Quenepas Youth Ensemble

Quenepas is a dynamic Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena music and dance youth ensemble that had its inception in 2008 at La Peña Cultural Center. Quenepas youth have been studying and performing under the direction of  Hector Lugo and Shefali Shah and many of the youth have been involved in the practice of Bomba through observing and participating in community jams and performances with their families. Ages of the ensemble range from 4 to 13-years-old.

Quenepas has presented their work at La Peña Cultural Center, the Dia de San Juan Puerto Rican Festival in San Jose, East Side Arts Alliance, and at Oakland Leaf’s Annual Talent Showcase. Directors Hector Lugo and Shefali Shah take great pride in making sure that the musical and dance traditions of Puerto Rico are responsibly passed on to our future cultural workers.