Ximena De La Parra-Tostado dances her solo to “Rancherita” by Lauren Itandehui at Spring Dance Festival on Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026. **(Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara)**

Santa Clara University’s department of theatre and dance presented “Conciencia Awaken: Creating One’s Querencia,” choreographed by student dancer Ximena De La Parra-Tostado ’26 on April 11-12, 2026.

Ximena thoughtfully infused Mexican and American pop culture, reminding the audience and broader community that unity is essential, no matter where one comes from.

Through her work, she tells a story familiar to many first-generation youth—facing accusations of being “too American” for their home culture, yet “too foreign” for the United States, a country shaped by diverse and often marginalized communities.

Dancers Advaitha Ekkirala, Annika Kayser, Gracie James-Hickey, Ximena De La Parra-Tostado, Kirby Maitra, Sophia Taylor, and Megan Baldemor, performing “Contra Todo” by Ileana Cabra & Joey Cabra, performed by iLe on Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026. **(Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara)**

Ximena and her fellow dancers delivered a colorful masterpiece of elegance, culture and self-reflection. With a clear sense of passion and respect for humanity, “Conciencia Awaken: Creating One’s Querencia” embodied what the University strives to represent.

Preparation for the Fiesta

Like every masterpiece, it takes time to reveal something unforgettable and meaningful. Ximena began brainstorming this production in July of last year. She explained that her performance features mainly contemporary dance, with hints of jazz, ballet and salsa.

“Auditions were held in January, week two of winter quarter. Rehearsals started week six—after the Images dance concert—and carried on until week 10” said De La Parra-Tostado about the process.

Ximena’s vision and talent were evident in the performance, and her dancers demonstrated power and control throughout.

Corazón that Dances and Inspires

De La Parra-Tostado cited her main inspiration for “Conciencia Awaken: Creating One’s Querencia” as the experience of growing up Mexican-American and author Gloria Anzaldúa’s book “Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza”—especially the seven stages of conocimiento that Anzaldúa outlines.

“Anzaldúa involves a conscious deconstruction/reconstruction of the self, others, and the social world; the stages expand our ways of knowing,” said De La Parra-Tostado. “By undergoing this reflection, this learning of new and unlearning of old, we find the resources to heal ourselves, our relationships with others, and the world.”

Both she and Gloria Anzaldúa make it clear that one’s life experiences and current events can shape who we are—such as Ximena, who creates, and writers like Anzaldúa, who write.

Dancers Annika Kayser, Gracie James-Hickey, Sophia Taylor, Advaitha Ekkirala, Megan Baldemor, Ximena De La Parra-Tostado, Kirby Maitra, Amelia Cole, Natalia Shaheen, Avalon Dela Rosa, and Kamyllue Gutierrez Arteaga taking their bow at Spring Dance Festival on Saturday Apr. 11, 2026. **(Elaine Zhang/The Santa Clara)**

Ximena’s Message

De La Parra-Tostado made it clear that her performance is meant for everyone to reflect and engage in dialogue relevant to today’s world. Although one may think that dance isn’t a way to address societal problems, De La Parra-Tostado claims that it brings people together, and that is the start of change.

She shared a parting message with her fellow dancemates and to the audience who watched this production:

“To the participants of the production, I hope you all enjoy the moment and have had fun on this journey with me.”

“To the audience, I hope you feel seen and heard. May this remind you that you are not alone,” said De La Parra-Tostado.