Maestro Samuel Cortez

Samuel Cortez, an LGBTQ+ Mexican immigrant, began his traditional dance background in his home state of Guanajuato, México where he rose to Assistant Director of the Ballet Folklórico de la Universidad de Guanajuato before moving to Colima to study at the Instituto Universitario de Bellas Artes under celebrated artist and choreographer Rafael Zamarripa. Cortez brought his wealth of knowledge and experience as a dancer, director, researcher, award-winning choreographer, workshop instructor, and costume designer to the Cashion Cultural Legacy in January 2015 after running his own dance company, Mexican Dance Ensemble, in Chicago for 14 years.

A graduate of the Executive in Arts and Culture Strategy program, Cortez is a member of the International Dance Council, the Asociación Nacional de Maestros de Danza Popular Mexicana, and the Instituto de Investigación y Difusión de la Danza Mexicana. Cortez is also a 2021 NALAC Leadership Institute and MALI (Multicultural Arts Leadership Institute) graduate and he gives back by mentoring directors of other dance companies across the United States. He is often invited to give workshops or to be a guest judge during folklórico competitions. Cortez recently obtained his  Bachelors in Danza Folklórica and his Master’s Degree in Fine Arts at the Escuela Superior de Danza Folklórica Zitlalkiahuitl.