1. Julie, it is always a pleasure to have the opportunity to interview talented people like yourself. Please tell us how did you started with the “art” business and when.
I started dancing when I was 12 years old with Los Corazones de Oro which were affiliated with the Asociación de Charros de Tucson. Even at that age I knew that I wanted to make a career of teaching Mexican Folklorico Dance, because it helped me so much with my self esteem as a young girl. I loved the dances the costumes and learning about my heritage of Mexico. I couldn’t major at the University of Arizona in Folklorico, like you can in states like New Mexico, so I graduated from the UA in Interior Design…but my passion was still dance.
2. During all these years, what do you think is your key that keeps you getting better and what is your motivation to get it done?
I feel that you have to continue to grow everyday in whatever you do. You have to reinvent yourself and keep striving to accomplish as much as you can. I started with Folklorico and now my studio has grown to teach hip hop, ballet, jazz, tap, and zumba fitness.
For the past 20 years I have only taught children and teenagers but now I have Zumba for adults.
My motivation is seeing the children come and learn every day at the studio from 3yrs old to my 24 year olds. They are all my children! My older dancers are now bringing their children to me and that’s the greatest compliment ever.
3. How and why did you started with viva performance?
I wanted to have my own business so I opened a dance studio on south 12th avenue to teach Mexican Folklorico dance. I name the studio Folklorico & Etc. Dance studio, over 20 years I rented at different locations around the Southside of Tucson. Then in 2006 one of my dancers father John Peabody built a studio for my business on Park Ave, so I wouldn’t have to be renting any more. Since the business had grown from teaching more than Folklorico I decided to change my dance studio name for the new building to Viva Performing Arts Center. I didn’t want to have the name Folklorico anymore since my school had expanded to Hip Hop and other forms of dance and also Mariachi. I didn’t want the other performing art classes to feel left out of the studio name.
4. What is the link between viva and chispa foundation?
Chispa Foundation Inc. is our non-profit organization “Celebrating Hispanic Performing Arts” The mission of CHISPA is to preserve and promote the heritage and history of Tucson’s Hispanic Culture by presenting music and dance performances, workshops, events and festivals that develop the appreciation, understanding and pride of the Hispanic culture throughout the Tucson community. The main purpose of CHISPA is to “SPARK” an interest in youth for these Hispanic performing art forms, so they will continue for future generations. CHISPA Foundation is the founder of the following performing troupes in Tucson, Arizona: Ballet Folklorico San Juan, Ballet Folklorico Arizona, Chispa Hip Hop Team, Viva Arizona Dance Company and Mariachi Viva La Mujer.
5. We had the opportunity to be present at your last viva performance in the TCC where students of all ages performed in many different ways, how do you feel after a great and successfully event?
I feel so very proud and it’s very important for me that all my instructors, parents and dancers feel very proud to be a part of our organization and that they receive the thanks and praise for all their hard work throughout the year.
6. We have noticed that the majority of the performances and dances celebrates and highlights our Mexican culture we like to take this opportunity to thank you for keeping our Mexican culture alive on every performance.
This means so much to me coming from a respected Hispanic business like yours. Born in the US and being 4th generation Mexican-American, I can’t speak very good Spanish, but I am so proud to be a Latina. So it makes me so proud to be able to share my beautiful culture from Mexico, especially to Mexican American children that are not born in Mexico and who have never been to Mexico. It’s so important to me for them to have pride of their family roots and understand the beauty of our rich heritage.
7. is your family involved in this business with you? Tell us about it please.
Yes, my husband Tony Gallego who works for the city of Tucson water department has always been my business partner for my dance studio business and my biggest supporter. My oldest daughter Clarissa 24 year old is my Office Manager and Technical Manager; she does all my graphic design work and my website. My daughter Chanel 22 years old teaches Zumba, she danced Folklorico since she was 4 years old. My son Carlos 21 years old and he now lives in Las Vegas, used to help me take care of the dance studio upkeep and with the music at performances. My mother Mary Gonzalez has helped me for 16 years at the front desk and my father Rafael Gonzalez helps me with all the CHISPA productions writing all the stories and scripts for the show. I’m very blessed to have all their help.
8. We have attended to many shows, events or performances hosted by Viva Performance; can anyone have access to your academy and services?
Yes! if they would like to take and dance or Zumba lessons they may visit us at 4563 S. Park Avenue, call us at 520-544-9543 or visit our website at www. Vivaperformingarts.com or email us at vivaperformingarts@gmail.com
If they are interested in a performance they can email us at chispafoundation@gmail.com
Chispa Foundation provides a variety of different shows; from Folklorico to hip hop or mariachi.
9. What is your best satisfaction and what is your worst fear when presenting a show?
Chispa Foundation presents 3 annual productions:
Fiesta Feliz “A cultural celebration of the Christmas Holiday in Mexico”. We perform Las Posadas, we break the piñata, and we dance to traditional Villacincos. I am very proud of this production. This show has great satisfaction for me because I have never seen anything like it before.
Another Production is “Viva Arizona” Hispanic Performing Arts Conference at the University of Arizona School of Music. This conference teaches music and dance workshops at the U of A.
We also present the “VIVA ARIZONA” A 100 years of Musical Memories Concert. This is the history of Tucson’s Latino Music where we honor forms of Latino music in Tucson and the United States.
My worst fear is after all the hard work and preparation that there will be no audience. CHISPA Foundation works on little or no sponsorship for our events, so there is very little money for marketing our shows. It really comes from word of mouth. Many of our family and friends know about our shows….but the general public do not know about our productions.
10. Would you like to give a positive message to all those kids and parents reading this interview?
My biggest positive message is that time goes so very fast and the greatest gift you can give your children and your entire family is wonderful memories that they can look back on. (For example -We are performing this summer in Disneyland and California Adventure). By being involved with performing arts, you experience so many wonderful events that the whole family can enjoy and do together as a family. Also, you’re giving your children the gift of music and dance that will stay with them for a life time.
Julie, do you like to add any other comments or information?
These are the best questions I have ever answered for any interview. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share about Viva Performing Arts Center and CHISPA Foundation Inc.
THANK YOU!
Julie Gallegos
vivaperformingarts@gmail.com
www.vivaperformingarts.com
4563 South Park Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85714-1632
(520) 544-9543
Julie Gallegos
