Spiral by Alma Blancas
Alma Blancas - Engineer and Drawing Artist
Civil Engineer with a masters in Soil Mechanics, a graduate from UNAM (National University of Mexico). In the workforce since 1989 and currently retired. Alma has worked in foundation development, design and construction supervision of subway lines in Mexico City and Paris. Also a drawing artist, she favors geometry, symmetry and equality. Alma has developed a unique style for designing "Geometrias" and adores painting flowers. She considers herself a warrior - the automatic consequence of being a rebel.
Jason Ardizzone-West - Set Designer
Based in Yonkers NY. He holds an MFA from NYU, where he designed sets for Clybourne Park & The Emperor Antony. He has worked with many theater companies including: Educational Theater Collaborative, Cornell Center for Theater Arts, Judith Shakespeare Company, The Juilliard School, New York State Theatre Institute and the Kearsarge Arts Theatre Company. Jason received a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and worked as an architect prior to getting his MFA, collaborating on several theater projects including: Playwrights Horizons Theatre, The Bratton Theatre / Chautauqua Institution, and Streb Action Lab. Jason's website
Nicole Rivelli - Photographer
New York based photographer Nicole Rivelli studied classical dance prior to turning to photography. This led her to France, the United States, and England. While in London, she developed her talent and interest in photography and began working as a freelance photographer for "The Clash", "The Pogues" and magazines such as: Melody Maker, Sounds, Time Out, and Zig-Zag. In 1986, she returned to Canada to study at the Dawson College Institute of Photography. She continued her freelance editorial work during her studies and graduated with honors. In 1990, Riveli moved to Toronto, worked as a freelancer for "The Globe and Mail" newspaper (mostly the art section), and captured images of dance in collaboration with prestigious artists such as Serge Bennathan's Dancemakers, Desrosiers Dance Theatre, Sylve Bouchard, Learie Mc Nicolls, Julia Sasso, and Julia Aplin. In 1997, she returned to her native Montreal and began working with BJM Danse, Le Cirque du Soleil, Cinemaginaire, Flare Magazine. She also continued her freelance collaboration with "The Globe and Mail" receiving international awards for her photo journalism. While arts photography - chiefly dance, music, fashion, and film stills - are Rivelli's favorite photo subjects, her camera is always ready for any type of work. She thrives on being versatile. With her cheerful disposition, caring manner, and clever eye, Rivelli always manages to capture on film images that have earned her respect in her chose field. It's easy to understand why she is always in demand. Her impressive client list includes Harry Connick Jr., HBO, Le Cirque du Soleil, Marsalis Music, NBC, Sony Music, Time Warner and Universal. Nicole's website
Constanza Mezza-lopehandia - Costume Designer
Constanza is a New York based costume designer. Born and raised in Chile, her primary work in Santiago has been as a Costume Designer and Production Designer for feature independent films. Some of her credits include the award winning "Malta con Huevo" (Nominated to Best Production Design Pedro Sienna Award 2008) and “Kiltro” (Best Costume Design Pedro Sienna Award 2007). With her extensive background in film production and commercial advertising she has focused in this new stage of her career designing for theater and dance as a rewarding challenge Constanza's website
Anshuman Bathia - Lighting Designer - Anshu's website
Akili Jamal Haynes - Composer and multi- instrumentalist
Composer and multi-instrumentalist, Akili Jamal Haynes, began his career at the age of 15 as a trombonist under the mentorship of Wynton Marsalis and three years later was touring with Illinois Jacquet’s Big Band. Early on, Akili embarked on his pursuit to perform on multiple instruments at high skill levels, to bring greater levels of excellence to his original compositions. As a Trombonist, Akili has worked with such notables as the McCoy Tyner Big Band, Lester Bowie’s Brass Fantasy, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Lenny Kravitz, Roberta Flack, The Mingus Big Band, and many more. As a Vocalist, Akili was blessed with the opportunity to work with Jon Hendricks, Jimmy Cobb, Honi Coles, Milt Hinton, Gregory Hines, and Panama Francis while still a teenager. Though singing is not the most prevalent of Akili’s abilities, he continued to use his voice into his 20’s with Bill Lee & The Family Tree Singers, The Mingus Big Band, and continues using it today. Akili has honed his skills and knowledge of Haitian, Ugandan, Brazilian, and Senegalese folklore, music, dance, drumming and currently performs with several ensembles, including: Senegalese Wolof Griot, Lamine Toure & GroupSaloum. Here he contributes as composer, trumpeter, vocalist, and percussionist. Akili has been a Faculty member of the New England Conservatory of Music’s Preparatory & Continuing Education School for over 14 years, and in 2008 he became Program Director of the Woodwinds & Brass Ensemble Program at NEC at the behest of his mentor Calvin Hicks; He is also Guest Faculty at Berklee College of Music; Affiliated Artist/Composer in M.I.T.’s Dance Theater Department; Instructor at Seaport Campus for Children; Dance Faculty Musician in the Boston Conservatory Dance Division; and creator of Chibuzo Music.
Jake Holm - Filmmaker
A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the arts, where he studied film directing and producing. Jake has produced an array of different productions from comedic webseries to dramatic short films. Additionally, he has co-chaired the first annual Jewish Student Film Festival on NYU's campus, which has since expanded to incorporate USC and Tel Aviv University as a three-campus festival. Jake has written and directed nearly 15 short films, ranging from 30-second animation pieces to 20-minute live-action films and music videos. He currently freelances as a film producer in New York City.
Photographers:
Cover photos: Michelle Pellizzon photography and Samantha Siegel
Gallery photos: Lisa Howell, Samantha Siegel, Kenn Stilson and Antonio Antoniu
Artist photos: Antonio Antoniu and Ramon Estevanell
Website Design: Ariadna Font & team
Filmaker: Aaron Granat & team
Composer: Andrew Bocher