Cast / Creative

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Rachel Abrahams

Rachel Abrahams is from Oyster Bay, New York. She attended the Long Island High School for the Arts and graduated in 2009 with a BFA in Performance and Choreography from the California Institute of the Arts. Rachel is a founding member of Bryn Cohn + Artists and has performed with Shen Wei Dance Arts in two world premiere site-specific pieces at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Park Avenue Armory and with Jessica Gaynor Dance. As a performer and teaching artist with BODYART Dance, Rachel has collaborated on three New York seasons and multiple tours to Texas.  In addition to performing with Fuerza Bruta, Rachel teaches yoga and Pilates in New York City and Brooklyn. 

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John Alix

John Alix is a New York-based dancer/choreographer/actor working in TV, film, and theatre. He is currently performing in the off-Broadway show Fuerza Bruta, and was able to tour with the show in Peru last year. Highlights of his career include the Touchstone Pictures hit Step Up, HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition featuring a musical number starring Kristen Chenoweth, NBC’s America’s Got Talent, as well as other work in the commercial field. Most recently, John performed at the FOX Upfronts for their presentation of Grease Live, as well as being a dancer for the ad campaign for the Fall 2015 Fila collection with spokesman Shaun T. He has also enjoyed being a choreographer for Broadway Bares the past several years.

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Simonè Bart

Simoné Elizabeth Bart is filled with gratitude to be a part of the Fuerza Bruta team. Through pushing personal boundaries, inviting discovery, and truly playing with others, Fuerza has been an experience to perform in like no other show. In addition to flying through the air, you may have seen Simoné in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (East 4th Productions), Romeo & Juliet (Puppet Shakespeare), A Chorus Line (Heights Players), and Comedy Central’s Broad City. Thank you to Cory, the brute force that is a perpetual inspiration. www.simoneelizabethbart.com

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Angela Buccinni

Angela Buccinni Butch - Life long dancer and performer  with a BFA in Dance & Choreography from The Boston Conservatory Angela has always had a strong desire to FLY . Shortly after moving to NYC in 2006 Angela found her self  bridging the gap between dancing on the ground and taking taking flight  with many circus and dance companies.   Angela has tour nationally & internationally, combining dance (Tribe of Human,Performed w/ Yoyo Ma,  The Chase Brock Experience, Radio City Spring Spectacular and various Off Broadway Productions) and circus (starting at STREB & continuing with many NYC & Israeli Circus companies as a hand to hand acrobat, aerialist, bullwhip & fire performer!) In 2011 Angela Founded The Muse Brooklyn, where her passion for dance and circus could thrive. The Muse, the latest addition to the thriving arts scene in Bushwick, is a unique circus based community and artist collective through the collaboration and integration of circus, music, dance, and other performing arts.  Come Learn to Fly  www.TheMuseBrookln.com  & Follow Angela’s Journey  www.AngelaBuccinni.com

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Lautaro Burgos

Lautaro Burgos Corazon de tambor!  Bringing mate and traditions from Argentine folklore and south american rhythms and soundscapes.  He studied in Buenos Aires and has performed worldwide. He is thrilled to be part of the windy WAYRA family! 

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Ilia Castro

Ilia Jessica Castro, the mother of a beautiful baby girl, was born and raised in Hartford Connecticut. She moved to New York with dreams of being a dancer. Where she was immediately accepted into the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center Certificate Program. Her career started as a Knicks City Dancer for the New York Knicks. Jessica has toured the world and danced for such artist as Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, The Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Will Smith and Mary J Blidge just to name a few. You can also see her in countless movies such as “Honey” where she was a principle dancer as well as Jessica  Alba’s dance double and in “Idlewild” where she played Bobbie the Showgirl. Honored to be a part of Fuerzabruta!

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André Cole

André Cole (performer) is a Brooklyn-based freestyle dancer, choreographer, drummer and music producer from Oakland, CA. He moved to New York City in 2007 to study dance at The New School University-Eugene Lange College for Liberal Arts and his dance style is a unique blend of hip hop, modern-contemporary and afro-centric movement techniques. He has performed original choreography works at theaters around NYC including Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater and BRIC Arts. Recent theater credits include Forces of Nature Dance Theatre (The Apollo Theater), West Side Story (Riverside Theatre) and Dapline! (Schomburg Center and Studio Museum in Harlem). André is thrilled to perform with Fuerza Bruta as it allows him to express his Brazilian roots with the same carnivalesque energy he grew up with around his Brazilian mother. To see more of his work visit AndreCole.com.

