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Our mission is to preserve and celebrate the rich history and culture of Mexico through the art of folklórico dance. We honor movement as a living connection to our traditions, roots, and ancestry—carrying forward stories passed down through generations. Through dance, we embody expression, identity, resilience, and inclusivity, affirming that folklórico is a space for all who seek connection and belonging. Our practice is both a celebration and a form of protest: a declaration that our culture endures, thrives, and resists erasure. With every step, we reclaim space, uplift our communities, and ensure that the rhythms of our past continue to shape a more vibrant and inclusive future.
History
History
Founded in 2026 by Citlali Gallo and Leslie Montaño, Grupo Folklórico Fuego de Mi Alma is proud to share the passion, love, and richness of Mexican culture through the beauty of dance. Based in Moraga, CA, we are committed to expanding our reach, strengthening our artistry, and continuing to grow as a community.
Our Founding Directors
Our Founding Directors
Leslie R. Montaño, Co-Founder & Director
Leslie Montaño is the Co-Founder and Director of Grupo Folklórico Fuego de Mi Alma. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, she attended Saint Mary’s College of California, earning her B.S. in Business Administration and later her MFA in Dance Design and Production (2012–2018), where she discovered her passion for dance.
Her training includes ballet, modern, and contemporary styles, but her artistry has since centered on Mexican folklórico as both a dancer and instructor. Leslie is passionate about dance as a living expression of culture and is excited to share that connection on and off the stage.
She currently serves as a Mexican folklórico instructor at Cañada College in Redwood City, CA, is a Board Member of the Asociación Nacional de Grupos Folklóricos (ANGF), and performs with Kantuta Ballet Folklórico de Bolivia and InEssence Dance Company.
Citlali Gallo, Co-Founder & Director
Citlali Lizett Gallo is the Co-Founder and Director of Grupo Folklórico Fuego de Mi Alma. She is a Mexican dancer from Pittsburg California specializing in Baile Folklorico. Having been dancing since the age of 14 she attended Pittsburg High School where she was a member of Latinos Unidos Folklorico club as a dancer, choreographer, organizer and director.
In 2021 she graduated and joined Saint Mary’s College of California Dance Company where she expanded her folklorico studies and received a Dance: Performance and Choreography degree in May of 2025. During her time at SMC she was able to attend conferences such as Danzantes Unidos and Asociación Nacional de Grupos Folkloricos and gain more knowledge of Folklorico dances, regions and their histories. She wants to share her cultural background with others and allow dancers and audience members to feel at home, excited and accepted wherever they are.
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