Executive & Artistic Director

Thor Steingraber

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NOCHEBUENA

A Christmas Spectacular

FEATURING  

BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE LOS ÁNGELES

MARIACHI PUEBLO VIEJO

And Special Guest

XIMENA SARIÑANA

SAT DEC 20 | 2PM & 7PM SUN DEC 21 | 2PM MON DEC 22 | 2PM

Run time is approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission.

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Program | Program Note

PERFORMERS

Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles | Mariachi Pueblo Viejo | Ximena Sariñana Band

BIOGRAPHIES

Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles | Kareli Montoya | Mariachi Pueblo Viejo | Ximena Sariñana

Artist Spotlight: Kareli Montoya

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The Soraya

Our Supporters | The Soraya Team

BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE LOS ÁNGELES

BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE LOS ÁNGELES (BFLA) was founded in 2011 by Kareli Montoya and has distinguished itself as the nation's premier Mexican folk-dance company. Their skillful dancers have graced world-class venues such as the Anaheim Convention Center, Orpheum Theater, Nokia Theater, Greek Theater, John Anson Ford Amphitheater, Santa Barbara Bowl, the Younes & Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, Staples Center, Tempe Center for the Arts and the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Since its inception, BFLA has worked with the industry's finest GRAMMY Award-winning artists such as Lila Downs, Pepe Aguilar, Mariachi Divas and Mariachi Los Camperos.   They have shared the stage and accompanied mariachi greats like Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan, world-famous Mariachi Vargas and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar.   Not shy of any genre, Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles has worked with music celebrities like Ana Barbara, Morrissey, Ruben (Cafe Tacuba), Las Cafeteras, Beatriz Adriana, Banda El Recodo, Paquita la del Barrio, Empress Of, and Armenian pop star Lilit Hovhannisyan. This amazing dance troop was the first Folklórico company in the country to accompany symphony orchestras such as the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra and the Marina del Rey Symphony, both conducted by Frank Fetta.   Media coverage has made BFLA internationally recognized especially after being featured in the 2016 National Geographic Traveler UK edition and with their collaboration with Mitu Network on a Mariachi Remake of Beauty and the Beast's "A Tale as Old as Time," featuring Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuellar and BFLA's Director, Kareli Montoya. The video went viral on Facebook at 15 million views (and counting)! If you have seen the Disney/Pixar Coco Live at the Hollywood Bowl or on Disney+, then you have already had the opportunity to see BFLA in action, as they assisted Disney Studios with magical performances during 2017 for the release of Coco. They were the folkloristas at the D23 Expo where they performed on stage with Benjamin Bratt, Mariachi Divas, and the Grammy®-winning Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band.   Perhaps you caught them at the Coco Premiere at El Capitan Theatre or even on “Dancing With the Stars,” Disney Night. If you missed those performances, we are sure you saw them grace the stage at the 90th Annual Academy Awards alongside Natalia Lafourcade, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Miguel with a rendition of Coco's Academy Award-Winning song, "Remember Me."  

Kareli Montoya (Director of Artistic Programming)

  Kareli Montoya’s professional career began at age fifteen, when she became the youngest dancer to perform at the to her craft led to a tenure with La Fonda lasting many years. Ms. Montoya continued her professional dancing career while attending Cal-State University of Los Angeles, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2011. Having fulfilled the goal of being the first in her immediate family to receive a college degree, Kareli traveled to Colima, Mexico to realize another professional goal: study with the internationally known Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad de Colima. During her time in Colima, Kareli continued to acquire new techniques and a stronger passion for Folklórico which then led her to return to Los Angeles with a distinct goal to establish her own professional dance company. From this drive and commitment to the art of Folklórico, the Ballet Folklórico de Los Angeles and BFLA Performing Arts Academy, currently known as Kareli School of Folklorico, were born. While Kareli had been recognized for her work within the Folklórico community, it was her extensive effort as the Coco choreographer for Disney Studios that put her on the international stage. Her choreography work for Disney Studios began in 2017 at the D23 Expo, where Kareli assembled over 100 Folklórico dancers who closed the Pixar presentations. Impressed with her professional capabilities, Disney Studios called on Kareli to choreograph the cempasuchil carpet entrance for the world premiere of Coco. 2017 was rounded off on “Dancing with the Stars,” where Kareli assisted Artem Grigoryev with his choreography of the song “Remember Me.” Kareli’s work throughout 2017 led to an opportunity of a lifetime when she was asked to assist Mandy Moore (Choreographer for the movie La La Land), at the 90th Academy Awards with a rendition of the Academy Award-Winning song “Remember Me” which was then brought to life on air by Kareli and several BFLA dancers. Never would have Kareli thought that her love and passion for Folklórico would lead her to assist Cindy Stuart with the Disney On Ice for the Coco segment of Mickey’s Search Party show or that her choreographies and performance would be streamed on Disney Plus with Coco Live at the Hollywood Bowl. Disney, however, isn’t the only organization to recognize Kareli’s talents as she can now add the off-Broadway musical Americano to her growing list of choreography consultations. On top of the highlight of having worked/performed as part of the 90th Academy Awards, Kareli also had the opportunity to collaborate with world-renowned choreographer Nika Kjun on a featured number that was performed with Banda El Recodo and Lila Downs. Before her work with Disney Studio, Kareli was internationally recognized as the “Mexican Belle” for her performance and choreography in partnership with Mitu Network and Mariachi Garibaldi’s de Jaime Cuellar’s remake of “A Tale as Old as Time” which has become a viral video with over 15 million views. Continuing to work on her craft and give back to the community, Kareli has earned her master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Southern California adding Dance Movement Therapy to her vast list of skills.

