KEY PERSONAL
1982 ORIGINAL FOUNDING DIRECTORS
Jose Luis Ovalle
President
Artistic Director Instructor
Company Choreographer
STUDIED DANCE AT:
● Boitsov Classical Ballet, Chicago.
● Ensemble Español at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago.
● Modern dance at Soham Dance Space, Chicago.
● National Institute of Fine Arts School of Dance, Mexico City.
● National Institute for Mexican Youth, Mexico
● Escuela Superior de Danza in Chihuahua, Mexico.
EDUCATION:
● National College of Education, Chicago.
Ofelia Solano
President-elect Instructor
STUDIED DANCE AT:
●
EDUCATION:
● BS Education, Chicago State University, Chicago.
Serafin Vargas Guevara
Vice president
Instructor
STUDIED DANCE AT:
●
EDUCATION:
●
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1983 to 1987 DIRECTORS
Jose Luis Ovalle
President
Artistic Director Instructor Company Choreographer
STUDIED DANCE AT:.
● Boitsov Classical Ballet, Chicago.
● Ensemble Español at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago
● Modern dance at Soham Dance Space, Chicago
● National Institute of Fine Arts School of Dance, Mexico City.
● Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED) under the direction of Mr. Santos Salas Mata.
● Grants and Scholarships for classes with Rafael Zamarripa, Miguel Vélez and Daniel Andrade and
the "Escuela Superior de Danza" in Chihuahua, Mexico.
● Ms Balbina Solano, Ballet Folklórico Azteca of the late Federico Rodriguez
EDUCATION :
● National College of Education, Chicago
● Various universities in Mexico.
AWARDS:
● Master Teacher Award from the Chicago Office of Fine Arts and the Chicago Public Library.
Ofelia Solano-Guevara
President-elect
Instructor
STUDIED DANCE AT:
●
●
EDUCATION:
● MS, Guidance and Counseling
● MS, Education Administration
● BA, Education Chicago State University, Chicago
● BS, Mathematics
AWARDS
● Master Teacher Award from the Chicago Office of Fine Arts and the Chicago Public Library.
● Teacher of the year award from Benito Juarez High School
Serafin Vargas Guevara
Vice president
Instructor
STUDIED DANCE AT:
●
●
EDUCATION:
●
AWARDS
● Master Teacher Award from the Chicago Office of Fine Arts and the Chicago Public Library
Henry A. Roa
Executive director
STUDIED DANCE AT:
● Dale Dance Studio, Chicago, IL
EDUCATION:
● BSBA with a minor in Urban Studies, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois.
●DePaul University, Chicago. ● University of California Extension on Okinawa.
● Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago.
● Postgraduate studies the University of Illinois Chicago.
ACTIVITIES:
● Ballroom dancer/instructor
● Civic leader
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1987 to 2015 DIRECTORS
Jose Luis Ovalle
President
Artistic Director, Instructor, Company Choreographer
STUDIED DANCE AT:
● Boitsov Classical Ballet, Chicago.
● Ensemble Español at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago
● Modern dance at Soham Dance Space, Chicago
● National Institute of Fine Arts School of Dance, Mexico City. 1980
● Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED) under the direction of Mr. Santos Salas Mata.
● Grants and Scholarships for classes with Rafael Zamarripa, Miguel Vélez and Daniel Andrade and the "Escuela Superior
de Danza" in Chihuahua, Mexico.
● Ms. Balbina Solano, Ballet Folklórico Azteca of the late Federico Rodriguez
EDUCATION:
● National College of Education, Chicago.
AWARDS:
● Dance Master award from the Chicago Office of Fine Arts
● 3 Dance Fellowships awards from The Illinois Arts Council,
● Award from The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum in commemoration of twenty-five years as a
master teacher and choreographer.
● Award from The Continental Community Center in commemoration of twenty-five years
as a master teacher and choreographer 2014
Matiana Medrano Ovalle
Vice President
Assistant Artistic Director, Instructor
STUDIED DANCE AT :
● Academia de Danza Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes Delegacion de San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
● Grupo de Danza Matehuala Xochipilli, Mexico
1991
EDUCATION
● BS in Speech Pathology and an Associates Degree in Early Childhood. University of Illinois, Chicago.
AWARDS
● inaugural "Viva Latina" award from The Chicago Office of Fine Arts
● Janice Watkins award from the University of Illinois Chicago.
