German Cornejo – Creator, Director and Choreographer
German Cornejo was born on 31 May 1986 in Zárate, Buenos Aires. At the age of 15, he completed his Master of Tango at the Gatell Conservatory of Dance. In the following years, German broadened his skills in classic and modern ballet, jazz and acrobatic techniques. He also qualified for the Master of Choreographic Composition at the National Institute of Arts. In 2003, he won the “Gold New Talent” award and in 2005, German became the world champion in tango.
He has performed in many famous tango venues in Buenos Aires such as the Mambo, Chiquin and El Viejo Almacén. He has performed in some of the most important Milongas in Buenos Aires such as the La Viruta, Porteño, Bailarín, Parakultural and Confitería Ideal. After years of travelling around the world, German was awarded by the Ministry of Culture from Zárate for his outstanding performances in the Evocacion show in the Coliseum Theatre. To date, German’s Tango dance tours have visited the following countries: Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Canada, Korea, Turkey, Malaysia, South Africa, Chile, Singapore, Luxembourg, New Zealand and the Philippines. The shows were also extensively performed throughout the USA, Brazil, United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, China, and Japan.
Currently, German is the chief choreographer and lead dancer for the Tango Fire Company of Buenos Aires which he joined in 2006. He can also be seen in the Milonga production of the renowned contemporary choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. On 1 March 2016, German Cornejo celebrated the premiere with his own piece “Immortal Tango“ at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London.
The fact that many of his students have been reaching top positions at the Tango World Championship since 2006 has made German one of the most recognized and requested coaches in Buenos Aires. He has become one of the best tango show instructors.
Björn «Buz» Meier – Choreographer Breakdance
Björn Meier, also known as Buz, was born in 1973 in Bülach and has been living and breakdancing in Zurich for 30 years.
He has had success in many breakdancing contests both in Switzerland and internationally. He has ben running his own breakdance school since ten years (breakdanceschule.com) and leads a range of workshops, some of which are for handicapped children, children and young people with psychiatric problems, in youth detention centres and at various schools in Switzerland and abroad. As the founder of the new platform “breakdanceshow.ch” and leader of the independent breakdance course at the Jugendkulturhaus Dynamo in Zurich, Buz is an important figure on Zurich’s breakdance scene. He has been involved in all productions by MIR Compagnie since 2005 and has also been dancing with the “Breakthrough” company since 2011. In 2012, he performed in Stylize Compagnie’s “Outside the Box” production, which was staged at the Zürcher Theater Spektakel festival. He has been hard at work as a choreographer since 2013; for example on the X-Pats “Rule the World” project. He led the movement training for “Remember me” and “Stones” at the Junges Schauspielehaus Zurich and was responsible for the choreography behind “Nichts. Was im Leben wichtig ist” (“Nothing important in life”). In 2014, he choreographed a youth dance piece in Georgia with Salome Schnebeli and took second place at the “Battle of the Year Central Europe” with the Soul Point group, completing a yoga instructor training programme (Vikasa Yoga in Koh Samui) in the same year. He has been working as a choreographer on the MUSE-E project and as an art and dance instructor for “schuleundkultur.zh.ch” since 2015. He was leader of movement direction and choreography for “Die grüne Katze” (“The green cat”). He won the Swiss Dance Awards for “BITS C 128Hz” in 2016 with MIR Companie and choreographed “Shut up” at the Junges Schauspielhaus. He is also dancing in MIR Companie’s new piece “Interface”.
He is working on the “Break the Tango” project as breakdance choreographer.
Gastón Briski – Sound Design
Gastón Briski’s career and professional development began over 30 years ago. Worldwide recognition and credits to Gastón’s work in musical plays include: “Cats”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “The Kiss of the Spider Woman”, “Cabaret”, “Piaf”, “The Producers”, “Mary Poppins”, “The Beauty and the Beast”, “Sweeney Todd”, “The Sound of Music”, “Sweet Charity”, “Nine”, “The Rocky Horror Show”, “The Full Monty”, “Blood Brothers”, “Tango Argentino”, “Brasil Brasileiro”, “Zorba”, “Victor Victoria”, “High School Musical”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Priscilla”. Briski has also joined a number of international touring companies such as Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Milonga.
