I went to high school around the corner from the NDI building in my hometown of Santa Fe, NM, and performed with them on several occasions. So when I found out their next performance with the New York group was going to be a celebration of two things I know and love, Mexican culture and dance, I got a little bit homesick.

Volando Á México combines traditional music and dance from Mexico, as well as the contemporary work coming out of the area. The performance is based around the story of two Mexican-American kids who have the chance to go to Mexico and discover their heritage. They follow a magical butterfly that helps them learn about the people of Mexico (the Aztecs and Mayans) as he takes them through the country. With more than 200 dancers in white ruffled skirts and shirts it is bound to be an exciting performance!  

This show is being put together with the ConArte program called Aprender con Danza (Learning through Dance), which is an NDI program based in Mexico City that brings in profession dancers to teach children in the schools there.

The performances run June 21–23 at LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts in New York City on 65th Street between Amsterdam and West End Avenues. You can call NDI at (212) 352-3101 for more information.