2014
Juanita Roa
Secretary/Treasurer
STUDIED DANCE AT :
● Arthur Murray Studio, Joliet, IL
1980s
AWARDS:
● Posthumus Keepers of Culture award for lifetime contributions to culture.
From Sones de Mexico Ensemble.
View the Presentation Video: https://youtu.be/lGc0CP67PUY It is a touching story of our lives
●12 Cardinal Circle Awards for donations to Casa Jesus presented by
His Eminence Francis Cardinal George
●Inaugural Corazon de Jesus Award from Casa Jesus presented by
His Eminence Francis Cardinal George
● Casa Jesus Award for most years of support presented by His Eminence Francis Cardinal George 2010
● Award from St. Agnes of Brighton Park as the founder of Guadalupana Society.
ACTIVITIES:
● Singer
● Ballroom dancer
● Civic Leader
She passed away on May 16, 2015.
She served the company before its formal founding; beginning in 1980 with the children's group, Nuevo Ideal, of Ofelia Solano. When MFDC was formed she served as Book Keeper, Secretary and Treasurer. We miss her.
2015
Henry A. Roa
Executive director
STUDIED DANCE AT :
● Dale Dance Studio, Chicago, IL
EDUCATION:
● BSBA with a minor in Urban Studies, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois
●Business Administration DePaul University, Chicago
● Business Administration University of California Extension on Okinawa
● Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago; Engineering Studies 1980's
● Post graduate studies University of Illinois Chicago; Education
ACTIVITIES
● Executive Director Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago
● Executive Director Cuerdas Clasicas, Inc.
● President Our Lady of Fatima Holy Name Society
● Administrative Assistant Asociacion de Charros Cuatro Caminos.
● Member Sones de Mexico Ensemble board board
● Member Pope John Paul II School board 2010
● Member Parde Jose de la Luz Silva Coatzintla Veracruz, Mexico Retirement Home Fund.
AWARDS
● 12 Cardinal Circle Awards for an annual donation to Casa Jesus; presented by His Eminence Francis Cardinal George.
● 2 awards from Brighton Park Elementary School for LSC service
● Alex Peloso CD Award for service to the community, from Continental CommunityCenter
● Casa Jesus Award for most years of support
● Inaugural Corazon de Jesus Award from Casa Jesus presented by His Eminence Francis Cardinal George
● Fraternal Order of St. Francis Wildcats Man of the Year for community service in the arts.
● Award from Community Education Foundation HS Dist. 214 Arlington Heights
● Museum of Science and Industry Award for volunteer service in Latino Festival events.
● Western Electric Heritage and Culture Club Award as a founding member
● St. Agnes of Brighton Park Holy Name Society Award for years of service
● St. Agnes of Brighton Pk Award as co-founder of Guadalupana Society.
OTHER SERVICE:
● Past executive director Cuerdas Clasicas, Inc
● Past Admin Assistant Federacion de Clubes Unidos Zacatecanos en Illinois
●Past Admin Assistant Hispanic American Alerta Committee of Belvidere
●Past Admin Assistant Sociedad Civica Mexicana de Illinois.
●Past Admin Assistant Sociedad Civica Mexico-Americana de Des Plaines
●Past President of Bishop Placido Rodriguez Chicago Scholarships Aux
●Past Bilingual Tutor at Cooper Upper-Grade Center
●Past Entertainment Chairman Museum of Science & Industry Latino Horizons Festival
●Past Administrative Assistant of Mexican Civic Society of Illinois
●Past Panelist for:
● Illinois Arts Council (Arts in Education) (Ethnic & Folk Arts) (Master/Apprentice)
●Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs (Dance)
● Michigan Arts Council (Dance)
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
● Civic leader
● Ballroom dancer/instructor
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PRESENT DIRECTORS
Jose Luis Ovalle
President
Artistic Director Instructor Company Choreographer
STUDIED DANCE AT:
● Boitsov Classical Ballet, Chicago.
● Ensemble Español at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago
● Modern dance at Soham Dance Space, Chicago
● National Institute of Fine Arts School of Dance, Mexico City.
● Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango (UJED) under the direction of Mr. Santos Salas Mata.
● Grants and Scholarships for classes with Rafael Zamarripa, Miguel Vélez and Daniel Andrade and
the "Escuela Superior de Danza" in Chihuahua, Mexico.