Tobi Moosmann – Lighting Design
Tobi Moosmann has been working as a lighting technician, designer and programmer for a variety of events companies and artists in the worlds of music, art and theatre since 1999. In 2003, he also became a multimedia technician at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. After gaining experience at a range of small and large events, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Gurtenfestival and Festineuch, and helping to found the Renderbar collective, he became self-employed in 2006.
In recent years, Tobi Moosmann has been the lighting designer for a variety of art projects run by The Bianca Story. He was also responsible for the lighting for the Rigolo Swiss Nouveau Cirque, toured throughout Switzerland with Steff la Cheffe and programmed the lighting for the open-air performance of Guete Bonjour in Winterthur.
Currently, Tobi Moosmann is working with The Wedding Party Massacre dance theatre, helping to set up the Poolbar Festival in Feldkirch and designing stage and light shows for the band Crazy Diamond, which is well known on the music scene.
Miguel Di Genova – Composer (Otros Aires)
Miguel is a singer, musician, songwriter and producer from Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a musician he has been involved with different bands and projects in Argentina, including Latin Rock, Electronic and Tango projects. He founded Otros Aires (Electro/Neotango) in 2003 whilst based in Barcelona.
As a singer, guitar player, songwriter and producer with Otros Aires, he sold more than 250,000 CDs, has millions of YouTube views and song streams on digital players. Otros Aires have been on more than 30 tours in Latin America, the U.S. and Europe, playing in more than 200 cities around the world.
His independent label “Otrotono” has released seven Otros Aires albums. They were also released in Europe by the German record label Galileo MC.
He started working with Miles Copeland (Manager of The Police, Sting, etc) in 2010. Copeland invited Miguel to be part of the Songwriters’ retreat in 2013, held at his castle in France with a group of selected composers and pop artists such as Mika, Cathy Smith, Babydaddy (Scissor Sisters), etc.
Songs composed and produced by Miguel Di Genova were also played in TV shows like “Dancing with the Stars” in the U.S. and “Strictly Come Dancing”. They were also released as part of several Electrotango and Electronic compilations such as Buddha Bar IX, among many others.
Mariano Mattone – Covers & Musical Arrangmeents
Mariano is a writter and musical producer. He started Dj-ing in Buenos Aires in the late ´90s, first for the underground PlurFM radio and then in two of the most known dance music radios like FM Energy 101 and Metro (FM 95.1) .
Then he played in several national and international events such as three Creamfields editions in Argentina (2001, 2002 and 2003), DADA music festival in 2004, Fiestas Fabric in the Konex Cultural Center (2006/2007) and Twist club in Madrid (Spain) in 2007.
In 2002 he started producing, writing and releasing music professionally for several record companies (Music Brokers, Miles Copeland, Difference Music, among others) and created some interesting projects like Tangothic, wich combines electronic music and tango. “Debut” the first album of Tangothic was released in 2005 and it was the first of four studio albums.
He´s also the founder of Proxima Music, established in 2012, to encourage and push new music ahead.
Kathrin Baumberger – Costumes
Kathrin Baumberger, who comes originally from the St. Galler Rheintal region, lives and works in Zurich and St. Gallen. Following a dressmaking apprenticeship in St. Gallen, Kathrin studied fashion design at the Zurich University of the Arts. After this she completed a three-year part-time study course in cutting techniques at the Swiss Textile College (STF) in Zurich.
When she finished her fashion design degree in 2000, she took on a wide variety of costume design assistant roles and also designed her own costumes for independent theatres, such as Just for Fun/Gigs 4 Kids, the Lucerne Festival, the Origen Festival, the Sogar Theater and the Stadttheater Chur. Together with Karin Bischoff, she is the founder of die Manufaktur GmbH. This specialist clothing company was established in the wake of the successful SENTIS project and operates throughout Switzerland. It produces couture clothing and made-to-measure men’s and women’s wear. It also designs corporate fashion concepts and theatrical costumes. Kathrin Baumberger is a lecturer in fashion drawing at the St. Gallen vocational school.
Anna Wohlgemuth – Stage Design
Anna Wohlgemuth, born in 1987 in Schiers, Switzerland, finished her studies in scenography at Zurich University of the Arts in 2015. Previously she had completed a variety of internships in production set and costume design for advertising and in interior design planning. She has worked for wohnbedarf project ag in Zurich, Martin Spühler Architekten AG in Zurich and at antonino bertolo wohnkultur in Chur.
