Amalia Hernández

Who was Amalia Hernández?

Amalia Hernández Navarro was a Mexican ballet choreographer and founder of the world-renowned Ballet Folklorico de Mexico.

Hernández was born as daughter of the military officer and politician Lamberto Hernández and his wife Amalia Navarro. She was a pioneer in developing Baile Folklorico. Hernández was inspired by the way the children played and wanted to express her feelings and emotions that she had through dancing. In 1952, Hernández founded the Mexican Folkloric Ballet with only 8 dancers. By 1959 the ensemble grew to 60 performers. It was commissioned to represent Mexico at the Pan American Games in Chicago, Illinois in 1959.

Since 1960, Hernández has created over 60 choreographies and her famous ballet has performed uninterruptedly Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings at the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City.

Additionally, she founded the Folkloric Ballet School, in Mexico City, which was designed by her brother, architect Agustín Hernández in 1968.