STAFF
Juan gutiérrez
LP21’s Founder and Executive Director
Email: juango@lp21.org
Phone: +1 212-427-5221
Address: 1680 LEXINGTON AVENUE, ROOM 209, EL BARRIO, NY, 10029
Yesenia Lebrón-Romero
LP21’s Programs Manager
Yesenia at LP21’s annual Fiestas de Cruz celebration.
Yesenia Lebrón-Romero was born and raised in NYC, deeply rooted in her Puerto Rican traditions and customs. Her connection with Los Pleneros de la 21 began as a teenager in the Bomba and Plena Community Workshops (BPCW), and many years later her children also participated in BPCW. As an adult, Yesenia performed with luminaries in these traditions as a core member of NYC’s first all-female Bomba and Plena group, founded by renowned maestro, Benny “Bienvenido” Ayala, and continues to participate in community-based performances as a singer and dancer.
With a Masters in Ed/Special Education, Yesenia is an experienced educator, dedicated and passionate about keeping the culture alive in our community. She has implemented and developed cultural arts programming in other parts of the world, working with children in Germany, Hawaii and elsewhere. Yesenia brings this extensive knowledge back home to her current work with LP21’s Arts in Education and Cultural Legacy programs, bridging cultural gaps and contributing mightily to the continuation of our cultural heritage.
Email: programs@lp21.org
Ashleigh Hendrix
LP21’s Operations and Development Manager
At LP21’s Sancocho Musical, photo courtesy Eddie Pagán.
Passionate about public programs that invest in local communities, cultural arts and youth development, Ashleigh has worn many hats at Los Pleneros de la 21 since she began serving the organization in 2017. She combines a background in music performance and ethnomusicology studies with extensive experience in both corporate and non-profit settings, acting as a round-the-clock organizational representative, champion and promoter. Ashleigh has also enjoyed teaching music and language in diverse educational settings for nearly twenty years.
Email: pleneros21@lp21.org
instructors
LeAna Lopez
LeAna López was born and raised in New York City in El Barrio/ Spanish Harlem. She has dedicated her years to Afro Cuban and Afro Puerto Rican music with a concentration on dancing and playing Bomba and Plena. She began with Los Pleneros de la 21 in 1997 where she was mentored by Nellie Tanco, Juan Gutierrez, Tito Matos, Juan Usera, The Cepeda family and Victor Velez to name a few. Since 2004 she has performed with several Bomba groups throughout the Tri-State area and is currently a member of Legacy Women, an all-women’s group who specializes in Afro Puerto Rican and Afro Dominican roots music.
LeAna completed her studies from Hunter College in the Spring of 2018 with a B.A. in Africana and Puerto Rican/Latino studies, with a concentration in psychology. LeAna, also works for the New York City Department of Education as a teacher’s assistant for middle school children with special needs. She plans to attain a master’s degree in special education and continue pursuing her passion of Africana and Puerto Rican/Latino studies, dance, percussion and being an educator. LeAna is now a teaching instructor for Bomba and Plena Community Workshops and Bomba and Plena Adult Workshops.
JORGE VáZQUEZ
Born and raised in New York City, Jorge learned Bomba and Plena from elders. A founding member of the popular Bomba and Plena groups, YerbaBuena and Alma Moyo, Jorge is constantly touring and recording the next-generation’s Bomba and Plena sound. Luckily, he still makes time to teach Bomba and Plena Community Workshops drumming at LP21!
JULIA LOiza gutiérrez-Rivera
Julia L. Gutiérrez-Rivera is a New York born and raised Puerto Rican, cultural worker and practitioner of Bomba and Plena expressions. As a teaching artist and performer, Julia has toured and presented her practice nationally and globally for over twenty years, as a member of several Bomba and Plena ensembles including LP21, and Redobles de Cultura. With an MS in Nonprofit Administration from Milano, the New School for Nonprofit Management and Urban Policy; her approach to arts administration is focused on building sustainability and enhancing cultural and community impact. She’s served on numerous grants panels, and has been featured on various panels centered on arts and administrative practice. Julia is the Community Outreach Coordinator for the NCTA, Community Engagement and Youth Enrichment coordinator for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and is a Board member for the Center for Traditional Music and Dance. Regarded as one of New York City’s premiere Bomba and Plena performers, dancers, and educators, Julia has continued to share her gift with LP21, teaching special Un Paso Alante: Master Class Clinics .
Nelson “Mateo” González
Mateo was first taught Bomba and Plena by his grandfather, and master Plenero, Benny Ayala. He received a degree from the Harbor Conservatory, where he became an accomplished artist of all Latin percussive instruments, and is currently endorsed by Toca Percussion. Mateo has been with LP21 since he was a chamaco in Bomba and Plena Community Workshops. Now, he has become LP21’s leading drumming instructor for Bomba and Plena Adult Workshops.
INDIRA CORDOVA
Indira or “Indy” is a Puerto Rican American woman who was born and raised in NYC, dancing Bomba and Plena since the age of 4. She has learned and performed Bomba and Plena dancing with several instructors while living in the area of Spanish Harlem also known as “El Barrio,” and continues to pass on what she has learned while residing in the Bronx. She, along with others have performed for many charity and benefit concerns, corporate functions, musical theatre and parades, including the Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC. She has been able to attend several workshops to hone her skills and has also taught several to pass along her craft. Indy loves performing with spectacular foot work, and often utilizes most of her body while engrossed in her dance along with the traditional Bomba dress. Continuing tradition, legacy, culture and keeping the music alive is the moto Indira lives by. Now, Indy is LP21’s instructor for Bomba and Plena Adult Workshop dancing.
VOLUNTEERS
LP21 would not survive without our trusty volunteers! Interested in volunteering?
NILSA MáRQUEZ
Parent/Student Liaison Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Nilsa Marquez became interested in Los Pleneros de la 21 when she met the love of her life Benny Ayala in 1991. Since then she has been an active volunteer with many different Los Pleneros de la 21 events, also putting her grandchildren in the kids’ workshops. Years later, Nilsa continues to be a one of the rocks upon which the BPCW series depends. (You might also run into her oldest grandchild Nelson “Mateo” González performing with the LP21 ensemble or teaching the Hablando con el Tambor adult percussion classes!)
Rebecca Márquez
Rebecca (Becky) runs LP21’s ticket collection and donations at our many community workshops and cultural legacy events. An integral part of the LP21 familia, Becky is always there to lend a hand.
María Dones
María helps at both LP21’s community workshops and legacy events. She serves coffee to the adults and snacks for the children at Bomba and Plena Community Workshops! Nourishing our dancers and musicians, Maria is a fundamental part of LP21!
Yalisza Suren
Yalisza Suren was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico and raised in The Bronx. She has worked with multiple Youth-based nonprofit organizations over the years, offering her skills from Culinary Arts and Nutrition to Creative Arts. Yalisza’s mission is to self express and explore identity through culture, arts and community. She continues to partner with and work alongside community nonprofit organizations throughout NYC.