During her studies, she planned and created the staging for “Wir sind Morgen” (“We are tomorrow”) (degree production for the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre programme in 2014), “Delhi ein Tanz” (“Delhi – a dance”) under the direction of Michael Schönert, “Es wäre gut wenn morgen ein Tag später ist” (“It would be good if tomorrow were a day later”) by the mars travel agency collective, “Vo Afang a” (“From the beginning”) by the OKAPI theatre company at the Schlachthaus theatre in Bern as part of the “kicks!” theatre festival, and “Essen Zahlen Sterben” (“Eat Pay Die”), a project written by the Luzerner Theater’s authors in residence and directed by Johanna Zielinski and Franz-Xaver Mayr. Anna Wohlgemuth’s degree project from June 2015 “- i-GOD oder wie ich lernte, die Sünde zu lieben” (“-i-GOD or how I learned to love sins”), a collaboration with the 2015 production by final-year students on the Bachelor’s degree programme, was awarded the Zurich University of the Arts theatre prize as a group. The same project, involving Anna Wohlgemuth’s scenography work, won the Roman Clemens prize. In Autumn 2015, she began a Master’s degree in stage design at Zurich University of the Arts.
Darko Soolfrank – Producer
Darko has enjoyed a successful career in event management for 20 years. For the first few years, he worked in the sports industry. In 1995, he moved over to showbiz, when he and Guido Schilling brought “Space Dream” to the stage. The self-produced musical “Deep” followed, for which the Maag Music Hall in Zurich was built. The duo had another hit in 2007 with “Ewigi Liebi” (‘Eternal Love’). Seen by over 650,000 people, the musical compilation remains the most successful Swiss musical to this day. Further productions followed, such as the musical “Die Schweizermacher” (‘The Swiss Makers’), the innovative nouveau cirque production “Cyclope” (‘Cyclops’) and the musical “Mein Name ist Eugen” (‘My name is Eugen’). Darko Soolfrank’s job is his vocation, passion and hobby all in one and, as a certified marketing and communications manager, he has a nose for current trends and has brought many international concerts and shows to Switzerland, such as Ennio Morricone, “Swanlake Reloaded”, “Rock the Ballet”, “Ballet Revolucion”, “Spanische Hofreitschule” (‘Spanish Riding School’), Lady Gaga and many others. Today, Soolfrank and Schilling’s MAAG Music & Arts AG is one of the leading events hall operators and show and concert organisers in Switzerland.
Cast
German Cornejo & Gisela Galeassi
German and Gisela have been practicing and perfecting their tango since the early ages of 10 and 16 respectively. They have mastered the skills and styles of classical dance, contemporary dance, jazz, ballet, acrobatics and tango in the company of Argentina’s most respected teachers. After over 40 first place prizes at national level, German and Gisela became World Tango Champions in 2005 and 2003 respectively which undoubtedly took their professionalism and dance to the highest level and standards.
Their list of performances is endless. They have participated in the following top rating TV shows in Argentina and around the world: “Susana Giménez,” “Bailando” 2012, “Showmatch”, “Almorzando con Mirtha Legrand”, “Mañanas Informales”, “La Noche del 10”, “Por el Mundo, Desayuno”, “Por Siempre Tango”, “Mp3”, “Música del Tercer Milenio”, “Afectos Especiales”, “Programa Do Jó” (Brazil), “The CW11 Morning News” (USA), “Fox News” (USA), “Good Day New York!” (USA), “Espejo Público” (España), “Televisión de Cataluña” (España), “Dancing with The Stars” (Australia), “Sky News” (UK), “Sky Live” (UK). German and Gisela joined the worldwide famous Jennifer Lopez and Marc Antony’s reality TV show “Q’ Viva- The Chosen” (USA, Canada, and Latin America) where they became winning finalists and starred in J-Lo and Marc Anthony’s show “Q ‘Viva Live” as soloist dancers under the direction of the well-known entertainment director (from Madonna, J-Lo and Britney Spears, among others) Jamie King. This show was a spectacular success at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, USA.
