Performers of the Mesilla Valley
Our Story
Performers of the Mesilla Valley was born out of a dream to preserve culture, build community, and create opportunities for youth through the arts. What started as a small group of families gathering to celebrate folklórico has grown into an organization that now serves over 70 children and their families each year, offering not only cultural arts education but also meaningful mentorship and personal growth opportunities.
In 2019, our founder, Erika Moya, a lifelong dancer, storyteller, and community leader, recognized a need in Las Cruces, El Paso, and surrounding areas: accessible cultural programs for children. She saw that while sports and extracurriculars were plentiful, spaces where young people could connect to their heritage, build identity, and receive positive guidance were limited. With her background in education, performance, and youth empowerment, Erika took the leap to create a space where every child, regardless of income, could dance, learn, and belong, completely free of cost.
At first, classes were held in small community spaces with borrowed costumes and donated time. Parents and volunteers quickly rallied together, and the group blossomed. As word spread, more families joined, bringing their children not only to learn steps and music but to build confidence, discipline, leadership, and pride in their identity with caring mentors and role models walking alongside them.
Performers of the Mesilla Valley soon formalized into a nonprofit organization with a dedicated board of directors who share the same vision: to honor cultural traditions while empowering the next generation. Together, the founders and board members built a structure to ensure that every program remains free and accessible to all families, eliminating financial barriers and creating opportunities for every child to shine.
Today, the organization continues to grow expanding into multi-arts programming, wellness initiatives, and community partnerships. Our story is still being written, but its foundation remains the same: family, culture, mentorship, and community always free for the families we serve.
About Us
Performers of the Mesilla Valley is a newly recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the Las Cruces/El Paso region, proudly serving surrounding communities. Founded in 2019, our organization began as a folklórico and Native Ceremonial Dance program designed to give children and families meaningful ways to reconnect with their cultural roots. Over the past six years, we have grown to serve more than 70 youth annually through free and low-cost classes, community performances, and educational workshops.
Our programs use the power of cultural arts as both a form of creative expression and a mentoring platform, providing at-risk and underserved youth ages 4–18 with trusted guidance, positive role models, and structured activities that build leadership, confidence, and life skills. By integrating mentoring into our multi-arts programming, which includes dance, music, theater, visual arts, and wellness we create spaces where youth can grow emotionally, socially, and academically while strengthening their cultural identity. Through this holistic approach, Performers of the Mesilla Valley empowers young people to thrive, connect, and become active contributors to their communities.
To inspire, educate, and mentor youth through cultural arts, preserving heritage while empowering the next generation to lead with confidence and resilience. Through dance, music, theater, visual arts, and wellness programs, we create spaces where young people connect with their roots, find belonging, and build skills that prepare them for bright futures.
