Los Lupeños was founded by visionaries Susan V. Cashion, PhD (1943-2013) and Ramón Morones Ortiz (1939-2011) who jointly co-directed the company for its first 10 years.  Originally inspired by dancers, artists, directors, musicians, researchers, and choreographers from the Ballet Folclórico de la Universidad de Guadalajara, they believed that the intricacy, depth, costuming, and traditions of Mexican folk dance constituted a genre all in its own.

In addition to creating one of the earliest organized Mexican folklórico groups in the United States, they were also instrumental in the founding of the Asociación Nacional de Grupos Folklóricos (ANGF, the national association known for its week-long annual instructional conferences) in 1974.  Their concept to bring groups together to perform under the banner Danzantes Unidos in 1977 & 1978 was the precursor to the current California-wide Danzantes Unidos Festival.

Both Susie and Ramón formed, choreographed, and directed other dance groups, taught at folk dance festivals, and created original contemporary pieces with traditional roots for many groups including Los Lupeños many years after they retired as the original directors.  Their brainchild continues to flourish under the nonprofit organization that Susie created, the Cashion Cultural Legacy.

Click on any photo to enlarge.