History:

The members of OLLIN YOLIZTLI CALMECAC (OYC) are migrants and immigrants from various parts of Mexico. Some are new in the U.S.A. and some have been here many years. The group was founded by Daniel Chico Lorenzo and Brujo de la Mancha in 2003. Daniel has extensive knowledge of ancient Mexican culture and languages. His first language was Nahuatl, an indigenous language that the Spanish tried to eliminate. Brujo de la Mancha is a multidisciplinary artist  self-taught artist. Who did help Daniel in the process of creating and representing OYC. Brujo did learned some of the traditional Aztec dance and drumming from Daniel. Since Daniel when back to his home town in Dec 2006. Brujo did under took the responsibility of OYC and create the Master Artist in Residence Programs (MARP) for to Sharp the OYC mission.   

Founders:                                Daniel Chico Lorenzo.                               Brujo de la Mancha.

A native of San Mateo Ozolco, Puebla, Mexico. Daniel grew up learning his “maternal” ancient language of Nahuatl, as well as a little of the Spanish that is now most predominant in Mexico. In 1985, Daniel moved from Puebla to Mexico City, where he became aware of the fact that his home town is known as a cultural center that appears in books of Mexican history. This new discovery about his roots prompted Daniel to take a course on ancient Mexican hieroglyphics at the Simon Bolivar cultural center. Daniel also took more courses on Nauhatl in the Casa Tlaxcala, a cultural center that is located in the center of Mexico City. Daniel was invited by a friend he make in the Casa Tlaxcala to learn Aztec Dance. Daniel then spent 8 years learning the dance and  drumming. Daniel continued his studies over the years before his move to Philadelphia in 2002. Daniel when back to his home town in Dec 2006.  Daniel was the heart of the dance group, he's work to preserve a culture that is part of him self, Make Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac.

Artistic & Executive Director:
Brujo de la Mancha

Brujo was born in Mexico City, but his Grandmother was a native of the small town of Xico, in the mountains of the state of Veracruz. Every year Brujo would travel to Xico for family visits, including trips to the surrounding area. In Xico, Brujo learned about the activities and the lives of the indigenous people. Brujo observed the style of farming, as well as the arts, music, and the culture of the area. This is an are made up of a mixture of influences from the Olmec, Maya, and Catholic traditions. At sixteen years old, Brujo left Mexico City to travel to different places in order to immerse himself in the indigenous cultures of the people of Oxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, Michoacan, and Tlaxcala. As well as a dancer, Brujo is a visual artist working in painting, sculpting, photography, and puppetry. Brujo also teaches art classes to children in after school programs, as well water colors for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and clay to older adults. Brujo met Daniel at the Immigrant Worker’s Freedom Ride in September, 2003. Since then, Brujo and Daniel did  talk regularly and sharing ideas for the dance and the Mexican community. Brujo has made some of the instruments for the dance group. He has also done a large portion of the choreography with Daniel. Brujo has additionally been responsible for organizing the group for their performances, as he is one of the group members who is comfortable using his English language skills.

Now in 2009 the group has make a great evolution and all members make the best possible to present new work and keep learning the traditional arts forms of dance and music from all the three teachers in the artist an residences programs of OYC . We are also creating a partnership with the Clay Studio and Raises Culturales Latino Americanas to reach a more diverse community by offering weekly clay workshops at the Mann Adult Older Center where we offered clay classes every Thursday.

The Artist and Program Director, Brujo de la Mancha has persued cultural exchange with it's artist in residence program, bringing three masters to Philadelphia from across the country. OYC currently consists of 6 members, of which a core group of 5 dancers. Practices are at least 8 hours (2 days) each week . The members range in age from 22 to 36, . The group is very active, performing at least once a month for the public (Some tree). These public ceremonies are often organized by the group itself, when there is not another event taking place. Our services are Presentations on Aztec dance and music, Public talks about our “Mission” . This services are requested by museums, universities, colleges, public schools, senior centers, communities centers, and the Philadelphia communities.  

Dancers: 

The members of OLLIN YOLIZTLI CALMECAC (OYC) are migrants and immigrants from various parts of Mexico. Some are new in the U.S.A. and some have been here many years. Brujo has learned some the traditional Aztec dance and drumming from Daniel. Since Daniel when back to his home town in Dec 2006. Brujo did under took the responsibility of OYC and create the Artist in residence programs for to charp the OYC mission. Now in 2008 the group has make a great evolution and all members make the best possible to create new work and learn the traditional forms, from all the teachers in the artist an residences programs of OYC .

Ruben del Rosario. (since 2006)
A native of San Mateo Ozolco, Puebla, Mexico. Ruben grew up learning his “maternal” ancient language of Nahuatl, as well as a little of the Spanish that is now most predominant in Mexico. he move to Philadelphia several years ago.This new place make him to dance and prompted Ruben to be more into his ancient Mexican cultureroots.

Jose Luis Morales. (since 2006)
A native, Puebla, Mexico. He grew up learning his “maternal”, Spanish that is now most predominant in Mexico as well as a little of the ancient language of Nahuatl. He move to Philadelphia and New Jercy several years ago. This new live make him to dance and prompted to others his ancient Mexican cultureroots.

Edgar Adrian Alcantara Plata. (since 2007)
Born in Mexico city in the barrio de Iztacalco he learn to work as young age with He’s parents because he’s family is in small business of woman's beauty supplies. All family members are from mex. city . He finish junior and high school as well (vocacional) . As well he just to live in Nezahualcoyotl Edo. de mex. He always like alternative/ rock - Music, now he live in Philadelphia he have to children's.

