Education                                                                                                                                       
Theoretical and Geographical interests: Urban Anthropology, Audio-visual Ethnography, Globalization, Afro-Latin communities, Social Movements, Hip-Hop; Caribbean and the United States.
                 
      Present      Ph.D. Candidate, Anthropology (defense scheduled for Sept 2008)
Thesis: Son Dos Alas: The Cultural Diffusion of Hip Hop in Cuba and Puerto Rico.
                  Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota
      2001       M.A. Anthropology
Thesis: Graffiti As A Social Resistance Movement: Research, Methods, and Ethics.
                  Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota
      1997       B.A. College of Liberal Arts, Majors: Anthropology and Spanish,
Thesis: Art Graffiti: A Cultural Analysis of Graffiti and Twin Cities’ Guerrilla Artists
                  University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
1994      Fundación Ortega y Gasset (first year B.A. study abroad)
Department of Social Sciences and Economics, Toledo, Spain

Academic Teaching & Research Positions                                                           

Self-Designed courses:
2007 - 2008        
‘Hip-Hop in a Global Perspective’ (Anth 3980); Adjunct Faculty
Department of Anthropology, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN.
‘Hip-Hop in a Global Perspective’ (GloS 3900), Instructor
Institute for Global Studies, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
‘Hip-Hop in a Global Perspective Freshman Seminar’ (GloS1600), Instructor
Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
‘Anthropology of Hip-Hop’ (Anth 3980), Instructor
Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
2006 – 2007       
‘Anthropology of Hip-Hop’ in a Global Perspective’ (ANTH 3980), Instructor
Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
‘Hip-Hop’ in a Global Perspective’ (GLOS 3900), Instructor
Institute for Global Studies, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
2005 - 2006        
‘Hispanics: Latinos in the US’ (GLOS 3930), Instructor
Taught in Spanish, Institute for Global Studies, Foreign Language Immersion Program. University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.

Departmental courses:
Summer 2008         
‘Content Based Language Instruction and Curriculum Development.’ Instructor.
Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA).
Professional Development Seminar, University of Minnesota, Mpls. MN
2004 - 2007        
‘Major Project Seminar’ (GLOS 3981W), Instructor
Institute for Global Studies, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.

Teaching Assistantships:
2006 – 2007        
‘Introduction to Cultural Diversity and the World System’ (ANTH 1005W; Prof. D.Valentine).
Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
2002 - 2004        
‘Knowledge, Power, and the Politics of Representation in Global Studies’(GloS 3144; Prof. G. Raheja).
Institute for Global Studies, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
‘Theoretical Approaches to Global Studies’(GloS 3101, Prof. V. Gidwani / Prof. A. Skaria)
Institute for Global Studies, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
2000 – 2001       
‘Cultural Anthropology’ (ANTH 3003; Prof. D. Lipset)
Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
Research Assistantships:

2006 – 2007        
“The Politics of Populations: Arts and Diaspora”
Assistant for conference planning to the Director A. Waltner.
Institute for Advanced Studies Symposium Committee. University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
2001 - 2002        
Faculty Grant-in-Aid
Production assistant for Cuban film documentary with Prof. A. Nimtz.
Department of Political Science, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN
1998 - 2001         
Department of Anthropology Undergraduate Studies
Assistant to the Director of Undergraduate Studies Prof. J. Ingham.
Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.
1997 - 1998         
Multicultural Curriculum Development
Assistant analyst for multicultural curriculum development with Prof. F. Miller.
Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.

Conferences, Festivals, Guest Speaker, Talks and Lectures                                                

April 2008  "Hip Hop Culture and American Politics: Past and Present"
American Studies, University of Minnesota
             
“Puerto Rock & Latin Hop: The Spanglish of the Rhyme”
Department of Anthropology, AcadeMIX Conference, Haverford College, Philadelphia

March 2008  “Son Dos Alas: The Cultural Diffusion of Hip-Hop in Cuba and Puerto Rico”
Department of Anthropology, Spelman College, Atlanta

Feb 2008  “Hip Hop Habana From the Reel”
Walker Art Center in collaboration with Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, MN

Sept 2007  “Graffiti Marketing: Origin & Future”
Consumer Insight Annual Conference for General Mills at the Walker Art Center

July 2007   “Historia y desarrollo del reggaetón en su context caribeño”
3º Simposio de Hip Hop Cubano, Agencia Cubana de Rap / Instituto de Cultura, La Habana, Cuba

May 2007   “Son Dos Alas: Hip-Hop in Cuba and Puerto Rico” (English & Spanish)
World Languages Day, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota

April 2007           
“From Bomba to Hip-Hop” & “Son Dos Alas”
MSUM Unity Conference, Univeristy of Minnesota, Moorhead.

“The Emetrece Textbook: Afro-folkloric Roots of Hip-Hop and Reggaetón”
Richfield High School edutainment talk

"Art, Activism, and Scholarship: Hip-Hop”
Dept of American Studies, Macalester College, St.Paul, MN

Dec. 2006           
“Hip-Hop Herstory”
The Many Faces of Hip-Hop Lecture Series
The Dean for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and the American Studies Department at
Macaester College, St. Paul, MN

Sept. 2006  “Castro and the Cuban Revolution: The Hip Hop Revolution”
              Political Science Department, Macalester College, St.Paul, MN

August 2006  “Cuba After Castro: the Revolution within the Revolution”
              Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Minnestoa, Minneapolis, MN

July 2006  Keynote: “El papel de la mujer latinoamericana dentro de la cultura hip hop”
              2º Simposio de Hip Hop Cubano
              Agencia Cubana de Rap / Instituto de Cultura, La Habana, Cuba

April 2006  Keynote: “Hip-Hop y Reggaetón: el Latinismo del Movimiento”
              7th Annual Latino Youth Peace Conference, La Oportunidad, Minneapolis

Dec. 2005  Keynote: “Latin Hip-Hop & Reggaetón Fundamentals”
              PRISM Hip-Hop Conference, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Nov. 2005  ‘Leading Through Song: Music, Social Activism and Democracy’
              2005 Leadership Conference, Macalester College, St. Paul, MN

Oct 2005  Keynote: ‘Hip Hop Habana From the Reel’
              Theatre Casa Cruz de la Luna, San German, Puerto Rico

June 2005        “Hip-Hop Scholarship”
B.Girl.Be Talk and Panelist, Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, MN

April 2005            “Hip-Hop in Cuba and Puerto Rico”
                        Institute for Global Studies Talk Series, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

August 2004            “Audio-Visual Ethnography”
            Asociación Hermanos Saíz, La Habana, Cuba         

2002          “Responsible Conduct of Research”
Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

1998                Keynote: “Graffiti Art: A Cultural Production”
Wexner Theatre for the Arts, Ohio Humanities Council, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Grants, Fellowships and Awards                                                                                              

2007           
Department of Anthropology Block Grant to complete write up and audio engineering of dissertation research.
Wenner-Gren Dissertation Fellowship Finalist

2005           
Barcelo Collaborative Multicultural Grant, Office of University Women to co-author a film about women in Hip Hop with Rachel Raimist, fellow graduate student in Women’s Studies.
Premios Lucas Music Video Awards Nominee (La Ley 5566 with Anonímo Consejo, Cuba)

2004           
MacArthur Scholars/Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change Dissertation Fellowship for dissertation research of the four elements of hip hop in Cuba and Puerto Rico during 2005-2006.
Department of Anthropology Block Grant to present a hip-hop music audio-visual production series at the 2004 X Habana Hip Hop Conference in Havana, Cuba.

2003           
University of Minnesota Humanities Institute Summer Graduate Fellowship awarded to produce a film documentary of the ‘IX Habana Hip Hop’ conference in Havana, Cuba.
CLA Excellence in Teaching Award – student nomination for GloS 3144 & 3101.

2002   
Faculty Grant-in-Aid from the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, with Professor August Nimtz (Political Science) for film/video training in conjunction with the Cuban Institute fro Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) and equipment allocation for “Revolutionary Cubanas,” a documentary of the life histories of women who fought in Cuba’s revolutionary war. Grant from the University of Minnesota in collaboration with ICAIC in Havana, Cuba.

2001           
MacArthur Scholars/Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change Pre-Dissertation Fellowship received for pre-dissertation research and technical training with the Cuban Institute for Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) in Havana, Cuba.

2001   
College of Liberal Arts, Office of the Dean, Graduate Research Partnership Program received for archival research on the role of women in the Cuban revolutionary war at the Biblioteca Nacional José Martí, Havana, Cuba.

1998           
Department of Anthropology Block Grant received for interviewing women graffiti artists in New York and Puerto Rico.

