Always proud to support
Program
Welcome to the 27th Annual National Cuatro Festival
Saturday, November 15, 20245 at 7pm Harris Theater 205 East Randolph, Chicago, IL 60601
This year’s program is titled “Sonidos
de Mi Navidad”
Emcees
MIKE OQUENDO with Special Guest EL SAPO CONCHO
ACT I
The Latin Music Project Ensemble Featuring a Special Appearance by PRAA’s Little Genius Music Students
ACT II
Fabiola “Fabi” Muñoz Ortiz, Esteemed Cuatrista from Puerto Rico
Dedication & Intermission
ACT III
Michael Stuart, International Salsa Star from Puerto Rico Featuring a Special Appearance and Collaboration with Los Pleneros de Don Segundo and Fabi Muñoz Ortiz
GRAND FINALE
Presented by Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance is committed to preserving and celebrating Puerto Rican culture by upholding our traditions, promoting artistic expression, providing transformative arts education, and fostering a deep sense of pride in our heritage for future generations.
To learn more about our programs, events, activities and to donate: Visit our website at www.PRAA.org
Amplifying creativity in art and life
Art opens us up to new possibilities and inspires us to think differently. It brings colors, sounds, feelings and stories to our communities. That’s why U.S. Bank invests in the creative endeavors of visual and performing arts organizations across the United States. Our communities are enriched, inspired and better for it.
U.S. Bank is proud to support the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance.
Michael Stuart Fabiola Muñoz
Los Pleneros de Don Segundo Latin Music Project - Advanced Ensemble
Thank You to Our 2025 National Cuatro Festival Sponsors!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
OFFICIAL TRAVEL SPONSOR
PROGRAM SPONSORS & PARTNERS
MUSIC EDUCATION
SCHEDULE
January 10 - March 19
Ensemble participation included with tuition.
MONDAYS
5:00-7:00 PM
LMP Advanced Ensemble
Sound Engineering
MARTES
5:30-6:30 PM
Drums (ages 8-12)
Cuatro Intermediate
Guitar Intermediate
Violin Intermediate
Beginner Ensemble - Tues
6:30-7:30 PM
Cuatro Beginner - Tues
Drums (ages 13-18)
Guitar Beginner - Tues
Violin Beginner
Intermediate Ensemble
THURSDAYS
5:00-7:00 PM
LMP Advanced Ensemble
SATURDAYS
9:00-10:00 AM
Little Genius (ages 4-7)
Adult Cuatro Level II
10:00-11:00 AM
Adult Cuatro Level I
Adult Percussion
Beginner Ensemble - Sat
11:00-12:00 PM
Cuatro Beginner - Sat
Guitar Beginner - Sat
Percussion Beginner
Venezuelan Cuatro Vocals
jose@praachicago.org
zabdiel@praachicago.org www.praa.org | 773-342-8865
Mike Oquendo, Producer and Creator
Mike Oquendo is a proud Chicago born Puerto Rican with a great love for his city and its people. Mike produces Comedy, Theater and Music events both in Chicago and across the country. He previously served on the Board for National Academy of the Recording Arts & Sciences which created the very first Latin Grammy Awards. He is a concept contributor on 3 HBO Latino specials and produces a Community Partner Night that raises money for local not-for-profit organizations. Mike is one of only a handful of Latinos to have trained at New York’s “Commercial Theater Institute” and his productions have been staged in theaters in Florida, New York, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Mike is also a public speaker and professional emcee, his public speaking credits include the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus, MSNBC, the Federal Reserve Bank, The University of Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Sapo Concho, A Symbol of Puerto Rican Spirit
Sapo Concho, the proud Puerto Rican crested toad, embodies the island’s resilience and spirit. Native to the rugged karst landscapes of southwestern Puerto Rico, this rare species has become a cultural icon — celebrated by artists, activists, and communities alike. After gaining international recognition through Bad Bunny’s short film DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Sapo Concho now continues his journey to the Harris Theater for the 27th National Cuatro Festival, joining the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance in honoring the music, culture, and identity that define Puerto Rico. Played by Puerto Rican Chicago-based artist Reynaldo Rodriguez.
Art Education Schedule
JANUARY 14 - MARCH 7, 2026
WEDNESDAYS
Mini Makers • Ages 2-4
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM • PRAA Center| 3000 N. Elbridge Ave.
Explore textures, colors, and shapes through hands-on art experiences.
SATURDAYS
Literacy and Crafts • Ages 4-7
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM • Humboldt Park Studio, 1440 N. Sacramento Ave. Learn Spanish through arts and children’s literature.
Experimental Sculpture • Ages 16+
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM • Humboldt Park Studio, 1440 N. Sacramento
Turn mannequins & unique materials into bold, expressive sculptures.
Photography • Ages 16+
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM • Humboldt Park Studio, 1440 N. Sacramento Ave. Hands-on photography workshop designed to get you out of your head and into the joy of image-making.
Visit www.praa.org to register!
MORE INFO: isabel@praachicago.org (773)-342-8865
Message from the Board Chairwoman
Dear PRAA Family and Friends,
The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) is proud to present the 27th National Cuatro Festival (NFC) at the Harris Theatre in Chicago. PRAA is grateful for your support of the Cuatro Festival which allows us to fund various programs and events in the community throughout the year. Your support and donations help PRAA offer programs that teach students Puerto Rican heritage, culture and traditions through the arts.
This year the National Cuatro Festival is dedicated to Mr. Carlos Flores. Mr. Flores is a social activist, an educator and advocate of the Puerto Rican Community. Mr. Flores was a founding board member of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and the Chicago Afro-Latino Institute. He co-founded the Latin Jazz Festival. Mr. Flores pioneered the idea of teaching the cuatro at PRAA. He developed and coordinated the first Cuatro Festival. Mr. Flores is a skilled photographer who chronicled Latino life in Chicago and beyond. His work has been featured in books, articles and films. PRAA will curate a work of his photographs in the coming year. We are deeply grateful for Mr. Flores’ work throughout the years on behalf of our community.
PRAA continues Mr. Flores’ idea of teaching the cuatro and other instruments in the community. PRAA also incorporated visual and performing arts as part of its programs.
This year PRAA served nearly 3,000 students. Students learn in a safe space, which is especially important in the times we are living
where violence towards people of color is being legitimized.
Our Executive Director, Dr. Ignacio Lopez has worked tirelessly to continue and expand programs already established at PRAA. This year under Dr. Lopez’s leadership PRAA launched two new programs, the Recording Studio Program and the Earn and Learn Workforce Program. High school students receive stipends as they learn skills that prepare them for the recording and production industry. The Desde Mi Barrio Community Concert Series continued to be presented in our communities. This year the series focused on bringing Grammy nominated artists. The artists who participated in the Series included Jonathan Suazo, Richard Peña, Sonia Ramos and Frido Vargas. The artists not only present at the Concert Series but provide in person workshops to the LMP students. The concerts also provide LMP students the opportunity to play with professional artists.
Two art exhibits Persistencia and La Mudanza: Seeds of our Past were curated by PRAA Studio Arts and Exhibition Director, Jorge Felix. Persistencia charts the evolution of Puerto Rican artists in Chicago from the 1920’s to the present. La Mudanza presented the work of artist Reynaldo Rodriguez, exploring the themes of migration, memory and cultural resilience.
A special thanks to the PRAA Board members for they unwavering support of the PRAA mission. Board members volunteer their time and expertise to ensure PRAA continues to grow and succeed.
Your generous support helps insure PRAA maintains and expands its programs. PRAA programs have a tremendous positive influence on the students and help preserve our Puerto Rican culture for future generations. Any donation big or small makes a difference. To make a contribution visit our website at www.praachicago.org and click the “DONATE” button. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Mojica-Castillo, PsyD. Board Chairwoman
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
Querida familia y amigos de PRAA:
Con gran alegría les damos la bienvenida al 27.º Festival Nacional del Cuatro, una celebración de nuestra música, cultura y orgullo puertorriqueño, presentada por el Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) en el Teatro Harris de Chicago. PRAA está profundamente agradecida por su apoyo al Festival del Cuatro, el cual nos permite financiar diversos programas y eventos comunitarios durante todo el año. Su apoyo y donaciones ayudan a que PRAA ofrezca programas que enseñan a nuestros estudiantes la herencia, cultura y tradiciones puertorriqueñas a través de las artes.
