We recently connected with Barbara Liz Cepeda and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Barbara Liz thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The Cepeda Family is a renowned cultural asset from Puerto Rico who have eight un-interrupted generations of Bomba practitioners in and outside of the island. Cultural bearers whose way of life is breathing Bomba-the oldest genre of music and dance from Puerto Rico.

Rafael Cepeda Atiles (patriarch) and Caridad Brenes Caballero (matriarch) had a family of 12 children where all of them were either singers, dancers, or drummers. Mami Cary, as we know her today, was one of the women who broke barriers of resistance in a genre where only men were allowed to dance and ask to have a conversation (pedir piquete) with the main drum (subidor).

Today, her granddaughter, Tata Cepeda is the founder and Executive Director of Escuela de Bomba y Plena Doña Caridad Brenes de Cepeda in San Juan, Puerto Rico and has had such school for the past 25 years. Alongside her, Barbara Liz Cepeda, oldest daughter of Tata Cepeda, has her school in Kissimmee, Florida who carries the name of her mom, Tata Cepeda: Escuela de Bomba y Plena Tata Cepeda for the past 8 years.

Together, this family has taken Bomba to all ages and around the world sharing the importance of their lineage, their heritage, and culture.

Barbara Liz, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Barbara Liz Cepeda is a powerful cultural force in Central Florida and across the United States, continuing the legacy of her renowned Puerto Rican family—the Cepedas—who have preserved and promoted Bomba, Puerto Rico’s oldest genre of music and dance, for eight uninterrupted generations.

Barbara Liz Cepeda is the founder and director of the Escuela de Bomba y Plena Tata Cepeda in Kissimmee, Florida. Named after her mother, Tata Cepeda, the school has been active for over eight years, serving as a vibrant hub for Afro-Puerto Rican cultural education. The school offers classes in dance, percussion, history, and cultural identity, welcoming students of all ages and backgrounds.

Her work is deeply rooted in community empowerment, and she has adapted to modern challenges by offering virtual classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding her reach to the Puerto Rican diaspora worldwide. [flnewsroom…nradio.org]

Barbara Liz is also a non-profit executive, educator, and media specialist in Osceola County, Florida. Her leadership has earned her recognition, including a Traditional Arts Touring Grant, United Arts Individual Artist grant, and has been named Woman of the Year in Orlando.

Central Florida, home to one of the largest Puerto Rican populations in the U.S., has embraced Bomba as a way to reconnect with cultural roots. Barbara Liz Cepeda’s school in Kissimmee has become a cultural sanctuary, offering a space for emotional expression, identity, and healing through music and dance.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist and cultural bearer is the deep sense of connection and recognition that comes from my community and peers.
Being identified as a powerhouse by colleagues and friends is incredibly humbling—it means that the work I do resonates and inspires.
It’s especially meaningful when other folkloric groups reach out to collaborate, wanting to include our traditions in their own projects. That kind of mutual respect and exchange keeps our culture alive and evolving.

Having a strong presence in Central Florida, where people feel seen and identified through our music and dance, is a gift. I love being able to share Bomba not just with children, but with adults too—creating spaces where everyone can learn, express, and celebrate their heritage.

One of my proudest accomplishments is authoring an activity book for families that teaches Bomba and Plena in both English and Spanish. It’s filled with interactive activities that make learning fun and accessible, and it’s a tool that helps bridge generations and cultures.

Ultimately, building a community of stakeholders who are passionate about sharing and preserving our culture is what drives me. It’s not just about teaching—it’s about creating a movement rooted in identity, pride, and joy.”

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Our mission is to preserve Afro-Puerto Rican culture and educate the community on its foundational elements through artistic excellence, fostering cross-cultural enrichment and understanding.

It is essential to maintain the integrity of our history and the core principles of both Bomba and Plena for generations to come. These genres are not only artistic expressions—they are living traditions that carry the stories, struggles, and resilience of our ancestors.

If we distort or dilute their fundamentals, we risk losing the essence of Bomba, potentially leading to its extinction. That is why we are committed to keeping our roots intact, pure to the best of our knowledge, and impactful. Our goal is to ensure that future generations can understand, relate to, and continue the cultural legacy that defines us.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.puertoricoesbomba.com
• Instagram: EBPTC_FL
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscuelaTataCepedaFlorida
• Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/puertoricoesbomba
• Twitter: https://x.com/EBPTC_FL
• Youtube: Escuela de Bomba y Plena Tata Cepeda
• Other: LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/puertoricoesbomba

Image Credits

Glorimar Gonzalez Photography
Blue Friday Productions