Artists
AL ABRAHAM, from the Philippines, began his dance training at the Effie Nañas Dance Center and earned a scholarship to the Philippine High School for the Arts, majoring in ballet. He holds a diploma in Creative Performing Arts from the University of the Philippines, where he trained with prominent mentors. Recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines Ballet Competition and Korea International Modern Dance Competition, Abraham has performed with Ballet Philippines, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Springfield Ballet, and Oakland Ballet. As a choreographer, his works are in Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ repertoire. Abraham joined Smuin in 2024.
TESSA BARBOUR, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, trained at Alwin School of the Dance before studying abroad in Warrington, England on a scholarship awarded to her at the Cecchetti International Competition. She has danced with New Mexico Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, and San Diego Ballet. Her favorite past performances include Man in Black by James Kudelka and Indigo by Stanton Welch. Since joining Smuin in 2016, Barbour has performed works by Val Caniparoli, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Trey McIntyre, Helen Pickett, and Amy Seiwert.
Meet The Artist
Dominic Barrett is a dancer from Cincinnati, Ohio. His training began early on, learning hip-hop and ballroom. At age 11 he started his classical ballet training at The School for the Creative and Performing Arts and the Cincinnati Ballet Academy. While in school, Dominic attended summer intensive programs at Houston Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Cincinnati Ballet. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music for dance on a full scholarship and had the opportunity to perform in China at the Beijing Dance Academy’s 50th Anniversary International Gala in 2014. Since then he has performed professionally with a number of different choreographers, companies, and ballet schools in Cincinnati and around the U.S. He has worked with directors including Mary Beth Cabana at Ballet Tucson as well as Meridith Benson and Mario de la Nuez, former principal dancers with Cincinnati Ballet and directors of De La Dance Company. Dominic has performed a wide variety of classical repertoire, his favorites being Coppélia, La Bayadère, and Don Quixote. In addition, he has performed works by George Balanchine, set by Zapora Kars, and Christopher Wheeldon. He is excited to be in San Francisco for his first season with Smuin!
ISABEL BORGES, a New Orleans native, began her training at the Giacobbe Academy of Dance at age three. At fifteen, she moved to New York City to study at Ballet Academy East under renowned faculty, including mentor Darla Hoover, performing featured roles such as the principal in Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht. She also trained at summer programs with American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Gibney Dance, Henny Jurriens, and L.A. Dance Project. While earning her B.A. in International Studies from Loyola University, she danced with New Orleans Ballet Theater, learning and performing principal roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and the principal in Concerto Barocco. Most recently with Cincinnati Ballet II, Isabel performed closely with the company in productions. Borges joined Smuin in 2025.
Headshot by Hiromi Platt Photography
JACOPO CALVO, from Asti, Italy, began training at his hometown school, Ritmo Danza. He moved to New York City to attend The Ailey School on scholarship, performing alongside Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for its 60th anniversary season. After graduation, he joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet under the direction of Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, touring extensively nationally and internationally. Calvo joined Smuin in 2024.
MAGGIE CAREY, of Dayton, Ohio, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance from Butler University, where she performed works by choreographers including George Balanchine, Nacho Duato, and Paul Taylor. Upon graduating, Carey performed as a guest artist with the Dayton Ballet. She spent two years with the Cincinnati Ballet Second Company, performing works by Victoria Morgan, George Balanchine, Ohad Naharin, and working with choreographers such as Garrett Smith, Nicolo Fonte, and Jennifer Archibald. Carey joined Smuin Contemporary Ballet in 2018 and has since performed works by Amy Seiwert, Michael Smuin, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Rex Wheeler, Gina Patterson, and Val Caniparoli.
Meet The Artist
CAMERON COFRANCESCO, originally from West Chester, Pennsylvania, began his training at the Rock School West before continuing at The USC Kaufman School under the leadership of Jodie Gates and guidance of William Forsythe. Here, he had the opportunity to work with Hope Boykin, Azure Barton, Jermaine Spivey, and Fiona Lummis, and performed in exciting works such as Minus-16 (Naharin), Allegro Brillante (Balanchine), and Rodeo (Peck). Cameron began his professional career as an inaugural company member with Zeitgeist Dance Theatre and later joined Ballet Memphis. While at Ballet Memphis, he performed one of his favorite roles as a step-sister in Steven McMahon’s Cinderella and worked with choreographers such as Marcus Jarrell Willis and Garrett Ammon. Inspired by Garrett Ammon, Cameron joined Wonderbound, performing in seven new full-length ballets by Ammon. Cofrancesco joined Smuin in 2025.