Este año, el Festival Nacional del Cuatro está dedicado al Sr. Carlos Flores, un activista social, educador y defensor de la comunidad puertorriqueña. El Sr. Flores fue miembro fundador de la Junta Directiva de la Alianza de Artes Puertorriqueñas y del Instituto Afrolatino de Chicago. También cofundó el Festival de Jazz Latino. El Sr. Flores fue pionero en la idea de enseñar el cuatro en PRAA y coordinó el primer Festival del Cuatro. Además, es un fotógrafo talentoso que ha documentado la vida latina en Chicago y más allá. Su trabajo ha sido presentado en libros, artículos y películas. PRAA presentará una exposición de su obra fotográfica en el próximo año. Expresamos nuestra profunda gratitud por la labor del Sr. Flores en beneficio de nuestra comunidad a lo largo de los años.
PRAA continúa la visión del Sr. Flores al enseñar el cuatro y otros instrumentos en la comunidad, e incorporando las artes visuales y escénicas en sus programas. Este año, PRAA sirvió a casi 3,000 estudiantes,
Mensaje de la Presidenta de la
quienes aprenden en un espacio seguro, algo especialmente importante en estos tiempos en que la violencia hacia las personas de color está siendo normalizada.
Nuestro Director Ejecutivo, el Dr. Ignacio López, ha trabajado incansablemente para continuar y expandir los programas establecidos en PRAA. Este año, bajo su liderazgo, PRAA lanzó dos nuevos programas: el Programa de Estudio de Grabación y el Programa de Aprendizaje y Trabajo (Earn and Learn Workforce Program). En estos, los estudiantes de secundaria reciben estipendios mientras adquieren habilidades que los preparan para la industria de grabación y producción.
La Serie de Conciertos Comunitarios Desde Mi Barrio continuó presentándose en nuestras comunidades. Este año, la serie se centró en presentar artistas nominados al Grammy, incluyendo a Jonathan Suazo, Richard Peña, Sonia Ramos y Frido Vargas. Los artistas no solo se presentan en los conciertos, sino que también ofrecen talleres presenciales a los estudiantes del Programa de Música Latina (LMP), brindándoles la oportunidad de tocar junto a músicos profesionales.
Dos exposiciones de arte, Persistencia y La Mudanza: Semillas de Nuestro Pasado, fueron curadas por el Director de Artes Visuales y Exposiciones de PRAA, Jorge Félix. Persistencia muestra la evolución de los artistas puertorriqueños en Chicago desde la década de 1920 hasta el presente. La Mudanza presentó la obra del artista Reynaldo Rodríguez, explorando los temas de migración, memoria y resiliencia cultural.
Un agradecimiento especial a los miembros de la Junta Directiva de
Junta Directiva
PRAA por su inquebrantable apoyo a nuestra misión. Los miembros de la Junta ofrecen su tiempo y experiencia para garantizar que PRAA continúe creciendo y alcanzando el éxito.
Su generoso apoyo ayuda a asegurar que PRAA mantenga y amplíe sus programas. Nuestros programas tienen una influencia profundamente positiva en los estudiantes y ayudan a preservar nuestra cultura puertorriqueña para las generaciones futuras. Cualquier donación, grande o pequeña, marca la diferencia. Para hacer una contribución, visite nuestro sitio web en www.praachicago.org y haga clic en el botón “DONAR”. Gracias por su continuo apoyo.
Con gratitud,
Dra. Sylvia Mojica-Castillo Presidenta de la Junta Directiva Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA)
It is a joy and an honor to welcome you to this year’s celebration— “Sonidos de mi Navidad – The Sounds of My Christmas.” Tonight, we gather as one community to honor the music, traditions, and spirit that define us as Puerto Ricans and as a people rooted in culture, family, and joy. This festival is not just a concert—it is a reflection of who we are, and the legacy we pass on to our children. This year has been one of extraordinary growth for the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance. Our music and arts education programs have expanded to reach more schools and more students than ever before, nurturing creativity, discipline, and cultural pride in thousands of young people. Through our Desde Mi Barrio Community Concert Series, we brought live Puerto Rican and Latin music to neighborhoods across the city, creating spaces for connection, celebration, and community pride. And our beloved Noche Caribeña drew more than 26,000 people—a beautiful reminder of the unity and energy that defines our work.
Looking ahead, PRAA is embarking on a bold expansion of our Avondale Cultural Campus, a project that will transform access to arts, culture, and education for generations to come. This next chapter represents our enduring commitment to community, creativity, and the preservation of Puerto Rican heritage here in Chicago and beyond.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our Board of Directors, the generosity of our sponsors and donors, and the unwavering commitment of our teachers, artists, and volunteers who bring our mission to life each day.
As we celebrate the sounds of our Navidad, I invite you to join us—by supporting PRAA, by attending our programs, and by helping us continue to inspire the next generation. Together, we ensure that our music, our stories, and our culture continue to shine—en cada nota, en cada niño, en cada corazón.
Feliz
Dr. Ignacio López Executive Director, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
Message from the Executive Director
Navidad y muchas gracias,
Welcome to the 27th Annual National Cuatro Festival!
¡Bienvenidos al 27º Festival Nacional del Cuatro!
Es un verdadero honor y una inmensa alegría darles la bienvenida a esta gran celebración — “Sonidos de mi Navidad.” Esta noche nos reunimos como una sola comunidad para honrar la música, las tradiciones y el espíritu que nos definen como pueblo. Este festival no es solo un concierto; es un reflejo de quiénes somos y del legado que compartimos con nuestras hijas e hijos.
Este año ha sido uno de gran crecimiento para The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance. Nuestros programas de educación en música y arte se han expandido para llegar a más escuelas y más estudiantes que nunca, fomentando la creatividad, la disciplina y el orgullo cultural en miles de jóvenes. A través de nuestra Serie de Conciertos Comunitarios “Desde Mi Barrio”, llevamos la música puertorriqueña y latina a vecindarios en toda la ciudad, creando espacios de conexión, celebración y pertenencia. Y nuestra querida Noche Caribeña reunió a más de 26,000 personas, un hermoso testimonio de la unidad y la energía que impulsan nuestro trabajo.
Mirando hacia el futuro, PRAA está emprendiendo una valiente expansión de nuestro Campus Cultural en Avondale, un proyecto que transformará el acceso a las artes, la cultura y la educación para las próximas generaciones. Este nuevo capítulo representa nuestro compromiso duradero con la comunidad, la creatividad y la preservación de la herencia puertorriqueña aquí en Chicago y más allá.
Nada de esto sería posible sin la dedicación de nuestra Junta Directiva, la generosidad de nuestros patrocinadores y donantes, y el compromiso inquebrantable de nuestros maestros, artistas y voluntarios que dan vida a nuestra misión cada día.
Mientras celebramos los sonidos de nuestra Navidad, los invito a unirse a nosotros — apoyando a PRAA, participando en nuestros programas y ayudándonos a inspirar a la próxima generación. Juntos aseguramos que nuestra música, nuestras historias y nuestra cultura continúen brillando — en cada nota, en cada niño, en cada corazón.
¡Feliz Navidad y muchísimas gracias!
Dr. Ignacio López
Executive Director, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
With heartfelt appreciation, we celebrate Carlos Hernandez-Falcon, for his leadership and dedication to persevering and promoting Puerto Rican culture through art. We thank you and congrats on all that you’ve achieved!
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF TAKING STORIES FROM THE STREETS TO THE STAGE
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF TAKING STORIES
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF TAKING STORIES
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF TAKING STORIES FROM THE STREETS TO THE STAGE FROM THE STREETS TO THE STAGE
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF TAKING STORIES
FROM THE STREETS TO THE STAGE FROM THE STREETS TO THE STAGE
CONSULTING
STRATEGIC FUNDRAISING AND REVENUE GROWTH
GRANT & PHILANTHROPIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
GRANT MANAGEMENT & REPORTING
PRAA Board of Directors
Sylvia Mojica-Castillo, PsyD Board Chairwoman
Diana Maldonado Board Vice Chair
Kevin Lichterman Senior Vice President Wintrust Bank
Cheryl Cooke
Deputy Director for Planning & Development, Cook County
JeNyce Boolton Vice President, U.S. Bank –Community Affairs
Hector Fabregas Owner, State Farm Insurance Agency
Angel Gutierrez
Deputy Director Institutional Advancement, Enlace Chicago
Carmen Hernandez
Executive Vice President, General Counsel at Clayco
Ernesto Matias, Ed.D.