Germen and Gisela’s performances have received rave reviews in different corners of the world. The list includes the Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, USA), Joyce Theater (New York, USA), New York City Center (New York, USA), Mandalay Bay Arena (Las Vegas, USA), Colón Theater (Buenos Aires, Argentina), GEBA Arena (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Luna Park Stadium (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Sadler’s Wells Theatre (London, UK), Peacock Theatre (London, UK), Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (Liverpool, UK), Oriental Arts Center (Shanghai, CHINA), Beijing Opera House (Beijing, CHINA), Guangzhou Opera House (Guangzhou, CHINA), Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA), Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia), State Theater (Melbourne, Australia), State Theatre (Sydney, Australia), Joburg Theater (Johannesburg, South Africa), MAAG Halle (Zurich, Switzerland), Place Des Arts (Montreal, Canada), GREC Theater (Barcelona, Spain), The Esplanade Theatre (Singapore, Singapore), Tokyu Theatre Orb (Tokyo, Japan).
Some of the Tango Houses and Milongas that have taken delight in this wonderful couple’s art in Buenos Aires are: Café Tortoni, Esquina Homero Manzi, Chiquín, Faena Hotel + Universe, El Viejo Almacén, La Viruta, Porteño y Bailarín, Parakultural, and Confitería Ideal.
They have been part of a wide number of tango shows: “Vamos al Tango” (directed by Osvaldo Berlingeri), “Tango Inferno”, “Bien de Tango” (accompanied by the orchestra El Arranque), “Tango Seduction”, “Tango Pasión” (under the musical direction of the renowned Sexteto Mayor) and “El Viejo Almacen” as well. An extensive tour around Japan was successfully completed with Buenos Tangos (directed by Fabio Hager) and Tango Dance Premium (in the company of Fernando Marzan’s Orchestra).
Because of their outstanding popularity at Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony’s show in 2012, Germán and Gisela appeared in KOHL’S advertisement; later in June 2012 they were J-LO’s special guest artists and performed at her first concert at GEBA Arena in Buenos Aires.
In 2014 this young couple had the pleasure of dancing and starring in Plaza Francia Ensemble’s first music video, in which the famous French singer Catherine Ringer also appeared. In the same year they performed as guest artists at Sampled Festival and Latitude Festival in England.
German and Gisela’s professional development and growth extend to the fields of teaching and coaching as well. They are currently regarded as two of the best Tango show teachers in Buenos Aires thanks to the fact that their students have been reaching top positions year after year in the final of the Tango World Championship. Indeed they were selected choreographers and tango coaches for one of the couples in the Argentine equivalent of “Dancing with the Stars”, Bailando 2012. It is because of their objective judgement, deep knowledge and wide experience that German and Gisela are regularly request to join juries at regional tango championships in Chile, Spain, Italy and Japan.
This couple have been part of the show “M!longa” since its international debut in 2013 under the direction of the acclaimed contemporary choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. They are also lead dancers of Tango Fire-Flames of Desire, which has placed German as its Director of Choreography. German’s choreographing experience includes “Mission Tango Show” (2007), “Tango Inferno – The Fire Within” (2010/2011), “Tango Fire” (2011/2015) and “Tango Revolución” (2014/2015) accompanied by tha Otros Aires ensemble. Gisela was also the choreographer of “Tango Dance Premium” (2007) and assistant choreographer of “Tango Revolución” (2014/2015).
Their biggest desire is to show their tango and passion for dancing in each and every single corner of the world. So far they have made this possible in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Canada, Korea, Turkey, Malaysia, Philippines, France, Israel, Luxemburg, Bulgaria, Cyprus, South Africa, Chile, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, Albania, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, the Netherlands, Italy, Singapore, New Zealand, all of the USA, Brazil, UK, Spain, Australia, China, and Japan. Indeed rave reviews by the New York Times, Ottawa Citizen, The London Times, and Financial Times, among other top newspapers have established this young couple’s dance as the gold standard.
Edgar Luizaga & Pamela Pucheta
Edgar Luizaga and Pamela Pucheta started their studies in one of the most renowned theatres in the world: The Colón Theatre, in Buenos Aires.
Pamela worked for several companies such as the Julio Bocca Ballet Company, Iñaki Urlezaga and Victor Ullate in Madrid. In Buenos Aires she was part of the most succesful show ever to be put on sale in that country: “Stravaganza”, directed by Flavio Mendoza.
Edgar joined Ballet del Mercosur, directed by Maximiliano Guerra, as well as the tango company Tango x2. He has been performing in recognized tango shows in Buenos Aires, such as Gala Tango, La Ventana and Tango Porteño.
Edgar and Pamela are currently performing together in “Señor Tango”, one of the most prestigious Tango shows in Buenos Aires.
