Ballet Folklórico
Ballet Folklórico, Son de la Palma, is a great opportunity for students interested in performing arts, dance, and Mexican culture. Students from all backgrounds learn Mexican folkloric dance, music, history, and culture, all in one class. The class builds confidence and self-esteem, along with leadership skills. Finally, it's fun and a chance to make life-long friends.
No experience is necessary to join the elective class or the after-school class. The only requirements are a good attitude to learn and respect for everyone's effort.
A signed permission form is needed from your parent/guardian. Pick up a permission form from Ms. Arevalo. In addition, all Ballet Folklórico students will need to turn in a Publicity Authorization Form.
Meetings
We meet on Fridays, after school in the Auditorium, from 3:15 to 4:30pm.
Instructors and Overview
Palms Middle School Ballet Folklórico – Son de la Palma – was founded in 2016 by UCLA's Groupo Folklórico.
Son del la Palma is honored to have UCLA’s most skilled dancers as their instructors: Ms. Monica Magaña, Ms. Paola Ornelas, Mr. Kenneth Sanchez, and Ms. Christine Castañon.
Ballet Folklórico Son de la Palma has received many positive reviews and has been recognized as one of LA Unified School District's most talented artists. Son de la Palma performs yearly at UCLA's Royce Hall with UCLA's Grupo Folklorico. In past years, we have performed for LAUSD's We are One concert at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as well as other venues in the community and school events. Please join us in supporting this wonderful experience for our youth and community.
Parent Group
To help with our fundraising, a strong parent group is needed.
We will be like a family. Son del la Palma parents works closely with Friends of Palms, because we are a team. They help fund our program, for example paying festival registration fees, and even helping us buy our costumes.
Volunteers
Mr. and Mrs. Santana, former Palms teachers as of Fall 2024, are Ballet Folklórico volunteers.
Other volunteers are welcome!
Performances Schedule 2026-2027
Ballet Folklórico Assembly
Thursday, May 20, 2027, Periods 5 and 6
Auditorium
Spring Folklórico Show
Thursday, May 20, 2027, 6:00pm
Auditorium
UCLA Fiesta Mexicana
Sunday in May, 2027, date to be announced
UCLA Royce Hall
Performance Schedule Fall 2025
Tue Sep 16: Hispanic Heritage Month Performance at Palms
ThuOct 30: Region West State of the Region Address at Los Angeles High School
Sun Nov 2: Santa Monica History Museum Dia de muertos Festival 2025
Fri Nov 7: Dia de los muertos Assembly at Palms
Fri Nov 7: Dia de los muertos Festival at Castle Heights Elementary School
Performance Schedule Spring 2026
Fri Mar 27 to Sun Mar 29: Danzantes Unidos Festival
Tue Apr 7: Visitor's Day at Palms
Fri May 1: Dia de los ninos at Castle Heights Elementary School
Mon May 18: Ballet Folklórico Spring Assembly at Palms, Periods 5 and 6
Thu May 21: Ballet Folklórico Spring Show at Palms, 6:00pmSun May 24, 2026: UCLA Fiesta Mexicana at UCLA Royce Hall
Wed Jun 3: End-of-Year Family Banquet
Sat Jun 6: Hillcrest Elementary School Culture and Community Resource Fair
Watch clips of our UCLA performances!
Performance Schedule 2024-2025
Spring Assembly
Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Period 6
Auditorium, first-come, first-served
Folklórico Spring Show
Thursday, May 29, 2025, 6:00pm
Special guest: Groupo Folkorico de UCLA
Auditorium
UCLA Fiesta Mexicana: Ecos de Nuestros Pueblos
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Guest performances by Mariachi de Uclatlán and Palms Middle SchoolUCLA Royce Hall
Free admission - door open at 4:30pm - show at 5:00pm
Download flyer
Lunchtime performance for Hispanic Heritage Month
Friday, September 20, 2024
Santa Monica Heritage Museum Dia de los Muertos
Saturday. November 2, 2024
Students received a California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition.
Cathedral Chapel School Multicultural Fair
Friday, February 21, 2025
School assembly
Friday, May 9, 2025
Auditorium
UCLA's Fiesta Mexicana at UCLA Royce Hall
May 2025
2023-2024 Performances
Saturday, October 7, 2023, 12:30pm: Muertos Artwalk on Olvera Street Kiosk
Saturday, October 28, 2023: Dia de los Muertos Festival at Olvera Street Kiosk
Wednesday, November 1, 2:30-8:30pm (time tentative, location to be announced): Dia de los Muertos, sponsored by LAUSD’s Arts and Education Branch. Transportation and compensation will be provided for our group.
Friday, November 3: Dia de los Muertos assemblies (for Palms students)
Sunday, May 26: UCLA's Fiesta Mexicana at UCLA Royce Hall.
2022-2023 Performances
April 2023: Auditorium performance with Grupo Folkórico de UCLA too
May 2023: UCLA's Fiesta Mexicana at UCLA Royce Hall. The group performed 2 dances at the start of the show and another 2 dances at the end of the show. UCLA's own Ballet Folkórico performed as well. Admission was free, but tickets had to be reserved (up to 4 per email address).
Download the flyer:
June 2023: Clover Elementary School's International Fair
June 2023: Knott's Berry Farm
Castle Heights Elementary School
Fiesta Mexicana 2022
2021-2022 Performances
September 2021: Back to School Night
February 2022: Open House
April 2022: Son de la Palma Big Show (assemblies for students and public evening performance)
May 2022: Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Olvera Street
May 2022: Castle Heights Elementary School
May 2022: UCLA Fiesta Mexicana in Royce Hall at UCLA
Sponsors
PDFs