The Kutturan CHamoru Foundation (KCF) is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of the CHamoru people from the Marianas Islands. Founded with a vision to celebrate identity, community, and cultural pride, KCF provides a space where tradition and modern life meet.
We bring CHamoru culture to life for audiences of all ages through programs in dance, music, storytelling, and education. From community workshops to vibrant performances, our foundation serves as a bridge between generations that share ancestral wisdom while empowering the voices of tomorrow.
For us, culture is more than just memories; it is living, breathing, and evolving. We believe culture is living and constantly evolving. At KCF, we carry forward the values of inafa’maolek (to make good for each other) and honor the spirit of our island heritage wherever we are in the world.
Kutturan CHamoru Foundation’s mission is to create a volunteer-based organization that would fulfill the needs to address the underrepresented CHamoru community and preserve the heritage of the Mariana Islands through dance, music, language and peer mentoring. KCF provides opportunities to perpetuate the CHamoru culture through movement and action.
A thriving global community that celebrates and embraces CHamoru culture with pride, unity, and resilience.
Heidi Quenga is a proud CHamoru cultural advocate and tenured Executive Director of the Kutturan CHamoru Foundation. A graduate of San Francisco State University, she has led numerous cultural and educational initiatives, including founding the Kutturan CHamoru Foundation. Heidi has been bestowed the title of Fafa’någue for her dedication as a CHamoru cultural practitioner, a title less than a handful have been given from the Continental US. Her work spans the arts, health, and community engagement, with leadership roles in several Pacific Islander organizations across the U.S.
Robert B. Gurion is a strategic leader with over 25 years of experience across manufacturing, technology, media, and the nonprofit sector. Of CHamoru and Filipino heritage, he serves as Treasurer and Board Member of the Kutturan CHamoru Foundation, bringing cultural values of service, integrity, and intergenerational impact into his work. A devoted husband and father of four, he is committed to building systems that honor identity and create opportunities for future generations.
Tricia is a passionate educator, community organizer, case manager, cultural advocate dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the rich heritage of her CHamoru culture.
Tricia is the founder of Ta Hita. Ta Hita was established in 2023, Ta Hita is made up of different GUMA’S (CHamoru dance groups) and individuals that come together to represent the Marianas islands as one voice.
Tricia has made it her mission to teach and preserve CHamoru dance and culture. Embodying the CHamoru hospitality of the Håfa Adai spirit.
Joey Quenga is a media professional and cultural practitioner with over 30 years of experience rooted in the “Familian Bibang” clan on his Atoigue side. As musical director for the Kutturan CHamoru Foundation, he has dedicated decades to preserving CHamoru traditions through music, dance, and storytelling.
He has consulted on projects with Disney, Pasifika Impact, and other organizations committed to authentic Pasifika representation. He’s emceed international festivals, including the Festival of the Pacific on Guam in 2016, and continues to amplify NHPI voices through creative platforms.
Joey is a co-founder of Island City Media Group and the Los Angeles Pasifika Film Festival. He leads the APIDA Center at Cypress College, holds a Communications degree from San Francisco State University, and is currently pursuing a graduate degree. With over 15 years in radio, Joey brings a powerful blend of cultural insight and storytelling to every project.
Rooted in a proud Chamorro lineage, Jahnay traces her heritage to the Afaisen‑Fejeran family of Inarajan (familian Undu), the Cruz‑Taitingfong family of Sinajana (familian Siboyas), and the Benavente‑Perez clan of Dededo. Born and raised in Long Beach, California, she carries these deep cultural ties into every aspect of her life and work.
Jahnay earned her Associate’s Degree in Communications from Cerritos College and is currently pursuing her Bachelors Degree. She now serves as an Admitting Representative at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. Her true passion, however, lies in CHamoru song and dance. Since beginning her cultural journey with the Kutturan CHamoru Foundation in 2008, she has dedicated more than 12 years to representing and uplifting Chamorro culture. She’s performed at the 2016 Festival of the Pacific Arts in Guam, the Guam Society of America Liberation Celebration on Capitol Hill, and San Diego’s Pacific Islander Festival Association.
With humility and pride, Jahnay has embraced the role of understudy and apprentice to Fafa’na’gue Heidi Quenga for Guma’ Kutturan Chamoru. Today, she continues to “pay it forward” as a Board Member, helping to guide the Foundation’s mission of cultural preservation, education, and community service.
Born and raised in the village of Malesso’ and a proud graduate of Southern High School, Mirranda moved from Guam to Portland, Oregon to attend the University of Portland, graduating with Honors with a B.A. in Psychology. From her time in Portland to a service year in South Bend, IN, to Los Angeles, where she eventually settled as a young adult, Mirranda always made space to cultivate, honor, and share her CHamoru roots. Mirranda earned an M.A. in Psychology from California State University, Northridge, where she currently works in the Office of Undergraduate Research. Mirranda is married to Teddy Salas (Santa Rita/Agat) and together they have 2 children, Felicity and Lucas. The entire family enjoys being active participants in Kutturan Chamoru Foundation.
Maternal Clan: Castro-Van Meter of Talofofo, Guam familian Manok
Paternal Clan: Salas-Van Meter of Agat, Guam familian Budoki
Tarra Van Meter is one of the founding members of the Kutturan CHamoru Foundation and a proud third-generation dancer in her family. She started dancing in 1993 under the direction of Glen Bernardo and Regina Atoigue-Quenga (Auntie Ning) as a Neni, moving up to Suttera and finally as a Fama’laoan learning under the direction of Heidi Quenga. Tarra’s deep commitment to preserving Chamoru culture has been demonstrated through her extensive contributions to KCF, including performing on international stages and choreography. She has played a vital role in bringing the foundation’s programs to life and sharing Chamoru arts worldwide.
Despite her demanding career as an Administrative Assistant at the ILWU 63 OCU Union office in Los Alamitos, California, Tarra continues to be deeply involved with KCF. She actively supports her daughter Teiya, who is also a dancer with KCF, ensuring the next generation remains connected to their cultural heritage. KCF provided countless opportunities for Tarra growing up and she is grateful for the amazing trips and being able to share the stage with her family and friends doing what she loves. Now she is able to teach and be part of Teiya’s journey with KCF.
Awarded to APIsCAN – KCF Early Childhood Education Advocacy.
Awarded by the Arts Council for Long Beach.
Awarded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts.
Awarded by City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs and California Traditional Music Society.
Awarded by the National Pacific Island Educators Network (NPIEN).
Awarded by Senator Debra Bowen of Redondo Beach, California.
Awarded by Guam Communications Network.
Awarded by the California Arts Council & co-funded by Guam Communications Network.
Awarded by Guam Communications Network.
Awarded by the Governor of Guam and the Council of Arts and Humanities (CAHA), Guam.