Cristina and LatinVibes

Juan Alamo-(Director, Vibraphone, Composer) Born and raised in Cidra, Puerto Rico, Juan at the age 6 he took his first steps towards playing percussion and began his passion for vibes at the age of 17. He started his performance experiences playing for Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, San Juan Posps Orchestra and marimba duo Dos by Two. He was successfully contracted by numerous famous salsa artists groups like Song by Four, Ray Ruiz and Elias Lopez. Also very well know Dallas salsa groups Tropical Sound, Carabali and Latin Fire. Juan decided to further his musical skills studies at the University of North Texas where he will soon obtain his Doctorate in Musical Performance with a minor in Jazz. Currently he is a professor and director of the percussion emsemble at the Howard Payne University in Bronwood, Texas.

Cristina Medina-(Lead Vocalist) A native Puerto Rican who was born to express her passion for music, became enamored with Salsa music at the age of 13. Moving to Texas she began and developed her singing and acting interest while attending schools in Canyon, Texas, where she performed in many musicals. As a Spanish Christian singer, for ten years singing and acting became one of her most useful tools to minister in the DFW area, south Texas and in latin countries as a missionary for the organization "Maranatha". Four consecutive years she performed as a singer and actress for the musical production "The Promise" as Mary Magdalene in Glenrose, Texas. After a couple of years singing Salsa and Merengue music for many DFW salsa groups. Her voice and passion for Salsa and Latin Jazz is captivating all the venues of the DFW area.

Jorge Ginorio- (Percussion) Puerto Rico native Jorge Ginorio is an accomplished percussionist/educator/clinician. A graduate from the prestigious University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Through-out his career he has recorded & performed with many diverse artists such as: Alex Acuña, Tom Braxton, Israel Houghton, Poncho Sánchez, and Michael Spiro, to name a few. Currently Jorge is touring the U.S. as part of the gospel band for pastor Joel Osteen and continues to be an integral part of the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas musical scene where he performs, records, and teaches.

José Aponte- (Drums, Composer)-A native from Carolina, Puerto Rico, José is a graduate from the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico, The Musicians Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, California and the University of North Texas Jazz Studies Program. He has performed with artist such as Giovanni Hidalgo, Emil Richards, Poncho Sanchez, Batacumbele, Gino Vanelli, Airto Moreira and Michael Spiro. Currently José is a faculty member at the University of North Texas Percussion and Jazz department, where he conducts the Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Latin Jazz ensembles. He also is an active member of the Dallas/Fort Worth musical scene as a freelance performer and studio musician with groups such as The Carlos Guedes Latin Jazz Trio, The Dreammaker Big Band, The Image Variety Band, Crispin Catholic Funk Band and his own Latin Jazz Group Caribe Club.

Omar Alvarez- (Saxaphone)- At an early age, Omar showed interest on following his father's footsteps in Music. He began playing percussion instruments and later switched to saxophone.Then studied at the Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico under Wilfredo Corps and later studied privately in Germany with Alberto Menendez(Eddie Palmieri)
and France with Rick Margitza(Miles Davis). In his short career, Omar has toured throughout the United States, Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia performing with renowned artists of various genres such as Cano Estremera,Luisito Carrion, Hector Tricoche, Wayne Newton, Chris Isaak and has opened shows for Ruben Blades, Oscar D' Leon and Bruce Willis.

Sean Jacobi -(Bass) - Sean Jacobi of Arlington Heights, Illinois first started playing bass at the age of nine. Growing up in a musical family, he was inspired at a young age. Sean currently attends the University of North Texas, majoring in jazz studies. In school he performs with Lab Bands, Latin Jazz Band, Brazilian Ensemble, jazz combos, vocal jazz groups, and percussion ensembles. He works regularly throughout the Dallas/Fort
Worth Metroplex with jazz and latin groups.

Roberto Verastegui-(Piano)- Roberto Verastegui is from Monterrey, Mexico, where he began his piano studies at age of 8. He began picking up melodies by ear. He began playing gigs at 10, playing coktail piano and popular stuff, all around Mexico. When he was 13 began listening to jazz, listening to Chick Corea and Bill Evans records. At age 14 he began his classical studies with Roxana Rodriguez and a year later with Teresa Tamez, at the Superior School of Music and Dance of Monterrey. In high school he began studying jazz with Fernando Davil. While in high school, he got involved in some professional musical plays, like The Wiz, Grease!, and Little Shop of Horrors. He also played in Mexican F