We had the good fortune of connecting with Juan Jose Lopez Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juan Jose, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued an artistic career because it is a way to connect with my culture and the rest of the world. A non-verbal way to show what people are and how they correlate.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started in Mexican Folkloric Dance at a very young age. My parents had a music store in the largest market in the city of Oaxaca. There, I had my first encounters with traditional music and folklore. People I saw every day wore their traditional clothing, spoke their native languages like Zapotec, Mixtec, among others. My parents’ store specialized in traditional and popular music from small groups and villages from different places in Mexico.

Later, I had the opportunity to receive a scholarship for a Mexican Folkloric Dance course at the age of 8, and that’s where the journey began in 2001. Soon after, I joined a dance company and over time, I had the chance to visit different towns in my state, later other cities in different states, and even other countries in America and Europe.

It wasn’t until the age of 25 that a transformative opportunity presented itself, fundamentally altering my life and bringing me boundless satisfaction.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, our beautiful Downtown with its amazing architecture, and Downtown Fort Worth. Of course, there are numerous activities to attend to, since the DFW area is a great place to admire and present art in many ways.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico has been a very important pillar for me to share my culture, experiences, and knowledge. It has provided me with the opportunity to explore and exploit physical, cultural, and expressive spaces that have connected me with thousands of people, especially families who have seen me as a spokesperson for their culture. I come from Mexico to share stories with them through dance and our way of seeing life in Mexico.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juanjoserodrigueztx

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