Former Chief Education Officer, ISBE
Carmen Vega Community Relations Director NBC 5, Telemundo Chicago
Cristina Vera
Founder & CEO, Vera Creative, Inc.
PRAA Staff
Ignacio Lopez, Ed.D, Executive Director
Jose Luis Illanes, Interim Education and Workforce Initiatives Director
Nancy Ward, Development Director
Darnisha Bass, Interim Accounting Manager
Jose Carrasquillo, Talent Manager & Music Instructor
Sebastian Díaz de Villegas, Designer
Jorge Felix, Exhibitions and Collections Director
Mechele Glass, School Site Coordinator
Carmen Gonzalez, Facilities Manager
Isabel Gomez, Arts Education Program Manager and Site Coordinator
Benjamin LaBoy, Music Instructor
Adrian Ortega, Marketing Lead
Zabdiel Santiago, Music Education Manager & Instructor
Luis Zuñiga, Community Engagement Coordinator
Abrial Bonilla, Development and Donor Relations Coordinator
Yaemaris Santana, Music Instructor Resident (Inter-American University, P.R.)
Diamond Sanders, Accounting Intern (DeVry University)
Daniel Ellis Perez, Production Apprentice
Oliver Mendoza, Production Apprentice and LMP Musician
Claudia Lopez, Literacy Art Instructor
Reynaldo Rodriguez, Artist and Art Instructor
Jose Rivera, Sound Engineering and Production Instructor
Janae Earl, Violin Instructor
Annelisse Rivera, Little Genius Instructor
Christine Meinders, Mini-Makers Instructor
Alejandro Salazar, Drum Instructor
Jose Natal, Percussion Instructor
Jose Viera, Violin Instructor
Irica Baurer, Vocal Instructor
Imelda Ramirez, Culinary Arts Instructor (Mozart Elementary School, CPS)
Crystal West, Culinary Arts Instructor (Catalyst Circle Rock School)
Founder
Carlos Hernandez, Founder & Executive Director Emeritus
Consultants
Complement Consulting Group
Ernesto De La Torre, Accounting Consultant
Herbert Moreno, Finance Consultant
Eric Wagner, True Story, Inc.
Landon Bone Baker Architects
Steve D. Friedland, Attorney
Melanie Flores, Ed.D, Propel Consulting, LLC
PRAA Advisory Committee Chicago
Julio Cruz, Community Resident
Michael Foster, Whitehall Hotel
Pablo Matias, U.S. Bank
Edwin Mendez, Community Resident
Martin Montes, Banes & Thornburg
David Olivencia, Accenture
Arnaldo Rivera, Chief Administrative Officer at Navy Pier
Edwin Rivera, Metaphrasis
Milton Rodriguez, Prosper Senior Solutions
Heriberto (Ed) Ruiz, R4 Commercial Real Estate Solutions
Angelo Sanchez, Community Advocate
David Woolwine, Impact Squared Group
Midwest
Aly Echevarria, Community Resident
Damaris Montano, Puerto Rican Society of Waukegan
Angel Perez, Hijos de Borinquen
Puerto Rico Advisory Board
Willie Denton, Kroma Associates, LLC.
Lidia Mercado de Hernandez, Empresas Hernandez Mercado
Sara Echevarria, Microsoft
Luis Sanz, Artist and Professor at Inter-American University
Elizabeth Vazquez, Independent Business Woman
Luis Enrique Romero, Actor and Artist
Ruben J. Amador Median, Programa de Musica Director, Instituto de Cultura Puertoriquena
Ignacio Lopez, Ed.D, Executive Director, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
Marilina Wayland, Chancellor, Inter-American University Metro Campus San Juan Puerto Rico
Vilma Colom, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outreach Manager, Cook County Government
Latin Music Project
Parent Committee
Alberto Boni, Sr.
Jaime Guerrero
Clara Guerrero
Magaly Marrero
Gabriel Mendoza
Carlos Palacios
Theresa Paucar
Myrna Perez
Eliezer Perez
Patricia Rivero
Linda Serrano
Lia Zumb
EVERY BEAT BUILDS
Art, movement, and architecture share one foundation — vision brought to life.
Just as dancers move in harmony, Clayco brings together people, purpose, and design to build communities that move us all forward. We’re proud to support the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and celebrate the vibrant spirit that builds Chicago and beyond. claycorp.com
Dedication
Dedicated to Carlos Flores
Exhibition Coming soon: Carlos Flores: A ChicagoRican Story
Opens: May 2026 | On view: One year
Curators: Jorge Félix and Prof. Marisa Alicea
Design & Development: TBD
Funding & Sponsorships: Terra Foundation for American Art
Additional Support TBD
Exhibition Statement
Carlos Flores: A ChicagoRican Story honors the life and work of photographer Carlos Flores, whose lens has chronicled Puerto Rican Chicago since the 1960s. As a young man, Flores documented the daily life and pivotal moments of the Puerto Rican community—including the 1976 Puerto Rican uprisings—creating a deeply personal counter-narrative to mainstream media. His images, now recognized and preserved in national archives, reveal a rare intimacy and integrity that only an insider’s eye can achieve.
Carlos Flores, Tavern at Fremont & Armitage, 1971
Supporting the arts
The fabric of Chicago is woven by its diverse communities. For 175 years, Peoples Gas has been a part of this fabric by delivering natural gas safely and reliably. We are proud to support the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and the 27th Annual National Cuatro Festival and its mission to preserve Puerto Rican culture by maintaining traditions, promoting arts, providing educational opportunities in arts programming and cultivating pride in Puerto Rican heritage for future generations.
Together, we are empowering the communities we serve.
Congratulations to the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance for your commitment to preserving and passing on Nuestra Cultura to the next generation!
Congratulations on celebrating your 27th Annual Cuatro Festival that celebrates the rich and cultural history of Puerto Rican music and THANK YOU to Carlos Hernandez for your lifetime advocacy and dedication to creating authentic, diverse and inclusive spaces for all art forms especially music!
Executive Director, Dr. Ignacio Lopez is a long-standing supporter of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance. With his leadership, PRAA will prosper into the future.
L A K E E F F E C T
B R E W I N G
C O M P A N Y
3 0 7 4 N M i l w a u k e e A v e w w w . l a k e e f f e c t b r e w i n g . c o m
Cuatro History and Facts
The following are frequently asked questions about the origin, history and tradition of the cuatro.
Written by William Cumpiano of the Puerto Rican Cuatro Project.
Why it is called a cuatro (which means “four”) if it has ten strings?
The answer may lie in the fact that the earliest cuatros had only four strings. However, it has been pointed out that the ancient Moors (who occupied most of Spain for almost 800 years until 1492) had a word al-qatr that meant “stringed instrument.” There was also an ancient Persian four-string instrument called the chartar (pronounced kar-tar). So the word cuatro may not necessary originate from the Spanish word “four” but from a more ancient word and meaning suggesting something else altogether.
Where did the cuatro come from?
The antecedents of all the stringed instruments of Latin America can ultimately be traced to 16th and 17th century Spain, which according to Cervantes abounded in plucked stringed instruments of all shapes and sizes. Stringed instruments came to America in large numbers during the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Early edicts archived in Spain tell us how the Catholic kings commanded the colonizers to take stringed instruments into the New World in order to help them observe and spread the faith.
Stringed instruments of Spain were themselves derived from Moorish and Persian instruments of great antiquity. Research conducted by the Puerto Rican Cuatro Project points to at least two Spanish instruments that may have inspired the early jíbaros (country folk of Puerto Rico) to make their own cuatros. The banduria was a small, four-string Spanish instrument of the 17th century which had the same tuning intervals as the earliest four-string cuatros made in the hilly countryside in central Puerto Rico. These rustic instruments were seen on the island as late as the 1950s. In the 18th century, the
banduria evolved to have ten (5 double course) wire strings. These later bandurias were tuned and strung identically to the cuatros of the 19th and 20th century, suggesting that they were likely the models for the cuatros which abounded on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, particularly in the large cities of Arecibo and San Juan. The modern 10-string cuatro is still called the cuatro español by some old-timers who still recall the Spanish antecedents.
Why are modern cuatro strings placed in pairs and when did it change over from single strings?
