Como México no hay ninguno.

Our members, all share a common goal: to spread and promote Mexican culture. We work to preserve the rich heritage of traditional Mexican dance.

Ballet Folklorico Puro Mexico is a non-profit organization that has been active in Toronto, Canada for 22 years!

Ballet Folklorico Puro Mexico is a Mexican dance company founded in May 2003. It is currently under the Direction of Rosy García and Martin Contreras. The company is supported by the guidance of our Former Artistic Director Jezreel Vazquez and by a great team that contribute to the growth of the organization.

During its 22 years as a non-for-profit organization, Puro Mexico has grown exponentially thanks to the passion and dedication of each one of its members. They work tirelessly to promote Mexican folklore by committing to bring their best work forward with pride and professionalism to every audience.

From the start, the company has been part of important events in Ontario such as the celebration of the Pan American Games in 2015, the Canadian National Exhibition, the Taste of the Danforth, Salsa on St. Clair, Pride Toronto and many others. It has also worked with other organizations to promote multiculturalism and inclusion in Toronto.

Puro Mexico has proudly worked in collaboration with other companies such as the National Ballet of Canada & Creativiva; as well as represented Mexico in landmark places such as the Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Harbourfront Centre, Queen's Park and the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Furthermore, the group has collaborated with well-known Mexican Artists such as Los Cadetes de Linares, Franco Escamilla, and the Intocable group.

The company's repertoire is backed by profound research gathered by its Directors and by the support of ambassadors and teachers of Mexican folklore in Mexico and around the world. These important allies have prominent artistic careers that keep enriching the folkloric dance heritage by adapting it to modern times and passing it on to new generations.

Ballet Folklorico Puro Mexico is highly regarded by the Mexican community in Toronto. The organization keeps striving to promote Mexican cultural diversity in Canada by creating a space in which Mexican immigrants, as well as Canadian-born Mexicans, can reconnect with their roots.

  • Rosy Garcia

    DIRECTOR

    Originally from México City, Rosa Ofelia García has been dancing Mexican Folklore since the age of 6. Years later, she became a Ballet Teacher and a proudly Mexican representative dancer in the Multicultural Dance Festival in Toledo, Spain in 1991.

    When she moved to Toronto in 2002, she joined The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Hilda Panasiuk, one of the pioneer groups in Toronto founded in the early 70’s, where she performed for more than 15 years in numerous events in the GTA. Her Passion for the Mexican dance, her dream to explore new horizons and her tenacity to continue growing as a dancer, brought her to Puro México in 2016. Shortly after, she became an important member of the Board of Directors.

    Rosy has extensive experience as TV Producer and Event Promoter with expertise in Marketing, Advertising and Sales. She has dedicated all her knowledge and commitment to promote Puro Mexico in the community.

    Currently, Rosy is enrolled in the community social services as a Settlement Worker providing information, referrals and support to newcomers, pregnant women and their families. She has been a great support for the Spanish Speaking community in Toronto including our dancers.

  • Martin Velazquez

    DIRECTOR

    Born in Pijijiapan, Chiapas Martin Velázquez began his dance career at the age of 18 at the Ballet Folklorico Aztlan of Xalapa, continuing at the Ballet Folklorico de la universidad ESAV directed by Horacio Cantero and finishing at Taller Escénico de la Universidad Veracruzana directed by María del Pilar Garcia Álvarez. During his trajectory Martin founded and directed the children’s ballet “Las Americas”, which remained under his guidance for a couple of years.

    Martin brings his vast knowledge of the state of Veracruz along with a full repertoire of the state’s Sotavento and Huasteca regions.

    He’s traveled across the country dancing on national stages including Michoacán, Nayari, Monclova, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Veracruz and Chiapas.

  • Jezreel Vazquez

    FORMER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

    Jezreel Vazquez was born in the State of Mexico and started his passion for Mexican folklore at the age of 8. His parents encouraged him to pursue his interest in learning the different styles from all regions of Mexico. They enrolled him in the National Fine Arts Institute in Mexico where he acquired further knowledge in Mexican Folk dances.

    When he moved to Canada in 2006, he was invited to join Puro Mexico to share his knowledge within the new dance organization that had recently formed. With commitment and hard work, they reached out to the Mexican community to recruit new dancers and promote the organization. Today, our company stands with pride thanks to the countless hours of passion and teaching.

    After 18 years of working together with the community, Jezreel is stepping down as teacher and artistic director but he will continue to support the team as an artistic advisor working to strengthen their repertoire. He will be also assisting and supporting the promotion team.