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Collin Couvillion

Collin is a performing songwriter and composer who has written the scores to two films (The Crab and Objects Attack) as well as various video and theater projects. He also served as the singer /percussionist for De La Guarda. Having the opportunity to play with this incredibly talented cast in this amazing show is a blessing. Hi Mom.

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Scott Freeman

Coming Soon! 

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Christina Glur

Christina Glur hails from Los Angeles, CA. She is a free spirited artist who has followed her passion for performing since she was a little girl. This devotion and perseverance has led her to a life of doing what she loves as a profession. Christina has toured the world with Miley Cyrus; was a principal dancer in the films Footloose, High School Musical 3, and Big Momma’s Like Father, Like Son; performed as a resident dancer for the first American season of X-Factor. With a desire for continuous exploration and growth, Christina relocated herself to New York to be a part of the innovative show Fuerza Bruta. She is grateful and proud of her artistic journey, remains a persistent hustler for her many dreams, currently expanding her talents and pursuing a singing career. “Never stop dreaming, believing, and doing” – Christina Glur

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Holly Heiser

Holly is so honored to be a part of Fuerzabruta! Other credits: Pilobolus, Networks Tour Contact, Tarzan Broadway Workshop, Angels Broadway Workshop, Wicked at USJ, West Side Story at Gateway Playhouse, Natural Life at Terry Schreiber Studios. Holly won a Carbonell Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Vices at the Caldwell Theatre. Thank you to my friends and family for all of your support! I would not be here without it. 

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Kendell Hinds

Coming Soon! 

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Eriko Erika Jimbo

Jimbo is a NYC based performing artist, choreographer, teacher, and fitness trainer.  She has a passion for music, performing, creating, and coaching health and fitness.  She is an experienced performer ranging in different styles of movement from ballet, hip hop, martial arts, to theater.  She has toured all over the world performing and teaching, appeared on national and international tv shows as a guest performer, featured in several music videos, films, and interviews, and also worked extensively with Pilobolus Dance Theater-performing, teaching, coaching, and creating with the main repertoire company full time from 2009-2014.

As a performer, she prides herself on being the most versatlie mover she can possible be.  She has an extensive background in Modern/contemporary dance,  and freestyle/improviasatoin, and has been working consistently with companies such as Pilobolus Dance Theater (2009), and MAWU (2005).  She has had the honor of performing and traveling all over the world in packed theaters, from Japan, Greece, Brasil, Chile, Israel, to the Netherlands.  She has a special passion for theater and dance that she is continually pursuing, and hopes to further her growth as an artist.

 

Jimbo has just recently left the main touring company of Pilobolus and looking to do more freelance work as a performer, choreographer, and teacher.  She is currently working on solos, duets, trios to add to her repertory when she travels.

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Brian Jones

Brian Jones started his training at Virginia School of the Arts, as a scholarship student under the direction of Tyrone Brooks. Furthering his training, he then began at The Ailey School in 2010 as a fellowship student. Brian has trained under Rhapsody James, as well as other esteemed choreographers. While at Ailey, he developed a choreographic voice that allowed him to be able to create two new works on the students at Ailey. Later, he created the show 7[Seven], which became his choreographic debut on the state scale. 

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Michele Jongeneel

Michele Jongeneel is originally from Southern California where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at California State University, Long Beach. It was there where she was first introduced to the Pilates method in the department’s own fully equipped studio. Soon after, her sister, certified through Romana Kryzanowska, opened her authentic Pilates studio. She knew then that Pilates would be a way of life for her. Since moving to New York in 2002, Michele has been performing and working as a professional dancer. Michele received her Pilates certification with Brooke Siler at re:AB Pilates where she worked for many years; as well as at Mejo Wiggins’ Pilates studio in Greenwhich, CT., Chelsea Piers Sports Center, Equinox, Uptown Pilates UES, and where she currently has been teaching since 2008, Pilates Connection in Pleasantville, NY. She is also a certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher at the Jivamukti Yoga School NYC and performs nightly at Wayra Fuerza Bruta NYC. She feels blessed to have had such inspirational teachers, Mejo Wiggins, Brooke Siler, and Carolyn Driscoll.

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Angelica Kushi

Angelica is a yoga teacher, health & wellness coach, aerial performer and stunt woman based in New York City. Her passion is to inspire and educate people on how to live an easeful healthy lifestyle so they can live out their wildest dreams! She was born and raised in a macrobiotic home and was surrounded by holistic health since before she was born. Angelica has always been a mover, starting ballet at 3, gymnastics at 8, followed by modern dance, hang gliding, aerial dance and stunt work.

