ANA CAROLINA BROTONS (Performer) was born in Miami, FL and started dancing at the age of three. Training: all-star cheerleading with TopGun All-Stars, ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop and salsa with New Image Dance Company. Education: the University of the Arts - Modern Dance Performance, B.F.A. Ana has performed in music videos such as Taylor Bright and Jill Scott as well as two national tours with the show SuperWHY Live. Through Diavolo, Ana continues to expand her horizons as a dancer, performer and artist. LEANDRO GLORY DAMASCO JR. (Performer/ Choreographer) started his professional career with Nicholas Leichter at the Joyce Theater in New York City. He has performed Leichter’s Killa solo at Sacramento State. Other dance credits include: Randee Pauvfe’s Misgivings. Training includes: apprenticeship with Joe Goode Performance Group; the American College Dance Festival (chosen by Jean Freebury to perform Merce Cunningham’s Inlets 2). Education: Sacramento State- Dance, B.A, with instructors Lorelei Bayne, Melissa Wynn, Lisa Ross, Nolan T’sani, and Deborah Froh Miller. Teaching credits include: CSU Sacramento (adjunct faculty), Marin Academy, ACDFA conferences. In addition to his work with Diavolo, Leandro performs as a soloist and has launched his own company, Project Engine, named for the nickname given to him by Diavolo’s Jacques Heim. CAL T. CHESTER (Performer) is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico and spent his life growing up in Arkansas. Education: University of Arkansas at Little Rock - Dance, B.F.A. He has toured internationally as a dancer and aerial performer with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Cal performed in and set original choreography that was shown at American College Dance Festival and Regional Dance America. After being captivated by the work of Diavolo for many years, he is overjoyed to live his dream to be part of the touring company. EZRA MASSE-MAHAR (Performer) was trained in acrobatics and ballet at Merritt Dance Center. He was a competitive diver for many years. Education: University of Buffalo - Dance, including tap, jazz, ballet and modern dance. With Diavolo, Ezra has discovered his love of the interaction of movement and architectural structures. CHELSEA PIERCE (Performer) is a native Texan. Education: University of Texas, Austin - Dance Performance, B.F.A. She has been seen on the hit reality series, A Chance to Dance, and has recently performed Ohad Naharin’s Minus 16 as well as William Forsythe’s In the Middle and Somewhat Elevated. Chelsea has also worked with choreographers Alex Ketley and Charlotte Boye-Christensen. Additional dance credits include the Tanzsommer summer dance tour. Chelsea has an incredible love for teaching and inspiring young artists.
JESSIE RYAN (Performer) started dancing and tumbling at a young age in her hometown of Denville, New Jersey. Education: Adelphi University - Dance, B.F.A; University of California, Irvine - Dance, M.F.A. Her past company work includes touring with LM Project, founding member and rehearsal director of Multiplex Dance. Teaching experience includes the Diavolo Institute and Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Her original work has been seen at HATCHed Performance Series and Laguna Dance Festival. Jessie also creates dance films, including documentary shorts with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Alonzo King LINES Ballet and the Diavolo Institute. CONNOR SENNING (Performer) hails from Midlothian, Virginia. Education: University of the Arts - Modern Dance, B.F.A, with instruction from Donna Faye Burchfield. University Awards - Presidential Talent Scholarship, recognized for Excellence in Modern Performance. University of North Carolina School of the Arts- Modern Dance, Diploma. Dance credits include Brian Sanders’ JUNK (national tours, Philadelphia Fringe Arts Festival), Oliver! (Cameron MacKintosh’s international tour), a Cunningham Residency with Rashaun Mitchell, studies in Forsythe Technologies at the Konservatorium Wien in Vienna and Centre National de la Danse in Paris. He would like to thank his loving family for always standing right behind him in every part of his journey. AMY TULEY (Performer) is originally from Cleburne, TX. Education: University of North Texas - Dance, B.F.A. Her background is tumbling, competitive cheerleading, jazz and modern dance. She was a member of the North Texas Dancers for three years and held a Captain’s position. She has attended numerous dance intensives and has shown original work at the American College Dance Festival. She most recently co-choreographed for Nick Cave’s collaborative performance art project, Heard. RICO VELAZQUEZ (Performer) was born and raised in Chicago, IL. Although he was actively involved in competitive sports such as football, wrestling, and track and field, he developed a taste for performance art while showing off his talents on the dance floor at weddings and birthday parties. Education: Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville - Theater and Dance, B.S, with instruction from Kristin Best Kinscherff. At SIUE, Rico performed works by Jon Lehrer, Michael Mizerany, Paula David, Omar and Jennifer Olivas, Dianna Andrews, Dustin Crumbaugh and Calvin Jarrell. Featured in concert at American College Dance Festival Association’s regional conference. Training includes modern, ballet, jazz, salsa and gymnastics. CHISA YAMAGUCHI (Performer/Institute Co-Director) was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Education: UCLA - World Arts and Cultures & Asian American Studies, B.A., with training from Maria Gillespie, Shel Wagner, Tamra-Henna, Nyoman Cerita and Germaine Acony. When not working with Diavolo, Chisa teaches recreational gymnastics and dances professionally as an Egyptian Belly dancer. She also travels the world as an international volunteer in countries such as New
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