It is a prevalent myth in Puerto Rico that the older four-string cuatro evolved to ten strings. It was said that the great Yauco cuatrista Heriberto Torres first doubled the strings on his cuatro during the 1920s to achieve “greater sonority.” Actually, both single and double-string cuatros co-existed on the island as far back as the nineteenth century. But the single-strung cuatros vanished because they didn’t change. There is evidence that shows, as the myth goes, double strung cuatros were being played in Heriberto’s southern town of Yauco during the 1920s but, in fact, double-string cuatros were being played concurrently on the northern coast prior to the 20th century. Indeed, the pairing of the strings is an ancient configuration prevalent in Spain and other European countries during colonial times and many doublestrung instruments must have landed in Puerto Rico since then. However, it is unlikely that many jíbaros saw them until late in the 19th century due to their relative isolation, the scarcity of passable roads in the countryside and the difficulty of travel to larger cities.
How was the cuatro used by jíbaros in the past?
The cuatro and other Puerto Rican stringed instruments played a significant role in the jíbaro’s daily life and social behavior. From the earliest day of the colony, the cuatro and the diminutive tiples were
used to accompany the observance of both festive and solemn religious rites, of which there were many.
Among the many religious rites that relied on the native stringed instruments were the rosaries cantaos (sung rosaries), velorios (wakes), promesas (vows), visitas de la virgin (special prayers to the Virgin Mary), florones and aguirnaldos (musical “gifts” sung during the holiday season), and more. The various families of Puerto Rican stringed instruments and musical genres were also used to accompany the island’s many secular festivals. For example, it was customary for Puerto Ricans to end the harvest season with a great festival called the acabe or “ending.” The numerous Puerto Rican dance styles – like the cadenas and the cabayo – were also done in the accompaniment with cuatros, tiples and with guiros (the traditional Puerto Rican scratch-gourd percussion instrument). The centerpiece of secular jíbaro music was the seis, which originated from cheery church dances of medieval Spain. Jíbaros took the seis and combined it with another ancient Spanish tradition, the ten-line poetic form called the décima. With these two elements, the jíbaro created the wonderful music of seis con décima This archetypal form features a single troubadour who, on the spot, invents clever lyrics that conformed to the complex rhyming rules of the ancient décima. The troubadour was always accompanied by a cuatro and a güiro.
How is cuatro strung and tuned?
The modern ten-string cuatro is tuned in string fourth, with five courses (in this case pairs) of strings. From lowest pitch to highest pitch, these are: B E A D G. For the first fifty years of the 20th century, virtually the only wire strings that were available in Puerto Rico’s small towns were from U.S. (sets of strings sized for American steel-string guitars). During this period, cuatristas had to select those individual strings that were appropriate in gauge (or thickness) for their cuatros Jíbaros tend to refer to these as cuerdas campana or “bell strings,” undoubtedly because of the large bell logo on the wrappers. Strings with a large bell on the wrapper could be obtained in virtually
Cuatro History and Facts
every small and large town on the island, in one or more general stores near the town plaza.
During research, the Puerto Rican Cuatro Project obtained an old wrapper and found that these “bell” brand strings were made in Chicago. They appear to be the only ones imported to the island for decades. Thus, when a cuatrista is asked what gauge strings are put on the cuatro he will usually say: Dos primas (two firsts – that is, two guitar first strings – which comprise the G or first course of the cuatro), dos segundas (two seconds – two guitar second strings for the D or second course for the cuatro), and dos terceras o una tercera y una prima (two guitar third strings or one guitar third and one first for the A or third course of the cuatro). In other words, there are two ways of tuning and stringing the third course: 1) the “old way” (in which the pair consists of a wound guitar third and a plain guitar first, both tuned to A but an octave apart) or 2) the “new way” (with two guitar third strings tuned in unison). Cuatros strung and tuned in each way sound noticeable different.
Historia y Hechos Del Cuatro
Las siguientes son preguntas y respuestas que más frecuentes se hacen sobre el origen, historia y la información técnica del cuatro puertorriqueño. Escrito por William Cumpiano. Derecho de propiedad literaria: El Proyecto del Cuatro Puertorriqueño.
¿Por qué se llama cuatro si tiene diez cuerdas?
Por supuesto, el instrumento se nombró desde sus inicios como instrumento los cuatro cuerdas sencilla de tripa. Pero la nomenclatura original del cuatro es un problema más complejo de lo que parece. Los Moros antiguos (quienes dominaron a casi toda España por casi 800 años hasta el 1492) utilizaban una palabra al-qatr, que significaba, “instrumento de cuerdas.” También sabemos que existió un instrumento de cuatro cuerdas en Persia Antigua llamado kar-tar. Aunque la palabra cuatro puede no originarse de la palabra en español que denomina al número cuatro, si pudo haberse derivado de una palabra más antigua.
¿De dónde vino el cuatro?
Desde luego, los antecedentes de todos los instrumentos nativos de cuerda de la America Latina hispana pueden trazarse a la España del siglo 16 y 17, la cual, de acuerdo con Cervantes, abundaba de instrumentos tañidos de cuerdas de todos los tamaños y configuraciones. También sabemos que muchos de los mismos llegaron a América en grandes cantidades. Esto fue debido a que los reyes católicos de España encomendaron solemnemente a los colonos a que llevasen instrumentos de cuerda al “Nuevo Mundo” para observar y dispersar la fe mediante la música. Sabemos también que muchos marineros llevaron pequeños instrumentos de cuerda consigo mediante las largas travesías marítimas como pasatiemp Dirigiéndonos a épocas aún más antiguas, sin embargo los instrumentos de cuerda de España fueron derivados de los instrumentos de cuerdas Moros y Persas de gran antiguedad. Nuestras investigaciones señalan que existieron por lo menos dos instrumentos españoles en específico que pudieron haber inspirado a los antiguos jíbaros en la construción de sus propios cuatros: Las pequeñas bandurias españolas de cuatro cuerdas del siglo 17. Estas tenian la misma afinacion
que los cuatros antiguos que se hicieron en los pueblitos de la cordillera central de la isla. Estos cuatro de cuatro cuerdas perduraron en la isla hasta mediados del siglo 20. Las bandurrias españolas de diez cuerdas del siglo 18. La encorbadura de las bandurrias en España habían aumentado a diez cuerdas (cinco pares u ordenes) durante el transcurso de un siglo. Debido a que estos eran encorbados y afinados idénticamente a los cuatros de Puerto Rico durante los siglos 19 y 20, pensamos que deben haber sido los modelos originales para que estos cuatro surgieran en la costa norte de la isla, particularmente en los pueblos de Arecibo y San Juan. Dicho sea de paso los cuatros modernos de diez cuerdas son llamados “cuatro español” por algunos ancianos que recuerdan su antecedencia ibérica.
¿Por qué emparejan las cuerdas del cuatro y cuándo pasó a ser instrumento de cuatro cuerdas sencillas?
Es un mito prevaleciente en Puerto Rico que el cuatro antiguo de cuatro cuerdas evolucionó progresivamente hasta alcanzar diez cuerdas. El mismo mito menciona la persona responsable y la época del cambio: el mito popular dice que fue el gran cuatrista de Yauco, Heriberto Torres, quien por primera vez en la década de los 1920 emparejó las cuerdas de su cuatro para así lograr más sonoridad. Pero como hemos mencionado, el uno no se derivó del otro, porque el cuatro de cuerdas sencillas tanto como el de las cuerdas dobles co-existieron en Puerto Rico desde (por lo menos) los fines del siglo 19; de esto hay prueba certera. Tenemos evidencia que se tocaban cuatro de cuatro cuerdas dobles en el pueblo sureño Yaucano de Heriberto durante la época de los 1920, pero de hecho cuatros de cinco cuerdas dobles se veían tocándose concurrentemente en pueblos de la costa norteña desde el siglo anterior. El emparejamiento de cuerdas es una configuración indudablemente antigua que prevalecio en España y en otros países europeos durante los tiempos coloniales. Muchos instrumentos de cuerdas dobles tocaron tierra en Puerto Rico desde tiempos immemorables. Pero también fue probable que pocos jíbaros vieron instrumentos configurados así hasta los fines del siglo 19, debido a su aislamiento y a la escazes de carreteras adecuadas en la Isla.
Historia y Hechos Del Cuatro
¿Cómo se solía utilizar el cuatro?
