Folk Dancers Brielle Bowden and Remy Comp stun during a performance in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble and BYU Mountain Strings spent their summer on an unforgettable tour through Mexico and the southern United States. The students had much to say about their experiences, revealing how the tour profoundly impacted their perspectives.
Kicking Off in Mexico
The ensemble started their tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where they spent 10 days performing at a festival and connecting with groups from around the world. Bailey Tucker, a member of the ensemble, says, “It was a dream come true to represent the US at an international folk festival. I felt such a love for my country and opened my heart to love even more cultures as I met people from around the world.”
The ensemble’s commitment to community engagement was evident at the Baila Conmigo event, where they fostered joy and connection as they danced with locals. Their performance at Teatro Vallarta further impressed attendees as the group enthusiastically showcased American dance traditions.
The tour continued with a vibrant parade in Tomatlán, where the ensemble performed for over 800 people. Their performance garnered high praise from the president of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts, further solidifying the ensemble’s reputation as ambassadors of cultural exchange.
The last few days of the tour included visiting a local middle school, participating in a photo rally, and exploring San Sebastián del Oeste, where they performed for residents. “It has been a beautiful sight to see my team dance for those of my Mexican culture,” says Efrain Villalobos, a member of the ensemble. “I feel like both of my worlds collided and the purpose of our team has been fulfilled. We honor the world around us by dancing their traditional folk dances. Now, we get to meet and perform for them too!”
The festival culminated with a meaningful religious ceremony for world peace, during which the ensemble sang “Irish Blessing,” a moving conclusion to their time in Mexico.
Transition to the US
After Mexico, the ensemble traveled to the southern United States, where they toured 12 cities throughout six states, starting in Greensboro, North Carolina. Each day was jam-packed with school outreaches and public performances, and while in Birmingham, Alabama, the ensemble was featured on Fox 6 News.
In Atlanta, Georgia, they collaborated with the Uhuru Dancers, a nonprofit organization that focuses on sharing African cultures. The cultural exchange was enriching, with both groups learning from each other’s traditions and techniques.
Throughout the tour, they performed at five different schools. One high school outreach that was particularly memorable was the outreach at Nolensville High School near Nashville, Tennessee, where the ensemble had a workshop with a special needs group. “Each one of the students had the biggest smile on their face, and you could tell that they loved to get up and moving,” says Levi Hancock, a dancer on the team. “Participating in such a great service activity as a team definitely boosted group morale and cheered us up before our show that night.”
The ensemble also visited the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, which highlights the history of slavery in America. Austin Johnson, a musician in Mountain Strings, reflects, “It was a unique experience in that it was simultaneously harrowing, humbling, and mind-expanding. Additionally, it helped me as a citizen of this country to better understand a large part of our history, in which so many have suffered so much.”
The group made time for leisure activities throughout the tour, such as spending time at the Okefenokee Swamp and Daytona Beach. They concluded their tour by celebrating at Walt Disney World.
Looking Ahead
The International Folk Dance Ensemble plans to tour Idaho and Oregon in November 2024 and Türkiye, Croatia, and Italy in summer 2025.
Click HERE for more from the International Folk Dance Ensemble.
