My name is Eric Udave Zaragoza. I’m the director and choreographer of a Mexican folk dance group in South Bend, Indiana. I’ve been working with folk dance for almost nineteen years.
I started dancing when I was nine years old. When I moved to South Bend, I wanted to keep dancing, but there were no groups like this at the time. Back in Mexico, I trained as an arts educator, so creating this group became a way for me to stay active and share what I knew.
From the beginning, I decided the classes would be free. Many families here have limited resources, and I didn’t want money to be a barrier. Costumes, shoes and makeup are included so that people can focus on dancing and not on expenses. We support the group through donations during performances and small fundraisers.
For me, this isn’t just about dance. It’s about giving people a place where they feel safe, connected, and proud of where they and their families come from. When students come back years later and tell me that dance taught them discipline and confidence, that’s enough for me.
What inspires me most is seeing how this group brings people together, kids, parents, teenagers, all as one.
I called the group "Tierra Viva" (Living Land) because through dance, we’re keeping a piece of our culture alive, right here, in our own way, and sharing that joy with others whenever we get a chance. It's simply a great way to be ourselves.
I started dancing when I was nine years old. When I moved to South Bend, I wanted to keep dancing, but there were no groups like this at the time. Back in Mexico, I trained as an arts educator, so creating this group became a way for me to stay active and share what I knew.
From the beginning, I decided the classes would be free. Many families here have limited resources, and I didn’t want money to be a barrier. Costumes, shoes and makeup are included so that people can focus on dancing and not on expenses. We support the group through donations during performances and small fundraisers.
For me, this isn’t just about dance. It’s about giving people a place where they feel safe, connected, and proud of where they and their families come from. When students come back years later and tell me that dance taught them discipline and confidence, that’s enough for me.
What inspires me most is seeing how this group brings people together, kids, parents, teenagers, all as one.
I called the group "Tierra Viva" (Living Land) because through dance, we’re keeping a piece of our culture alive, right here, in our own way, and sharing that joy with others whenever we get a chance. It's simply a great way to be ourselves.