MARIACHI PUEBLO VIEJO

Founded in May 2021 by Director Manuel Ponce, Mariachi Pueblo Viejo was created to honor and elevate the authentic spirit of Jalisco’s mariachi tradition. Now celebrating its 5th anniversary, the ensemble has quickly earned recognition for its musical excellence, dynamic performances, and unwavering commitment to preserving Mexico’s cultural heritage. Under the musical leadership of Maestro Daniel Rosales and David Gill, Mariachi Pueblo Viejo has shared the stage with world-renowned groups including Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán and the Grammy-winning Mariachi Los Camperos. Today, Mariachi Pueblo Viejo continues to bring the heart, soul, and tradition of Mexico’s musical legacy to audiences across the Southwest—inviting you to experience the magic of mariachi without ever leaving the Old Pueblo. Fundado en mayo de 2021 por su Director Manuel Ponce, Mariachi Pueblo Viejo nació con la misión de honrar, preservar y difundir el espíritu auténtico de la tradición mariachi de Jalisco. Lo que comenzó como un sueño profundamente arraigado en la identidad y la cultura mexicana, rápidamente se transformó en un proyecto artístico que hoy, en su quinto aniversario, se distingue por su excelencia musical, su profesionalismo y su compromiso inquebrantable con nuestras raíces. Bajo la dirección musical del Maestro Daniel Rosales—figura destacada del mariachi internacional y miembro esencial de la familia artística de Nuevo Tecalitlán—junto con la guía y experiencia del maestro David Gill, Mariachi Pueblo Viejo ha logrado establecer un sonido propio, caracterizado por su precisión, su fuerza interpretativa y su profundo respeto por la tradición. Gracias a esta dedicación, el grupo ha tenido el honor de compartir escenario con grandes referentes del género, incluyendo al legendario Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán y al prestigioso y ganador del Grammy, Mariachi Los Camperos. A lo largo de estos cinco años, Mariachi Pueblo Viejo ha recorrido escenarios dentro y fuera de Arizona, llevando consigo el orgullo de la música mexicana y demostrando que el mariachi sigue siendo un idioma universal de emoción, identidad y celebración. Cada presentación se convierte en un puente entre generaciones, un recordatorio de la belleza de nuestras tradiciones y una invitación a sentir el corazón de México vibrando en cada nota. Hoy, Mariachi Pueblo Viejo continúa creciendo con una visión clara: representar con dignidad la música que nos dio origen, elevar el nivel artístico del mariachi en la región y ofrecer al público una experiencia que capture el alma de nuestro país sin necesidad de salir del querido Pueblo Viejo, la tierra que vio nacer este proyecto.

XIMENA SARIÑANA

Songwriter and Mexican actress. She has released six studio albums, Mediocre (2008), Ximena Sariñana(2011), No Todo lo Puedes Dar (2014), ¿Dónde Bailarán las Niñas? (2019), Amor Adolescente (2021) and Existencia Kamikaze (2025). Her single 'Vidas Paralelas’ from her debut album, was certified Gold Record in Mexico, won Best New Artist in the MTV Awards, GRAMMY nominee for Best Latin / Alternative Rock Album and Latin GRAMMY nominee for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Song. Three-time Latin GRAMMY nominee in 2019 (Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Rock Song). Two-time MTV MIAW 2019 nominee (Artista + Chingón México: Best artist in México y Video of the Year for “Si tú te vas”). Won the prestigious Premio Gato Blanco as an agent of change at MTV MIAW 2019. Her presence at international festivals is notable, having performed at events such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, LAMC, Bonnaroo, Estéreo Picnic, SXSW, Wonderfront, Noches del Botánico, and Los Dells. Ximena has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Miguel Bosé, Parcels, Rawayana, Los Ángeles Azules, Natalia Lafourcade, Tegan & Sara, Dillon Francis, Ana Torroja, LP, Siddhartha, Little Jesus, Girl Ultra, Leonel García, Ramona, Nsqk, Sabino, Nanpa Básico, Alemán, Jason Mraz, and Porter among many others. In 2024, Ximena presented at the HERA HSBC festival in collaboration with OCESA, an event that promotes female musical talent in Mexico City, with the participation of artists such as Camila Cabello, Danna, Demi Lovato, and Evanescence. As an actress she’s been involved in TV series, soap operas and movies, like Netflix’s “Casa de las Flores” (2020) and most recently starring Apple TV’s “Las Azules” (2024). Her altruism and activism have placed her as spokeswoman for organizations such as Greenpeace, WWF, Oceana, The Young Center, among others. She is also the first official ambassador for UN Women in Latin America.