Team

 

Driving Our Mission with Dedication and Creativity

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Together, we can transform lives through art and culture!

At La Misión ConArte, inspired by our roots, we work to make art a tool for change, connection, and hope.

From connecting with our traditions to creating new paths, we believe that everything cultivated with passion and purpose blooms into results that impact lives.

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The Heart of La Misión ConArte

We are here to sow creativity, identity and change!

Ofelia Vazquez

Ofelia Vazquez

Founder

Motivated by her altruistic mother, she vowed to follow her example of service and support to the community. In 2014 in Nashville, TN where she currently resides, she created La Misión ConArte, which would give rise to a platform to promote artistic and cultural projects. She started giving Spanish classes along with three friends, when she saw the impact on her students, the following year she decided to add folkloric dance and music classes. Always with the firm conviction that Hispanic children maintain their roots, their language, but above all to raise their self-esteem, keep them away from drugs and vandalism.

Mayra Gonzalez

Mayra Gonzalez

Executive Director

From a young age, her passion for the arts led her to develop as a singer, teacher and cultural manager. In 2018, she was a teacher at the Centro Integral de Formación en Música, where she collaborated in a social project aimed at rebuilding the social fabric with children from vulnerable areas in Mexico. That same year, her project OperAndo Jalisco earned her the PECDA, a stimulus for young artists in Guadalajara. In 2021, she graduated with a Master’s degree in Theater and Performing Arts from the University of La Rioja. She currently teaches at the University of Guadalajara.

Karina Garcia Perdue

Karina Garcia Perdue

Program Director

Karina, originally from Peru, studied Government and Politics at SciencesPo, Paris, thanks to scholarships that led her to represent the Latin community abroad. With a master’s degree in International Public Management, she has worked on projects with social impact in international organizations. Currently, she is part of the diversity program at the Tennessee Department of General Services and is an advisor to La Misión ConArte, where she contributes to the design of programs and facilitates strategic connections for the growth of the organization.

Liliana Castillo

Liliana Castillo

Event Director

A native of Bogota, Colombia, mother of three, she moved to Nashville in 2017. She founded 615 KB TEES and co-founded Nashbuilders Group, both focused on comprehensive imaging and building solutions. Passionate about representing the Hispanic community, she is active in several organizations. She is always ready and available for the next event.

Israel Garcia

Israel Garcia

Communications Director

Ecuadorian filmmaker with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. Israel is a passionate advocate for inclusion and equality for all ethnic groups.

Mike Quiñones

Mike Quiñones

Development Director

Mike Quiñones is a multi-talented artist who has worked as a painter, filmmaker, illustrator, photographer and cartoonist. Quiñones was born in Cartagena, Colombia and moved to Miami as a child. He has lived in Nashville since 2002.

Jessica Ramirez

Jessica Ramirez

Fundraising Manager

With experience in sales and sponsorship management for events such as *México en el Corazón*, Jessica was invited to join the team to be in charge of sponsorship sourcing and developing incentive strategies for the sales staff.

Raymel Moleiro

Raymel Moleiro

Advisor Storytelling Festival

Moleiro is a professional actor, founder of the International Festival of Oral Narration “Diez de Octubre Cuenta” in Cuba and member of the International Network of Storytellers. He has received awards such as the CHAMAN 2024 Award and the Neira Vilas Distinction in Spain, standing out for his work in the promotion of oral storytelling and his participation in international events.

Marcela Castaño

Marcela Castaño

Advisor Textile Art

Marcela Castaño is a Colombian textile artist with more than 30 years of experience. With a degree in industrial design and certified as an Art Therapist, she combines her passion for art with the promotion of wellness and personal growth. Since 2021, she leads textile art workshops in Nashville, focused on promoting healthy habits, celebrating cultural diversity and preserving textile traditions, creating an inclusive space for creativity and healing.

Skarlteth Yanixa Gamez Martinez

Skarlteth Yanixa Gamez Martinez

Advisor Volunteer ManagementFestival

Forestry engineer with experience as a teacher and community leader. She has been living in the U.S. for 4 years, where she is part of the cooperative “VOCES DE NASHVILLE,” teaching Spanish and promoting cultural exchange. Currently, she is developing her flower arrangement business and an online store, standing out for her commitment, collaboration and passion for contributing to the growth of others.

Magnolia Alarcón

Magnolia Alarcón

Advisor Editor & Logistics

Mexican and doctoral student in Hispanic Studies at the University of Tennessee, she researches the representation of the LGBTQ+ community in Hispanic American culture, exploring issues such as sexuality, gender, race and space. A specialist in digital humanities and performativity, she holds certifications in podcasting and film studies. She also writes the blog De corduras y locuras and collaborates with La Misión ConArte as a consultant, writer and editor.

