William Mendoza was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico but was raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Because of the city’s’ cultural diversity, he surrounded himself with  music that ranged from Doo Wop & R&B, to Rock and Latin. He was in the mix during the birth of Fania and the ever-evolving styles of Salsa which were blazing the airwaves back in the 70’s.  He began playing bass guitar at age 14, but moved on to steel drums where he discovered his true love for percussion. After years of playing the NY Latin scene, with groups such as the Latin Rock Band Malo, Willie took a hiatus from the music business to raise a family and to concentrate on business. After years in the business sector, his love for music has brought him back. Applying both what he learned in music as well as in business he now brings to you – “The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra”. Carlos Oliveras was born in 1956 in Manati, Puerto Rico. At the age of 10 he migrated to the United States, where he has lived in Hartford, CT ever since. Carlos began to explore his love for music at the age of 14 when he began to sing vocals for The Conjunto Inspiración Orchestra. Carlos' main inspirations and influences are Willie Rosario, Johnny Pacheco and José Feliciano. Throughout the years Olivera has done vocals with Kim de los Santos and Marvin Santiago. Carlos has had a successful and wonderful music career, and continues to enjoy the art of music which he continues to perform today for his fans. Julio Salgado was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico where he learned to play guitar and sing with local groups and choruses called tunas. Julio moved to New York when he was a teenager. After working and starting a family, Julio began singing with groups in New York including Charanga Sensual. After some time he returned to Puerto Rico to perform and record with various artists on the Island. When he came back to New York he started working with local bands and became a member of Orchestra Broadway, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra and later with Felo Barrio formed LA Inspiración. More recently he has worked with George Delgado and his Orchestra, CharanSalsa and Tipica 73. Julio now he lends his experience and vocal talents to The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra. Tucson, AZ native Evan Runyon began playing the bass at 16 after hearing Charles Mingus' 1957 album The Clown. Subsequently, he has been privileged to lead an eclectic musical life that has seen him tour three continents and share the stage with artists as diverse as the JACK Quartet, Chris Potter and Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. Evan's principal mentors include Robert Black, Patrick Neher and James Karrer and he holds degrees from the Hartt School and the University of Arizona. Coming from a family of world-class musicians, Damian Curtis began studying the piano at age four. He attended the Academy of Performing Arts, Artists Collectives and Guakia School for the Creative and Performing Arts. During high school was afforded a full scholarship to the University of Hartford (Hartt School of Music). He has had the opportunity to share the stage with many great musicians, such as Giovanni Hilgaldo, Patato Valdes, Andy Gonzales, David and Abraham, José Papo Rivera, Rubin Felix, Jackie Mclean, Nat Reeves, and Steve Davis, just to name a few. Celebrating thirty years in the music business, Timbalon (a nickname given to him at a very young age by his father) prides himself as a versatile musician. Whether it's Salsa, rhythm and blues, Latin jazz, rock, pop, Christian or smooth jazz, Jessie just excels in all areas. He's worked with some of the best, including: Celia Cruz; LA India; Spanish Harlem Orq.; Domingo Quiñones (whom he‘s currently the musical director for); as well as Charlie Cruz and Kevin Ceballos. Timbalon has had the honor of performing with many his mentors, such as: Oscar Hernandez; Isidro Infante; Marc Quiñones; Bobby Allende; Luisito & Robert Quinteros; Robert Vilera; Rubén Rodríguez; Jimmy Bosch; Gilberto Pulpo Colon; Bomberito Zarzuela; Eddie Montalvo; Ray Colon; Eric Vélez; José Jusino; Little Johnny Rivero; Harry Adorno; Arturo Ortiz; Ricky González; Nelson Hernández; Nelson Gonzalez; Piro Rodríguez; and Kachiro Thompson. Now he brings this talent to The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra. Jessie is currently working on his own project with his lifelong friends La 860 and is currently undertaking a new journey in which they are finishing their first production. With this new endeavor, Jessie has added new hats to the mix and is working as producer, composer and assistant engineer. Edgar "Papo" Jimmy grew up in in New York City. While listening and learning music in the barrio, Edgar started performing music at a very young age. Edgar's list of performance credits include: Bobby Rodriguez y La Compañia, Ray Rodriguez y Duro, Luisito Rey, Echiso, Jesus Pagan y