05/23/2025
Happy Friday!
I have made a difficult decision to retire from teaching and directing. After 42 years of dancing and 20 years of teaching & directing, my body and soul have told me it is time to retire. Folklorico has been my livelihood. It has been my constant. Anyone who knows me, knows that I dance. And this skill has opened so many friendships along the way. I am beyond grateful for the many lifelong friends I have encountered. Those individuals have become family. I have been so blessed to have the honor of teaching what has been taught to me, to pass on our culture to our countless students and to have been present at the start of their own folklorico journey. It gives me such pride to see our students carry on this tradition in whatever paths they follow. I have had many heartaches and losses along the way. My sister, my father, a child, beloved friends and even a dance student. 😔 My soul needs resting. My physical and mental health have been suffering for quite a while. And my family needs me too. Even though I am hanging up my dance shoes, they are not being thrown out. You will see me here and there within the community dancing. Because that's what I do. 😉 I'm a dancer.
To all our Yúmare dancers, continue to dance. Do what makes you happy. Create joy and make amazing memories. Make friends wherever you go. These will last a lifetime.
To our alumni, share your memories of dancing with Yúmare. I may ask for some help along the way.
I have had the time of my life teaching and directing. I've made folklorico my life. And it has been so amazing.
-Shana Madrid-Smith
