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Educational, Administrative Staff & Board of Directors

PRFDance is an all-volunteer-run, nonprofit 501(c)(3). We thank our Board & Staff who contribute their time and talents, from the bottom of their hearts, to advancing the mission of PRFDance including:

Educational Staff

Photo Credit

Dr. Ana Maria Tekina-eirú Maynard
Founding Director and Choreographer
Teacher - Traditional Dance and Music, Coqui Preschool
History & Cultural Traditions
See Director's Bio



Jessica Anatabey Montoya
Youth Dance Teacher
PRFDance Senior Dancer

Jessica Anatabey Montoya was born in Lubbock, Texas of proud Navajo Indian roots. Jessica's love for dance began as a member of her high school drill team and flag squad. She has completed her CDA and is a Master Teacher at Tutor Time Learning Facility where, since 2000 has enjoyed teaching pre-school. Jessica has earned a variety of Classroom Training certificates including Elementary Sign Language. She has also received a VICA award for excellent skills in state leadership. Jessica has been in advanced dance training with Dr. Ana Maria Maynard (Director) since 2004. She is a talented, dedicated, enthusiastic and hardworking Dancer, attributes which has earned her the top-ranking position of Senior Dancer in PRFDance's professional-level performing company. Jessica shares her love for teaching and dance as PRFDance's Youth Dance Teacher, for children through teens. Above all, Jessica is a proud parent of preteen Alejandro Reyna who dances in the Junior Company.



Gerard Guayacani' Villanueva
Lead Percussion Teacher

Gerard is an Austin native and a talented percussionist who enjoys playing folkloric and popular styles from Haiti, Brazil, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. He plays a wide variety of instruments including conga, timbau, surdo, caixa, Brazilian tamborim, Peruvian cajon, bata, bongo, and Puerto Rican barriles and panderos. He has been an ongoing student of rhythm, taking numerous lessons and tutelage from internationally-known folkloric masters Jorge Alabe, Mark Lamson, and Micheal Spiro. He has been an active member of traditional music ensembles for over 15 years, including Danse Adjae, an Afro-Haitian music/dance ensemble with whom he has also learned folkloric music of Cuba. In the Brazilian style he was a member of the Purple Martins, Sambaxe, and Funk Brazil, and in San Antonio, part of experimental percussion ensembles Urban-15 and Flecha de Tiempo. He has been member of world/folk group Happy Valley, and has performed with Mundi, a contemporary folk/renaissance band from Austin. Currently he is with Academicos de Opera, a bateria (Brazilian carnival percussion group) and with them performed at the 2006 Percussive Arts Society International Convention held in Austin. He also performed at the Houston Fine Arts Museum's 2006 Dia De Los Muertos exhibit. Another current project is Mar Y Viento, a group exploring rhythms and songs of the Carribean, Brazil, and Peru. Gerard has been a member of PRFDance since 2005. He is a lead percussionist with the Company's Professional-Level Musicos and a Percussion Teacher for PRFDance Cultural Center's performing arts programs. He believes it very important and enjoys guiding and teaching the youth in their music education.



William Manayani Maynard
Percussion Teacher

When William began to play perfect clave at 18 months, his family knew he was born to play percussion. With continuous banging on every flat surface of the house, William is very advanced for his years, and, today is a Jr. Musico with PRFDance's professional company Musicos. William has been around PRFDance his entire life and has had the privilege of being inspired by live performances and workshops in percussion and drum-making starting at a very young age by Modesto Cepeda, Pleneros de la 21 with Tito Matos, Juan Fuentes, Papo Del Valle, Victor "Tico" Fuentes, the Concilio Taino Guata-Ma-Cu A Boriken, and Los Tambores de Felix Alduen, to name a few. The air crackles with electricity when William plays Bomba, Plena, and Taino traditional rhythms. His rhythm and strength has grown and expanded beyond Puerto Rican folklore under the ongoing teachings of Gerard Guayacani' Villanueva, especially in the areas of Latin/Afro-Cuban rhythms (on congas, bongos, timbales, small percussion) and more. William has won scholarships to band camp two years in a row and is First Chair for percussion in his school's Honor Band. William teaches percussion for PRFDance.



Adam Rosario
Cuatro Teacher

Adam grew up in Elizabeth, NJ and is the grandson of Jibaros from Lares and Ciales, Puerto Rico. During his childhood he was surrounded by salsa and latin jazz, jamming with the neighborhood kids on hand percussion. He started learning traditional Puerto Rican and cuban rhythms in the rote tradition. Formally studied classical guitar at age thirteen. He was given a cuatro by his grandmother at age 14. He learned to play by ear by listening to old recordings of decimas, seis, and aguinaldos his uncle provided for him. This began his love for musica jibara. He was primarily influenced by cuatristas Nieves Quintero, Maso Rivera, Modesto Nieves, and most recently Christian Nieves. Adam is cuatrista of the PRFDance Musicos and Cuatro Teacher for PRFDance Cultural Center's performing arts programs.



Israel Cao-Bara Matthews
Salsa Teacher
PRFDance Senior Dancer

At an early age, Mr. Matthews exhibited an aptitude for music and dance. With ancestral roots in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Israel was born of Creole heritage in New Orleans, Louisiana where he sung gospel music with his siblings in the family choir while playing percussion with his older brother Ignatius. At age 8 he found a natural talent for playing trumpet and with much dedication started playing with the New Orleans classical youth orchestra with renowned drummer Jason Marsalis. In his teen years, he performed traditional New Orleans music and dance in the Black Jack Jazz band, led by trumpeter and cultural ambassador of New Orleans Irvin Mayfield. From there he played traditional, jazz, and Latin styled music at Southern University of New Orleans with the legendary musician and historian Kid Jordan. After moving to Austin in 1996 learned to dance Salsa with Latin rhythm dance instructor Jason Lozada while developing a repertoire in African style dance and study of his Haitian roots. Since 2002 Israel has been in advanced dance studies with Dr. Ana Tekina-eiru' Marie Maynard (Director), which has included indepth cultural and historical studies of his Puerto Rican heritage, and continues to develop his percussion skills through classes in Puerto Rican barriles and panderos with Gerard Guayacani' Villanuva and William Manayani Maynard. Israel is a member of PRDance's professional-level performing company, and shares the company's top-ranking position of Senior Dancer with Jessica Anatabey Montoya. The love of his cultural heritage is truly shown in his continued dedication to all his musical art forms.

Board of Directors

PRFDance is served by a small, but extremely active and hardworking volunteer Board of Directors who contribute daily/weekly to the mission of PRFDance including:

Dr. Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard,
President, Board of Directors
Executive Director
[See Bio above.]

Rose M. Irizarry
Vice President, Board of Directors
Lead, Grants & Contracts

Rose Massanet Irizarry was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, of a Puerto Rican father and an Italian mother. She fondly recalls her childhood growing up in both cultures. Rose moved to Mayaguez, Puerto Rico in 1953, learned Spanish and graduated from the Catholic University of PR. She received a Master's Degree in Medical Technology from Wayne State University. After marriage and living in Puerto Rico for over 20 years, all of the family moved to Texas in 1977. Rose became involved with PRFDance when her three granddaughters started taking dance classes in 2002 and daughter Rose joined the Performing Company and became the Youth Choir Teacher. Rose enjoys the family environment of PRFDance. She is an active Board Member and the right hand of the Founding Director.


