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meet our teaching artists
Genel Querido
Genel Querido
Genel Querido
Genel (she/her) received her classical ballet training from Chula Vista Ballet and Neisha's Dance and Music Academy under the Vaganova methodology.
Notable roles include Princess Florine and Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Clara and Dewdrop in the Nutcracker, Odette and Big Swan in Swan Lake, Thumbelina in Thumbelina and Snow White in Snow White. She has attended summer programs at Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC as well as with Ms. Victoria Schneider.
Xavier Hicks
Genel Querido
Genel Querido
Xavier Hicks (he/him) is a dancer with an extensive career in San Diego as a Principal Dancer.
An alumni of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SDSCPA), Xavier went on to become a Principal Dancer with California Ballet. Some of his notable affiliations and partnerships include working with Jean Isaacs (San Diego Dance Theater), Betzi Roe, and Eddie Tuscan, as well as dancing with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company.
Stephen Evangelista
Stephen Evangelista
Stephen Evangelista
Stephen (he/him) started working in the theater at San Diego State University – where he is studying vocal pedagogy.
Steven has worked as a piano accompanist for the Vocal Program at Bonita Vista High School, and is crew member and works audio visuals for various various community theater productions and churches throughout San Diego County.
Stephen performs annually in December Nights choir ensemble and tree lighting ceremony.
Sean Asuncsion
Stephen Evangelista
Stephen Evangelista
Sean (He/Him) has been a dancer/performer for 11 years and a choreographer for 10.
Starting off his training at Culture Shock, urban fx and Grossmont College; he found his passion for dance and decided to pursue a degree in performing arts. Through the years he's performed for shows such as Bodyrock, Vibe and Bridge, as a team member of dance crews Gwownups, Major League Crew and New Image Dance Crew. Originally a student of Maraya's Studio owner Anjanette; he hopes to pass on his many years of experience and the lessons Anjanette has instilled within him.
OUR FOUNDER
Maraya's Founder, Anjanette Maraya-Ramey has worked for tirelessly for decades contributing to San Diego's arts and nonprofit communities – serving as Company Manager for La Jolla Playhouse, Theatre Operations Manager for Lawrence Family JCC, Grants & Donor Relations Manager for ARTS: A Reason to Survive; and in the corporate sector as Event Production Manager for Pacific Events and ShowTec Inc., and eventually in government as the Senior Manager of Arts and Culture Funding Programs for the
City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
In 2018, Anjanette got knocked out of her career by a brain hemorrhage and subsequent cancer diagnosis. She learned she had a rare form of leukemia. She spent 45 days in the hospital and completed 3 years of intensive chemotherapy treatments and ultimately survived.
After fighting for her life numerous times, she knew it was time to be bold. It was time to be brave. It was time to take a leap of faith and chase down her ultimate dream.
She took a new lease on life and a literally a new lease on a studio space in Chula Vista in 2020 at the height of a global pandemic, and just a few days after mandatory shutdown orders were put in place.
Anjanette persevered, and Maraya Performing Arts finally opened its doors and celebrated its GRAND (re) OPENING on February 20, 2021.
Despite fighting numerous battles, Anjanette has proven to be a fighter and survivor. Her resilience and perseverance are lessons that inspires students, staff, and community members alike to always do their best and never to stop striving to life out your wildest dreams.
Anjanette is an experienced performer, choreographer, director, fundraiser, and leader.
Anjanette holds a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from CalArts and a Master's degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from University of San Diego.
Her artistic work has been presented by: La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Diversionary Theatrer, East West Players, San Diego Dance Theater, Pacific Arts Movement, The Slants Foundation, and various nonprofit and corporate events.
Anjanette was able to take her vast knowledge and experience of the performing arts and nonprofit communities to build a studio from the ground up to make arts education a transformational force in the lives of many individuals and communities.
If you come by the studio, you might see her teaching a class, directing her team, or talking to parents.
This studio is her vision, and she's definitely building something big.
Come join us and be part of the transformation.
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Diana NicasiO Office Manager & Stage Manager
Erica Mejos, Administrative Associate & TEACHING ARTIST
Diana NicasiO Office Manager & Stage Manager
Diana (she/her) is a theatre technician, stage manager, and an administrative
assistant at Maraya Performing Arts. She found love with the backstage life in high school and continued her education at San Diego State University with a B.A. in Theate Arts.
She loved working on projects with The Old Globe, Blindspot Collective, Amigos Del Rep, and La Jolla Playhouse’s WOW Festival.
With 8 years of experience in stage management, she hopes to bring
positivity and a creative eye to projects.
Diego Lynch, Communications Associate
Erica Mejos, Administrative Associate & TEACHING ARTIST
Diana NicasiO Office Manager & Stage Manager
Diego (he/him) is the guy writing all this stuff – he is Maraya's communications associate!
Erica Mejos, Administrative Associate & TEACHING ARTIST
Erica Mejos, Administrative Associate & TEACHING ARTIST
Erica Mejos, Administrative Associate & TEACHING ARTIST
Erica Mejos (She/Her) is a Filipino- American Actor/ Performer. She's worked mostly in immersive theatre but is thrilled to be back on stage celebrating her culture. She was last seen in La Lucha by Optika Moderna and is currently working as Admin and Assistant Teaching Artist at Maraya Performing Arts. Mahal ko ang teatro!