Meet Our Director

Also known as West Covina Dance Company or Florecitas Dance Company, Ballet Folklorico International is the original name created by Director and Choreographer Lucia Parra.

Mrs. Parra has been teaching for 40 years as of 2023 and established the company in 1982 at the young age of 20 years old. Lucia initially earned her degree in Guadalajara, Jalisco for Cultural Fine Arts and later returned to earn another degree at Cal Poly Pomona for Special Events Coordinator.

Initially, Lucia Parra created this dance group with only 7 students. She was dedicated to keep her culture alive in Los Angeles, CA during a time period in which the Hispanic culture and language was frowned upon in public. Despite many hardships and battles with society, Mrs. Parra stood her ground and now has a successful company with over 60-70 students ranging from the age of 3 - 70.

Still today, our dance groups' motto is "Keeping Our Culture Alive" and just as Lucia Parra did then, we continue to do now.