Mayllorid Flores

Mayllorid Flores

Advisor Art Therapy, Visual Arts, Writer

Born in La Oroya, Peru. She is an artist, researcher and educator with a Master’s degree in Education from the PUC of Chile and a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and Literature from the PUCP. She currently works as a specialist in pedagogical training at the Ministry of Education of Peru and teaches writing at the UPC. She has published the novel *Adriana* (Lulú, 2022) and exhibited digital works focused on Andean identity and expressive art.

Arturo Palafox

Arturo Palafox

Advisor Artistic Direction

Musician originally from Veracruz with a degree in Gregorian chant and specialization in composition, organ and piano. Trained in Latin Jazz in Germany, Cuba and Canada, his unique style was recognized in Antonio Malacara’s Phonographic Encyclopedia. He has performed internationally and teaches at the University of Guadalajara. His repertoire includes classical, jazz and choral music, with two professional recordings.

Elida Durán

Elida Durán

Theater for Kids

Venezuelan, with a degree in Performing Arts, mention in Theater, from the Universidad de los Andes (ULA). She has worked as a director, writer and teacher in various educational institutions in Venezuela and the United States. Currently, she is the director of Teatro Latino Nashville.

Joslyn Andrade

Joslyn Andrade

Advisor Artistic Direction

Born in Nashville, TN to Mexican parents, she is the founder of Corazón De Baile and current Miss Teen Latina Tennessee 2023. With seven years of dance experience, she teaches ballet folklórico at Vanderbilt University and leads the dance club at her school. She dreams of opening a dance academy and founding a folkloric group in Tennessee.

Williams Lay

Williams Lay

Community Manager

Williams Lay is an Ecuadorian graphic designer and digital marketing expert, as well as a writer, musician and theologian. His multidisciplinary approach allows him to create innovative projects that combine art, technology and spiritual knowledge, always with the goal of generating a positive impact.

Jorge Isaac Martínez Corona

Jorge Isaac Martínez Corona

Counselor

a native of Autlan, Jalisco, Mexico, holds a PhD in engineering sciences with a background in music and visual arts. He has worked in biotechnology and teaching, while exploring his passion for the arts, dabbling in piano, guitar, theater, film, photography and more. He actively participates in cultural events as an author, performer and organizer.

Sharley Rodriguez

Sharley Rodriguez

Latin Afternoons Advisor

A Guatemalan living in Nashville since 2003, Sharley Rodriguez is a self-taught artist who combines drawing, wood design and abstract art. Inspired by her motto, “What your mind and heart can see, your hands can create,” she motivates young people and children to follow their dreams, uniting creativity and purpose in each work.

Luis Angel Rivera

Luis Angel Rivera

Counselor

Director of the Music Department at UNIVA La Piedad and president of the Jornadas Internacionales de Música. He has created programs that benefit young people through music and stands out for training award-winning pianists in national and international competitions.

Katia Garcia

Katia Garcia

Web & Ecommerce

With experience in Peru, Spain and Portugal, she has spent the last four years leading digital strategy projects. She has worked in web optimization, content creation, SEO, social media management and digital campaigns. His approach combines effective tools and strategic skills to offer advice oriented to clear and measurable objectives.

Our Goals: Cultivate, Transform, and Share

At La Misión ConArte, we aim to promote culture both within and beyond Latin America through events that highlight the artistic richness of our countries, showcasing dance, music, visual arts, and other forms of expression. We strive to create opportunities for transformation and impact in the lives of talented artists through international cultural experiences. We seek to share our values, traditions, and Latin American identity through our activities.

Our Partners & Sponsors

  • TITANS
  • RODHAS
  • ASEGURANZAS EL BRONCO
  • MC GRANITE
  • HISPANIC ORGANIZATION OF LEADERS AND ACHIEVERS - HOLA
  • MISS LATINA TENNESSEE
  • PONLE PLAY
  • TSU
  • TELEMUNDO
  • BAD IGUANA PRODUCTIONS
  • UNIVISION NASHVILLE 42
  • NASHVILLE BALLET
  • KING BEAR TEES
  • MARCELA CASTAÑO
  • SHERWIN WILLIAMS
  • KREATE HUB
  • RADIO VIBRA 615
  • CARBAJAL COUTURE
  • MOLEIRO PRODUCTIONS
  • DJ FATIMA
  • BARKITO MOBILE
  • TEATRO LATINO
  • OZMENT LAW
  • BLISSLOON
  • MOFONGO
  • EVTMe
  • MARIA BONITA MEXICAN RESTAURANT
  • HACIENDA TEQUILA RIO VERDE
  • GALLATIN FORD
  • NASHVILLE NOTICIAS
  • PATH ACADEMY
  • MOSAICO
  • MARIO RAMOS PLLC
  • CENTENIAL PARK CONSERVANCY
  • ART BY SHARLEY
  • FELIX ELECTRIC
  • CCB
  • BRAND BOOSTERS
  • DELGADO GUITARS

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