Elda Peralta, native of Tijuana, Mexico, is known for her versatility in singing and teaching classical and commercial music styles. She is an experienced worship leader and songwriter, having worked as the Director of Worship & Music at First Presbyterian Church of Evanston from 2014-2017, and has lead worship and composed songs for the churches she has attended throughout her life. Peralta has been featured with many ensembles ranging from jazz quartets and big bands to “rondallas,” and in recitals and concerts from baroque to Mexican folk music styles.

Mariana Apalategui has over 20 years of teaching experience in Spanish and English as a Second Language. Mariana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from San Diego State University and a Master’s of Art in Spanish Linguistics from the San Diego State University. During her graduate course work, she traveled to Spain, where she taught ESL and took graduate courses in Teaching Spanish as a Second Language at the Universidad de Alcalá de Henares. She currently teaches Spanish at Point Loma Nazarene University in Point Loma, CA.

Gisselle Velarde has taught different levels of Spanish that include elementary to intermediate levels and advanced levels for intensive programs in the military field. She has lived in México and has traveled to different Spanish speaking countries. As an educator, her goal is to inspire and motivate students to learn the Spanish language, to encourage them to develop their communicative skills and to be more involved in the Hispanic culture.