Carmelita Archuleta
FOLKLORICO / STRETCH & STRENGTH
Carmelita R. Archuleta is a passionate dancer with a love for Ballet Folklorico. From the age of four, she embarked on her journey with Los Niños de Santa Fe y Compania, where her love for dance blossomed into a lifelong dedication. She began dancing as part of the Company at the age of fifteen, transitioning into teaching at sixteen, sharing her expertise with aspiring dancers. Carmelita's love of dance led her to pursue a Minor in Dance at the University of New Mexico. As an instructor with Moving Arts and Los Niños de Santa Fe, Carmelita plays a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of dancers. She continues to grace the stage herself as a primary dancer and soloist with the Compania de Los Niños de Santa Fe. Throughout her journey, Carmelita has been guided by esteemed mentors like Janelle Ayon, Jesus Cortez, and Antonina Valdez Romp, each a luminary in the world of Ballet Folklorico.
She continues to leave a mark on the world of Ballet Folklorico in New Mexico through her work at Moving Arts. Carmelita R. Archuleta has been the Folklorico instructor at Moving Arts since 2019 and has enjoyed cultivating the program. She is honored to work with her students to help them foster a love of dance but more importantly to help them grow into the beautiful individuals they are meant to be. As a child raised in the Española Valley, she took Folklorico class in Santa Fe, because none were available in Española at the time. She is proud to be filling that gap in the community as an instructor at Moving Arts.
Mina Fajardo
FLAMENCO
Mina Fajardo, an acclaimed artist hailing from Japan is renowned for her roles as a singer-songwriter, composer, flamenco dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Mina brings a wealth of experience and expertise to each facet of her artistic endeavors. In her 37-year career, Mina has mastered various dance forms, including flamenco, Escuela bolero, Jazz, Tap, and ballet. Her comprehensive training includes mentorship under influential figures like El Guito, Carmela Greco, and La Tati. This extensive background has shaped her into a versatile artist, evident in her choreography and performances, numbering over 5000 concerts.
As a dedicated educator, Mina imparts her knowledge at esteemed institutions such as Moving Arts Española, SFCC, and Española Public School. Her teaching extends across diverse settings, from universities to elementary schools, demonstrating her commitment to making flamenco education accessible. Her training from a rich lineage of mentors underscores her commitment to preserving and evolving the flamenco tradition. Her performances have graced stages internationally, from Japan and New York City to San Francisco and Albuquerque, showcasing her global impact.
Beyond technical expertise, students benefit from her lived experiences and authentic cultural expression. Mina's classes radiate with vibrant energy, instilling a deep appreciation for flamenco's cultural roots and artistic expression.
Malabika Goldar
FASHION DESIGN & SEWING
Malabika Goldar is a multifaceted artist, educator, and adventurer with a deep-rooted passion for the visual arts. Her journey began with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Painting from the University of New Delhi. Eager to expand her horizons, Malabika pursued a master's degree in Graphics from Santiniketan, followed by another master's degree in Printmaking from the Royal College of Art. Throughout her career, Malabika's artwork has been showcased in private and public collections worldwide, including the revered Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Malabika has made significant contributions to education, serving as an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Fashion Technology and as a Senior Art Teacher in several schools. Her passion for teaching extends to students of all ages, and she particularly enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise with the vibrant community at Moving Arts.
Outside of the studio, Malabika finds joy in a variety of interests, including fashion design, gardening, cooking, hiking, reading, jewelry making, and traveling. Her adventurous spirit and curiosity about the world fuel her creativity and inspire her artwork.
Sonya Gonzales
DRAMA
With a degree in Theatre Arts, Sonya Gonzales has been working with Espanola Valley’s children and youth since the 2000’s creating theatrical performances, exploring arts and crafts, and nurturing their imagination and creativity. Her style ranges from incorporating local cultures and traditions from new points of view to reimagining the classics to creating entirely new works of art with her students.
In 2014 Sonya became a founding member of Espanola’s MainStreet Theatre and expanded her work to include directing adults in fabulous plays. After nearly three years of building up the company Sonya decided to step back and pursue her own projects.
Working alongside Northern New Mexico's best talent, Sonya has written and produced over a dozen full productions, not to mention directing dozens more shows. A good number of shows were collaborations with theatre and dance students here at Moving Arts Espanola.
Laura Hamilton
VIOLIN
Laura Hamilton has over twenty years of experience playing the violin and a decade spent teaching, both privately and inside the public schools in Santa Fe, Espanola, and in Wisconsin, her home state. Starting on the violin herself in elementary school, Laura understands and values the importance of accessibility to quality music instruction from an early age. She is very excited to bring her years of experience to the students at Moving Arts. When she is not making music, Laura is often embroidering or crocheting or out hiking the trails.