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Liam Lane

Liam Lane hails from London England and is very proud to have been part of the Fuerzabruta family since 2012. Trained in physical and classical acting at Bretton Hall drama School in England, Liam is always thrilled to express himself through multiple disciplines in this unique and high octane experience. Liam has worked throughout the UK, US and Europe in TV, Film and Theatre. Roles have included Caliban and Alonso in the Unicorn’s production of the Tempest and D’artagnan in The Three Musketeers also produced by the Unicorn Theatre in London. TV work stateside includes HBO’s Vinyl. Liam would like to like to express his gratitude to Brooke and Scout for making this all a reality. Find out more at www.liam-lane.com.

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Tamara Levinson

TAMARA LEVINSON-CAMPOS, was born in Buenos, Aires, Argentina and grew up in New York City. Being a USA Olympian in the sport of Rhythmic Gymnastics at age fifteen, she naturally pursued dance as a career. She trained in Russia for many years under her coach Yekaterina Yakimovich.

Tamara’s versatility as a dancer, aerial artist and contortionist lead her to dancing with Madonna on three world tours (Drowned World, Re-invention, Confessions). She has also performed alongside great artists such as Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne, No Doubt, Rihanna, Usher and many others.

Tamara’s love for live avant-garde theatre coincided with her Argentine roots when she joined the cast of De La Guarda’s “Villa Villa”- Off Broadway in New York City. There she met ingenious director Diqui James and joined his creative team to conceive the still running off Broadway hit show, FUERZABRUTA, in which she was the assistant director, choreographer and show captain.

Ms. Levinson also had the great pleasure of working with the legendary Twyla Tharp on Broadway in The Times They Are A’ Changin. Film credits include Footloose and Step Up 3-D directed by Jon M. Chu. She can recently be seen as the nun on the Virgin Atlantic safety video also directed by Mr. Chu.

Her latest works involve her choreographing, creating alongside and assisting her husband, Director Daniel Cloud Campos. They are currently in the works on developing an original musical on film.

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Brooke Miyasaki

Brooke originally hails from Los Angeles with a background in contemporary dance. She first began on NY ground in the program at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, then quickly tasted flight & hasn’t landed since! First flight credit with De La Guarda, then continued with FuerzaBruta (original NY cast/world tours), AiRealistic’s Breaking Surface & the Metropolitan Opera. She is also a Certified Pilates instructor and her favorite role to date is that of Mom. Thank you to DiquiJames, to this incredible company she shares the air with, and to her village: Liam & Scout.

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Julie Nelson

Julie is thrilled to be part of the Wayra cast. Credits: Fuerza Bruta NYC, Rock of Ages Broadway, National Tours, Rock of Ages and Cats. She danced/acted in commercials and TV/film: Step Up, VMAs, Wrigley’s… A Wilhelmina model and SoulCycle instructor(Jaws). Love to friends and family. “If you can dream it you can do it.”

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Jessica Osborne

Coming Soon! 

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Ryan Shaefer

Ryan was raised in Waterbury, Vermont and moved to New York after graduating from Coastal Carolina University with a BFA in musical theatre. Thanks to all for love and daily support.

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Victor Pablo

Originally from Puerto Rico, now based in NYC Víctor has performed with the likes of Boyz II Men, Ray de la Paz, Ismael Miranda, Andy Montañez, Nestor Torres, Jerry Medina, and many others. He has performed at the Philadelphia Orchestra Chamber Music Series, with the Wordless Music Orchestra, Delaware Symphony, Curtis Symphony, and Symphony in C. As a composer, Víctor has collaborated with choreographers, dancers, and was a co-writer for The Journey: a suite for Grammy Award-winning Pablo Batista’s band The Mambo Syndicate, batá trio, and strings, commissioned and premiered at the Kimmel Center. Víctor holds a BM and MM from Temple University and is published by Bachovich Music Publications, and uses TOCA Percussion instruments. www.victorpablomusic.com

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Lauren Yalango-Grant

LAUREN YALANGO-GRANT (New York), began her dance training at the Jacksonville Ballet Theater under Dulce Anaya. She continued training at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she received her B.F.A in 2005. Lauren has performed works by noted choreographers including Gus Solomons Jr., Johannes Wieland, Bill T. Jones, Rodrigo Paderneiras, Stephen Petronio and Alison Chase. Lauren joined Pilobolus Dance Theater in 2008, traveling both nationally and internationally for over seven years. She performed on both stage and screen for people such as the Queen of England and Conan O’Brien. Lauren is proud to be one of the original collaborators of Pilobolus’ hit show, Shadowland, where she led the show as principal dancer. She was also a member of The Diamond Horseshoe’s, Queen of the Night. Lauren joined the Fuerza Bruta family in 2015 and continues to be amazed and thankful to be a part of such an incredible show.