The Dia de los Muertos Festival gets closer by the minute. The Folklorico dance team, with their colorful dresses and diverse choreographies is participating in the annual event hosted by YISD Oct. 24.

“We are preparing and dancing every day since we are going to be performing at the Dia de los Muertos Festival,” junior Yatziri Quintanilla said. “I’m always trying my best in class when we practice, as well as practicing on my own time so the audience can have a great experience coming from our school,” senior Valerie Lopez said.

Both Quintanilla and Lopez are students of Folklorico working to bring their talent to this performance.

“I’m hoping it’ll be successful this year because most of them are new to that type of dance and everyone is at different levels in the way of not only dancing but in performing as well,” Lopez said.

Returning dancers are working with new students who are not familiar with this particular dance style.

“The biggest struggle for us is the amount of time we have. We have almost two months to prepare. That seems like a long time but it’s really not,” Folklorico dance teacher Melissa Dominguez said. “My students are at different levels but I know that they’re all ready.”

Despite the short amount of preparation time students have, Dominguez believes her class will have a successful performance.

“We’re performing the state of Jalisco, the region which a lot of students are familiar with.” Dominguez said. “We’re going to be doing La Madrugada and El Gusto. For the finale, students also have to learn La Negra which is something that all the participating schools  do together.”

This performance will emphasize the state of Jalisco.

“The girls are going to be wearing their Jalisco dresses,” Dominguez said. “The boys are going to be wearing the traditional Mariachi and they all will have their faces painted.”

For the Dia de los Muertos Festival, students are using makeup to go along with the theme.

“The colorful dresses, the sound of the music and the rhythmic accenting of feet makes my heart flutter,” Quintanilla said.

Students get emotional when representing their culture and dance style.

“I take pride in what I do being in Folklorico because it’s just as beautiful and powerful as any other type of art, and it has a strong representation in our Mexican culture,” Lopez said. “I’m thankful for being able to express my talent and having the amazing opportunity of showing my roots.”

Students in Folklorico not only join this class to dance, but to show what their traditional dance style is all about.

“Attending and performing is fascinating because I get to know other people and hear the audience get excited every time a group is on stage to perform,” Quintanilla said.

The audience completes the Dia de los Muertos Festival.

“It’s just a nice way to represent our culture and it’s nice to be there,” Dominguez said. “Not only does Folklorico and Mariachi perform, but I love the art. Students in the district do altars in honor of the dead, so it’s pretty cool and a good way to celebrate.”