James Lily
WIN PROJECT
James Lilly is a photographer, journalist, independent filmmaker, and perhaps most importantly a technologist. He has spent his life using technology and gaining an ever increasing understanding of light to create images that get to the heart of the matter. Something more real than what is on the surface. As an independent journalist, and filmmaker he focuses on the truth behind the story.
As a technologist James brings a deep understanding of complex technologies and capabilities to the systems that he architects. Whether a digital advertising campaign, a large enterprise EHR system and associated population health capabilities, criminal and civil digital forensics focused on media and undercover footage, or the creation of frequencies of light to bring his subject’s souls to life. He creates with a holistic view of the world and the art that technology can create.
Cruz Lopez
SCULPTURE/3D PRINTING / VISUAL ART / CAD DRAWING & DESIGN
Cruz Lopez grew up in Espanola, NM and was blessed with parents who are artists. His mother, Irene, is a weaver and painter and his father, Benjamin Lopez, is a sculptor and Santero. Cruz’s brother, Diego Lopez, writes and directs movies like 'Blaze you Out' and Cruz has been in a few too! His sister, Miranda, is also an artist. It runs in the family! Cruz went to high school at Espanola Valley and went to college at the University of New Mexico. Ever since Cruz was young, he made art - and now it’s his life. His goal is to create new art, work to realize his creative potential, learn new things and teach his son Zaiden all he knows!
Cruz’s inspiration has always been the art culture around him - Lowriders, Murals, Art shows, Historic Traditions and modern tech innovations. From music, to art, to pop culture. His creativity runs wild and he has a need to create new things all the time.
CRISTIAN MADRID-ESTRADA
GYMNASTICS
Cristian was born and raised in the beautiful Española Valley, he knows our community and its residents. His work in the nonprofit sector in recent years has enabled him a deep understanding of our communities’ services and needs. Cristian has close to 10 years of experience working with nonprofits and is also a previous alumnus of Moving Arts. Cristian was honored by the Governor of New Mexico in 2022 with a Community Changemaker Award for his contributions and work in the Nonprofit Sector.
Cristian first met Moving Arts Co-Founders Roger Montoya and Salvador Ruiz at the age of 7, this was pre-Moving Arts, back when they ran the “Arts in the Schools Program”. He began work as a youth mentor at the age of 12 and now almost a decade and a half later is proud to be a part of the organization that provided him with unwavering support and kindness which was instrumental in both his personal and professional development throughout most of his life.
Cristian currently serves as the organization’s HR & Operations Manager, as well as a Gymnastics Coach and one half of our Technical Lighting and Sound Team. Cristian believes that just as he was able to experience and take part in Moving Arts, every child deserves to have a Moving Arts. His personal mission is to serve holistically and be of service to those in need.
Christopher Maestas
GYMNASTICS / BREAKDANCE
Christopher Maestas was born in the Espanola Valley and brings 15 years of dedicated service to the children and youth of his hometown in northern New Mexico. He is 28 years old and has earned an IT degree from Northern New Mexico College. He contributes in several ways at MAE. He is the head gymnastics coach for hundreds of students as well as the break dance instructor at Moving Arts. His hope in mentoring youth is to help kids find their passion and follow their dreams as he did as a youth growing up in Moving Arts.
Christopher facilitates technical lighting and sound in the Moving Arts Performance Center and upgrades and troubleshoots IT for the organization. In addition, Christopher is the lead on the ambitious Google Kids Project at Moving Arts; which seeks to create a safe and fun way for kids to learn about information technology and STEM in the public schools. Christopher is coordinating 18 Youth Pre-Apprenticeship Interns currently working and learning at Moving Arts.
Pilar Maez
CREATIVE BALLET / PRE-BALLET
Pilar grew up in New Mexico and has always loved dance, nature and movement. She began her structured dance training with Los Tapatios and Ballet en Fuego dance companies under the direction of France Lujan. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a Bachelor of Arts in dance and developmental psychology and was fortunate to study dance at El Instituto Superior de Artes, in Habana Cuba. After graduating Pilar moved to New York City, where she danced with Tikola McRee, Laura Manzella, Angela Imhoff, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, Daniel Flores Dance and Mazarte Dance Company. Pilar also worked as a teaching artist for Mazarte Dance Company, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, and Mexico Beyond Mariachi. Pilar moved back to New Mexico in 2022 and is currently dancing and substitute teaching with Los Niños de Santa Fe.
