Ballet Folklórico Ollin is a non-profit cultural organization that was founded in 1972 by Virginia Diediker, a CSUN alumna (History & Chicana/o Studies), with the primary goal of preserving and interpreting the diverse cultural beauty of México re-created here in California through music, dance, and folk traditions. It is a dance company recognized for excellence throughout the United States and Mexico. Ballet Folklórico Ollin performs continuously throughout the calendar seasons and once again started the year by sharing the stage with 2 Time Grammy Award Winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea for the historic celebrations of “Los Tres Reyes Magos” at Disneyland Amusement Park. Through the cooperation of the Orange County Philharmonic Society, the Ballet has for over ten years performed “Fiesta Navidad” with Grammy Award Winning Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano at the Orange County Center for the Performing Arts. The Company continues to perform with legends that have included: Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Mariachi Monumental de Juan José Almaguer. It has been a privilege to be featured with Linda Ronstadt, the late Lola Beltran lovingly hailed as “la reina de la música ranchera” (the queen of ranchera music), Ana Gabriel, José Feliciano, Daniela Romo, and Vicki Carr to name but a few. Other credits of Ballet Folklórico Ollin include: continued performances at various state and county fairs, the 91st Annual Tournament of Roses Parade, the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, and the 2000 Nosotros Golden Eagle Awards (featured artists). A rewarding highlight of the company history was its selection to participate in the Hispanic Dance Festival as part of the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival in Los Angeles. The Company received special recognition for its participation in and support of the Arte De México Festival at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Ballet Folklórico Ollin has also performed to wide acclaim at the annual Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México.