meet our teaching artists
Xavier Hicks, Lead Dance Teaching Artist
Stephen Evangelista, Vocal + Music Director
Stephen Evangelista, Vocal + Music Director
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.
SEE MORE ABOUT XAVIER HERE:
https://www.allarts.org/programs/kpbs-arts/top-san-diego-ballet-dancer-and-open-air-fest-vskl04/
Stephen Evangelista, Vocal + Music Director
Stephen Evangelista, Vocal + Music Director
Stephen Evangelista, Vocal + Music Director
Stephen (he/him) started working in the theater at San Diego State University – where he is studying vocal pedagogy.
Stephen has worked as a piano accompanist for the Vocal Program at Bonita Vista High School, and is a crew member and audio visual technician for various various community theatre productions and churches throughout San Diego County.
Stephen performs annually in December Nights choir ensemble and tree lighting ceremony.
FOUNDER+ CEO + Artistic Director, Anjanette Maraya-Ramey
Anjanette was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in 2018. After intense chemotherapy, she knew she needed something to fight for: a performing arts center that focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in her lifelong home here in the South Bay.
In March 2020 she signed a lease on a studio space, just days before the COVID pandemic and mandatory shelter in place orders were established. She persevered with grit and determination to get the doors open in February 2021.
With the love and support from friends, family, elected officials, and community members, Anjanette was able to fully realize her dream and create a safe haven for artists to come to a space to create and feel a strong sense of belonging.
As a first-generation Filipina-American, Anjanette has been instilled with the values of "BAYANIHAN" which means "in the spirit of communal unity." This is the anchoring value of the classes, programs, and services provided at MARAYA.
Anjanette brings decades of experience to MARAYA as an experienced performer, choreographer, director, teaching artists, fundraiser, and nonprofit 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 Theater, East West Players, San Diego Dance Theater, Pacific Arts Movement, The Slants Foundation, the City of San Diego Parks Foundation and various nonprofit and corporate events.
Anjanette utilizes her vast knowledge and experience of the performing arts, corporate event production, and nonprofit and public sectors to build an organization from the ground up to make the arts and arts education a transformational force in the lives of many individuals and communities.
Maraya Performing Arts has a visionary with Anjanette at the helm... and she's definitely building something BIG!
Come join us and be part of the transformation.
CHECK OUT PRESS/MEDIA ON MARAYA'S ORIGIN STORY:
Photo: Xavier Hicks and Anjanette Maraya-Ramey. Photograph by: Beto Soto
CHECK OUT SAMPLES OF ANJANETTE'S DIRECTION + CHOREOGRAPHY HERE:
- SITE SPECIFIC YOUTH THEATRE: Disney's Descendants