Jose brings an unusual combination of theoretical knowledge and practice to his walks, which he has led in Philadelphia and in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as in Rome, Naples, and Florence. A professional fine artist with an art studio in Rome near the Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva and graduate of St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland, Jose knows how to read the almost forgotten languages of Greek and Roman mythology embedded in the art and architecture of Rome. His studies of Plato's dialogue, TIMAEUS, for example, open up dimensions of Raphael's School of Athens fresco and of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes otherwise unsuspected by visitors to these two sites. In addition, his own native Cuban background and master's degree in Spanish literature from the University of Delaware in Newark give his walks a Spanish flair and sense of humor that can be most welcome elements. Jose also studied fresco painting, history, and restoration at the Spinelli Institute of Art and Art Restoration, in Florence, but his St. John's College "Great Books" education earned him a rich 20-year-plus teaching career at the University of Miami, first in the English Department (specializing in Composition), followed by art history and freehand drawing in the School of Architecture. During the summers, this docent has taught "plein-air" drawing for the Rome Art Program directed by artist Carole Robb. Jose holds the official Italian tour guide license for Italy, issued in Rome (Province of Lazio) in 2017.

Chiara is a native Roman with family roots taking her back to the rugged mountains of Abruzzo. A passionate connoisseur of Rome and its rich cuisine, she is a trained nutritionist and a personal chef. She's also worked as a personal shopper for years, thanks to her deep knowledge of the artisans' traditions in the city. Over the years, her energetic, multifaceted personality has allowed her to combine valuable volunteer opportunities in several prominent cooking schools, architecture projects, and even nursing. A mother of four high school and college age children, she lives on top of some of the most exciting, trend-setting venues in Rome, culinary and otherwise!

Liz, a native of San Francisco, California holds degrees in architecture from the University of California at Berkeley and Università degli studi "La Sapienza", Rome. She specialized in restoration and urban design. Her restoration projects have brought her to work in direct contact with the rich historical layers of Rome and Italy. She has been leading study walks for Context Rome since its beginning and has lived in Rome since 1988 practicing architecture, researching design and lecturing at university study abroad programs.