LISA “MONALISA” BERMAN is the founder and Artistic Director of BRKFST Dance Company. She is the recipient of the 2019 Artist Initiative Grant to produce “Dreamers,” a short experimental dance film deemed official selection in 11 international film festivals receiving multiple accolades for Best Experimental Film and Grand Jury Award, 2016 McKnight Dancer Fellowship, and 2008 Jerome Travel and Study Grant. Berman has choreographed works for the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in collaboration with both Joseph Tran and BRKFST Dance Company, Carleton College and Hamline University. She has performed in Minnesota, Florida, Washington DC, New York, the Netherlands, and Ireland. MonaLisa is currently working as a Breaking instructor for Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and resident Teaching Artist for The Cowles Center.
JOSEPH “MN JOE” TRAN has been a professional breaker since 2007. He is a founding member of BRKFST Dance Company and also a member of the world-renowned breaking crew Knuckleheads Cali, known for their uniquely intricate and non-traditional methods of movement. Tran is the recipient of the 2019 McKnight Dancer Fellowship and is known for his signature moves which have earned him multiple first-place victories in breaking competitions across the US, Europe, and South America. Tran has choreographed multiple original works, set repertoire with BRKFST at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Carleton College, and from 2007-2019 he was a dancer and choreographer for the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves “First Avenue Breakers.” Tran currently works as a breaking instructor for Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, Concordia University, and Young Dance.
RENÉE COPELAND is a founding member, movement collaborator and sound composer for BRKFST Dance Company, co-founder of the dance/performance art duo, Hiponymous and member of Ananya Dance Theatre from 2010-2020. Copeland is the recipient of the 2020 Artist Initiative Grant for Music, 2018 McKnight fellowship for Dance and 2021 American Composer’s Forum Create awardee.
TRAVIS “SEQAL” JOHNSON began breaking in 2000 and has performed at main stage venues in the Twin Cities including the Walker Art Center, The Southern Theater, Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the The Cowles Center. As a member of BRKFST, he is honored to have been an artist in residence at The University of Minnesota under the UDT program and Dance Ireland in association with Dance 2 Connect Festival. From 2010-2019, Johnson was a dancer and choreographer for the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves "First Avenue Breakers.” As a 2nd degree black belt with National Karate Schools, Johnson combines his early training as a martial artist to enrich his breaking aesthetic, which is exemplified in his unique style.
AZARIA EVANS–PARHAM, Minneapolis native, began her breaking career in 2014. She is the recipient of Cypher Queen Award from Battle of the New Year in Madison, WI and has been invited to compete in battles around the globe including Columbia, Puerto Rico and upcoming Red Bull BC One Bgirl Cypher 2022 in Seattle, WA. She has performed locally at The Ordway, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Fine Line, and The Cowles Center. Evans-Parham currently works as a breaking instructor with the YMCA Beacons afterschool program.
MARIE THAYER has been dancing, performing, and creating since 2008. Thayer began her training at Dance Excel and DDS Dance Studio where she developed a strong foundation in contemporary and ballet. She later began training in Horton and modern based vernaculars at TU Dance and further diversified her multi-disciplinary dance technique as a graduate of the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. Thayer has performed at several theaters throughout the Twin Cities: including The Ordway, O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, The Southern Theater, and The Barbara Barker Center for Dance. She is currently investigating the authenticity and presence of dance at a particular time and place through improvisation.
ALEX ARCE, Minnesota native, has worked with top choreographers locally in Minnesota, nationally in Chicago, New York, California and internationally in Poland. Graduating from Larkin Dance Studio and Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, Alex has trained in both technical and street styles since the age of 8. He continued his training at the Cli Conservatory in Massachusetts where he learned from multiple choreographers in a diverse range of styles. After graduating from this program, Alex was accepted as a member of the Cli Company, working as both a choreographer and instructor with Cli Studios. Currently, Alex works as a freelance artist and company member with Meridians Movement Company.
