Instructors
Ashley Lopez
Director
Co-Founder
Maestra Ashley Lopez began dancing as a child in San Jose, CA. She spent her child career dancing under various Bay Area and Mexico instructors. At the age of 16, she joined "Soles de Mexico" a professional dance company in San Jose under the direction of Ramon Morones. As a professional dancer, she performed numerous states all over California. Ashley began studying under Ramon Morones as a apprentice. Studying with him once a week she learned state repetoire, choreography elements, outfit reproduction, and correct instructional elements. At the age of 18, Ashley co-founded Grupo Folklorico Los Laureles. Following the formation of Los Laureles, Ashley formed Los Laureles Company, a professional adult company in 2008. As Los Laureles' Director, Ashley is responsible for conceiving, developing, and implementing the artistic vision and focus of the organization and major decisions about the ongoing development of the aesthetic values and activities. Ashley produces large scale theatre productions for the Los Laureles Company and Academy, selling out theatres and presenting her work annually. Maestra Ashley currently gives workshops around California promoting folklorico and children curriculum. Maestra Ashley is a graduate of the Multicultural Artist Leadership Institute (MALI) class 8.
Esperanza Bautista
Instructor-
Laureles Juvenil
Beg/Int Adults
George Romero
Assistant Instructor-
Laureles Company
Esperanza Emigdio Bautista was born and raised in San Jose, California. She is a current nursing student at Norte Dame De Namur University in Belmont, CA. Esperanza began dancing at the age of 13 at Hoover Middle School. Esperanza then moved on to Abraham Lincoln High School where she resumed her passion for folklorico. After graduating high school she then joined Los Laureles in 2013 as a Company dancer. Since then, Esperanza has taken workshops such as The Danzantes Unidos Festival and The San Jose Mariachi Festival. She has performed for The San Francisco Giants, Clorox, Pixar, and all over San Jose at private events. Since 2014, Esperanza has been a guest instructor for the Los Laureles Academy. Starting Fall 2015, Ms. Esperanza took a step forward in her folklorico career by instructing the Level 3-Advance Children's class. Maestra Esperanza is a traditional dancer with focus on skirt work and coordination. She works closely with the children of Los Laureles to prepare them to audition and join the Los Laureles Juvenil Company.
George Romero is a folklorico dancer and instructor from San Jose, CA. He has over 30 years expierence and joins Los Laureles since 2010 as a Assistant Instructor for the Los Laureles Company. His speciality is in choreography and step placement. He can be seen at the Los Laureles studio on Mondays and Wednesdays also helping out with children classes on music and warm-ups. On his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife Delana, three children, and grandchildren.
Sharon Benitez
Instructor-
Level 1: Mondays
Marie Hernandez-McManus
Level 2- Gilroy
Sharon Benítez started dancing at age 5 with Maestra Elena Robles in San Jose and has not stopped since! She has taught and performed in the Bay Area, México, Nicaragua, and London as both a musician and dancer. Native to the South Bay, she graduated from Santa Clara University with dual degrees in English and Ethnomusicology and has worked as an arts administrator and as a teaching artist at various Bay Area theaters and public schools. Her interests revolve around arts education, music, dance, theatre and the culture and context they thrive in. Currently she performs with a Mexican Folk music and dance collaboration called Los Panaderos and is so happy to be teaching and dancing with Los Laureles!
Bio coming soon
Anica Moss
Instructor-
Level 3: Adv. Children
Ruby Castillo
Instructor-
Level 2: Int. Children
Anica Moss was born and raised in the Bay Area. Anica is currently an elementary school teacher and has taught 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grade. She also teaches the folklorico dance classes and drama at her school. Anica graduated from UC Davis with degrees in Spanish and Design, received her teaching credential from Sacramento State, and her Masters in Educational Leadership from San Jose State. She began dancing folklorico as an adult after college, and wants to remind adults that it is NEVER too late to start! She has been dancing with the Laureles Company for 5 years. She has taken workshops at The Danzantes Unidos Festival and performed for the San Francisco Giants, Superbowl 50, and the San Jose Earthquakes. In addition to teaching elementary school and dance, Anica loves to be outside in nature, hike, cook, travel and paint.
Bio coming soon
