16 BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble Dancers Shared the Stage in Texas with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Ballet Folklorico
Students from the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble (IFDE) felt a personal connection to BYU’s motto “The World is Our Campus” when they were invited to perform with University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Ballet Folklorico in McAllen, Texas on Jan. 18, 2025. Sixteen BYU students, accompanied by IFDE artistic director Jeanette Geslison and choreographers Greg and Maria Tucker, performed in a collaborative concert titled “Hauteque” at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex theatre for an audience of about 500 people. The concert brought together two dance troupes of differing religious beliefs and backgrounds for one night of dance, music and comradery.
Many of the BYU students who participated in the dance exchange said that the performance felt like a full-circle moment because UTRGV Ballet Folklorico came to BYU campus last year. Many rekindled friendships they had made and strengthened their love and appreciation for the UTRGV dancers and their dance traditions. The collaboration was born from Miguel Peña, artistic director of URTGV Ballet Folklorico, and Jeanette Geslison, artistic director of IFDE. The two originally met in the MFA Dance program at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
In this collaborative performance, each group performed several of their own pieces and finished the show with a combined finale number choreographed by Peña and Greg and Maria Tucker. Peña and Geslison enlisted the Tuckers to help with the clogging aspect of the performance. The dancers rehearsed together and joined hands in prayer — one prayer in Spanish and one in English.
“All of the dancers come from different backgrounds, religions and schools, but during the prayers we were all holding hands united in praising God for letting us have the opportunity to represent so many cultures that we love,” said BYU dancer Amy Nattress.
The IFDE students noted that this experience broadened their appreciation of Folklorico dance and Mexican culture. “My experience showed me how dance and art can foster cultural appreciation, build and nurture relationships and teach valuable life lessons that go beyond performing on a stage,” said IFDE dancer Dallin Lyon. “I learned how collaboration on a single dance piece brings mutual respect and broadens creative perspectives.”
“I learned not only about the various dances that come from all around Mexico but also how to be passionate and loving of the ancestors that are represented through traditional folk dance,” said IFDE dancer Tanner Birtcher. “I loved feeling the kindness they had for one another and their families and felt inspired to implement that in my own dancing and relationships with loved ones.”
The performance concluded with a standing ovation and afterwards, BYU and UTRGV student performers had the opportunity to meet and take photos with audience members. “It felt an honor to share the stage with such a high-quality dance ensemble, and to feel unified through our unique cultural university dance programs,” Geslison said. The chair of the UTRGV Dance Department, Dana Shackelford, offered her positive feedback about IFDE’s high caliber of dance.
For the IFDE dancers, the performance was more than a lesson in traditional folk dance or an exciting experiential learning trip to Texas. “This experience taught me a life lesson that when I approach a new environment humbly and respectfully, differences in cultures can be bridged and people come together,” said IFDE dancer Brielle Comp.
IFDE dancer Clara Smilanick concludes that, “It is amazing the friendships and dance opportunities that are offered through BYU, I truly have realized that the world is my campus.”