(pronouns: she/her/hers) 

Janet Johns is the co-founder and artistic director/choreographer of the Mexican baile folklorico company Esperanza del Valle, which has been part of the Pajaro Valley arts scene since 1980. Esperanza del Valle's mission is to learn from master instructors of Mexican dance through ongoing collaboration with the dance communities of Mexico. This creates opportunities for youth and adults to learn and perform traditional regional dances of Mexico. Janet sees teaching traditional dance as an act of social justice because it honors the culture of many marginalized groups. After getting her BA In Liberal Studies and Spanish from San Jose State University, she fell in love with baile folklorico and has taught the artform at Cabrillo College for over 30 years. Janet is also a bilingual educator and taught elementary at Pajaro Valley Unified School District for 40 years. She holds a master’s in education from CSUMB and PhD from UC Santa Cruz, where she currently teaches in the bilingual education master’s credential program 

Born into a traditional Assyrian family in San Francisco, California, dance was an integral part of family gatherings and celebrations during Janet’s upbringing. Her parents instilled the importance of maintaining her Assyrian identity, language and culture, while also valuing education and the respect for others. Janet believes that teaching is an act of love and that through the arts we can bring peace, understanding and a sense of humanity to our world. Janet is a proud mother to Gabriel, who is carrying on the family mantle, teaching folklorico dance and drama at Pajaro Valley High School. She is also grandmother to Naya, who reminds her to play and see the world through a beautiful and loving lens where everything is possible.