Information: Ester Timbancaya, teacher of Filipino dance.

Ester Timbancaya Elphick teaches Philippine folk dance.

Ester taught at the California University of the Pacific Folk Dance Camp (now Stockton Folk Dance Camp) in 1961.

Ester is fluent in four Philippine languages. She has devoted much of her career to cross-cultural communication and the adaptation of immigrants to United States culture.

She has developed curricula integrating English language, citizenship, lifeskills, and employability skills for students that are now widely used throughout Connecticut. She has also developed hands-on instructional kits for use by early childhood teachers. In recognition of her educational achievements the Connecticut Association of Adult and Continuing Education honored her as Connecticut Educator of the Year and the Secretary of the State named her an Outstanding Immigrant.

Throughout her career Ester has been active in fostering and teaching Philippine dance, for which the Filipino Heritage Committee honored her as Outstanding Filipino American in the Performing Arts in 2001. In August of 2008, she was given an award as Outstanding Silliman Alumna by Silliman University in the Philippines.

Ester has a BSE in Physical Education from Silliman University, Philippines, an MA in Education from Stanford, and an MA in Linguistics from UCLA. She has been a writer and researcher of the Navajo schools for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in New Mexico and Arizona, and a Tagalog and Cebuano teacher for the U.S. Peace Corps.

Dances Ester has taught include Binadyong, Itik Itik, Maglalatik, Manang Biday, Mazurka Boholana, Polka sa Nayon, Polkabal, and Tinikling.