Su Orquesta, Ray Reyes and many others. Jimmy now resides in Connecticut and can be seen performing with The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra, Afinke, Pete Valentin and Karibe Mambo, to name just a few. Tony Gonzalez has been playing percussion for over forty-five years. A graduate of the Hartford Conservatory of Music, Tony has been a fixture in the professional Latin music scene for over four decades and has performed all over the world. As a master conga, timbales, bongos, campana and bata drummer, Tony has earned the reputation as one of the most versatile percussionists around. He has performed with such artists and ensembles as: Ray Rodriguez; Tony Peña y La Sabrosa; José Merino Y Su Orquesta; Yukiyu; Chavhanga New England; Roberto Lugo; Donald DePalma; and Paul Brown. Presently, Tony brings his expertise to The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra, offering to this ensemble his many years of of musical know-how. Originally from New Britain Connecticut, Anthony Sisson is a professional trumpet player who has quickly become an in-demand lead trumpeter within the New England area. He studied music performance at Central Connecticut State University and has performed with numerous ensembles at the Hartt School of Music. Anthony has studied trumpet with the likes of Dr. Daniel Daddio, Larry Gareau, Seneca Black, Kevin Cobb and Gino Viarreal; he has also performed in master classes with trumpet legend, Dave Stahl. Some of Anthony’s performance credits include work with: The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra; Red Satin Band; The Bristol Reunion Orchestra; The Other Orchestra; The Connecticut Cabaret Theatre; and Playhouse on Park Theatre. In addition to being a sought-after musician, Anthony is a brass instrument repair technician, recently acquiring a position at the prestigious S.E. Shires Company in Hopedale Massachusetts.   Brian has been playing trumpet since the age of nine. In high school, Brian was selected as lead trumpet for the Massachusetts Northeast District Jazz Band, under the direction of Jazz legend Herb Pomeroy; he also was chosen for the MA All-State Jazz Group. Brian then went on to attend the Berklee College of Music, studying under such notable trumpet players as Wayne Naus, Lin Biviano, Tiger Okoshi and Jeff Stout. After college, Brian spent 4 years touring with original funk group, Rippopotamus, a group that has shared the stage with national acts such as Queen Latifah, Phish, Fishbone, De La Soul, and the Beastie Boys. Rippopotamus released five albums, wrote and performed the theme song for MTV's show, Singled Out, and were a featured act at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Brian currently performs with various groups, in a multitude of styles, gaining him credit as a versatile musician and a go-to guy for just about any musical setting. Always a lover of music, David has been playing trombone for 20 years. After being a part of every possible band in high school, Dave went to UCONN, where he was a member of the marching band, pep band, and jazz band. Since, he has been volunteering with the Plainville Wind Ensemble and Center Stage Jazz Band as well as playing professionally with the Latin Heartbeat Orchestra, New England's Head Over Heels, Red Satin Band and The Bristol Reunion Big Band. As well as playing, David has been a brass instrument repairman for over 10 years and is now a craftsman building the best trombones in the world for S. E. Shires Custom Brass Co.   Texas native James Monaghan is an accomplished orchestral, chamber, and commercial trombonist in New England. As an orchestral trombonist, James performs regularly with the Albany Symphony, Atlantic Symphony, Cape Symphony, Lexington Symphony, Nashua Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, Plymouth Symphony, and Rhode Island Philharmonic, just to name a few. James is a founding member of the Riverside Brass Ensemble, where he plays both trombone and tuba. James holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Indiana University School of Music, where he studied with Edwin Anderson, Carl Lenthe, and Scott Hartman. Since 2004, James has worked as a master craftsman and production manager at the S.E. Shires Company, building and designing custom trumpets and trombones for the most discerning professional musicians around the world. Andrew Studenski is a freelance woodwind player currently residing in the greater Hartford area. Originally from Brockton, Massachusetts, Andrew came to study at the Hartt School in West Hartford, where he has received world-class instruction in the fields of instrumental performance and music education. Mr. Studenski plays a wide variety of music around Hartford, from his numerous solo and chamber appearances at the Hartt School, to local musical theater productions, and performances with Hartford’s Latin Heartbeat Orchestra, and The Other Orchestra. When not playing, Andrew spends much of his time teaching at his private woodwind studio.