Latin Music ProjectMeet 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 -(Music Instructor, Cuatro/Guitar) Graduated from Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico with B.A in Music Education and Violoncello and a Master Degree in Film Scoring and Composition for Audiovisual Media from Escola Superior de Musica de Catalunya Barcelona, Spain (Esmuc).
Alejandro Salazar -Drum Instructor
Alejandro Salazar is a dynamic drummer and educator dedicated to promoting love, peace, and unity through music. With a deep foundation in Afro-Cuban and Black American musical traditions, Alejandro brings both cultural knowledge and performance excellence to every stage and classroom. A 2025 Luminarts Fellow, he has performed around the world—from Chicago’s iconic venues like The Green Mill and Jazz Showcase, to international stages such as Jazz à la Villette (Paris), Primavera Sound (Barcelona), and the Elbphilharmonie (Hamburg). Alejandro is passionate about sharing his artistry with young musicians, inspiring the next generation to connect through rhythm and creativity.
PRAA Music Education Artist in Residency
Yaemaris Santana is a guitarist from Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, who discovered her passion for music at an early age, inspired by her family and the island’s rich musical heritage. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Popular Music at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, where her primary instrument is the electric guitar.
In addition to performing and teaching guitar and cuatro, Yaemaris previously worked as a special education teacher, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and the transformative power of education. Committed to preserving Puerto Rican musical traditions while exploring new creative sounds, she seeks to inspire and uplift future generations through her work.