Ballet Folklorico De Alvaro Munoz Academy

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 The Award-Winning Ballet Folklorico de Alvaro Muñoz (formally known as St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Ballet Folklorico), Abilene's first Mexican and Original Ballet Folklorico, was founded by Martha Munoz and co-founded by Crispina Monrrial in 1963 at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church. In 1982, with the help of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, the group was formally introduced to the city of Abilene. In the year 2019, the nephew of the founder, Alvaro Munoz, took over the role as Executive Director and Artistic Director. Since taking these two roles, the group has garnered two state Folklorico Championships back-to-back: Viva Aztlan “Best of Festival 2023 & 2024. For more than 60 years, the Ballet Folklorico de Alvaro Munoz dancers have been a vital part of the parish and the Abilene community.  

As of Jan. 21, 2023, and with the support of the St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church, the ballet folklorico branched out on its own. As of May 2024, it is now officially a 501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization for the expansion of community wide growth and is now officially El BALLET FOLKLORICO DE ALVARO MUNOZ ACADEMY. The Ballet Folklorico has 40 members and is led by one of the former dancers of the St. Vincent's Ballet Folklorico who has 45 years of ballet Folklorico dance experience and is the nephew of the founder, Artistic Dance Director & Choreographer Alvaro Munoz.  

Abilene's Award-Winning Ballet Folklorico de Alvaro Munoz Academy continues to carry on the colorful and vibrant tradition with one mission: To educate children and adults while "Preserving the Mexican Culture Through the Art of Dance.”