Ezequiel Lopez & Camila Alegre
Ezequiel and Camila are recognized as one of Buenos Aires best Tango couples. When not touring internationally they have worked in some of the most famous Tango houses in Buenos Aires including Café Tortoni, Esquina Carlos Gardel Show, Tango Porteño, Madero Tango, Café de Los Angelitos, Rojo Tango Faena Hotel and Piazzolla Tango. Since 2008 they have toured internationally with different tango companies; “Tango Fire” (UK/Japan/Australia), “Tango Malambo” (Greece), “Chicago Tango Fest” (Chicago), “Tango Romance” (Japan), “Obsesion Tango” (Mexico), “Corporación Tangos” (Russia) and “Tanguera” (Germany). They were assistant choreographers for the «Stravaganza» tango musical in Buenos Aires.
In 2010 they performed in the closing ceremony of the Rugby World Championship staged at Stade de France (Paris). They participated in the documentary “Un Tango Más”, the history of María Nieves and Juan Carlos Copes.
In 2012 Ezequiel was chosen as a participant of the US reality TV show Que ViVA, created and directed by Jennifer López and Marc Antony, winning the opportunity to perform in the live stage show in Las Vegas.
They were crowned Tango World Champions in 2015.
Nicolas Schell & Noelia Pizzo
Nicolas Schell and Noelia Pizzo are dancers with extensive training and experience in Tango, Folklore, Jazz, Ballet and Contemporary dance.
Noelia is graduated from the National Dance School of Classical and Contemporary “Aida Victoria Mastrazzi” and she was trained in musical comedy at the Julio Bocca – Ricky Pashkus Foundation, where she received a full scholarship for her career. She complements her artistic career with acrobatics, singing and acting lessons. She has participated in recognized musical shows as “Tanguera, el musical Argentino”, “Arrabal”, “Chantecler Tango” and “The Addams Family” Argentina) at the Opera City Theater. She has been a member of the Mora Godoy´s Tango Company. At present, she is part of “The Choque Urbano” musical show and she works as an actress in Disney Argentina Company (Macfarlane & Ros Artayeta Productions).
Nicolas began his dance training at the age of 11. He studied with the most respected teachers and choreographers of Buenos Aires. He is graduated from Tango UNA (National University of Arts) and his training also included also Hip Hop. At present, he is director and choreographer of the Tango Company of UNA. In 2013 he was Vice Champion of the World Tango Championship in Buenos Aires. He has worked at famous shows, tango houses and milongas in Buenos Aires such as Stravaganza Tango, Señor Tango, Esquina Carlos Gardel, Tango Porteño, Madero Tango, El Viejo Almacen, Gala Tango, La Viruta, La Baldosa, Club Gricel, Milonga 10, Confiteria La Ideal, Club Sunderland, amongst others.
He has been a member of companies such as Tango Fire, Estampas Portenas, Roberto Herrera Company, Tango Legends, Tango Lovers, Buenos Aires Tango, and Milonga (directed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui).
They are currently dancing in the Rojo Tango Show at Faena Universe Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
José Fernández & Martina Waldmann
José was born in Buenos Aires in 1986. He also studied at ACETA and specialized with great teachers and tango referents such as Mayoral and Elsa Maria, Juan Carlos Copes, Leonardo Cuello, Cristina Cortes, etc. At the age of 19, José joined Mora Godoy ballet, which marked the beginning of his ongoing career development. In 2008, José’s dance passion was rewarded by becoming Stage Tango World Champion. In 2009, he was jury member at the National Championship of Tango Dance in Chillán, Chile. The different companies José has performed with have shown his dance in extensive tours around Mexico, Peru, Brazil, USA, Australia, Singapore, Spain, Italy, UK, Istanbul, Turkey, and Japan.
Martina was born in Buenos Aires in 1989. She studied choreographic composition, which later served as the stepping stone to study and focus on tango dance. She then studied at the National Academy of Different Argentine Tango Styles (ACETA) where the most important Argentine Tango figures emerged. Martina deepened her dance training with great teachers and tango referents such as Mayoral and Elsa Maria, Ruben and Sabrina Veliz, Mario Morales, Julio Balmaceda and Corina de la Rosa, Mariando Frumboli and Juana Sepulveda, etc.
