickly became the premier Mexican Dance group in the state of Michigan, performing also in Ohio, Illinois and Windsor Ontario Canada.
David Marroquin graduated in 1988 from the Academia de Danza Folklorica Atemoztli and the Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas as a Mexican Dance Instructor. Specializing in the State of Tamaulipas in 1992. From 1988 to 1989 David Marroquin dance professionally with the Ballet Folklorico Atemoztly in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta Jalisco.
Since relocating to Dallas, Mayahuel has performed for many prestigious events and festivals. Representing Dallas Texas Mexican Consulate and performing their annual concert at the prestigious Majestic Theater. It’s members consist of both very experienced veteran dancers who are instructors in their own right as well as novice dancers working together to keep our culture alive!
The Word Folklore means “History of a Town or Country”, and the main goal of the Ballet Folklorico Mayahuel its to preserve the Mexican Folklore History in the more original way possible.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has not been easy, specially when you want to share your culture with the new generatios. Unfortuanelly, getting young studens to be interested in all traditions it is not as easy as is use to be years ago.
Securing financial support is another major challenge along the way. At Mayahuel, I do not charge for classes, and our students do not earn money either. Our goal is to share Mexican folklore purely for the love of the art of dance.
We also have a group of musicians who accompany us during our anniversary concerts. Coordinating this is another great challenge for me as a director and for my dancers. We have been doing this for several years now, and we are very proud to be the only group in town that presents a full show with live musicians on stage with us.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I do not consider myself better than any other Mexican dance instructor. What I do have is a very clear commitment to always do the best I possibly can. From the moment I began my training to become a folkloric dance instructor, I was clear about who I wanted to be and what I wanted to share with my students.
At times, people doubted me for setting goals that seemed too high. I never believed I had to wait or become someone else in order to rise and be who I wanted to be. By working together with my dancers and believing in our shared goals, we have always made it happen.
I am very proud of the professional level of the performances we have presented in different theaters. But above all, I am just as proud of the quality of the family and friendships we have built together.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
As a director, I have learned so much. Discipline and commitment can never be off the table, but at the same time, quality, respect, and passion for the group must also be part of that commitment. When we are at peace and happy as a team, every rehearsal and performance becomes pure joy.
Letting students go is never easy, but one of my responsibilities is to maintain a group at a high level—not only professionally, but also in harmony with one another. At times, this has been very difficult, but it is one of those lessons we must not forget.
Respecting other instructors and dance groups is also very important to me. I strongly believe that no one is better or worse—we are simply different. The less we focus on others and the more we focus on our own work, the stronger and more meaningful our work becomes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mayahuelfolklorico.com
- Instagram: mayahuelfolklorico
- Youtube: BalletFolkloricoMayahuel
