Carlos Moreno Garcia expertly handles the artistic direction of the company. A thrilling performer with international credits, this choreographic genius’ work has delighted audiences on both sides of the United States-Mexican border.
The BFM had completed its first year of existence when Carlos Moreno-Garcia was born on June 10, 1968 in Livermore, California. Growing up in this artistic environment Carlos recalls his mother spending hours behind the sewing machine, completing costume after costume while his father lugged a briefcase to teach classes, to coordinate dance performances, and continually traveled back and forth to Mexico.
Carlos Jr. launched his artistic and performing career at the age of three when he began studying the fundamentals of Mexican folkloric dance under the tutelage of his father and his first dance instructor Becky Teberg, a BFM company dancer and instructor for the infantile group. Carlos’ performance debut took place at the Alameda county fair where he danced “La Danza de los Viejitos.”
Although there were few folkloric groups to see and learn from, through the BFM Carlos had the opportunity to see Mexico’s top folkloric companies. The exposure to companies such as the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Grupo Folklorico de La Universidad de Guadalajara (UDG), Ballet Folklorico de Emma Pulido, and Ballet Folklorico Nacional, only peaked Carlos’ interest in the world of Mexican folklore.
Even though he did not fully understand the traditions and history of folkloric dance, at his early age, Carlos developed an appreciation for the theatrics of staged performances. The music, costumes, lighting, and the sets made a lasting impression.
In the same tradition of his father, young Carlos by age eleven began to challenge his father and the direction the company was taking. He spent hours listening to musical selections and creating his own choreographies and mock programs, as well as watched videotape performances of other companies as well as the BFM. The interest he took paid off and in 1982, at the age of 14, Carlos Jr. was assigned the task of teaching a new version of “El Zapateado”. Perhaps it was the excitement or the fear of not being taken seriously by the members of the First Company, but young Carlos gained their respect not only as a dancer but also as an instructor. Since that day, teaching has been a part of his work at the BFM and the Community.
During the next few years, he taught the Juvenil and the First Company and summers were spent studying folklorico dance and history at the University of Guadalajara. While at UDG he had the opportunity to work backstage during numerous performances of the Grupo Folklorico de La Universidad de Guadalajara.
Throughout high school his interest in the arts increased, particularly in film and cinematography. Although he was accepted to the University of California, Los Angeles, financial restraints and a continued commitment to the BFM kept young Carlos close to home, where he enrolled into the School of Cinema at San Francisco State University. He later switched careers to accounting.
"Carlos Moreno" performing "La Camisa
In the spring of 1989, at the Danzantes Unidos Fesitval, the BFM debued a new piece from Guerrero choreographed by Carlos. Impressed by the choreography and Carlos’s performance in “La Camisa” Maestro Alvaro Serrano Director of the Ballet Folklorico del Estado de Hidalgo, from Pachuca, Hidalgo encouraged Carlos to go to Mexico City and study with the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, under the direction of Amalia Hernandez. Without hesitation, Carlos departed on the 4th of July 1989 to Mexico City. While in Mexico City, Carlos also took classes at the Mizoc Dance Academy where he received detailed instruction on traditional dances, costume making, music, and history. Not surprisingly, within a week of attending classes at the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico he was asked to train with the performing company and within two weeks was performing at the Palace of Fine Arts with the Resident Company and later begins performing with the Touring Company. Within two months Carlos was touring England, Central America and the United States.
Always on a quest for self-improvement, not just as a dancer, but also in stage production, Carlos found time to study Jazz dance at the Emma Pulido School of dance and took every opportunity to observe and learn the happenings of back stage, lighting, sound and set design.
In the spring of 1990 Carlos returned to the Bay Area to finish his university studies and took the opportunity to apply some of the dance techniques he learned in Mexico, to the BFM. He choreographed some dances from Chiapas and Revolucion that continue to be performed by the First Company.
In 1991 he returned to Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, this time with an agenda. With a one-year planned stay, his goal was to research and choreograph a condensed version dance from the Valle of Anahuac called “Los Concheros”, establish contacts for production of costumes and stage props, as well as record and edit music for BFM’s Chiapas repertoire. During these overseas engagements with Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, Carlos assisted with translations, interviews, and technical production activities (staging, set design, and lighting).
He returned permanently to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1992 to devote himself to his first love, the BFM. His goal has been to take the BFM to the highest artistic level reachable. Since returning to the BFM, Carlos has created or adapted over 50 choreographies, always taking the care, consideration, and respect to preserve the traditional roots and meaning of each new piece. In addition, he also serves as the First and Second Company’s primary instructor. Carlos, the Artistic Director, finds that maintaining the balance between following his creativity is on of his greats yet most satisfying challenges. Teaching however is the most rewarding aspect of his work. Since his return, the company has solidly established itself as a leader in the folklorico circuit.
He has taught continuously in local schools since 1992 and serves as Ballet Folklorico Instructor at St. Mary’s College since 1998.
It is his belief that the Company has not reached its peak and is committed to this task as well as working with the BFM in becoming a force in the Community.