2011 is the year José & Martina joined as a tango dance couple. They were members of the legendary El Viejo Almacén in San Telmo, Buenos Aires; also, they danced and performed in many well-known Milongas and festivals around Buenos Aires and Argentina. In 2012 and 2013, this great couple went on extensive tours around Europe, Asia, and Argentina as well. Upon their return to Buenos Aires, they participated in an awe-inspiring show by dancer and choreographer Mrs. Mora Godoy at Buenos Aires’ landmark The Obelisk. In 2014, José & Martina became ballet members of the prestigious show Tango Rojo at Faena Hotel. Their touring activities continued, although they not only danced but taught and coached shows as well. This couple’s long list of shows and performances also includes Stravaganza Tango show at Broadway’s Theater in Buenos Aires and Immortal Tango at Peacock Theatre in London.
Mariano Balois & Micaela Spina
Mariano Balois and Micaela Spina are dancers with complete training and vast experience in different disciplines that complement each other.
Mariano started dancing when he was 5. He has studied Argentine Folklore, Latin American dances, tango and acting. He won several prizes at the most important festivals in Argentina, Chile and Brazil. He danced in “Tango Pasion” company, “Tango Fire” company and the National Ballet of Argentina where he performed as soloist. He is currently Dance Captain in “Immortal Tango”. Mariano joined the most important casts in several Buenos Aires shows, such as “El Viejo Almacen,”Esquina Carlos Gardel”, “Rojo Tango”, among others. Currently Mariano is choreographer of the National Ballet of Argentina.
Micaela is graduated in the ISA Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires as Ballet dancer and interpreter. She is choreographer and performer in RASCASUELOS TANGOS VIVOS, presented at World Premiere on November 2 of 2016 in the main hall of Carnegie Hall in NYC.
Currently is Principal dancer of the musical Arrabal directed by the multi-awards Sergio Trujillo and Gustavo Santaolalla being part of the season 2017 of the American Repertory Theater performing at the Loeb Drama Center of Cambridge, Massachusetts in its debut in the USA. Arrabal was presented before in 2014 with a 4 months season of 112 shows at the Panasonic Theater in Toronto, Canada, and has been presented in 2016 at the International Theater Festival in Bogotá, Colombia. In 2016 she co-starring Hernan Piquin in “Let it be”, on a national tour. She was part of companys like Boulevard Tango by Cecilia Figaredo, Tempotango by Ignacio Gonzalez Cano, Ballet del Mercosur by the awarded Maximiliano Guerra and Mora Godoy Tango Company, performing shows and seasons in renowed theaters around the world. Mariano y Micaela were part of Chantecler Tango, the tango musical, performing a season at the Châtelet Theater in Paris and in Buenos Aires at Teatro Ópera and two seasons at the Teatro Presidente Alvear. Mariano y Micaela were part of Chantecler Tango, the tango musical, performing a season at the Châtelet Theater in Paris and in Buenos Aires at Teatro Ópera and two seasons at the Teatro Presidente Alvear.
“Bboy Prince Henry” Henry Monsanto
Zurich is Henry’s adopted hometown and dance is his passion. He loves to share it with the people around him and with his students. This is why he set up his own dance school, while taking an apprenticeship to become a polymechanic. He has not taken the traditional route onto the stage and is largely self-taught. His love of movement and his disciplined approach to daily training have enabled him to achieve a highly professional level, characterised by his unique style. He has already taken part in many performances.
Since 2010 he has been a member of “Ghost Rockz Crew” from Zurich (twice Swiss breakdancing champions). In 2013, he launched “Contrast” in Zurich, a new mix of primarily abstract breakdancing and contemporary dance. His talent for movement has led him to dancing parts in performances at the MAAG EventHall, the Tanzhaus Zurich and the Béjart Ballet Lausanne. He has also performed as an acro dancer in “Die Nase” at the Zurich Opera House and in Otello. He has taken part in numerous performances at clubs, events and fashion shows. Henry teaches at several dance schools in the Zurich and Aargau area.
“Bboy Hill” Gil Adan Hernandez Candelas
Gil Adan Hernandez Candelas is known as Bboy Hill or Dr. Hill skills. He is a pioneer of hip hop culture in Latin America. The links that Hill creates between traditional and urban cultures help to shape his unique style. His special teaching abilities have led to invitations to pass on his knowledge to the younger generation in a number of countries.