El cuatro y otros instrumentos de cuerdas puertorriqueñas jugaron un papel significante tanto en la vida cotidiana de los jíbaros como en su comportamiento social. Desde muy temprano, el cuatro y los diminutos tiples fueron usados para acompañar las costumbres de ambas festividades y los ritos religiosos solemnes, que eran muchos. Entre los tantos ritos religiosos con que contaban los instrumentos de cuerdas nativos estaban los rosarios cantaos, velorios, promesas, visitas de la Virgen, y florones aguirnaldos.
Las varias familias de cuerdas de instrumentos puertorriqueños e instrumentos musicales fueron usados a menudo para acompañar los muchos festivales seculares de la Isla. Por ejemplo, los puertorriqueños estaban acostumbrados a terminar la época de la cosecha con un gran festival llamado el acabe. Las numerosas formas de bailes sociales como las cadenas y de cabayo también fueron acompañadas con cuatros, tiples, güiros e instrumentos tradicionales de percusión puertorriqueños. La pieza central de la música jíbara fue el seis, el cual se originó en los bailes jubilosos de las iglesias medievales en España. Los jíbaros tomaron el seis y lo combinaron con otra tradición antigua Española, la de las diez líneas más conocidas como la décima. Con estos dos elementos el jíbaro creó la maravillosa música del sies con décima. Este prototipo caracterizó al trovador o troubadour quien podía improvisar letras ingeniosas que conformaban las reglas del complejo de rimas de antigua décima. El trovador estaba siempre acompañado de un cuatro y un güiro.
¿Cómo se afina y se toca el cuatro?
El cuatro de cuerdas modernas se afina en cuartas exactas con cinco cursos (en este caso parejas) de cuerdas. desde los más bajos hasta los más altos tonos, estos son: B E A D G. CALIBRES: Por los primeros veinte años del siglo veinte, virtualmente las únicas cuerdas de alambre que estuvieron disponisbles en los pequeños pueblos de Puerto Rico fueron un par de cuerdas hechas en los Estados Unidos para uso de
las guitaras de acero americanas. Durante este largo período los cuatristas tuvieron que seleccionar estas cuerdas individuales que fueron apropiadas en calibres (o menos delgadas) para sus cuatros. Los antiguous cuatristas a los que le hemos preguntado, se refieren a esas cuerdas como campanas o “campanas de cuerdas”, indudablemente por el largo de la envoltura de la campana. Cuerdas con una campana larga en la envoltura podía ser virtualmente adquirida en todos los pueblos de la Isla, en una o más tiendas cerca de la plaza del pueblo.
Nosotros, obtuvimos una envoltura vieja y encontramos que verdaderamente era una campana de cuerdas de marca hecha en Chicago. Parecía ser la única importada en la isla por décadas. Así que cuando a un cuatrista se le pregunta de que medidas son las cuerdas que usa el cuatro usualmente dice: Dos primas [dos primeras – que son dos guitarras de primeras cuerdas quien componen la G o primer curso del cuatro.] Dos segundas [dos segundas – dos guitarras de cuerdas segundas para el D o segundo curso del cuatro.] Dos terceras o una tercera y una prima [dos guitarras de cuerdas segunda o una guitarra tercera y una primera para el A o tercer curso en el cuatro.] En otras palabras, hay dos maneras de afinar el tercer curso: Lo que ha sido descrito como el ”camino viejo” lo cual consiste en un par de guitarra plana primera, ambas afinadas para A pero con octava parte – o la “nueva manera” con dos guitarras de terceras cuerdas afinadas en armonía. Los cordones de cuatro afinados de cada manera suenan notablemente diferente. Una cuarta y una segunda [una guitarra cuarta cuerda y una guitarra segunda cuerda por el cuarto curso del cuatro.] Una quinta y una tercera [en la guitarra la quinta cuerda y una guitarra tercera cuerda era el quinto curso del cuatro.]
National Cuatro Festival
ME Congratulations puerto rican arts Alliance
SCAN
Photo Credits: Puerto Rican Arts Alliance | Rachel Serb Photography | Sam Gonzalez Photography
Mozart Dual Language Dream it. Believe it. Achieve it.
Now Accepting Applications For Preschool- 8th Grade
Now Accepting Applications
Contact Assistant Principal
Katrina Cabrera For A Private Tour klcabrera@cps.edu
Located in Logan Square
2200 N. Hamlin Avenue
Chicago IL 60647
773.534.4160
mozartmustangs.org
Mozart Dual Language School Serves Preschool-8th Grade Students.
Our mission is to create a trusting and nurturing environment for all students, staff and parents from our community. It is our responsibility to deliver an equitable, accessible curriculum that meets the needs of each child. Our focus is to develop a biliterate, inclusive and personalized approach to learning that will promote high academic achievement, self-advocacy, multiculturalism and appreciation for the fine arts. Our concrete foundation will provide students with the tools they will need to accomplish their goals in life.
Mozart School Offers
-Dual Language -Fine Arts -Algebra -Chess -Student Council -GSA -After School Enrichment -Puerto Rican Arts Alliance Partnership -LSNA Parent Mentors -Team Sports
-Restorative Practice -Strong Social & Emotional Supports. -Inclusive Environment
Empowering Communities
ComEd proudly celebrates the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and the 27th Annual National Cuatro Festival.
Together, we honor culture, creativity, and community as we work together for a brighter future.
Congratulations to All on a Successful Event!
27th
WHO WE ARE
The Puerto Rican Arts Alliance (PRAA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Puerto Rican culture, promoting arts and music education, and inspiring the next generation of creative leaders. For over 27years, PRAA has been a vibrant cultural anchor in Chicago, offering high-quality programming that celebrates Puerto Rican heritage while fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Through our award-winning music and arts education programs, we serve thousands of youth annually, providing access to instruction in Puerto Rican and Latin American traditions, from the cuatro to contemporary rhythms. Our programs cultivate artistic skills and nurture leadership, discipline, and a sense of pride in cultural identity.
PRAA also produces world-class cultural events, including the National Cuatro Festival, which unites audiences from Chicago, Puerto Rico, and beyond in a shared celebration of music, heritage, and community. Whether on stage, in classrooms, or in neighborhoods across the city, PRAA is committed to connecting people through the transformative power of the arts.
Point of contact: Ignacio López | ignacio@praachicago.org | Executive Director
IMPACT
30,000+ community members reached annually through cultural events and programs
2,000+
youth served each year in music and arts education program
HOW WE WORK
RESEARCH-DRIVEN PROGRAMS- We study community needs and cultural trends to design programs that are relevant, impactful, and rooted in both tradition and innovation.
STRONG PARTNERSHIPS – We collaborate with schools, cultural institutions, and community organizations to expand access to arts education and cultural programming.
SUPPORTING ARTISTS – We provide resources, platforms, and mentorship for Puerto Rican and Latin American artists to share their work and sustain their careers.
LEARNING & LEADERSHIP – We offer youth and emerging artists the skills, confidence, and cultural pride to lead in creative industries and inspire future generations.
25+ years of preserving and promoting Puerto Rican culture in Chicago.
100+ public performances and cultural enrichment events produced annually
15+ schools partnered with to deliver high-quality arts education.
$3.3 riased toward our $6 million capital campaign to expand our Avodale campus. Million Support educational music and arts programs for youth by scanning the QR code and making a donation today!
Harris Theater Information
Harris Theater Information
In Consideration of Other Patrons and the Performers:
Photography is not permitted in the Theater at any time and texting during performance is strictly prohibited. Film or digital images will be confiscated or deleted by the Harris Theater house staff; violators will be subject to a fine. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the house manag ement. Smoking is prohibited within the Harris Theater. Allowance of personal items and baggage into the auditorium space is at the sole discretion of house management.
For Your Safety:
Please take a moment and note the nearest exit. In the event of an emergency, follow the directions of the Harris Theater house staff. In the event of an illness or injury, inform the Harris Theater Front of House Manager.
Accessibility:
Wheelchair accessible seating locations, swing arm aisle seating, and inclusive/wheelchair accessible restrooms are available on all auditorium seating levels. The Harris is also equipped with an FM Assistive Listening Device system. Headsets are available for check out with a valid ID. Please call the Box Office in advance at 312.334.7777 regarding ticketing and accessible seating questions. If inquiring on any additional accommodation requests to e nhance your performance experience, please reach out to access@harristheaterchicago.org or call 312.334.2486 at least two weeks in advance.
Parking:
Discounted parking validation is available for all ticket holders using the Millennium Park Garage. A validation machine is located on Lobby Level 5 (Upper Randolph).
