About Herencia guantanamera

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Sanie Brock is an accomplished dancer, who performs with companies that celebrate the rich traditions of Afro-Cuban, Haitian and Cuban-Haitian dance. She has worked with several Bay Area performing arts organizations as a project manager and business manager for more than 10 years. Sanie is passionate about helping organizations execute their mission and vision and bringing deeply rooted cultural traditions to audiences in the Bay Area and beyond.

Cora Barnes (she/her) has over 15 years of engagement with the Bay Area dance community as a dancer and advocate. She has performed widely with Cuban dance companies and supported local festivals and dance organizations with logistics, fundraising, and hospitality. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for Arenas Dance Company and on the Board of Directors for Herencia Guantanamera. Cora works in Programming and Development at World Arts West, an artist-centered, service organization for culture bearers who preserve and innovate the world’s dance traditions.

María José (Majo) Calderón is a filmmaker with over 15 years of experience directing, producing, and editing documentary and narrative projects across the Americas. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Film Directing from the University of Arts and Sciences in Chile and a Master’s in Journalism from UC Berkeley.

While filmmaking is her profession, María José’s true passion lies in dance. Born and raised in Chile, she began dancing at early age, exploring ballet, modern dance, and capoeira. She fell in love with Cuban folkloric and popular music during high school and began training more seriously after moving to the Bay Area in 2002, studying with local and Cuban teachers. Dance has been a lifelong source of inspiration, liberation and joy.

Massey Burke is the executive director of the California Straw Building Association, a 30-year-old nonprofit based in the Bay Area that supports the development of ecological building methods. She is also the natural materials specialist for Verdant Structural Engineers, a cofounder of Verdant Structural Products, and a natural materials design/build consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her expertise in nonprofit leadership, community-based program development, and collaborative project management directly benefits Herencia Guantanamera’s arts mission—helping with organizational strategy, donor and partner development, event logistics, program coordination, and community engagement. Massey’s experience in building resilient local networks and training community members supports Herencia’s cultural programming, outreach, and capacity-building efforts. She has also been Royland and Yoel's student for a decade and is committed to supporting Afrocuban culture and tradition in the Bay Area.

Lynn Chu is an entrepreneur, event specialist, and community activist with over a decade of experience in the hospitality and events industry. As the founder of Lynn’s Cheesecake Co. and a seasoned leader in catering and event planning, Lynn uses her expertise to enhance cultural programming and streamline event operations for Herencia Guantanamera. Her role includes: event management, planning, and day of operational logistics. Her commitment to social impact continues to guide her work both within and beyond the nonprofit sector, as she also hosts several community charities in the Bay Area. 

Moe is a financial professional by trade with a proven track record in accounting and finance. Moe is a results-driven finance and operations leader with 20+ year in finance and accounting. As Finance & Operations Lead at Herencia Guantanamera , Moe oversees financial stewardship, grant management, budgeting, compliance, and board reporting, ensuring transparent use of donor funds. She provides financial oversight projects for cultural events, coordinating costs, vendors, and accessibility goals to keep productions on budget and mission-aligned. Strong organizational skills, leadership, and event management, Moe combines strategic planning, operational oversight, and stakeholder communication to sustain and grow mission-driven programs. Moe has also been dancing and a part of the Afro-Cuban community for 15+ years.

Evelyn is the Event Publications Specialist and Hospitality Coordinator. A native of Guantanamo and a current UC Berkeley BioEngineering student, Evelyn brings a deep understanding of the culture, ensuring authenticity in every event. Her background at Cal as an active member of the consulting club and CORREA lab research assistant plays an integral role in coordinating events and performance logistics. Her background in education and leadership enhances her ability to connect and engage with guests. Evelyn is also a long time student and performer for both Yoel and Royland.