This page contains a brief history of Teocalli and founding director, Julio Bustos.

Teocalli 1995-2010

About the group

Teocalli was founded on January 20, 1995 and its main mission has always been the promotion and preservation of the Mexican culture through its music and dance. The former director and former students of Anahuac de Fresno City College who wanted to continue to nurture their passion for Mexican dance in a more professional setting started Teocalli.

·        Selected to participate in the  prestigious San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival three times. (1996, 1998, 2002). The only ethnic group from the valley to have been selected ever.

·        In 1996, Teocalli toured  the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco and Mexico city.

·        Host and sister organization to several traveling groups in Mexico and the U. S.  traveling in the U.S.  

·        Five time host to the largest folklórico festival in Mexico and the U. S. : Danzantes Unidos Festival.

·        Winner of a multitude of prizes and recognition throughout other festivals and competitions, in and outside of the state. 

About the Director

 Julio César Bustos Peñaloza

 Chilango por procedencia, Calentano por herencia, y Californio por conveniencia.

I was born in Mexico City, to Celso Bustos Moreno and Bertha Peñaloza de Bustos, both from Tierra Caliente in Guerrero, Mex. In 1979, my family moved to Fresno due to economic hardship. In the beginning, the rebel teenager in me resented this decision. Now that I'm older and myself a parent of three, I understand  and furthermore, I applaud my parents wisdom.

I'm the oldest of seven siblings: Jose Jesús, Hubert, Carlos, Ana Bertha, Elsa Nélida and María Guadalupe. I'm proud to say that we all graduated from Roosevelt H. S., and we all danced folklórico at least four years in H. S. and most continued to dance beyond. Jose, Ana and Elsa are charter members of Teocalli.  Most of my children, nieces and nephews have followed in their parents folklórico footsteps in Escuela Teocalli as well.

I am married to a lovely Sonoran (Mex.) by the name of Rosa Imelda.  I have three children:  Julio Cesar Jr., Oscar Celso and Antonio. So far, both Oscar and Cesar have danced since they were five, and I'm hoping to get Tony when he gets to H. S.

In 1992, I graduated from Fresno State with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a minor in Chicano-Latino Studies.  I just completed my 16^th year teaching Spanish for Clovis Unified, and my 27th year as a folklórico instructor.

In addition to Teocalli, I have taught at Sequoia Freshman school and taught and directed at Roosevelt H. s. and Fresno City College. I'm currently the director of the five time Lip State Champions Aguilas de Oro de Clovis West H. S. I am a former member of Asociacion Nacional de Grupos Folklóricos (six years), a charter member and past president of Danzantes Unidos de California, and a charter member of Danzantes del Valle. 

In May of 2009, the Association of Mexican American Educators; Fresno Chapter chose me as their 2009 Secondary School Teacher of the year. This award came with additional recognition by Clovis Unified, Fresno County Office of Education,  City of Fresno, the California Legislature, and the Congress of the U. S.  At first, I was flattered by this award, that is until my mother with benevolence pointed out to me: "Pues orale, ahora a trabajar para que no los defraudes" (OK, get to work, prove to them that they chose right)

“What’s in store for Teocalli during 2010?”

·        We love to travel!! To that end, during the first weekend of February, we will be attending our 4th straight folklórico festival in the border city of San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora. Our host there is Grupo Folklorico Faisán, and this year the festival is expanding to both sides of the border

·        In April we will continue our tradition of joining the best of the best at the annual Danzantes Unidos Festival in San Jose.    

·        We are planning our quinceañera! That's right, Teocalli is officially fifteen years old this spring. We are planning a big bash to celebrate, at least fifteen couples, with a traditional waltz and everything.  We're currently looking for chambelanes, damas, and padrinos! Do you want to participate?

Copyright 2004 by Jemrea Productions
For problems or questions regarding this web contact [Project Teocalli].
Last updated: January 02, 2010.