In 2010, John Gonzales, founder and director of Gonzales Dance Academy, opened up his first studio, but due to financial hardships, the ballet folklórico studio shut down two years later. Gonzales, who was simultaneously teaching with the Porterville Unified School District in the Central Valley of California, tucked away his dream of being a studio owner.
In 2021, he decided to take a leap of faith and open a studio again, establishing his first academy in Porterville. Then, in 2022, he opened up a second location in Visalia, and in 2023, a third studio in Fresno. By the end of 2022, Gonzales felt confident in leaving his long-standing post at the school district, where he had instructed over 450 students annually since 2003. “It was—it still is—the scariest thing, because you want to do everything right,” he says. “You go from knowing you’re getting a paycheck every month to just seeing how things go.”
Today, Gonzales is flourishing as a studio owner with a professional dance academy that serves approximately 175 students ages 3 and up. He credits his success to his strong community and their passion for the traditional dances of Mexico, and is on a mission to bring more awareness to the beauty of folklórico. Together with his students, Gonzalez travels to perform at festivals, Disneyland, and, most recently, TEDx Visalia. “I adore all types of dance, and I want people to adore folklórico with the same passion,” he says.
Dance Teacher caught up with Gonzales to hear what he’s learned from his failures, how he shares the traditions of folklórico, and his big dreams for the future.
Why is it important to you to pass on your heritage to the next generation?
When I would perform [growing up], I’d see the pride [in my family]. They saw how I was continuing these traditional dances and doing it with all my might. That’s what led me to want to give back to the kids. I want to give [them] those memories, the culture, the stories, the reasons for why we do the steps.
Folklórico are folk tales—it’s you creating a story onstage. Culture, traditions, and heritage are what make your family and your self-identity. I want [my students] to know that we need strength, passion, and beauty—and a sense of community and camaraderie.
What business advice do you have for other studio owners?
Look at the experience that you have, not just with yourself but with others. How can that become your support system? Before she passed, my mom didn’t want me to [leave the school district] and open a studio because it was going to stress me out. I told her, “The difference between 25 years ago and now is: I have a support system. I’m not going to be doing it all on my own.”
My advice is look at what you’ve created and invested in other people. It’s what you give that is going to be given back. I always tell my students, “Whatever I have taught you, you need to give it back. Don’t hold onto all instruction, the wisdom, the stories, the steps. Give all of it back.”
What future goals do you have for your academy?
I went on an inspirational trip last year to Texas. When I came back, I had this conversation with a woman on one of the flights, and I told her about a dream I had in Corpus Christi. I woke up around 2 am and I thought, If I can do three cities, [why] can’t I do three states? The woman goes, “Honey, why stay at three states when you can do three countries?” [It sounds] massive, but it can also be achieved if I really want to. I have the support and the experience.
