Lucille Campa

Lucille Campa, born in El Paso Texas April 23, 1919, began lessons under distinguished dance masters in Spanish classical, flamenco, and Mexican folk at age eight. Her litany of lifelong dance performances began at age nine at the Liberty Hall of the Performing Arts in El Paso, accompanied by the Orquestra Nacional Tipica of the Conservatory of Music, Mexico City. Known professionally as La Charrita, she continued to perform in national venues including the World' Fair in Dallas, the US Coronado Cuarto Centennial, the Sun Bowl Parade, the National Folk Festival, and many others. During the 1950s Lucille Campa's Ballet Espa�ol was the first folkloric dance group in Colorado. Her instruction included classes at the University of Denver, the Denver Public Schools, and in her private dance studio at home. Mrs. Campa's students continued her work in the myriad of folkloric dance groups that evolved through the present day. Her career culminated in receiving the 2000 Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in Denver.

She married Dr. Arthur L. Campa in April, 1943. Following World War Ii they lived briefly in Albuquerque, and moved to Denver in 1946. Except for a two year residence in Lima, Peru 1955-1957 where Dr. Campa held a diplomatic position. Denver became her home.

Mrs. Campa's four children who survive her are: Arthur (Bailey, CO), Danielle (Longmont, CO), Celia Nita (Franktown, CO), and David (Evergreen, CO); a step-daughter maria, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Donations in her memory may be sent to the Arthur L. Campa Scholarship for Latino Studies at the University of Denver.

Graveside services were held at Fort Logan National Cemetery on March 18, 2005.