Founders of Festival de Mariachi
Amanda Marquez is a Professional Assistant Professor of First-Year Seminar in University College. A U.S. social historian by training, Professor Marquez is a proud alumni having earned both her B.A. (2007) and M.A. in History (2011) at TAMU-CC. Professor Marquez's area of specialization and research interests center on Mexican American History
Dr. Rai Morales is an Associate Professor of Music at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where he serves as the ensemble director for the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Islander Trombone Choir and Mariachi de la Isla. Dr. Morales received his Bachelor of Music Degrees in Music Education and Trombone Performance from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, as well as his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees in Trombone Performance from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Kenneth Javier Iyescas has previously served Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi as the Associate Director of Bands, Assistant Professor of Horn and Music Education, and is the current Director of the Islander Pep Band. He is an active performer, clinician, and adjudicator across the State of Texas. Before moving to South Texas, Dr. Iyescas lived in Lexington, KY, while attending the University of Kentucky, where he earned his Doctorate in conducting.
Andrea Montalvo-Hamid is a Professional Assistant Professor of English and the Hispanic Heritage Month Coordinator at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. Professor Montalvo-Hamid is an alumni from the Island University, earning both her Bachelor of Arts (2008) and Master of Arts in English (2010) with an emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition. A former Foklòrico dancer and instructor, Professor Montalvo-Hamid is honored to be a part of the ¡Festival de Mariachi! En La Isla committee.
Jim Moore is a recently retired member and former director of the TAMU-CC Performing Arts Center. He has held management positions at Carnegie Hall, Westminster Choir College, and the Lawrence A. Wien Center for Dance and Theatre in New York City, and danced professionally for ten years. Jim is grateful to the American Association of Performing Arts Professionals for awarding him a Travel Grant in August 2019, which allowed him to study mariachi in Guadalajara, Mexico.
