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’
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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’
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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.
Tatiana Rivera Diaz
Tatiana Rivera Diaz
Tatiana Rivera Diaz
CUMBIAMBERAS LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Born in Ibague, Colombia, Tati has over 10 years of experience as a Colombian folk dancer. She has participated in national and international festivals, including events linked to CIOFF (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts).
Her passion for dance has led her to represent
CUMBIAMBERAS LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Born in Ibague, Colombia, Tati has over 10 years of experience as a Colombian folk dancer. She has participated in national and international festivals, including events linked to CIOFF (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts).
Her passion for dance has led her to represent and share Colombia's cultural richness, promoting the preservation of its roots, traditions, and ancestral expressions through movement. Tati has been part of Cumbiamba Colombiana since 2025.
Brayan Gonzalez
Tatiana Rivera Diaz
Tatiana Rivera Diaz
CUMBIAMBEROS LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Brayan has roots from the Caribbean region of Colombia inherited from his parents. His father’s side of the family has been immersed in Caribbean dance, art, and folklore for many years. Brayan has been involved in dance his whole life and has experience in Colombian folklore, Afro-L
CUMBIAMBEROS LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Brayan has roots from the Caribbean region of Colombia inherited from his parents. His father’s side of the family has been immersed in Caribbean dance, art, and folklore for many years. Brayan has been involved in dance his whole life and has experience in Colombian folklore, Afro-Latin rhythms, and urban dance. He also participated in national dance festivals in Colombia. Brayan has been part of the familia Cumbiambera 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
La Tradición que nos une con Ritmo y Pasión!
Broks Lennon Fabregas
Maria Lourdes Gonzalez
Maria Lourdes Gonzalez
Adults Costumes Maker, headpieces, and accessories.
Maria Lourdes Gonzalez
Maria Lourdes Gonzalez
Maria Lourdes Gonzalez
Children Costume Makers
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.
Arlex Francini, is our photographer for Carnaval San Francisco for third 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 once again 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:
Alexander Hernandez is a photographer who specializes in event and street photography. His true passion is to be able to capture special moments through his lens. This is his first year joining La Cumbiamba Colombiana to capture the magic of Carnaval San Francisco Grand Parade.
He serves the Bay Area, CA and Reno, NV.
INSTAGRAM:
EMAIL: