Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance
Staff & Board of Directors

PRFDance is an all-volunteer-run, nonprofit 501(c)(3). We thank all who contribute time and talents to advance our cultural mission.

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 De'Ann Anatabey Montoya
Youth Dance Teacher
PRFDance Senior Dancer & Wardrobe

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
PRFDance Musicos - Lead Percussionist

Gerard, a native of Austin, has been studying and playing folkloric and popular styles of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Haiti, and Brazil for 20 years. In addition to attending Master workshops hosted by the Puerto Rican Folkloric Ensemble he has taken numerous classes with folkloric music masters Jorge Alabe, Mark Lamson, and Micheal Spiro. He has been an active member of ensembles and groups in Austin and San Antonio the past 20 years including Dance Adjae, a Haitian percussion and dance group, and Academicos de Opera, a Brazilian percussion group which plays the Carnival Brasileiro every year for Mardi Gras in Austin. He has been a member of the PRFDance Musicos since 2005 as lead percussionist and teacher. Forever a student of rhythm, he considers learning from and playing alongside Puerto Rican folklore masters like Guateque, Felix Alduen Y Sus Tambores, and Paracumbe' a highlight of experience.




William Manayani Maynard
Percussion Teacher
PRFDance Musicos - Jr. Musico

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 and teaches percussion. William has been around PRFDance his entire life. By PreTeen he already had the privilege of being inspired by live performances and workshops in percussion and drum-making with 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. In middle school, William won scholarships to band camp two years in a row, and was the Honor Band First Chair for percussion by the time he graduated. In High School, he continues to learn marching percussion as well as latin jazz. William is proud to serve as Senior Patrol Leader of Boy Scout Troop 511, which puts him in charge of 100 boys and all their troop functions for six months.




Adam Rosario
Cuatro Teacher


PRFDance Musicos - Cuatrista Adam grew up in Elizabeth, NJ, the descendent of Jibaros from Lares and Ciales, Puerto Rico. During his childhood he was surrounded by salsa and latin jazz, learning traditional Puerto Rican and Cuban hand percussion in the rote tradition. At age 14 he was given a cuatro by his grandmother, which he learned to play by listening to old recordings of decimas, seis, and aguinaldos. His influences include 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 male Senior Dancer. 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 advance the mission of PRFDance.

Dr. Ana María Tekina-eirú Maynard,
President, Board of Directors
Executive Director

Rose M. Irizarry
Vice President, Board of Directors
Development, Major 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. She is currently continuing her education in the Photography program at Austin Community College in Austin, TX. Zera's 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. A freelance photographer since 2004 (Imajinu.com), Zera contributes 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!


Administrative Staff & Volunteers

PRFDance is served by a team of active volunteer Administrative Staff who help run our cultural center's real-world business, and take on special events and projects.


Maria Mercedes Capestany
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.




Nicole Rosario Torres
Development Team, Major Grants & Events Team

  • Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  • Has a fraternal twin sister
  • Experience as a Spanish as a Second Language tutor
  • Volunteer Spanish/English translator
  • Volunteered with individuals with Special Needs
  • Fluent in English, Spanish and a basic in Italian
  • HIPAA certified
  • Interested in Cultures, Languages, Yoga & Meditation, Health
  • Wants to be CPR/AED certified


    Gladys "Ana-Majagua" Gautier
    Administration & Events Team, Donor Communications & Editor

    Madrile Wilson
    Facilities - Team Lead

    Teresa Gautier
    Company Seamstress

    Yadira Iquierdo Torres
    PRFDance Newsletter Editor

    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 enjoys being involved with the Puerto Rican Cultural Center in order to stay close to her roots.

    Valerie Marcano
    Special Projects


    David Bo Ili Suani Maynard
    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.

    Terri & Armando Ramos
    Inventory

    Jenny Deleza
    Development - Program Ad Sales & Major-Event Fundraisers


    Maria Mercedes Tureyguanani' Maynard
    Administration Team - Junior

    Tureyguanani' is an honor roll student who loves all her subjects and proudly serves in her school's Safety Patrol. In her spare time, she enjoys creating art of all kinds and taking ballet class. Participating with PRFDance since the age of four, Maria is a member of the Junior Company. Apprenticing with the Adult Company she enjoys taking workshops and sharing the stage with Masters direct from Puerto Rico (see Mom/PRFDance Director's bio). In the Fall, she enjoys dancing, singing, playing the recorder, and acting in PRFDance's original trilingual musicals that bring to light untold stories in Puerto Rican history. Each summer, Tureyguani' enjoys very real and "offstage" experiences when her Mom takes her to Puerto Rico to dance Areytos on the beaches, in the mountains, and on the bateys (ceremonial grounds) with their Taino pueblo El Concilio Taino Guatu Ma Cu a Boriken. Tureyguanani' enjoys taking on beginner-level administrative assignments in PRDance's volunteer business office. Her good organizational skills and thoughtful conscientiousness about everything she does is much appreciated! Above all, we appreciate her sweet and humble nature that is welcoming to all children who come to take class at our escuelita.


    Laura Holtz
    Backstage Assist - Youth Performances

    Edwin "Ed" Baez
    Events Team

    Edwin "Ed" Baez was born in the Bronx, New York and raised in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. With Mother from Rio Piedras, and Father from Camito, Edwin graduated from Rio Piedras Republic of Colombia High School. Afterwards, he joined the military (1978-1985) and graduated in military admistration and science communication. A 1993 graduate students from University of Texas at Austin, Ed is Technical Staff and teaches at the Dept. of Physics. 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. A Southwest Key Charter School board member since 1993, he has also worked an AISD P.E. Teacher (1993-2000), and an afterschool Instructor in basketball and flagfootball. Ed has a beautiful wife and one son at U.T. (mechanical engineering), the other at San Marcos Baptist Academia. Edwin is a "die hard" Roberto Clemente fan and travels to Puerto Rico and New York to collect baseball and basketball cards. 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 an Accountant by trade. In addition to long-time service to the Board, he has served as Accountant for Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico de Texas for many years. He has served as PRFDance's Accounting Advisor since our inception.


    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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