Rental Information:
If you have any questions about the Harris Theater, including rental of the facility, group tours, or volunteer opportunities, please email rentals@harristheaterchicago.org.
About the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance
The Harris Theater is Chicago’s home for music and dance, connecting diverse audiences with artists from across the city, the nation, and the world. An anchor institution of Millennium Park and the first multi -use performance venue built in downtown Chicag o since 1929, the Harris was established in 2003 to create a muchneeded home for the city’s vibrant community of midsize performing arts organizations. Today, the nonprofit Harris Theater features some of the most diverse arts and culture offerings in the city, from its Chicago-based Resident Companies to the world-renowned visiting artists who perform on its stage through the Harris Theater Presents series.
The Harris represents a distinctive model for artistic excellence, collaboration, and creative symbiosis, making the performing arts relevant and accessible to the widest possible audience. Acting as both a home base for and a supportive partner of its Res ident Companies, the Harris provides state -of-the-art performance space and ongoing support to nearly 30 Chicago -based performing arts organizations. Its 1,500 -seat multi-use theater brings innovative and boundary -pushing productions from more than 32 coun tries across six continents to Chicago, creating unique opportunities for dialogue between Chicagoans and the world’s leading artists, thinkers, and innovators. The organization’s signature Harris Theater Presents series has featured acclaimed artists and ensembles including Batsheva Dance, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, English National Ballet, Joshua Bell, Joyce DiDonato, Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir, Angélique Kidjo, and Paris Opéra Ballet. The Theater’s education and commun ity engagement initiatives build bridges between artists and community members, providing master classes, artist talks, and free tickets for more than 35 partner organizations throughout Chicago.
To learn more about the Harris Theater, Chicago’s home for music and dance in Millennium Park, visit harristheaterchicago.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Corporations & Foundations
Allstate Foundation
Alphawood Foundation
Amazon
Americans for the Arts
Art Works Fund
BMO Harris Bank
Chicago Community Trust
Clayco
ComEd / Exelon
Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust
The Field Foundation of Illinois
Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Goya
Ingenuity – Creative Schools Fund
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
McDonalds Hispanic Owners Operators Association
NBC 5 Chicago
Old National Bank
Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
People’s Gas
Polk Bros. Foundation
Southwest Airlines
Telemundo Chicago
Terra Foundation for American Art
The Catherine T. and John D. MacArthur Foundation
The Joyce Foundation
U.S. Bank Foundation / U.S. Bank
Wintrust
Special Acknowledgements
Community Partners
Academy For Local LeadershipChicago
ASPIRA, Inc. of Illinois
AfriCaribe Cultural Center
ALMA Chicago
Artistree
Association of Latino Administrators & Superintendents
Association House of Chicago
Avondale Neighborhood Association
Brookfield Zoo
Cafe Central
Catalyst Circle Rock – Charter School
Catalyst Maria Charter Schools
Chicago Collections Consortium
Chicago Cultural Alliance
Chicago FIRE FC
Chicago History Museum
Chicago Latino Theater Alliance
Chicago Park District, Humboldt
Park Field House
Chicago Philharmonic Society
Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Library
City of Chicago Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Collaboraction Theatre Company
Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico
DeVry University
Dominican American Midwest Association
Duke Ellington Elementary School
Education Through Innovation and Transformation
Empowering Communities through Opportunity
ENRICH Chicago
Extra Projects
Friends of Puerto Rico
Global Girls Inc
Goodman Theatre
Hairpin Arts Center
Harris Theater for Music & Dance
Haitian American Museum of Chicago
Illinois State Board of Education
Kehrein Center for the Arts
La Rondalla de Humacao
La Familia Domino League of Chicago
Learning Dimensions
Lincoln Park Zoo
Logan Square Chamber of Commerce
Magnifico Coffee
McDonald’s Logan Square
Milwaukee Avenue Alliance
Museo Felisa Rincón de Gautier
Museo De Las Americas
Navy Pier
Natl. Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Northern Chapter
National Museum of Mexican Art
New Rhythm Arts Center
NFP Kuumba Lynx
Northeastern Illinois University
Northwest Arts Connection
Northwest Copernicus Senior Center
Mujeres Latinas en Acción
Pilsen Neighbors Community Council
Philharmonic Orchestra of Puerto Rico
Polish American Chamber of Commerce
Puerto Rican Police Association
Puerto Rican Society of Waukegan
Ravinia Festival Association
Red Cross of Illinois
Rincon Family Services
Segundo Belvis Ruiz Cultural Center
Southern Illinois University
Sit. Stay. Read.
Teach Tank
University of Illinois at Chicago/ LARES
Universidad Interamericana, Metro, Puerto Rico
Uprising Theater
Wilbur Wright College
WIPR – Puerto Rico
Government
City of Chicago-DCASE
Department of Education
Illinois Arts Council Agency
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
School Partners
After School Matters
Catalyst Circle Rock Elementary School
Charles R. Darwin Elementary School
Funston Elementary School
Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary
Kelvyn Park High School
Mary Lyon Elementary School
Ogden International High School
Wolfgang A. Mozart Elementary School
Elected Officials
U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, IL 3rd District
U.S. Rep. Jesus Garcia, 4th District
Special Acknowledgements
Ald. Felix Cardona, Jr., 31st Ward
Ald. Jessie Fuentes, 26th Ward
Ald. Anthony Quezada 35th Ward
Ald. Ruth Cruz, 30th Ward
Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th Ward
Ald. Rossana Rodriguez, 33rd Ward
Rep. Jaime M. Andrade Jr., IL 40th District
Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, IL 3rd District
Rep. Will Guzzardi, IL 39th District
Rep. Lilian Jimenez, IL 4th District
Sen. Elizabeth Hernandez, IL 2nd District
Sen. Natalie Toro, IL 20th District
Sen. Omar Aquino, IL 2nd District
Cuenta Conmigo “Count On Me” Sponsors
Hector Fabregas, Jr. State Farm Insurance Agent
Milton Rodriguez, Milton & Associates
Elizabeth Colon, Metaphrasis
Heriberto Ruiz, R4 Commercial Real Estate Solutions
Michael Pietrzak, ASPD
Gladys Mendez
Scott McKibben
Paul Levin
Melanie Flores, Propel Consulting LLC
Patty Greene & Felix Velazquez, Velegren Construction
WE TRULY APPRECIATE OUR DONORS
(October 23, 2024 - October 31, 2025)
Academy for Local Leadership
Candy Acevedo
Jazzine Acevedo
Jose Acevedo
Millie Adan
Advanced Strategies for Professional Development
Monay Aguilar
Wilfredo Aguilar
ALAS
Alex Alban
Cecilia Alday
Miguel Alfafro
Sienna Alicea
Francis Allende
Lynda Alvarado
Elizabeth Alvelo
Eva Ancheta
Rafael Anglada
Jessica Anzaldua
Hector Aponte
Omar Aquino
Erica Aranda
Mayra Arroyo
Mariel Asencio
ASPIRA Illinois
Atlantis Planning Management
Walt Augustin
Nereida Aviles
Katherine Aviles Lopez
Alexis Ayala
Andrew Ayala
Carlos Ayala
Carlos Azcoitia
Peggy Badillo
Sylvia Baez
David Bailey
Dan Balanoff
Maritza Bandera
Marisol Barajas
Rosalina Barba
Raymond Barbosa
Franco Barone
Patricia Bastin
Victor Batista
Irica Baurer
Frank Bear
Jessica Beltran
Ciomara Bermeo
Dayse Bermeo
Rick Bermeo
Juan Berrios
Soraida Berrios-Guccione
Joseph Betancourt
Yeisha Marie Betancourt
Lowell Black
Black Ancestors Museum
Abrial Bonilla
JeNyce Boolton Lopez
Carlos Borges
Dean Bowie
Margaret Boyter-Escalona
Javier Briz
Lindsey Buse
Ivette Cabrera
Lissete Cabrera
Martin Cabrera,
Cabrera Capital Markets LLC
Rosa Cabrera
Anthony Caceres
Cafe Con Leche
Carmen P. Caldero
Yari Calderon
Yessenia Calderon
Eduardo Camacho
Angel Camilo
Ivy Candelas
Special Acknowledgements
Rebecca Cao Romero
James Captain
Amal Cardona
Angela Cardona
Sara Carranza
Enrique Carrillo
Marisa Carrillo
Vincent G Carter
Domingo Casanova
Mark Castillo
Nydia Castillo
Tina Castillo
Claudia Castro
Martin Castro
Adela Cepeda
Kaylee Chauca
Julio Chavez
Wei-Chiung Chen-Martinez
Maria Chevere
Ebony Chuukwu
Elizabeth Cintron
Patricia Cintron-Bastin
Amy Cisneros
Patrick Coad
Maria Collado
Vilma Colom
Alberto Colon
Anthony Colon
Elizabeth Colon & Edwin Rivera
Ibett Colon
Xavier Colon
Complement Consulting
Diana Contreras
Jose Contreras
Cheryl Cooke
Anthony Corrigan
Noemi Cortes
Angelica Corvera
Jen Crespo
Floritza Cruz
Jose Antonio Cruz
Marisol Cruz
Nancy Cruz
Noemi Cruz
Waldemar Cruz
Ignaik Cruz-Perez
Nadine Cruz-Saubert
Luis Cuevas
Nadine Darwish
Hector Davila
Hector De Jesus
Florita De Jesus Vazquez
Alexander De La Cruz
Eulalia De La Rosa
Daniel De Los Reyes
Jaime DeJesus
Marina Del Rios
Mayda Del Valle
Brendaliz Del Valle Mak
Juan Deleon
Vivian Delgadillo
Juan Carlos Delgado
Diana Derige
Cameron Dering
Orlando Devarie
Camila Di Mauri
Israel Diaz
Manuel Diaz
Monica Diaz
Omar Diaz
Oscar Diaz
Peggy Diaz
Ania Domagala-Pierga
Sandra Dominguez
Steven Dykeman
Dynamic Productions
Linda Eastwood
Special Acknowledgements
Aly Echevarria
Dena Engelhardt
Nidia Escobar
Emmanuel Estrada
Ric Estrada
Hector Fabregas
Amy Farfan
Analyn Feliciano
Angel Felix
Monica Felix
Mercedes Feliz
Isabella Fernandez
Carmen Iris Figueroa
Esther Figueroa
Iris Figueroa
Ivan Figueroa
Jacqueline Figueroa
Benjamin Flores
Melanie Flores
Nancy Flores
Nilda Flores
Ken Florez
Evelyn Fred
Alberto & Jennifer Fret
Friends of Omar Aquino
Nikki Frisinger
Jessie Fuentes
Michael Galindo
Francisco Garcia
Hector Garcia
Jessie Garcia
Ramon Garcia, MD PC
Ricardo Garcia
Ruben Gerena
Zohreh Ghavamshahidi
Ana Gil Garcia
Xavier Gilberto Perez
Magaliz Giraud
Sarah Glavin
Global Girls
Elina Golod
Belen Gomez
Carlos Gonzalez
Charlenne Gonzalez
David Gonzalez
Eduardo Gonzalez
Eliza Gonzalez
Felix Gonzalez
Gloria Gonzalez
Jennifer Gonzalez
Lised Gonzalez
Maria Gonzalez
William Gonzalez
Betty Gonzalez-Rico
Patty Greene & Felix Velazquez
Jasmin Gregg
Gustavo Guerra
Monica Guerrero
Antonio Guillen
Angel Gutierrez
Livia Gutierrez
Graciela Guzman
Roberto Guzman
Vanessa Hall
David Halpern
Dylan Hanky
Zulmarie Hatch
Healthcare Alternative System
Wendy Henderson
Alejandro Hernandez
Angel Hernandez
Carlos Hernandez
Carmen Hernandez
Drussy Hernandez
Gerardo Hernandez
Katherine Hernandez
Marisel Hernandez
Isabelita Hernandez
Yalila Herrera
Aurora Hidalgo Castro
Megan Hougard
Juliza Huertas Kalicki
Ibarra Group LLC
Jose Luis Illanes
Institute for Workforce Education at Lewis University
Nancy Irizarry
Gino Jacobazzi
Lynn Jaynex
JBR Law Group LLC
John Paul (JP) Jigon
Martha-Victoria Jimenez
Shawnta & Sabrina Johnson
Darnell Jones
Misael Juarez
Leen Kannout
Harry Kent
N Kintanar
Mark Kolakowski
Ruben Koolman
Crystal Krimpuri
Peter Landon
Ruth Lara
LBBA Architects
Blanca Ledesma
Paul Levin
Kevin Lichterman
Maria Llopiz
Journee Lockridge
Peter Lograsso
Ignacio & Claudia Lopez
Ignacio Lopez, Sr.
Isabella Lopez
Jared Lopez
Juan Lopez
Luis Lopez
Maribel Lopez
Migdelia Lopez
Eveline Lorenzana
Jan & Carleen Lorys
Arnold Lozada
Gloria Rita Lugo
Fernanda Magaña
Efrain & Carmen Malave
Jasmen Malave
Carmen Maldonado
Diana Maldonado
Maria Barksdale
Roberto Marin
Maritza Marrero Cado
Luis Martinez
Magdalena Martinez
Mansfield Martinez
Marilyn Martinez
Mario Martinez
Mitchell Martinez
Myrna Martinez
Neida Martinez
Vidal Martinez
Virginia Martinez
Negeen Masghati
Carmen Mateo
Iris Mateo
Linda Mateo
Noel Mateo
Migdalia Maturrano
Scott and Sandra McKibben
Gabriela Medina
Maria Medina
Janet Melendez
Wendy Melgarejo
Julia Melo
Edwin Mendez
Gladys Mendez
Mendez Family McDonald’s
Nancy Menjivar
Pia Menon
Special Acknowledgements
Lidia Mercado de Hernandez
Metaphrasis
Antonia Mills Wesselink
Carla Minutti
Krish & Erin Mohip
Sylvia Mojica-Castilllo & Ruben Castilllo
Lucia Molina
Lissa Montalvo
Damaris Montano
Alondra Montenegro
Edgar Monterroso
Martin Montes
Guillermo Montes de Oca
Claudia Montufar
Elba Morales
Margie Morales
Herbert Moreno
Christina Morgan
Matthew Mulcahy
Jennifer Munoz
Joe Munsayac
Giovan Murati
National Puerto Rican Museum
Christina Navarro
Marissa Nazario
Gilberto Negron
Jorge L. Negron
Lisa Neimark
Nancy Nichols
Ignacio Nieves
Wilberto Nieves-Neira
Anthony Nuccio
Juan Nunez
Carrie Nutter
Kerry O’Brien
Billy Ocasio
Ashley Ochmanek
Susan Olavarria
Irma Olmedo
Zoraida Olvera
Maria Orengo
Andres Oroz
Jose Ortega
Amelia Ortiz
Donna Ortiz
Erlina Ortiz
Jose Ortiz
Edwin Ortiz Reyes
Maria Osorio
Nilda (Denise) Otero
Stacey Owens
Luis Pacheco
Martha Padilla-Ramos
Jessica Paez
Joe Panganiban
Heather Patay
Kesha Pate
Theresa Paucar
Franklin Paz
Liza Pereira
Angel Perez
Emiliano Perez
Margarita Perez
Myrna Perez
Olga Perez
Stephanie Perez
Teresa Perez
Victor Perez
Myrna Perez Medina
Thomas Peters
Sara Phelan
Jacelyn Pitre Mcentee
Carlos Pivaral
Anthony Plana
Sandra Polanco
James Poznak
Bruno Prentice-Webb
Kelly Price
Propel Consulting, LLC
Sylvia Puente
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IL
Maria Puma
Elijah Purimetla
John Quall
Damaressa Quiles
Luisa Quinones
Noemy Quinones
Albert Ramirez
David Ramirez
Geneva Ramirez
Madeline Ramirez Hamilton
James Ramos
Reinaldo Ramos
Wanda L Ramos
Fernando Rayas
Fernando Rayas-Arreola
Fernando Reyes
Rick Reyes
Christina Rice
Rincon Family Services
Mabel Rios-Rosado
Aida Rivera
Alanis Rivera
Annelise Rivera
Annette Rivera
Arnie Rivera
Carlos Rivera
Marjorie Rivera
Migdalia Rivera
Miguel Rivera
Rick Rivera
Yolanda Rivera
Carlos Rivera Torres
Carlos Rivera, Jr.
Patricia Rivero
Iyonna Rivers
Special Acknowledgements
Ed Ruiz, R4 Commercial
Real Estate Solutions, Inc.
