Ailish F. Quiñones Rivera

Ailish F. Quiñones Rivera is a Ph.D. student in ethnomusicology at The University of Texas at Austin. Born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Ailish developed connection to music from an early age receiving her formal her formal training in classical piano at La Escuela Libre de Música de Caguas. She relocated to State College, Pennsylvania, to attend Penn State University. There, she pursued a double major in computer science and music. During her time at Penn State, she continued her classical piano studies under the guidance of Dr. Melody Quah. Her musical education expanded as she engaged with the jazz department, studying jazz and improvisation, and ultimately earned a minor in jazz studies. As a performer, Ailish has collaborated with a diverse array of renowned artists, including Delfayo Marsalis, Benny Bennack, Sara Serpa, Vardan Ovsepian, and, more recently, urban artist RaiNao. In her final year of undergraduate studies, Ailish embarked on a personal project that connected her Puerto Rican heritage and upbringing with contemporary music. This project explored the intersections of salsa and reggaetón, incorporating influences from artists such as Bad Bunny, Tego Calderón, and Ismael Rivera. This exploration sparked her interest in ethnomusicology, leading her to pursue a Ph.D. in the field. Her research focuses on Afro-Puerto Rican genres and examines how traditions are perceived and preserved in modern contexts. Through her work, she continues to explore and contribute to the understanding of musical heritage and cultural identity.