Vanessa Finnigan
Vanessa Finnigan
Vanessa Finnigan
DIRECTOR
Born in Cartagena, Colombia, Vanessa has participated as a dancer with La Cumbiamba Colombiana since 2015 and has been the Comparsa Director since 2023. Vanessa enjoys getting together with la familia cumbiambera every year sharing a little bit of Colombian cumbia, culture, and folklore with all her friends and group members.
John Roldan
Vanessa Finnigan
Vanessa Finnigan
FOUNDER
Born in Palmira, Valle, John is a Planner Manager, DJ, Percussionist, and Founder of La Cumbiamba Colombiana. As a Planner Manager, John works for one of the largest electronic companies in the Silicon Valley. As a DJ, he's offered his services for over 15 years throughout the bay area. As a percussionist, he has shared his love for cumbia and afro-Colombian rhythms for many years.
Aura Barva
Christina Cañaveral ‘Pina’
Christina Cañaveral ‘Pina’
COMMUNICATION & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Born in Cartagena, Colombia has participated as a dancer with La Cumbiamba Colombiana several times since 2014 and was La Cumbiamba Queen in 2019. Aura is also involved with Carnaval San Francisco and has served as MC for the 2022 & 2024 Carnaval King & Queen Competition.
Christina Cañaveral ‘Pina’
Christina Cañaveral ‘Pina’
Christina Cañaveral ‘Pina’
"FUN"-RAISING COORDINATOR
A San Francisco native with antioqueña roots, Pina has been a part of La Cumbiamba family since 2024. She is a Director and founding member of the New School San Francisco, a public K-8 charter school in its 11th year. She is invested in ensuring Colombians far from home are able to uplift and highlight their roots at a global level.
Berkys Lizcano
Christina Cañaveral ‘Pina’
Berkys Lizcano
ACCOUNTING & SUPPORT
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Berkys grew up dancing to the good vibes of Carnaval de Barranquilla. Now living in the United States, she is looking forward to her first year with La Cumbiamba Colombiana sharing her passion for cumbia with new and old participants of la familia cumbiambera and the San Francisco public.
Maria Barreto
Javier Tapiero Ponce
Javier Tapiero Ponce
FEMALE LEAD CHOREOGRAPHER
Born in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, Maria has been a dancer for over 15 years with extensive experience in Colombian Folklore, Afro-Contemporary, Modern and International Dances. She has also participated in national festivals in Colombia alongside great masters of art. Maria has been with La Cumbiamba Colombiana since 2024.
Javier Tapiero Ponce
Javier Tapiero Ponce
Javier Tapiero Ponce
MALE LEAD CHOREOGRAPHER
Born in Orito, Putumayo, Colombia, Javier has been dancing for over 20 years and has extensive experience in Colombian folklore including Afro Colombian rhythms. He participated in national dance festivals in Colombia, and internationally in Ecuador. He was the founder of the dance group, Ritmos de mi Tierra, in Or
MALE LEAD CHOREOGRAPHER
Born in Orito, Putumayo, Colombia, Javier has been dancing for over 20 years and has extensive experience in Colombian folklore including Afro Colombian rhythms. He participated in national dance festivals in Colombia, and internationally in Ecuador. He was the founder of the dance group, Ritmos de mi Tierra, in Orito Putumayo. Javier has been a member of the familia since 2025.
Graphic Designer and original creator of La Cumbiamba Colombiana art for 2020, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Born in El Banco, Magdalena, Colombia (La ciudad Imperio de la Cumbia), Sebastian is a freelance illustrator enthusiastic about the folkloric songs and dances, which adorn the culture of the majestic Magdalena River. Much of his work has been dedicated to elaborating graphic pieces that show the color and charm of all these cultural expressions. Sebastian currently lives in Medellin.
You can see Sebastian art and work in his social media:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sebasmd4
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seb.md4/ &
la cumbiamba art by sebastian
Designer of La Cumbiamba Colombiana Costume in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Adelina Palacio was born in Santa Marta, Colombia. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a professional and creator, who manages and leads multiple visual projects with the application of digital tools. She is currently studying Interior Design.
