Meet Your Instructors

Zabdiel Santiago (Music Manager – Beginner Curiculum – Guitar & Cuatro/Vocal/Percussion) has taught music and lead youth ensembles for more than fifteen years. He holds a degree in music from the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico and has completed master level studies Universidad Interamericana of Puerto Rico. Zabdiel has directed and performed in music programs in Puerto Rico and Chicago.

Jose Carrasquillo (Music Manager – Intermediate Curriculum – Cuatro & Guitar/LMP Advanced Ensemble) is a graduate of the Conservatory of Music in San Juan, Puerto Rico with a B.A. in jazz and Caribbean music performance. Jose specializes in the teaching of the cuatro, Puerto Rico’s national instrument, and now leads PRAA’s Latin Music Project youth ensemble.

Benjamin Laboy Ruiz Is a graduate of the Escola Superior de Musica de Catalunya, Spain (Esmuc) with a M.A. in Film Scoring. Benjamin Specializes in composition, performance and teaching the Puerto Rican cuatro, guitar and cello. a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.

Esther Figueroa (Music Instructor – Little Genius - Guitar/Cuatro) is a violinist at VanderCook College of Music and aspires to lead her own orchestra while becoming a versatile music educator. Trained extensively in orchestra, band, and choir direction, she's mastered 18 instruments and their teaching methods. With a rich teaching background at the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance and diverse performing experiences, she aims to graduate in 2024 and embark on a career as an orchestra director and general music teacher, while continuing to perform across various musical styles with different ensembles.

Instructors’ Messages

Check out some of the Latin Music Project instructors messages to our students.