● Ms. Balbina Solano of Ballet Folklórico Azteca of the late Federico Rodriguez
EDUCATION:
● National College of Education, Chicago.
AWARDS:
● Master Teacher Award from the Chicago Office of Fine Arts and The Chicago Public Library.
● 3 Dance Fellowships awards from The Illinois Arts Council,
● Award from The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum in commemoration of twenty-five years as a master teacher and
choreographer.
● Award from The Continental Community Center in commemoration of twenty-five years as a master teacher and
choreographer.
Matiana Medrano-Ovalle
Secretary / Treasur
Assistant Artistic Director Instructor
STUDIED DANCE AT :
● Academia de Danza Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes Delegacion de San Luis Potosi, Mexico
● Grupo de Danza Matehuala Xochipilli, Mexico
EDUCATION
● BS in Speech Pathology and an Associates Degree in Early Childhood. University of Illinois, Chicago.
AWARDS
● inaugural "Viva Latina" award from The Chicago Office of Fine Arts
● Janice Watkins award from the University of Illinois Chicago.
● Chicago Human Rhythms Project Award honouring women of rhythm who have led Chicago’s percussive dance communities.
Henry A. Roa
Executive Director
STUDIED DANCE AT :
● Dale Dance Studio, Chicago, IL
EDUCATION:
● BSBA with a minor in Urban Studies, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois
● DePaul University, Chicago; Business administration
● University of California Extension on Okinawa: Business administration
● Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago; Engineering studies
● Postgraduate studies University of Illinois Chicago; Education
ACTIVITIES
● Executive Director Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago
● President Our Lady of Fatima Holy Name Society
● Administrative Assistant Asociacion de Charros Cuatro Caminos.
● Member Sones de Mexico Ensemble board
● Member Pope John Paul II School board
● Member Parde Jose de la Luz Silva Retirement Home Fund, Coatzintla Veracruz, Mexico
● Member American Legion Central Park Post 1028
● Panellist for Illinois Arts Council Agency (Ethnic & Folk Arts)
AWARDS
● Keepers of Culture award for lifetime contributions to arts and culture. From Sones de Mexico Ensemble.
View the Presentation Video: https://youtu.be/lGc0CP67PUY It is a touching story of our lives. I miss her so very much.
● Certificate of Recognition as United States Veteran from Cook County Commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia.
● Cook County Veteran certificate and patch by Cook County Commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia.
● Certificate of Honor for military service in Korea from American Legion Post 1028
● 12 Cardinal Circle Awards for an annual donation to Casa Jesus; presented by His Eminence Francis Cardinal George
● 2 awards from Brighton Park Elementary School for LSC service
● Alex Peloso CD Award for service to the community, from Continental Community Center.
● Casa Jesus Award for most years of support
● Inaugural Corazon de Jesus Award from Casa Jesus presented by His Eminence Francis Cardinal George
● Fraternal Order of St. Francis Wildcats Man of the Year for community service in the arts.
● Award from Community Education Foundation HS Dist. 214 Arlington Heights
● Museum of Science and Industry Award for volunteer service in Latino Festival events.
● Western Electric Heritage and Culture Club Award as a founding member
● St. Agnes of Brighton Park Holy Name Society Award for years of service
● St. Agnes of Brighton Pk Award as co-founder of Guadalupana Society.
OTHER SERVICE:
● Past Executive Director Cuerdas Clasicas, Inc
● Past Administrative Assistant Federacion de Clubes Unidos Zacatecanos en Illinois
●Past Administrative Assistant Hispanic American Alerta Committee of Belvidere
●Past Administrative Assistant Sociedad Civica Mexicana de Illinois
●Past Administrative Assistant Sociedad Civica Mexico-Americana de Des Plaines
●Past President of Bishop Placido Rodriguez Chicago Scholarships Auxiliary.
●Past Bilingual Tutor at Cooper Upper-Grade Center
●Past Entertainment Chairman Museum of Science & Industry Latino Horizons Festival
●Past Administrative Assistant of Mexican Civic Society of Illinois
●Past Panelist for:
● Illinois Arts Council (Arts in Education) (Ethnic & Folk Arts) (Master/Apprentice)
●Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs (Dance)
● Michigan Arts Council (Dance)
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