Zera Thompson
Board Secretary
Company Photographer & Artistic Content, Website & Advertising

Zera Thompson was raised in San Marcos and San Antonio, TX. She attended St. Phillips College in San Antonio, TX. (1992-1993) and afterwards moved to Austin to work for Dell Computer Co. (1993-1999). In 2000 she moved to Round Rock, TX where she pursued a career in the medical field at the Round Rock Hospital (2002-2004). She is currently continuing her education in Social Work and Photography at Austin Community College in Austin, TX, while raising three children as a single parent. All three of her children have danced in PRFDance's youth programs. Zera also has many other talents, including event planning, culinary, marketing, and photography, all of which she shares with PRFDance. Zera has been with PRFDance since Spring 2004, and has been serving on the Board & Staff since 2005. Zera is a professional photographer (Imajinu.com), contributing her talent and expertise in Artography as PRFDance's Company Photographer and in the creation of artistic content for website and advertising. She believes wonderful memories last forever with the perfect picture. Thanks to Zera, we have many wonderful memories to enjoy over and over again!


Leaders - Administrative Staff

PRFDance is served by a team of extremely active and hardworking volunteer Administrative Staff Leaders who contribute daily/weekly to help run our cultural center's real-world business.

Rosa Ananaguani' Montoya
Executive Staff Member
Lead, Facilities & Cultural Center Events
Company Seamstress

Rosa Montoya born in San Angelo TX and raised in Lubbock TX in a hispanic family proud of their Navajo roots. Graduated from Lubbock High and attended Texas Tech Univ, majoring in nursing and minoring in education. Life directed me into pre-school teaching. Met and married my highschool sweetheart; married for 33 years bringing into this world 3 wonderful children Jessica, Julie, and Jeremy, and loving 5 grandchildren: Angel, Alejandro, Aleana, Anthony and Averie. My love for sewing has been a dedication that has encouraged my involvement with PRFDance. The love and enjoyment that it has given our family to see our daughter Jessica and grandson Alejandro preforming with great pride with PRFDance are memories that will never be forgotten. My dedication to PRFDance has come from the bottom of my heart to see a beautiful culture rise from its roots and being passed on to our children as well as adults so that it can grow and never be forgotten. I've learned that to experience the wonder of life through the eyes of a child is the most rewarding feeling in the world. While accompanying my husband in his tour of duty in the military, I volunteered with the Armed Services YMCA and began a Family Support Group which to this day has been implemented at all bases across the USA. This was my way of helping families adjusting to family separation. I was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation by Maj General Donald R. Infante in 1988. As the years continued, we began a small group and a building was given to us to have social activities. In 1989 I was honored to receive the Fort Bliss Honor Pin from Maj General Lionetti, but the most rewarding achievement was having the honor to give Maj General Colin Powells a tour of Fort Bliss and to show him the importance of a Family Support Group. To mark that event, the Army Stars and Stripes ran a picture of me together with Maj General Lionetti and Maj General Colin Powells. Now my daughter Julie has that role of the Family Support Group here in Austin, TX (Camp Mabry). I am a dependable, well organized responsible person, quick to learn new information. I consider any job a new challenge and am willing to take initiative in leading or assisting. I strive to ensure that my daily activities make a difference and effect in teaching the young. I enjoy working with the community and agencies where I can contribute my knowledge.

Maria Mercedes Capestany
Lead, Web Promotions

Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico (Savarona) of a Taino mother and a Puerto Rican/Spaniard father. At the age of 15 moved to NY where I finished high school. Married and have four beautiful daughters, three beautiful grand daughters, and two handsome grandsons. When my youngest daughter went to school I decided to go to college and received a BA in Accounting. Went to work for an oil company in NY. 15 years ago my husband and I moved to Florida and I love it. Now I am retired and helping my beautiful daughter, Ana Maria (Director) with PRFDance. I also watch two of my grand daughters after school. They keep me very busy but I still have time to help Ana Maria and work in my garden.



Yadira Iquierdo Torres
Lead, PRFDance Editor & Newsletter

Yadira Izquierdo Torres was born and raised in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. She finished a Masters Degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism in 2009. Her thesis was titled: Ninguna de las Anteriores en el Plebiscito del 1998: Periodismo de Opinión El Nuevo Dia. Some of her collaborations have been published in El Heraldo and Buhiti, a Journal of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She has recently moved to Austin and is now becoming involved with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center in order to stay close to her roots.

Jessica Anatabey Montoya
Lead, Donor Communications & Administration
Lead, Wardrobe
[See Bio above.]