Artistic success:

OYC defines its artistic success by reaching Mexican newcomers living in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. We fulfill our goal of informing the public about native cultures as well as teaching the traditional cultural dances, music and heritage to other Mexicans and Native American indigenous descents. OYC is one of the first organized groups within the Mexican immigrant community in Philadelphia. This organization has been an example to other “Callpulis” (Aztec Traditinal Groups in Mexico, USA, Canada and Europe) who wish to become afilliated under the umbrella of OYC. Immigrant communities can be difficult and fractured and OYC is proud to be an organization that has brought groups together to look at their own past with pride and to view their own community as a whole. Some people refuse to take pride in their own heritage. We hope to be able to continue to dance and perform for the community in such a way that it will help members of the Mexican community see themselves differently and with greater pride. We succeed on another level when we create events that unite the communities and teach about the roots of the Americas. This helps the communities to aclimate to their new city and reach out to other cities for a cultural exchange. In this way we have been able to reach a more diverse audience.

OUTCOMES:
OYC's current plan involves organizational and structural improvements such as expanding our networking projects, and developing Master Artist workshops and residencies. This year have added the component of music that we create using handmade instruments. We are focusing on organizing a new Board of Directors, and solidifying the direction that the group will take. OYC is in the process of recording a CD and is going to be on “Chanel 6 for the Puertorrican Panoram Show” in April. We want to create a network with other organizations so we can offer internships, gatherings, and conferences in order to take OYC to the national and international level as an organization that is perserving the tradition of this ancient culture.

Long-Range Arts Plans:
In the face of political repression and rising racist violence and xenophobia, we wish Philadelphia to be known as a center for native american indigenous arts and culture, which celebrates native Mexican heritage and history and preserves sacred and artistic traditions. Too often, children learn about indigenous people in history books, as though native populations only existed in the past or in reservations. We aim to make our communities and the wider Philadelphia community aware of the relevance and importance in the everyday lives of native traditions such as clay sculpture, the creation and playing of musical instruments, mask-making and costuming, the Nahuatl language, Aztec Dance, and ceremonial rituals. We aim to make Philadelphia's community proud of its native roots.

Former Dancers and less frequent contributors:

Former Dancers 2005-2006
Fabian Martines.

Former Dancers 2005-2006
Roberto Vargas Guzman and Family:
Born in Azcapotzalco Mexico City: Roberto has been always into the Aztec dance because he was also born in the big city of Mexico were all people from the city we are expose to the rich expender of cultural heritage. Roberto was amassing by the work of OLLIN YOLIZTLI CALMECAC in the day of the dead celebration he just was running his bike and he saw the display of the ofrenda and them hejust wanted to be part of the dance group.

Maria Areli Juarez Salazar:[31 years old]
Lili was born in Mexico City, but her parents were born in Penjamo y Cueramaro Michoacan, in the state of Guanajuato. Lili started dancing after her husband, Roberto began to dance 2 years ago, Lili thinks it is very important for her son, born in Philadelphia.

Roberto Vargas Juarez: [5 year old]
Robert dance with both his mother and his father.

Kevin Trejo Hernandez: [6 years old] and Jiovany Trejo Hernandez [5 years old]
Since both Kevin and Jiovany were born in Philadelphia, they don’t have the same connection to Mexico that their parent does. But their parents want that the two boys understand who they are and were they come from.

Jose Manuel Jimenez: Hernandez [11 years old]
Jose was born in Santiago, in the state of Puebla, his parents are from san Mateo Ozolco, Puebla,. Jose Great Grandfather also took part in the rituals of the Aztec Dance by participating in the traditional Aztec gathering at POPOCATEPETL ( Smoky Hill) volcano.

Former Dancers 2003-2004
Francisco Garcia Gorgua:
Born in San Lucas El Grande, Puebla, Mexico. Francisco met Daniel in Philadelphia. Francisco was interested in knowing more about of the ancient cultures of Mexico, as well the Aztec Dance. He is also interested in painting, and has displayed his art during some Aztec dance events. Francisco has been with the dance group since the beginning.

Lucino Omar:
Born in Veracruz, Mexico. Lucino came to the group out of a curiosity about Mexican culture. He was a friend of Francisco, and first came to see Francisco dance. After watching for a time he decided to join the group. Lucino has been a principal dancer and is a part of the main circle that is integral to the dance.

Marta Berenice Robles:
Born in Tehoethiuacan Mexico. At 11 years old, Berenice is the youngest in the group. This little girl joined the dance group after she saw the group perform at one of our ceremonies in Philadelphia. She liked the Aztec dance because she loves Mexico and Mexican culture. Since Berenice joined the group, her entire family has begun to participate in some aspect of the dance. Her father has also now joined the dance group, as will be a part of the main dance group soon.

Maria de la Luz:
Born in Mexico City, Maria is the mother of three children: one boy and two girls. Maria brings her children to the dance with her in order to keep the traditions alive. For Maria the group is an important contribution to her children’s education about Mexican Culture.

Jessika Diaz:
A folklore dancer by profession, Jessika has developed a great interest in Aztec dance, as well. Jessika is a native of Mexico City who now lives in the Harrisburg area. She participates in the dance whenever possible.

Emmy Breton. Nicole Alexander.
Cesar Viveros. Cesar Ramos Pantoja.