Jeannette Robles
Adam & Maria Rodriguez
Adrian Rodriguez
Analia Rodriguez
David Rodriguez
Giovanni Rodriguez
Harold Rodriguez
Hector Rodriguez
Jessica Rodriguez
Juanita Rodriguez
Krystal Rodriguez
Luz Rodriguez
Milton Rodriguez
Rafael Rodriguez
Raul Rodriguez
Rosaura Rodriguez
Sonia Rodriguez
Victor Rodriguez
Yvette Rodriguez
Marylyn Rogers
Charise Roldan
Nedith Roldan
Jennifer Roman
Margarita Roman
Marie Rosa
Joanne Rosado
Jose Rosario
Blanca Ruiz
Wilfredo Saez
Janet Saldana
Enrique Salgado
Doris Salomon
Frances Sanchez
Maria Sanchez
Martha Sanchez
Mia Sanchez
Natalie Sanchez
Rebeccah Sanders
Jeanette Santana
Beatriz Santiago
Leida Santiago
Raymond Santiago
Jose Santos
Lynn Santoyo
Rick Sanz
Joseph Saucedo
Barry Schwartz
Linda Scott
Linda Serrano
Peter Shema
Rebekah Sierra
Nick Smith
Nilda Soler
Ivette Sosias
Eric Soto
Juan Soto
Senaida Soto
Soul Good Coffee
Nichelle Spencer
Melissa Stanley
Jackie Stowe
Cristina Suarez Santiago
Layla Suleiman
Andres Susarret
Michelle Suttmier
Isabel Tellez
Angela Thompson
Raul Tinoco
Maribel Toro
Arlyn Torres
Cindy Torres
Francisca Torres
Iraida Torres
Irlim Torres
Jeanette Torres
Jenny Torres
Omar Torres
Linda Tortolero
Madeline Troche
True Colors Psychotherapy
PLLC
Evangelina Valencia
Jonathan VanderBrug
Blanca Vargas
Eduardo Vargas
Sarah L Vargas
Mike Vargos
Blanca Vazquez
Jesse Vazquez
John Vazquez
Martha Vazquez
Carmen Vega
Daniel Vega
Velagren Construction
Yolanda Velasquez
Charles Velazquez
Carlos Velez
Cindy Velez
Gilbert Velez
Joshua Velez
Luna Velez
Michelle Velez
Cristina Vera
Jana Verissimo
Marlene Vick
Sergio Villarreal
Noemi Villasenor
Casimir Wielgosz
Jennifer Williams
Beth Wilson
Melissa Woiwood
Louisa Wyatt
Luis Zuniga
26th Ward Aldermanic Office
Special Acknowledgements
In Honor of
Carlos Hernandez
By Angel Gutierrez
By Perter Landon
Carmen By Lisa Neimark
Elisa & Leo Briz
By Javier Briz
Grandparents
By Lynn Jaynex
Olga Linares De Jesus
By Ivette Sosias
Ignacio Lopez
By Kesha Patay
Juan Mendez
By Gladys Mendez
Nancy Maldonado
By Adela Cepeda
Sylvia Mojica-Castillo & Ruben Castillo
By Adela Cepeda
Puerto Rican Arts Alliance Health Care Alternative System
Rosie Rivera
By Rick Rivera
In Memory of
Dionisio Velez Aviles
By Joshua Velez
Hector “Papo” Fabregas
By Hector Fabregas
Ines Canepa
By Hector Fabregas
Juan Mendez
By Milton Rodriguez
By Mendez Family McDonald’s
Maria “Tita”
By Cameron Dering
“Super Star” Volunteers
Elizabeth Alvelo
Carlos Ayala
Marina Alvarez
Aryana Bermeo
Lissete Cabrera
Domingo Casanova
Ramzie Casiano
Angel Cebollero
Coty Cervantes
Vilma Colom
Zelma J. Correa-Frohlich
Madeline Cruz
Jackie Domenech
Maria Flanagan
Emily Diaz
Iris Diaz
Mercedes Feliz-Matos
Melanie Flores
Evelyn Fred
Bryan Garcia
Edith Gomez
Cindy Gonzalez
Teo Gonzalez
Patty Greene
Angelica Guerrero
Aurora Hidalgo
Juliza Huertas Kalicki
Emilio Lassalle, Jr.
Orlando Lopez
Yanira Lugo
Brendaliz Mak
Angel Maldonado
Julia Martin
Ronaldo Monge
Savannah Moser
“Super Star”
Volunteers Cont’d
Willy Montes de Oca
Alex Negron
Anna Ortiz
Wandy Ortiz
Alani Pepin
Luisa Quinones
Carlos Rivera
Lizbeth Rivera
Juan Rodriguez
Renette (Reni) Rodriguez
Luisa Roldan
Venus Rosario
Olga Salazar
Gina Santana
Jeanette Santana
Lennys Santiago
Victoria Santiago
Blanca Sepulveda
Carinna Solano
Evelyn Torres Fernandez
Richard Velazquez
Judith “Luna” Velez
Noemi Villasenor
Jennifer Williams
Special Thanks to
Eric Wagner,
True Story Inc. and Cristina Vera, Vera Creative, Inc. for their graphic design services.
Special Acknowledgements
How You Can Help!
Donors provide the means for us to carry out our mission of preserving Puerto Rican culture by maintaining traditions, showcasing art and music, providing arts and music educational programs and cultivating pride in heritage. Here are some ways you can help.
Become a Fundraiser: Set your own goal and become a fundraiser for PRAA. Visit our website at https://www.praachicago.org/donate to start your campaign TODAY!
Make a Donation: We welcome contributions of any size. Donations are accepted via cash, check, credit card and Zelle via info@praachicago.org.
Become a “Cuenta Conmigo” Sponsor: Help to ensure that children, families and youth are able to attend the National Cuatro Festival each year. Invest in PRAA’s educational music and arts programs https://www.praachicago.org/sponsorship.
Pledge: You may make a pledge of any amount and pay on a schedule you choose.
Bequest: Name PRAA as a recipient in your estate planning.
Insurance: Name PRAA as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
Memorial / Honor: Remember someone or honor someone. Celebrate a birthday, graduation, anniversary, or wedding with contributions made to PRAA in lieu of gifts.
Matching Gift: If your employer (or your significant other’s employer) has a matching gift policy as one of its’ benefits, your gift could double or triple in value.
In-Kind Gifts or Services: Volunteer on one of our committees or to help with an event, donate items that can be used in our music and art programs, or donate items that can be used as raffle prizes or give-a-ways at events.
Attend An Event: Register for programs or attend performances, exhibitions, or special events.
Donate Airfare: PRAA regularly brings musicians and artists to Chicago. Donate miles or tickets.
Contact Nancy Ward, Development Director at 773-342-8865 or nancy@praachicago.org for PRAA’s gift acceptance policy, more information about donations, becoming a fundraiser, or volunteer opportunities.
Thank You
THANK YOU Cuenta Conmigo “Count On Me” Sponsors
Scott McKibben, Matterhorn Venture Partners
Paul Levin
Gladys Mendez
Melanie Flores, Ed.D, Propel Consulting, LLC
Michael Pietrzak, ASPD
Hector Fabregas, Jr. State Farm Insurance Agent
Patty Greene & Felix Velazquez, Velegren Construction
Heriberto Ruiz, R4 Commercial Real Estate Solutions
Milton Rodriguez, Milton and Associates
Elizabeth Colon, Metaphrasis
THANK YOU TO OUR SCHOOL PARTNERS!
After School Matters
ASPIRA Business & Finance High School
Catalyst Circle Rock Elementary School
Charles R. Darwin Elementary School
Funston Elementary School
Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School
Kelvyn Park High School
Logan Square Elementary School
Mary Lyon Elementary School
Ogden International High School
Wolfgang A. Mozart Elementary School
THE MCKIBBEN’S X
PROUDLY SUPPORT THE PUERTO RICAN ARTS ALLIANCE AND THE 27 ANNUAL NATIONAL CUATRO FESTIVAL. TH
We applaud PRAA for nurturing the voices, traditions, and creative future of our community. True story.®
Branding for cu lture. truestor y. design
Southwest Airlines® is dedicated to your Community.
Our mission is to make the connections that empower communities to thrive. Through our meaningful relationships, we proudly support your efforts in the many communities we call home. Whether in the air or the ground, we believe community is more than a place – it’s at the Heart of what brings us together.
Southwest Airlines® is proud to support the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance.