Board Members

James Foley

James is in his second year of directing the ABQ Latin Dance Festival.  In 2002 he discovered his love of salsa and Latin social dancing while living in Santa Fe.  He has been a devoted dance student and enthusiast ever since. At its very best, James regards dance as the creative expression & celebration of mind, body & spirit…embodied.  He loves how Latin dance brings people together to share in the diverse, fun and vibrant community of dancers, friends & socialites. James resides in the city of Albuquerque in Nob Hill, conveniently located just blocks from several neighborhood dance studios and clubs. By day, he works on NM film and television productions.  He’s been a member of the Teamsters Local Union, Film Division for the past decade–hurray for “Tamalewood!” By night…you can find him on the dance floor! (If not, he’s at home doing festival homework).

Shawn Claude Muller

Shawn Claude has been a part of Albuquerque local dance scene for numerous years beginning with country and western dancing.  He discovered a love for West Coast Swing.  Exhibiting a fast and exciting talent for this style of dance.  However, his interest quickly turned to Latin dance and its numerous variations and styles. He is an independent instructor specializing in Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha and other Latin dance styles. He is currently the Associate Director of the Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival and is an active supporter of the Latin dance community.

Patti Smith

Patti Smith has been a professional, certified dance teacher for over 10 years.  She enjoys teaching beginners as well as advanced students.  “My philosophy is that Fun should always be the number one priority, and everything else will come with time.” Patti also believes everyone is dancing for a different reason and it is her job to help her students meet Thier goals.

Rosamaria Delgadillo

Rosa began her dancing career at the age of 16 in the art of ballet and jazz.  She attended the University of Texas at El Paso as a ballet major and soon moved into the art of Ballroom dancing after her brother introduced her to this wonderful dance world.  Rosa has over 20 years experience in teaching Ballroom, Latin, and Salsa dancing.  She has competed both professionally and pro-am, receiving many awards, and has also choreographed for several Television series.Today, Rosa’s passion lays more in sharing her vision and committment in Ballroom dancing with the community at large, she also continues to compete in the Pro-Am division with her students in Ballroom dancing.  Rosa continues to develop and enrich her Ballroom dance knowledge thru coaching with various U.S. and world-renowned professional Ballroom dance coaches and dance champions.  She presently owns and operates Emotions in Motion Dance studio.

Ms. Idalia M. Lechuga-Tena

received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Political Science, with a concentration in International Politics from the University of New Mexico in 2006.  During her undergraduate career, Idalia studied at the Universidad Pública de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain and did summer school in Paris, France.  She also wrote an electronic academic research book on “The Positive Effects of the Immigration Spectrum in the United States in the Economic and Political Sector, with a concentration in Latino Immigration” which she has written in Spanish, French, and English, and has presented in conferences throughout the U.S.Idalia is fluent in Spanish, French, Italian and English and has traveled to over forty countries around the world.  Her passions are playing the violin, painting, martial arts, international traveling, diplomacy, economics, politics, playing tennis, dancing flamenco, dancing salsa, mariachi music, classical music, opera, fashion, spending time with family and her chihuahua dog Kochinada.Idalia is the owner of ILT International, LLC, a consulting firm that offers services in International Affairs, Government Affairs, Political Affairs, Marketing and PR in English, Spanish, French and Italian.  She is also starting a winery in Chihuahua, México under the same business.  Idalia recently served under the Administration of the Mayor of Albuquerque, Martin Chávez for three years.  She is also heavily involved in local and state-wide politics,  international groups in Albuquerque, and in her local community as President of her neighborhood association.  Idalia was recently the youngest finalist, out of fourteen applicants, to become Bernalillo County Commissioner, District 3, a position appointed by the Governor.  She was also recently appointed as a House Majority Analyst for the 2011 New Mexico Legislative Session.  One of her future goals is to run for office in New Mexico and ultimately become the first Mexican-American female Governor of the State of New Mexico.

John E. Mancini

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Major Accounting
Minor Economics January 1974 Robert Morris College, Pittsburgh, PA.
Masters Degree & PhD candidate in Church History from Trinity Southwest Theological Seminary now Trinity Southwest University.
Enrolled at UNM in Masters Degree Program in Philosophy.

Board Association and Certifications:

Member New Mexico Certified Public Accountants, Member of New Mexico Society of CPA’s, Member Arizona Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Founder and Board Member of The Lamb Foundation for Research and Religious Studies a New Mexico Non-Profit Organization, a Private Operation Foundation certified with the IRS as a 501 (C) 3 organization , Board Member of Trinity Southwest University, Board Member and President of the Museum of Archaeology and Biblical History a Public non profit certified as a 501 (c) 3, Board Member and Treasurer of Guanabana Productions, Inc. DBA Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival a New Mexico Non Profit Organization. 

Companies Owned and Operated:  Duke City Fueling, Trek Leasing, Inc, DFC,LLC, DCF,LLC, The Lamb Foundation & The Museum of Archaeology and Biblical History. 

Music and Arts have been a part of Mr. Mancini’s life since a young age, Performing in Musicals such as The Sound of Music as Maximilian Detweiler, Bubble Trouble, and in Camelot with the Albuquerque Civic Light Opera now Musical Theater Southwest. Mr. Mancini has participated in choral singing again since his youth, from elementary school through high school and college and was a member of the New Mexi-cords, the Barbershop Chorus . He also studied professional voice with David Majoros professional Baritone from New York City. Within the past 3 yrs Mr. Mancini began to study dance at the Arthur Murry Dance Studio in ABQ, including smooth and rhythm forms. Mr. Mancini was introduced to Latin club dancing about 3 yrs ago and has become an avid enthusiast. As a result of this he became actively involved with the formation and operation of Guanábana Productions, Inc. DBA the Albuquerque Latin Dance Festival. 

Mr. Mancini is the proud father of four wonderful children and proud grandfather of 11 soon to be 12 beautiful grandchildren.

Board Member photography by Valerie Santagto