He began his artistic career as an eight-year-old singer. At the age of 13, he started learning breakdancing and hip hop. Later he took lessons in free, jazz and contemporary dance. He studied theatre at the UNAM Escuela Nacional Preparatoria Plantel 3 Justo Sierra University. He has appeared regularly on stage as a dancer, singer and solo artist and with a number of different companies since 2003. He also takes part in breakdancing battles and has won international competitions throughout the world.
“Bboy Issue” Kwang Suk Park
He is also known as Bboy Issue and member of the “Morning of Owl” crew in South Korea. He was born in 1986 in Suwon, Korea and has been breakdancing in Korea for 18 years. He started with breakdance first and than mixed it with martial arts, contemporary dance, Korean dance, streetdance and more. Now he has found his own style which is known as original and creative. In this category his crew “Morning of Owl” is now considered to be amongst the best in the world. They have been successful in many international breakdancing competitions and battles and were also part of different theatre shows.He has also taught some workshops in other countries for children and adults.
“Bboy Simo Croc” Mohamed Igouramane
Mohamed Igouramane, known as BBoy Simo Croc was born and raised in the red jewel Marrakech. Barely a teenager, Simo began his journey of B-boying at the age of 10 years. At the time he was considered a serious threat to the elders who couldn’t match his enormous capacity of dancing and free-styling. Nine years later B-boy Simo Croc was already on tour worldwide. He collaborated alongside with his teammates “Anti B-boys”, in “Maya Battle”, which was in Russia. That particular battle introduced Simo as one of the most original Power Move. In 2013, he joined El Mouahidine Crew, considered amongst the best breakdance crews in the world. Simo was successful in many international competitions with his crew as well as in solo battles. He took part in numerous shows, such as the opening ceremony of «Mother of the Nation – Ballish Worlwide» in Abu Dhabi, «Alma, Ici était un océan» in Marrakech or «Breaking Salsa» in Hannover, mixing new styles to his original power move. He also gives many workshops in France where he lives now.
“Bboy Cho” Joo Hyosung
He is a member of the Morning of Owl and also known as Bboy Cho.
He was born in 1987 and grew up in Suwon, South Korea. For 17 years of his life, he has been traveling around the world for the B-boy performances and he has won many break dancing competitions. He is one of the unique “flexible bboy” and with creativity, positive energy and distinctive characteristics, In this category his crew “Morning of Owl” is now considered to be amongst the best in the world. They have been successful in many international breakdancing competitions and battles and were also part of different theatre shows.
Dvidio Velazquez – Musical Director & Pianist
Ovidio studied at Julian Aguirre Conservatory and Manuel De Falla Conservatory, and graduated in of classical piano, Argentine tango and folklore respectively. He continued his studies on orchestration and arrangments with Nicolas Ledesma, Diego Pablo Schissi and Fraguela.
His high quality as a pianist of both Argentine folklore and tango has taken him to several of the most recognized events across Argentina: Jesus Maria Festival, Cosquin Festival, Chamamé Festival, Chaya Festival, among many other important festivals in Argentina. Also he performed In Buenos Aires in theatres as ND Ateneo, Astros, Torquato Tasso, Clasica & Moderna, Parque Centenario Auditorium, Belgrano Auditorium, Usina del Arte and Cafe Vinilo, working with the most outstanding artists of Argentinian music.
He was musical director in “Tango and Tango Company , “Complejo Tango Show” and “Balvanera Tango” with whom he toured various cities in China. He joined some of the most important tango shows in Buenos Aires, like “Catulo Tango” and “El Viejo Almacen “.
He is pianist and musical arranger for the quintet “Amadores del Tango” and “Matias Rubino Sextet”, and recorded a live album in Café Vinilo released in March 2016. He is part of “Potlatch”, hybrid musical ensemble that mix subgenres like Indie rock, folk experimental, trip hop and jazz. They have performed in places like Café Vinilo, Centro Cultural Matienzo and Bariloche Prisma Festival.
In 2015 he was selected among musicians from around the country to be part of the national project “Musica Maestra”, directed by Urquiza and Schissi.
Throughout his entire career as a professional musician Ovidio has composed his own music. At present he is working an the recording of his album.
Gisela Lepio – Singer
Gisela is known as one of the few Latin American singers, with a powerful whistle register.
