1952 and in October of 1942, she founded the 'School of Ethnologic Dance Center,' and its performing ensemble of Exotic Ballet. Her first major work was ''Krishna Gopala,'' presented in 1940 with St. Denis and Hadassah as guest artists. She taught and performed with her dance company, the Five Natya's in the 1940's.

   La Meri created and recreated many Ethnic dances such as the Oriental dances, Chinese, Hindu, Burmese, Polynesian, Indian, Moroccan, Spanish, Guaba's Journey to Paradise, En Mai Hawaiinuikea, Hymns and Spirituals, El Amor Brujo etc. and Latin-American dances etc. Is said La Meri coined the term Ethnic dance. She used this vast knowledge of dance from around the world to create a unique dance experience for the audience. She would usually start of with the Spanish dances, do these for a bit, then switch to Interpretive dances, then move to the east with such as dances of the Japanese Geishas and the Court Dances of Javanese. Then onto the Mexican, Cuban, Peruvian and Argentine dances, etc. It was almost a lesson in dance history at the same time as well. Kinda similar in feel to Walt Disney's "Its a Small World Ride," taking you on a tour of exotic lands and places.

   Even tho La Meri's professional training was Spanish and Mexican (1913-1920,) she would become quite adept at learning many differnet dances. On her retirement in 1970, La Meri established Ethnic Dance Arts Inc. in Hyannis, Mass., where she presented an annual ethnic dance festival with awards. She taught widely and lectured on non-Western dance and wrote many books on dance. Her book ''Spanish Dancing,'' published in 1948, was considered by many to be the definitive text on Spanish dance. In 1972, La Meri received the Capezio Award.

   Lilan 'Lil' Hughes was La Meri's sister, she died of cancer in January of 1965. She is buried at Arlington Cemetery. La Meri died in a San Antonio, Texas Hospital in 1988, she was 89 years old.