Lupe graduated from Stanford in 2004, receiving a BA in Psychology and a minor in Dance. She began dancing Ballet Folklórico and ballet at the age of 4 in her home of Fresno, CA. Once at Stanford she joined the Ballet Folklórico de Stanford because not dancing was not an option! Lupe directed the group as co-chair for 2 years along with her partner-in-crime, Tania. Her undergrad experience was heavily influenced by dance including a trip to Xalapa, Veracruz for the ANGF conference through the Stanford Friends of Dance Fellowship, and working with dance faculty in Classical Ballet and Modern. She was also fortunate to take part in master classes by visiting faculty, including Rafael Zamarripa Castaneda from the La Universidad de Colima.
After graduation, Lupe moved to Los Angeles and began dancing with Pacifico Dance Company, fulfilling a lifelong dream of getting paid (sometimes!) to do what she truly loves. During this time she also trained in Modern, Ballet and Yoga. To pay the bills, she worked at UCLA School of Medicine researching Yoga therapy for Geriatric patients, and also received her MA in Education from USC. Lupe Flores became Lupe Aguilera when she married fellow Stanford grad, Adrian, on September 16, 2006!
Lupe’s fondest memories of BFdeS revolve around the great friends she has made. She remembers many long nights planning and prepping for the “babies” with Tania, where much “courage juice” was consumed to numb the pain. Post-concierto gatherings were always something to look forward to where we remembered we were all not just group-mates, but friends! Lupe recently moved back to the Bay Area and is having a great time reuniting with BFdeS friends of the past like Tania, Krysti and Vero, and looks forward to many more memories to come!
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