By Amanda Alaniz

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – SEPT. 27, 2023 – Raul Passamentt Jr., a 2022 UTRGV graduate, is living his best life in Mexico City, pursuing his dance career as a company member of the renowned Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández.

Passamentt says he is still in disbelief that he is following a dream that began as a fun pastime, dancing in the UTRGV Ballet Folklórico.

Raul Passamentt Jr. graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a concentration in Folklórico in December 2022. (Courtesy Photo)

“I just couldn't believe that the boy who started dancing just for fun – who thought he started dancing late because his first ballet/modern class was at the university, the same boy who never believed in himself as dancer – he made it,” he said.

Before dance became his life, Passamentt, from Los Fresnos, thought of becoming a nurse. He had never aspired to be a dance major, but his heart and his feet led him to the UTRGV Ballet Folklórico, under the direction of Miguel Angel Peña.

The UTRGV alumnus said he considered going into healthcare to make his parents proud, but all that changed after a conversation with his mother about his future.

She told him not to worry about her and his father, that he needed to do something to make himself happy and proud.

“She said, ‘This is going to be your future. Do something that you're going to love so you won't be miserable for the rest of your life. We support and love you regardless,’” he said. “After that, I made the switch.” 

During his high school years at Los Fresnos High School, Passamentt danced with the folklórico group there and recalled seeing performances by the UTRGV Ballet Folklórico company, thanks to his high school director, Aurora Gomez-Solis.

Those performances stayed with him even after high school and inspired his decision to attend the university. Passamentt knew he wanted to be part of the UTRGV Ballet Folklórico, and he joined the group in 2019. He remained with the company until he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a concentration in Folklórico in December 2022.

Raul Passamentt Jr. was part of the UTRGV Ballet Folklórico, under the direction of Miguel Angel Peña. (Courtesy Photo)

Thanks to a nudge from director Peña, Passamentt’s big break in the world of ballet folklórico came soon after graduation. He took a chance and traveled to Mexico City to audition for the Ballet Folklórico de México – along with 150 other dancers aspiring to one of the most acclaimed international dance companies in the world. 

“My inspiration to try out for the Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández was my director, Miguel Angel Peña. He has been my number one supporter and has always pushed me to become better,” he said.

Passamentt says his experience at UTRGV really prepared him for the next steps in his career as a professional folklórico dancer, as the UTRGV Dance Department gives students so many opportunities to explore and flourish in different genres.

“Our dance professors really gave us an overview for all the main genres of dance, which prepared us for what we would decide to do in the future,” he said.

As for advice for other Vaqueros’ figuring out their next steps, he encourages them to not be afraid to take a chance and explore change.

Passamentt says his experience at UTRGV really prepared him for the next steps in his career as a professional folklórico dancer. He says the UTRGV Dance Department gives students so many opportunities to explore and flourish in different genres. (Courtesy Photo)

“Always believe in yourself and never settle for anything other than what you deserve. Be ambitious, but with your feet on the ground. Stay humble and never forget where you came from. And, remember why you started,” he said.

Visit utrgv.edu/dance to learn more about programs being offered at UTRGV.