Jenny Deleza
Lead Development, Ad Sales & Major-Event Fundraisers

Elizabeth Mirabal
Lead, Inventory

As owners of I9 Sports - South & East Austin, a business specializing in fun Youth Sports experiences, Elizabeth and Brandon are experts in inventory and purchasing. Their contribution of expertise to PRFDance in these and other areas is greatly appreciated!

David Bo Ili Suani Maynard
Lead, IT Services

David Maynard is the President & Chief Technology Officer of OutServ (outserv.net), and a technical and business leader with over 15 years of experience in the design, engineering, delivery, and management of innovative information technologies. OutServ helps small and mid-sized businesses keep their technology infrastructure running smoothly. Their World-class IT operations provide inkind IT services to PRFDance. David was instrumental in developing the technology to build the first modern ISP. He integrated bootp, gated, cslip, and many other systems into a custom ISP terminal server years before such capabilities were available off-the-shelf. David added dynamic IP routing capabilities to allow dialup customers with static IP addresses to use shared modem banks. Prior to this, dialup customers with static IP addresses were traditionally set-up as a dedicated service. David's efforts resulted in a dramatically lowered cost to provide business class service at the dawn of the modern public Internet. David is one of the heros that made low-cost Internet service possible. In his spare time, David is an Assistant Scoutmaster for his son William's Boy Scout Troop and now serves as District Training Chairman. He is a red belt in Tae Kwon Do, and is Ana Maria's husband.


Administrative Staff & Volunteers

PRFDance is served by Administrative Staff and Volunteers who consistently contribute their time and talents for administration, special events and projects:

Lilly Diaz
Special Projects


Edwin "Ed" Baez
Special Projects

Edwin "Ed" Baez was born in the Bronx, New York and raised in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. His Mother was from Rio Piedras, and his Father from Camito, Puerto Rico. Edwin graduated high school from Republic of Colombia in Rio Piedras. Afterwards, he joined the military (1978-1985) and graduated in military admistration and science communication. A 1993 graduate student from the University of Texas at Austin, Ed teaches at the Dept. of Physics and is a member of the Technical Staff. Ed attended the Austin Graduate School of Theology Associate Ministries of Jesus Cristo (2002-2004) and is member of the Royal Ranger SR Commander at a Pentcostal Church. From 1993 to present, he has been a board member for Southwest Key Charter School. Ed has worked for Austin I.S.D. as a P.E. Teacher (1993-2000), and an Instructor for the after school program in basketball and flagfootball. He has a beautiful wife and two sons, one attending U.T. undergradute mechanical engineering, the other, San Marcos Baptist Academia. Edwin is a "die hard" Roberto Clemente fan! He collects baseball and basketball cards, and usually goes to Puerto Rico and New York on vacation to buy cards for his collection. Ed loves to teach children how to start up sports cards collections and plans to have a card shop when he retires. Edwin is thankful to God for the blessings in his life.


Advisory Board

PRFDance is served by an advisory board of professionals who make themselves available for inkind professional consultations:


Ángel E. Nemeninshiro Rivera-Ruiz, Esq.
Legal Advisor

Nemeninshiro is a Licensed Attorney/Notary Public on the Island of Puerto Rico, and is Legal Consultant for 501C3 Concilio Taino Guatu Ma Cu A Boriken. He is proud to serve on PRFDance's Advisory Board as Legal Advisor.



Joe Alvarado
Accounting Advisor

Joe is on the Board of Directors and is the Professional Accountant for Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico de Texas. He has served as PRFDance's Accounting Advisor since our inception.

Contact us if you feel a calling to help our volunteer-run nonprofit mission.

For more information:
Dr. Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard
Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance & Cultural Center

Center Location: 701 Tillery Street #13, Austin TX 78702-3740 (Map & Directions)
Mailing Address: 15228 Quiet Pond Court, Austin TX 78728-4555
Phone: +1.512.251.8122
Email: dance@prfdance.org          Web: www.prfdance.org

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