What Semilla Cultural Offers
Semilla Cultural brings to you a piece of Puerto Rico, its culture, and its music!
Classes
Performances
Consider having us as part of your next event (public or private)
Workshops
Community Building
Bringing the community together through events to enjoy Puerto Rican culture
Lectures & Discussion Groups
Learn more about bomba with our lectures by researchers and scholars
Events
Bomba Puertorriqueña en el Festival del Río Rappahannock
Puerto Rican Bomba in the Square
Semilla Cultural at the FREE Puerto Rican Festival of Manassas
About Us
Community • Education • Cultura
Semilla Cultural is a non-profit organization developing and cultivating a community that embraces Puerto Rican culture and arts in the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia region. We focus on raising cultural awareness by teaching and performing the Puerto Rican musical genres of Bomba and Plena, as well as educating the community as to the historical events that shaped this music.
Semilla Cultural was founded in January 2014 with the goal of giving back to the community what always belonged to them: Afro-Puerto Rican music and dance. We are a team of volunteers united by our love and respect for Puerto Rican culture who are committed to preserve and disseminate this legacy left by our ancestors.
Semilla Cultural connects with the community by using the arts as a medium of unity and empowerment. We also collaborate with other artists and groups to forward this mission. We are a grassroots organization, and although we are still growing, we are committed to educating and representing with pride and respect our love for Puerto Rican arts, culture, and traditions.
Members
All of Semilla Cultural’s members are volunteers who share the same love for Puerto Rican music and dance, as well as the passion to share it with others.
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Serenella Linares
Singer, Maraca
Raised in: Rio Piedras, PR
Favorite Rhythm: Yuba
Bomba is: The expression of my soul transformed into song
My passion for bomba started following the steps of a sister; her devotion and her love for the music were so contagious that I had to join in.
Joelo Sanchez
Drummer
Raised in: Mayagüez, PR
Favorite Rhythm: Seis Corrido
Bomba is: My connection to home… Puerto Rico in my ears
My interest in bomba started in 2007 during college. As the percussion leader in the string orchestra of the UPRM, our repertoire consisted of many arrangements that included bomba. However, when I moved to the U.S. in 2013 bomba became my home, my escape, my connection to Puerto Rico.
Yvette Ramirez
Singer, Dancer
Born in: Philadelphia PA;
Raised in: East and Central Africa.
Favorite Bomba rhythm: Sicá
Bomba is: Liberation
I was introduced to Bomba in 2017. I was always interested in the African influences in Puerto
Rico and started performing in Richmond, Virginia with a bomba y plena group. Since 2017 I
have never missed the Batey in Loiza hosted by the Ayala family.
Kevin LaMarr Jones
Dancer, Maraca
Raised in Richmond Virginia
Favorite bomba rhythm: Cuembé
Bomba is timetravel
My passion for Bomba started when Jorge Negron brought an amazing Bomba ensemble
from PR to the Richmond Folk Festival in 2009. At their after party with Bio Ritmo, I found
myself in a batey for the first time and I became a bombero for life.
Lucy Torres
Composer, Singer, Maraca
Raised in: Brooklyn, NY
Favorite Bomba Rhythm: Holandé
Bomba is: Visceral
My passion for Bomba started when I joined Semilla Cultural. I've always loved music but
learning about Bomba through Semilla Cultural awakened my roots and moved me to better
appreciate my passion for music.
Alexandra Marie Duckett
Dancer, Singer
Raised in: Carolina, PR
Favorite Bomba Rhythm: Seis Corrido
Bomba is: Power
My passion for bomba started when I was 15 years old. My first bomba/plena group was
Raíces de Borinquen and my love for bomba grew ever since. Bomba will forever be a part of
me.
Isha M. Renta López
Founder, Director, Dancer, Singer, Drummer
Raised in: Ponce, PR
Favorite Bomba Rhythm: Yubá
Bomba is: Freedom
My passion for Bomba music started in the fall of 2006 after seeing a bomba performance by
Raices de Borinquen in Wheaton, MD. I love bomba because it gives me a way to express
myself through the arts. It is a medium that makes me feel free and makes me reconnect with
my roots.
Eunice Mercado
Singer, Dancer, Drummer
Raised in: San Juan, PR
Favorite Bomba Rhythm: Holandé
Bomba is: Passion
I have always loved to sing and dance, but Bomba took that passion to another level. The
energy you will feel in the Batey will be the closest you'll ever be to witnessing magic
José A. Polo Morales
Drummer, Singer
Raised in: Cayey, PR Favorite Bomba Rhythm: Seis Corrido Bomba is: Fulfilling
Elvin Rivera-Orellano
Drummer, Cuá Player
Raised in: Yabucoa, PR
Favorite Bomba Rhythm: Hoyomula
Bomba is: History
My passion for Bomba music started after I moved to Virginia in 2014. I love bomba because
it provides a way to keep a connection to my Island. Semilla Cultural is more than a group, it
is a community that grows larger every day
Tilia Flores
Singer, Maraca, Dancer
Raised in: Bayamón, PR
Favorite Bomba Rhythm: Yuba & Cuembé
Bomba is: Necessity
My passion for Bomba music started the first time I heard the drums. The necessity to sing,
dance and feel the beat of the drums was in my heart. We were told once that yuba was a
rhythm to cleanse the aura and the ambiance. And it does... It cleanses my mind and my soul!
Josue Rivera-Orellano
Dancer, Cuá Player
Raised in: Caguas, PR
Favorite Bomba Rhythm: Yubá
Bomba is: Passion
My passion for Bomba started during the summer of 2015. The energy you feel when you
hear, play, and dance Bomba is incredible. Being part of Semilla Cultural helps me connect
with my roots and release stress through Bomba!
Noemi Rodriguez
Dancer, Cuá Player
Raised in: Manatí, PR
Favorite Bomba Rhythm: Cuembé & Hoyomula
Bomba is: Connection
My passion for Bomba music started after attending my first Bombazo in 2012 when I got
exposed to Bomba and Plena at its peak and full expression. Every rhythm and song
expresses different feelings and stories, and while dancing bomba I am able to show my
connection to PR.
Raul Zapata
Drummer, Singer
Raised in: Mayagüez, PR
Favorite Bomba Rhythm: Holandé
Bomba is: Release
I had always followed the beat of music with my hands and it wasn't until I attended my first
Bombazo that I knew where that instinct would lead. I love bomba because playing the drums
and listening to it all come together makes me feel energized and at peace, all at once.
Brenda Soler
Buleador & Dancer
Raised in: Ponce, PR Fav. Rhythm: Hoyomula & Calinda Bomba is: Power
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The funds will be used to support and enhance our mission-related activities and costs, such as fees, supplies, attires, transportation, musical instruments and their maintenance, space rentals, amongst other expenses.
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Contact
Semilla Cultural
Serving
Fredericksburg VA, Richmond VA, Washington DC, and surrounding areas!
Phone
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 6073
Fredericksburg, VA 22403
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