In the classroom Pilar aims to inspire and support her students by sharing her passion for dance and movement. Through dance, movement, music and rhythm she encourages students to explore being in, working with and communicating through their bodies.
Aaron Martinez
GYMNASTICS
Aaron Martinez is a remarkably resilient and inspired youth mentor, he is 27 years old and raised in the mountain village of Cordova in northern New Mexico. He is an alumni of Moving Arts who began teaching gymnastics in 2017. Aaron met Roger Montoya as a child in the arts in the school’s program. In the third grade Roger invited Aaron how to perform a backflip. Aaron says, “That moment paved the road for me to find my purpose in life and build confidence as an athlete, with just that one flip.”
Aaron uses his journey through a trauma-informed life as an asset in service to the next generation—he has served as a youth prevention specialist with the National Latino Behavioral Health Association facilitating an evidence-based program Families Moving Forward with local middle school and elementary school youth. Currently he is co facilitating a regional Youth Diversion Program that uses restorative justice and community based wrap-around services in partnership with the University of New Mexico. He provides mentorship to our work based interns and is working towards a CPSW certified peer support worker licensure.
Stephanie Martinez
DIGITAL MEDIA
Stephanie Martinez was raised in Velarde, New Mexico and is a volunteer with the Moving Arts program. She started to study film at the Espanola Valley High School in 2009 and proceeded to earn an Associate Degree in Film and Digital Media Arts from Northern New Mexico College in 2015. While working on her film degree she took several acting classes. Stephanie has worked on multiple sets and in multiple college short films in the past 12 years. She is driven to inspire others with works of art and by supporting and teaching other artists.
Delores Medina
GUITAR / SINGING
Delores is from Tierra Azul, New Mexico. A mother of four daughters and two grandchildren. She has been a musician for over thirty five years and continues teaching music to our youth for over twenty two years. Delores studied Business Merchandising, Education and Music. She has recorded with many recognized musicians playing flute and vocals, while also directing several children and youth choirs. Delores enjoys teaching and motivates her students to try to the best of their ability.
She is a 4th generation weaver and member of Santa Fe Spanish Market since the age of eighteen. Her work has been displayed at the Smithsonian Institute and Santa Fe State Capitol collection of 4 Generations of Weaving.
Jesus Montes
KEYBOARD
Born and raised in the heart of Northern New Mexico, Jesus Montes has cultivated a life steeped in musical tradition and innovation. Jesus was exposed to a rich tapestry of musical influences while growing up. This diverse cultural heritage is reflected in his teaching methodology, where he seamlessly blends various musical styles, from classical to contemporary, ensuring his students receive a well-rounded musical education.
With a passion that was ignited in his early years, Jesus has dedicated the past decade to nurturing the next generation of musicians. For fourteen years, he has been a cornerstone at Pojoaque Valley Middle School, where as a band & guitar teacher he infuses his students with a love for music that transcends the classroom. His expertise on guitar, classical guitar, trumpet, and piano coupled with music theory and practice, has made him a beloved figure among his students and colleagues alike.
Beyond the school corridors, Jesus extends his musical influence through his role as a keyboard instructor at Moving Arts Española. Over the past five years, he has been instrumental in developing a comprehensive music program that not only teaches the technical aspects of playing the keyboard but also instills a sense of creativity and expression in his students. Jesus's ability to connect with his students on a personal level, understanding their unique challenges and aspirations, has made the program a welcoming home for aspiring musicians.
Sophia Ribas
INDOOR GROWING / COOKING
Sophia Ribas is a dynamic force in the culinary and agricultural realms, serving as the Kitchen Manager, Head Chef, and leader of the Community Health Ambassadors Program at Moving Arts Española. Spring of 2023 also marked a significant addition as she spearheaded MAE's inaugural Indoor Agriculture Learning Center, a testament to her commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Hailing from the heart of northern New Mexico, Sophia's journey intertwines her deep-rooted connection to the land with her culinary prowess. After a transformative span of eight years in Northern California, where she honed her skills as both an owner and manager of a traditional farm, Sophia returned to her native New Mexico with a newfound mission. Her quest led her to delve into the realm of Controlled Environment Agriculture, a field she studied ardently to complement her culinary expertise. Sophia's dedication to regenerative agriculture and wholesome meal preparation serves as the cornerstone of her ethos, driving her mission to impart this invaluable knowledge to future generations.
In her leadership roles at Moving Arts Española, Sophia serves as a beacon of inspiration, fostering community engagement and empowerment through her initiatives. Whether orchestrating culinary creations in the kitchen, leading educational programs, or pioneering innovative agricultural projects, Sophia Ribas epitomizes the convergence of culinary artistry, sustainable agriculture, and community stewardship.