Ballet Folklórico Xanharati
Mission
Ballet Folklórico Xanharati is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the richness of music and dance through folkloric, contemporary, and ballroom expressions. We create a transformative space for all ages, where discipline, creativity, and culture inspire artistic excellence and strong values.
Through our work, we empower individuals to make a positive impact in their community and deliver high-quality performances that express identity, emotion, and pride, connecting authentically with every audience.
Vision
To become the leading artistic company representing Wisconsin, with international projection through excellence in music and dance. We strive to be a cultural reference recognized for artistic quality, social impact, and commitment to the community, inspiring new generations and strengthening cultural identity.
Values
1. Artistic Excellence
2. Cultural Identity
3. Social Responsibility
4. Inclusion and Diversity
5. Professionalism and Discipline
6. Teamwork
7. Holistic Student Development
8. Trust and Empowerment
History
Founded in November 2014 in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico, Ballet Folklórico Xanharati is a dynamic dance company dedicated to preserving, strengthening, and sharing the cultural richness of Mexican music and dance. Its name, Xanharati, comes from the Purépecha language and means “Traveler,” reflecting the company’s mission to carry Mexican heritage across borders through movement and music.
The company presents a vibrant repertoire of traditional Mexican dances representing regions such as Nayarit, Michoacán, Jalisco, Chiapas, San Luis Potosí, Baja California Sur, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. Each year, Xanharati expands its artistic offering and premieres new regional works during its annual anniversary production, Origins, celebrating the depth and diversity of Mexico’s cultural roots.
Since establishing its base in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2020, Ballet Folklórico Xanharati has become a leading presence in major cultural events throughout the Midwest. The company performs annually at Mexican Fiesta, the largest Hispanic festival in the region, and has appeared at prestigious venues and events including the Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee Night Market, Disney Orlando and Universal Studios, and numerous community celebrations. Xanharati has also brought Mexican folklore to high-profile stages such as Latino Nights with the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Milkmen, and Milwaukee Admirals, and has collaborated with the Mexican Consulate in Milwaukee and prominent Hispanic organizations.
A hallmark of Xanharati’s trajectory has been its collaborations with iconic figures of Mexican music, including the legendary Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Aída Cuevas, and Los Tigres del Norte, with whom the company has performed on multiple occasions across Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio.
Beyond performance, Ballet Folklórico Xanharati is deeply committed to education and artistic excellence. The company regularly offers workshops and master classes led by renowned instructors from Mexico, providing dancers with high-level training and cultural context. These include maestros such as Abel Román de Amador (Sonora), América Balbuena (Guanajuato), Rosa Villa (Nayarit), Luis Tarín (Chihuahua), Enrique Heredia (Tabasco), Omar Zamilpa (Guerrero), Ángeles Luna (Veracruz), Francisco Flores (Tamaulipas), Octavio Jiménez (Zacatecas), Manuel Hernández (Jalisco), and Juan Carlos Gaytán (Colima), as well as collaborations with the Ballet Folklórico de Amalia Hernández.
Today, Ballet Folklórico Xanharati remains true to its name: an ever-traveling cultural ambassador, carrying Mexican heritage beyond borders and connecting generations, communities, and hearts through the performing arts. Since February 2026, the company has proudly become a member of CIOFF® USA, opening new doors for international cultural exchange and collaboration. Its story continues to unfold with every rehearsal, every stage, and every round of applause—affirming dance as a living bridge between origin and future and tradition with audiences wherever it travels.
Our Director
Paulo García – Artist, Educator & Cultural Leader
García, born September 24, 1988, in Morelia, Michoacán (the City of Pink Stone), is a multifaceted artist, educator, and cultural promoter. From a young age, he cultivated a passion for dance, participating in school festivals, and trained in sports such as swimming and Karate-Do, building discipline and perseverance. At 17, he gained early experience in radio production with Radio ADO, sparking his interest in media, while completing a technical degree in Network Systems.
He began his professional dance journey with Ballet Folklórico Tzintzuni and later Ballet Folklórico Janitzio, representing Michoacán in multiple U.S. cities. He expanded his artistic training at the Casa de la Cultura de Morelia and the Ballet Folklórico del Estado de Michoacán, exploring music, theater, visual arts, classical and contemporary dance, and Latin rhythms.
In 2009, he received the State Award for Science and Technology for a social project with Indigenous communities, while also working as a designer for the Secretaría de Cultura de Michoacán and the Casa de las Artesanías. At 21, he moved to Tepic, Nayarit, performing with the Senka Mahuistik Artistic Company, directing design at Publimoll del Pacífico, studying Mexican Regional Dance, and teaching arts and dance at the Colegio de Ciencias y Letras de Tepic.
In 2014, he founded Ballet Folklórico Xanharati, performing across Mexico and internationally. He has represented Mexico at festivals in Chile, Colombia, and the U.S., collaborating with renowned artists such as Los Tigres del Norte, Aida Cuevas, and Mariachi Vargas.
In 2018, he contributed to the Cocineras Tradicionales de Michoacán and Ruta Don Vasco projects, promoting Mexican culture globally. In June 2020, he decided to resume the artistic project and “reopen the doors of El Viajero (Xanharati),” a name conceived by Minerva Escárcega, a close friend and colleague from his time with Ballet Folklórico Janitzio. Also he joined Wisconsin radio stations La Gran D, La Z, Radio Caliente, Ranchera, and Urbana as Traffic Manager.
In 2024, he co-founded with Rosa Villa the Great Lakes Folklore, a cultural exchange platform for teachers and dancers. That same year, he was recognized as one of Wisconsin’s 36 Most Influential Latino Leaders by Madison 365, highlighting his artistic, cultural, and community impact in the state.
Currently, Prof. Paulo García continues to develop projects focused on the promotion, strengthening, and preservation of Mexican culture abroad, as well as on building bridges between art, media, design, and community, with the firm purpose of inspiring new generations to join this cultural mission.