1997           
Department of Anthropology First Year Graduate Tuition Fellowship.
                                            
Publications                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

2006    “B-Girl Be: Celebración de Mujeres en el Hip Hop” In The House Magazine, v. 31, fall 06
2006            “Habana Hip Hop Desde el Reel” In The House Magazine, v. 30, summer 06
2005    “The Dynamics of A Canvass: Graffiti and Aerosol Art” In Public Art Review, Forecast, St. Paul. MN Fall/winter 05 v. 16, issue 34, n 3.
2005    “Hip Hop Habana from the Reel”In The Minneapolis Liberator. vol 4.4. Mpls. MN.
2005             “Graffiti Arts’ First Lady, Interview with Lady Pink” In the Minneapolis Liberator. vol 4.3. Mpls. MN.
2001    “Girls and Graffiti” In Girlhood in America: An Encyclopedia, with Austin, Joe [co-author], Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO Publications, (2001)
2001            “Tagging an Ethnography: Methods and Ethics in Researching Graffiti Art.” In partial fulfillment of Master’s Thesis; Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota.
2001            “Graffiti: A Social Resistance Movement.” In partial fulfillment of Master’s thesis, Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota.
1999    “Lady Pink” An interview with New York muralist and graffiti writer Lady Pink, Minneapolis: reproduced by author (1998; TXu.895.393 © 1999).
1997             “Graffiti: A Cultural Analysis of Graffiti and Twin Cities Guerrilla Artists”Baccalaureate Thesis, Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota: (1997;VAu.391.983 © 1997).

Audio-Visual Productions (Includes all direction, production, filming and editing unless otherwise noted)

2007    “B-Girl Be: A Celebration of Women in Hip-Hop” documentary of B-Girl Be Summit
Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, MN
2006    “Arts & Diaspora” ‘Politics of Populations’ symposium documentary.
            Institute for Advanced Study, University of Minnesota,
“Time Machine Squad” commercial documentary dvd (Puerto Rico
            “Siete Nueve opening for Orishas” (editor) live concert dvd (Puerto Rico).
2005    “Land of 10,000 Homeless” (editor) Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless music video.
“ANC: Fin de Año en La Tropical” - live concert video documentary, Cuba.
“Los Pelos” - rap music video for Obsesión, Cuba.
“Gidi Gidi Maji Maji with Jabali Afrika live” live concert video documentary, USA
            “Express Your Skills 2005” (Time Machine Squad) - event documentary, Puerto Rico.
 “TMS 15 yr Anniversary” live concert video documentary, Puerto Rico.
 “La Mala & Mahoma” – hip-hop wedding documentary, Cuba.
2004    “La Ley 5566” – rap/reggae music video of Anónimo Consejo, Cuba.
“Protesto” – rap music video of RCH, Cuba.
            “Melodía” – rap/reggae music video of MC Hyde, Puerto Rico.
            “Morir por la Musica es Vivir” – rap music video of Yimi Konclaze, Cuba.
“Express Your Skills 2004” (Time Machine Squad) - event documentary, Puerto Rico.
2003            “Backstage @ Tego – NYC”- live concert documentary, New York.
“IX Habana Hip Hop” Annual festival documentary, Cuba.
“3er Festival de Hip Hop Boricua” (Time Machine Squad) - documentary, Puerto Rico.
            “Express Your Skills 2003” - video documentary, Puerto Rico.
                                                                      

Musical Productions                                                                                                                                                            

2007   
“Sin Permiso” - Executive and Creative Director / Producer
Artists: Aldeanos (Cuba) featuring Intifada (Puerto Rico). In Partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. Dissertation Son Dos Alas: The Cultural Diffusion of Hip Hop in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Pending publication.
           
“Maria Isa debut album M.I. Split Personalities” - Executive and Creative Producer
 Published by Emetrece Productions [BMI]: Minneapolis.

2006           
“Guasábara” - Executive and Creative Director / Producer
 Artists: Siete Nueve (Puerto Rico) featuring Magia (Cuba). In Partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. Dissertation Son Dos Alas: The Cultural Diffusion of Hip Hop in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Published in Trabuco. ARS Records: Puerto Rico. In Partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. Dissertation

 2005
“Son Dos Alas” - Executive and Creative Director / Producer
Artists: Anónimo Consejo (Cuba) featuring Tego Calderón (Puerto Rico). In Partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. Dissertation Son Dos Alas: The Cultural Diffusion of Hip Hop in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Published in The Underdog/El Subestimado. Jiggiri Records Inc. Distributed by Atlantic Recording Corporation, New York. In Partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. Dissertation

Event Administration and Production                                                              

May 2008            “Vive Minnesota – El Festival” – Talent Manager
                        Three-day Latino heritage out door festival, Harriet Island, St. Paul, MN
Jan. 2006-08            “Ritmos Unidos: An Afro-Latin Tribute to MLK Day” – Annual Producer
                        First Avenue Mainroom, Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 2005-07            “B-Girl Be: A Celebration of Women in Hip-Hop” – Annual Co-Founding Director and Project Manager
                        Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 2007            “Maria Isa Debut Album M.I. Split Personalities CD release” - Producer
                        Trocaderos, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jan – May 2007    “The Set” - Co-Producer with Tru Ruts Endeavours and Smoke Sygnals Productions
                        Trocaderos, Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 2003-07       “Express your Skills” - Annual Production Assistant / Documentalist
            Hip Hop Expo: b-boy, mc, dj, and graffiti battles
                  Time Machine Squad, Canovanas, Puerto Rico.
Nov. 2006            “Girls Got Skillz” (B-Girl Be Summit Fundraiser) - Producer
Babalu, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Oct 2003 - 06       “Festival de Hip Hop Boricua” – Annual Production Asstistant / Documentalist
                  Time Machine Squad, Canovanas, Puerto Rico.
July 2004-06       “Hip Hop Habana Fundraiser” – Annual Producer
                        La Bodega Restaurant and Lounge, Minneapolis, MN
June 2006            “B-Girl Be: A Celebration of Women in Hip-Hop” - Co-Founding Director
                  Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Entrepreneurship and Project management in the Arts                                                  

2003 – present            Emetrece Productions Inc. – Audio-Visual Edutainment Production Company
CEO, Publisher, Artist & Repertoire Administrator, and Imaging Director (Web Designer/Photographer)
2006 – present            Maria Isa - Singer/Songwriter/Performer
                        Manager, Artist & Repertoire Administrator, Promoter and Booking Agent
June 2005-07            “B-Girl Be: A Celebration of Women in Hip-Hop”
                        Co-Founding Director, Project Manager, Aerosol Art and Media Coordinator
Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota
August 2005            “MSP Freestyle” & “Black Book Sessions”
                        Aerosol Art Exhibit Curator
Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, Minnesota
1997 - 1999      “Graffiti Art: A Cultural Production”
Ethnographic & Photographic Display Curator
Department of Anthropology, University of Minnesota
1997                “An Excursion through West Coast Graffiti”
                        Photographic Display Curator
                        University of St. Catherine's, St. Paul, Minnesota

English / Spanish Translations and Interpreting                                                                     

2006 – 2007            El Araj O’Gara Law Firm, Minneapolis
                        Legal arbitration translations and interpreting
2000 – present            Minnesota Cuba Committee, Minneapolis
                        Impromptu, ‘real-time’ Spanish/English interpreting for guest speakers.
2002                Department of Political Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
                        Transcription and translation of audio interviews.
2001 - 2003             Rider, Bennet, Egan, and Arundel, LLP, Attorneys at Law, Minneapolis
                        Spanish/English translations of legal documents.
1999 – 2000            Accentos, Minneapolis
                        Transcription and subtitle placement for Spanish/English video interviews.
                                                  
Academic & Community Societies                                                                                                      

American Anthropological Association, Member (1998 – present).
Graduate Hip Hop Collective, President, University of Minnesota, (2003 – 05).
Society of Latin American Anthropologists, member (2000 – 2003).
University of Minnesota Anthropology & Global Studies Faculty Search, Committee (2003 - 04).
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, Community Arts Panelist (2000 – 02).
University of Minnesota Undergraduate Anthropology Committee (1998 – 02).

 On-Line Publications:

“Guasabara” In SieteNueve. Trabuco. Puerto Rico.

“B-Girl Be: Celebración de Mujeres en el Hip Hop." In The House Magazine, v. 31, fall 06

 “Son Dos Alas” In Calderón, Tego. The Underdog/El Subestimado. Atlantic Records: New York.

“Habana Hip Hop Desde el Reel.” In The House Magazine, v. 30, summer 06

“The Dynamics of A Canvass: Graffiti and Aerosol Art.” In Public Art Review, Forecast, St.Paul. MN Fall/winter 05 v. 16, issue 34, n 3.

“Hip Hop Habana from the Reel” In The Minneapolis Liberator. vol 4.4. Mpls. MN

Video Publications On-Line:

Obsesión: "Los Pelos"

Anónimo Consejo: "La Ley 5566”

RCH: "Protesto"

Anónimo Consejo "Mas Fuego" En Vivo Fin de Año 2004-2005 Desde La Tropical

MC Hyde: "Melodia"

Time Machine Squad 15 Year Anniversary

Time Machine Squad: Express Your Skills 2006 Documetary

B-Girl Be 2006 promo