Adelina has always been inclined to showcase her culture and this year is the designer of the Costume for La Cumbiamba Colombiana.
You can see Adelina's art and work in her social media:
- Instagram: @adelina_art9
You can contact Adelina via email:
ADELINA's LA CUMBIAMBA COSTUME DESIGNS
2024
2024
2024
Celebrating 10 years of Guepa!
2025
2024
2024
Honoring our Afro-Descent!
2026
2024
2026
Coming Soon!
Carlos Kandia
Kandia is a singer, percussionist, actor and musical theater producer, founder and director of the entertainment solutions company Kandia Entertainment, a Northern California leader in Latino Live Entertainment with more than 5000 live productions since 2014.
Carlos Kandia has won multiple awards and recognitions including: "Artist of the Year" by the City of Sacramento and "World Artist" by the Sammies Award in 2020 and was recognized as one of the "Top 20 Latino Change Makers" in Sacramento in 2024.
Website: https://www.kandiamusica.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlos.kandia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandiag/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KandiaG
We are extremely honored to be working for the third year in a row with Carlos Kandia and Kandia Entertainment.
We are super excited to be working this year again with El Cumbión de Oro, one of the most renown cumbiambas participants of Carnaval de Barranquilla. They have been participating in Carnaval de Barranquilla for 42 years and have won multiple Congos de Oro, the prize given to the best comparsas.
HISTORY:
The history of Cumbión de Oro dates back to June 13, 1983, in the city of Barranquilla, in the Siete Bocas sector of the Recreo neighborhood. This is where the group of happy dancers, lovers of Cumbia and all the native dances of our Caribbean Region, is formed. They initially called the group, the “Gran Candela”. As time went by, they dedicated themselves to working hard to consolidate their own style. When they achieved it, they decided to change their name to "El Cumbión de Oro." The new name comes from a musical theme by La Familia Andre, called De Oro, and the word Cumbión, which denotes joy.
LEAD CHOREOGRAPHER:
Gina Navarro
WANT TO CHECK THEM OUT?
Here's a video of one of their amazing choreographies.
Arlex Francini, is our photographer for Carnaval San Francisco for second year in a row. From San Agustin, Huila, a graduate of the National University of Colombia, inherited his father's passion for photography. He created his personal brand, "defrancini" and his volunteer initiative "Hey! SONRIE."
He has been in the Bay Area for a couple of years dedicated to photographing weddings, maternity and family sessions, birthdays, and private and public events. He not only captures emotions but also ensures a fun experience for patrons.
Through his volunteer initiative, he invites everyone to share moments of happiness with his yellow frame "Hey! SONRIE."
INSTAGRAM:
@defrancini and @heysonrie.defrancini
TELEPHONE:
(510) 980-1810
Calixto Salcedo joined our team for the first time in 2024 and will be our videographer during Carnaval San Francisco. He owns CSB Freelance a business production brand specializing in event production, product promotions, marketing, social media management, photography, videos, reels, and general advertising. He serves locally and abroad.
INSTAGRAM:
EMAIL:
Ruben Rocha, a lifelong Fresnian with a penchant for travel/street photography, Ruben’s style is best described as moody/urban//journalistic. He just calls himself a freelancer but a street photographer at heart. Ruben has done promo videos/photos for barbers and hair stylist to weddings to family shoots to headshots to video work for a boxing media outlet (The Fighters Voice, Ruben helped start it up during the first-year recording and producing media content) to mini documentaries to non-profit content.
Ruben joins our familia for the first time this year.
WEBSITE:
http://www.rubenrochavisuals.com/
Mauricio Galofre, is the founder of PlusTwo Creative Agency, the Digital Marketing Service experts specializing in bringing businesses into the digital age with a comprehensive suite of digital marketing solutions. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your online presence, they got you covered.
WEBSITE:
https://www.plustwoagency.com/
INSTAGRAM: