Individual Bios

About Our Dancers

          Our principal touring group in the United States consists of seven members. These dancers have learned the traditional art of Aztec Dance from Mexica elders in Mexico.
          Martin Tellez, Director and Head Dancer, is a traditional Aztec Dancer from Tlacopan in Mexico City.  He has been dancing Aztec-style dance for over 25 years and has performed throughout Mexico and the United States.  He has earned the honor of performing the powerful Fire Dance from his elders and by years of commitment as a ceremonial Aztec dancer.  He continues to preserve the tradition of Aztec Dance through his presentations at various
venues.  He has provided Aztec Dance instruction at local community centers in New York and San Francisco.
          Guadalupe Tellez, Head Woman Dancer, has been an Aztec Dancer for the last seven years.  As the sahumadora or smoke-keeper, she tends to the spiritual blessing of the circle with the burning of copal incense.  As the group's storyteller, she guides the audience through the intricate meaning behind these vibrant, indigenous Aztec Dances.
          Vicente Tellez, Head Dancer and Drummer, was born and raised in Tlacopan in Mexico City, He has been an Aztec Dancer since he was a young boy. Vicente has not only mastered the ceremonial art of Aztec Dancing, but is also a well-seasoned traditional drummer.  When playing the huehuetl (Aztec Drum), his beats guide each dancer's steps.  His specialty is the Fire Dance and the White Eagle Dance.
          Xiuhcoatl Tellez, Head Girl Dancer - At fifteen years of age, Xiuhcoatl has been immersed in the tradition of Aztec Dance since her birth.  She energetically brings the spirit of youth to the dance circle.  Her specialty dance is Paloma or the Dove dance, in honor of peace and harmony.
          Huitzilihuitl Tellez, Girl Dancer - The name Huitzilihuitl is a nahuatl one meaning "precious feather of a hummingbird."  Born and raised in Mexico, Huitzilihuitl has been following her family's Aztec ceremonial traditions and dances her entire life.  Her specialty dance is Huitzilopochtli or the Hummingbird Dance.
          Ocelotl Cuauhtli Tellez, Young Boy Dancer - At the tender age of five, Ocelotl accompanies the circle with the energy of the next generation of dancers.  Immersed in Aztec customs and dances since birth, Ocelotl follows the steady drumbeats of the huehuetl in energetic fashion.
          Itzcoatl Tonatiuh Tellez, Tiny-Tot Drummer, whose name means "Obsidian-Serpent" joins the circle as one of our youngest drummers.  At three years of age, he accompanies the circle with his hand-drum.  In Aztec tradition, it is customary that dancers begin their training by followingthe huehuetls, the heartbeat of the circle.
 

About Our Dances, Regalia and Instruments

          Our traditional Aztec Dances have been passed onto us by our elders in Tlacopan, Mexico City.  These are very ancient dances that have survived for more than 500 years in the greater Mexico City area, known previously as Tenochtitlan.
          Our dances are accompanied by live pre-hispanic instruments, including the huehuetl (drum), teponaxtli (horizontal two-tongued drum), hand rattles, the conch shell and flutes.  Our regalia and headdresses have been designed and created by our dancers themselves.  Each dancer's regalia carry a representation of each dancer's spirit or role in our Aztec society.
          There are many different "danzas aztecas" that are still performed today in ceremonies in Mexico.  Below, is a sample of the dances.
          Nauhui Ollin - The program begins with a blessing with the burning of copal incense, the blowing of the conch shell, flutes, hand rattles and live
drumming.  We salute the four cardinal directions, also known in the language Nahuatl as Nahui Ollin.
          Huitzilopochtli - The "hummingbird" dance is the opening traditional dance. This quick and energetic dance is a dance-story that represents the quick movements of the hummingbird.
          Tonantzin - The "Mother-Earth" Dance.  The female dancers of the group lead this dance in honor of Mother-Earth and of all mothers and females in general.  Our Aztec ancestors recognized the essential role women played in our society.  They were responsible for the regeneration of our people and for the nurturing of our youth to become great leaders.
          Chachayotes - This word has a double entendre.  It denotes the seeds that we wear on our ankles that make a beautiful bell-like sound with each step.  It also means "happiness in your heart" because it mimics the quick beating of one's heart when one is excited or happy.  The dance of the Chachayotes is a very fast-paced one consisting of quick jumps and turns.
           Ixtac Cuauhtli - The White Eagle Dance.  This dance is traditional performed by two warriors.  Their battle is not only physical but also spiritual.  It represents a battle for "balance" in our lives.  With the land, we also need air; with male, we need female; with the positive, there is the negative.
          Xiuhcoatl - The Serpent of Fire Dance. This dance was traditionally performed during important Aztec ceremonies every 52-year period. This dance represents the re-birth of our society and customs.  Contrary to popular belief, our culture venerated auto-sacrifice and not necessarily the sacrifice of others.  The dancers represent this ideal by the ceremonial "burning" of the feet, legs and hands.  In a meditative trance-like state, the dancers' intense concentration prevents them from being harmed by the fire.

For booking information and pricing, call Mark Wood Entertainment, Inc. in Southern California at 949.748.6850 or e-mail us.

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