Founder| Executive and Artistic Director
Esira Castillo (Esi) is the visionary Founder, Executive, and Artistic Director of Grand Artistry Inspires, leading with creativity, passion, and a commitment to community. She curates transformative arts experiences that celebrate culture, inspire artists, and ignite audiences, making every festival, workshop, and performance a vibrant celebration of human connection and artistic expression.
Executive Assistant
Joyce plays a key role in supporting executive leadership and strategic initiatives. She partners closely with the Executive & Artistic Director to coordinate priorities, manage communications, and strengthen the systems that help bring the organization’s programs and vision to life.
Senior Operations & Executive Support
Corynna plays a key role in supporting organizational strategy, operations, and executive leadership. She partners closely with the Executive & Artistic Director to coordinate initiatives, manage priorities, and strengthen internal systems that help bring the organization’s artistic vision to life.
Performance Marketing Specialist
A performance-driven marketer turning ideas into high-impact campaigns. Talha blends paid ads, funnel strategy, and creative design to drive results, generate leads, and turn attention into measurable growth.
Digital Content & Creative Media Specialist
Abdul supports Grand Artistry Inspires through creative media, social content, and digital storytelling. With experience in video editing, marketing, and social media, he helps bring the organization’s events, programs, and community impact to life through engaging visual and online experiences.
Social Media Specialist
Sandra supports Grand Artistry Inspires through creative media, social content, and digital storytelling. With experience in video editing, graphic design and social media, she helps bring the organization’s events, programs, and community impact to life through engaging visual and online experiences.
Street Styles Program Lead
Wiz oversees street styles programming and leads artist recruitment and engagement for festivals and community events. A seasoned dance educator and community leader with over seven years of experience, he brings deep cultural knowledge and strong connections to New Jersey’s street dance community to support vibrant, inclusive programming.
Roller Skating Program Advisor
Kurby offers advisory support for the festival’s roller skating segments. With strong ties to the roller skating community, he helps identify skilled skaters and potential partners, facilitating meaningful connections that strengthen and expand skating programming. His guidance and community insight play a key role in creating engaging, authentic roller skating experiences for festival audiences.
Roller Skating Competition Advisor
Sandra bringing decades of experience and deep cultural knowledge to the festival’s skating competitions. A globally recognized skater and lifelong mentor, she has taught and inspired generations of skaters and continues to give back through instruction, competition leadership, and community-based skating initiatives.
Latin Program Lead 1
Elie helps shape Latin programming and supports artist recruitment and engagement for festivals and community events. As an experienced dance educator and community leader, he draws upon his cultural expertise and strong relationships throughout New Jersey’s Latin dance community to develop engaging, welcoming and culturally rich experiences.
Latin Program Lead 2
Margie leads artist recruitment and engagement for festivals and community events. A seasoned dance educator and community leader, she brings deep cultural knowledge and strong connections within New Jersey’s Latin dance community to help create vibrant, authentic and inclusive programming.
In-kind donations & Wardrobe Assistant
Clara is the driving force behind clothing donations—sourcing pieces, securing donations all year round for the Free .99 thrift Store. Her eye and care as costume assistant as well ensures every performer is styled and ready. We’re grateful for her dedication.
Social Media Intern
Stella is social media and public relations Montclair State University student with a passion for writing, content creation, and photography. She plays a key role in supporting organizational activities related to social media content creation and media support.
Audience Engagement & Event Support
Janae brings vibrant energy and a warm, engaging presence to each festival experience. She energizes and connects with audiences while providing on-site event support, helping ensure a welcoming atmosphere and smooth event operations from start to finish.
Scenic Artist
Korin is a painter artist who has worked with Grand Artistry Inspires since the organization's inception. Her colorful paintings on event awards, scenery and decor create a vibrant and energetic ambiance, a core element of our events aesthetic.