Liz Rivera

Lecturer

Biography: 

Elizabeth (Liz)  Broyles Rivera grew up moving around the Southwest, nurtured by the culture of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands where she fell in love with Mexican music and dance. She began dancing baile Folklórico Mexicano at the age of 16 under Maestra Linda Valdivia, an early member of Los Lupeños de San Jose. 

While earning her B.A. in Spanish at Humboldt State University she studied folk dancing and ballet, and danced with North Country Folk Ensemble under the direction of Janet Sponheim and then Jeff O’Connor.  After graduating, she continued studying ballet with Nancy Call, and taught Foklórico classes at The Old Creamery Dancenter and for the Humboldt Music Academy.  

In 1991 she became the assistant to Jeff in the new Ballet Folklórico Mexicano class at the University, and co-directed and performed with the student performing group, the Ballet Folklórico de Humboldt.  Upon Jeff’s retirement, Liz took over teaching the class and advising the student performing club for the next ten years. 

In 2013, Liz began studying Danza Azteca and in 2021 she was asked to help establish and facilitate a new Danza Azteca class at Cal Poly Humboldt. This was an extremely important addition to the dance offerings at the University, as it is the foundation of Baile Folklórico and is a way for students to connect to their indigenous roots.  She’s facilitated several workshops by respected visiting maestros over the past two years, and travels to Southern and Central California to continue her education in Traditional Danza Azteca.  It’s been an honor to support students’ exploration of the beautiful and rich cultural dance traditions of Mexico for over 40 years, and it’s what she loves most about teaching!

Maestra Liz Rivera also teaches fourth grade in the Spanish Immersion Program at Morris Elementary School  and lives in McKinleyville with the youngest of her three daughters.

Liz Rivera
Currently telecommuting. Please email.