From 2000 to 2007 she travelled all across the country, performing at national folk and international music festivals. In 2012 she was one of the voices of the Argentinian talk show “Fort Night Show”, where she had the oportunity to sing alongside to the Broadway star Jennifer Holliday. In 2013 she was part of the national play “Escandalosas” as a comedian and singer, getting nominated for her role in the Estrella de Mar Awards for “Female Revelation”. Then she played the character of one of the “Divas” in the Broadway musical “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” (2014), in its argentinian version, winning for her role the international Latin Golden Awards as “Revelation”. Later in the same year she did the opening of the national version of “Dancing with the stars” (Bailando por un Sueño). In summer of 2016 she took part in “Plumas en la Noche” (a national theater genre known as Revista) winning the Carlos Award for “Best Female Singer” and the “Estrella de Concert” award for “Revelation of the Season”. A few months later she was in the opening of “Miss Mundo”, Argentina. At present she is working on her first solo album.
Luciano Bassi – Voice & Guitar
Luciano is an actor, director, musician and singer-songwriter. He has worked mainly in theater and tv. He began his theatre studies in the Cinematographic Research Centre in Buenos Aires, getting his degree as an actor and stage performing arts director.
As a singer he studied in Los Angeles California with Seth Riggs, one of the most prestigious vocal coaches in the world, and in Buenos Aires with Rodolfo Valss, among others.
Luciano has been working in the musical theater scene for several years, performing in plays such as Mamma Mia!, Ghost, Stravaganza, Barbie live!, etc and he also performed in Tenesee Williams’ “27 Waggons Full of Cotton” (California, USA).
In Southeast Asia he was the lead singer and vocal director for the Royal Caribbean’s “Legend of the Seas”-cruise ship, performing in places like Japan, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Korea and Hong Kong.
He is currently playing the part of Bertold Brecht in the play “Lovemusik” , starring by Elena Roger as Lotte Lenya, in La Plaza Theater. Luciano is also releasing his first solo album as a songwriter in 2016, and making his cinematographic debut in the movie “Sofía” to be filmed in Buenos Aires in 2017.
Clemente Carrascal – Bandoneon
Clemente studied at Manuel de Falla Conservatory under the tution of the great teacher and former avant-garde musical artist Rodolfo Daluisio, and with some of the most renowned Argentinean teachers, such as Nestor Marconi and Julio Pane.
Clemente has been a member of the prestigious Tenth Formation of Emilio Balcarce Tango School.
He has also performed in internationally recognized tango venues; some of his first teachers were Ernesto Franco, Victor Lavallen, Osvaldo Piro, and Mauricio Marcelli.
In addition, this renowned musician has performed in several distinguished orchestras such as Juan Darienzo, Bien Pulenta Quartett, Julian Hermida Quintett, Alejandro Ziegler Quartet, and Typical Orchestra Sans Souci. Numerous tango houses in Buenos Aires have also had the pleasure of enjoying Clemente’s talent: Michelangelo, Gala Tango, La Ventana and the mythical Tortoni Café.
Clemente has participated in the Patagonian Festival of Tango in Bariloche (Argentina) and the International Tango Festival of Porto Alegre (Brazil).
Jerónimo Izarrualde – Drums
Jerónimo took his first steps in the world of music with Horacio López and then, with the renowned teacher Chiche Heguer.
Jerónimo has always joined different bands with different musical styles: folk music, pop, funk, and soul. He usually replaces Horacio López on drums at “Cuartoelemento”. Between 1999 and 2002 he was a member of the band “Monotributo”, together with Rubén “Mono” Izarrualde and Eduardo Pandolfo. He continued perfecting his musical talent with Norberto Minichilo whom he shares stages today, and Cristian Judurcha who is his current instructor. This talented drummer was also a member of Revelados (Gustavo Kupinsky, Facundo Farías Gómez, Pablo Guerra, Jonathan Cuellas and Patricio – Los Caballeros de la Quema’s ex keyboardist).
In 2009 Jerónimo joined Laura Kersevan for several performances. Chango Farías Gómez invited him to join the Popular Chamber Orchestra “Los Amigos del Chango” in the same year where he currently performs as a singer and drummer. The orchestra launched its first album MCA volume I in 2012.
In 2011 the well-known producer Juan Carlos Villavicencio invited Jerónimo to record Walt Disney’s Robinson Crusoe soundtrack. At present, Jerónimo is recording the first album of “El mondongo de Palermo” tango quartet where he performs as a singer.