[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 135 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF YOLANDA'S ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND DANCE ON ITS 25TH ANNUAL 
        RECITAL AND ITS FOUNDER, MS. YOLANDA FERNANDEZ-QUINCOCES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 1999

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Yolanda's 
Academy of Music and Dance on the celebration of its 25th Annual 
Recital and its founder, Ms. Yolanda Fernandez-Quincoces, for her many 
accomplishments. She has made every effort to provide a forum in which 
the young people of Hudson County, and particularly of Union City, NJ, 
are able to express their interest in the arts.
  Born in Havana, Cuba, Ms. Fernandez demonstrated tremendous artistic 
ability at a very young age. After moving to the United States with her 
family, Ms. Fernandez begun taking lessons in ballet and piano at the 
age of five. She continued her training at the New Jersey Ballet, 
Oneida's Dance Studio, and the American Ballet Theater, where she also 
excelled in Flamenco dance and piano while attending classes with 
renowned leaders in the fields of study.
  Ms. Fernandez, since receiving her bachelor's degree in Music 
Education from New York University, has served as a music and dance 
educator at the Woodrow Wilson School for the Integrated Arts in my 
hometown of Union City, NJ, where she is known for her remarkable 
commitment to her student's education.
  Ms. Fernandez has demonstrated her dedication to the arts and 
education through her involvement in such associations as the Dance 
Educators of America, the Dance Masters of America, the National Guild 
of Piano Teachers, and the National Education Association. Her 
participation in the advancement of the arts includes making personal 
appearances at the New Jersey Opera and on various television 
broadcasts. In addition, she produced and hosted her own television 
program called ``Art Beat.''
  Ms. Fernandez's artistic contributions to the community and her 
unwavering commitment to promoting the arts in our schools have not 
gone unnoticed. In 1996, she was named ``Teacher of the Year'' by Union 
City, Hudson County, and the Governor of the State of New Jersey. In 
1996 and 1997, she received the prestigious ``Outstanding 
Choreographer'' Award from the Dance Educators of America in New York 
City.
  In recognition of Ms. Fernandez's impassioned devotion to promoting 
the arts in our schools and communities, I ask that my colleagues join 
me in congratulating her, as well as Yolanda's Academy of Music and 
Dance, on this occasion, the 25th Annual Recital, and wishing Ms. 
Fernandez continued success in her endeavors.

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