Gabrielle Collins is from West Hartford, Connecticut and began her pre-professional training at the Hartt School. In 2014, she was a New York City finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix and won the gold medal at the Connecticut Classic for both the senior female and pas de deux categories. From 2014-2017, she danced with Atlanta Ballet II and performed leading roles including Marya in John McFall’s The Nutcracker. Additionally, she had the opportunity to be a guest dancer for The Atlanta Opera’s Romeo and Juliet. Gabrielle is an alumnus of the Ballet Program at Jacob’s Pillow where she was featured in Yury Yanowsky’s World Premiere at the opening gala in 2016. She joined Tulsa Ballet II in 2017 where she appeared in a soloist role in Helen Pickett’s Meðal and in the North American Premiere of Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin, among many others. She also performed in works by renowned choreographers such as Ma Cong, Jennifer Archibald and Penny Saunders during her time in Tulsa. In February 2020, Gabrielle performed the title role in Septime Webre’s Carmen with Dayton Ballet. In 2020, Gabrielle joined Cincinnati Ballet under the direction of Victoria Morgan. In Cincinnati, she has performed works including William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Helen Pickett’s Petal, Stephanie Martinez’ Kiss, Alejandro Cerrudo’s Extremely Close, David Morse’s Our Story, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Written and Forgotten, Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs, Jennifer Archibald’s SIT, “Spring” and “Autumn” in Victoria Morgan’s Cinderella, Act III Pas de deux from Don Quixote, and Cathy Marston’s Moving, Still, among many others. Gabrielle is thrilled to continue her career with Smuin Ballet.
RICARDO DYER is a native of Panama based out of New York City. He received his early training at The Governor’s School for the Arts in Norfolk, Virginia. He graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance from Butler University, where he performed extensively with Butler Ballet including works by Gerald Arpino, George Balanchine and Paul Taylor. Post graduation, Dyer has danced with Charlottesville Ballet, Ballet Memphis, L.A. Dance Project and LA Opera. During his career he has performed works by Trey McIntyre, Matthew Neenan, Julia Adam, Benjamin Millipied, Val Caniparoli, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and many others. Dyer joined Smuin in 2019.
CASSIDY ISAACSON, originally from Redmond, Washington, began her training at Pacific Northwest Ballet before continuing her studies privately with the lovely Deborah Hadley. At just 16, she joined Grand Rapids Ballet, where she danced for eight seasons, performing works by celebrated choreographers such as Trey McIntyre (Wild Sweet Love), Alejandro Cerrudo (Extremely Close), Penny Saunders (In Frame), and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (Written and Forgotten). Since joining Smuin, she has performed countless one-of-a-kind works under Smuin’s umbrella, and has been given the incredible opportunity to choreograph on the Company with over 11 world premieres. She is passionate about her choreographic work and hopes to continue this path, as she aspires to build a professional career in choreography. Isaacson joined Smuin in 2019.
Meet The Artist
TESS LANE trained at South Bay Ballet in Torrance, CA, performing Robert Kelly’s Summertime at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MI. While apprenticing with Sacramento Ballet, she performed works by George Balanchine, Ron Cunningham, and Lila York. Lane joined California Ballet Company in 2013 and was featured in Swan Lake, Giselle, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as Septime Webre’s Peter Pan, The Great Gatsby, and Fluctuating Hemlines. She also danced in the National Choreographers’ Initiative in 2017 and 2018. Lane joined Smuin in 2018.
Meet The Artist
MARC LAPIERRE began his early training at Ballet Etudes in Norwalk CT under the direction of Nanette Vallas. While at Ballet Etudes he trained closely with Christina Fagundes. He then attended Ballet Academy East in New York City under the direction of Darla Hoover and at age 16, Marc furthered his training at The School of American Ballet. He then went on to dance with Los Angeles Ballet, where he had the pleasure of dancing works by August Bournonville, George Balanchine, Aszure Barton and Alejandro Cerrudo. Two years later he joined Oregon Ballet Theatre as an apprentice and was promoted to the Company corps de ballet in his second season. During his time with OBT, he danced works by Alvin Ailey, Ben Stevenson, Nicolo Fonte, Christopher Stowell, and Trey MyIntyre. LaPierre joined Smuin in 2021.
Originally from Denver, CO, Shania Rasmussen received her dance training at Colorado Ballet Academy and the School of American Ballet. She began her professional career with Sacramento Ballet in 2014. During her 9 years with the company, she performed principal and soloist roles in classical ballets as well as works by George Balanchine, and was featured by contemporary choreographers including Jermaine Spivey, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Penny Saunders, Val Caniparoli, Jennifer Archibald, and Caili Quan, among others. She has additionally been a dancer with Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, with whom she has toured to The Joyce Theater and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. In addition to performing, Shania enjoys choreographing and has presented several works for Sacramento Ballet’s choreographic showcase, as well as creating unique works for stage and film for Capital Dance Project. Outside of the dance world, she is passionate about a variety of creative pursuits, including theater acting, writing, and composing music.
YURI ROGERS began his training with the Academy of Ballet San Francisco under the direction of Richard Gibson and Zory Karah. He then had the opportunity to continue his training and perform with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, the Grand Rapids Ballet, and BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio. Rogers has performed works by Lar Lubovitch, Leiland Charles, and Edwaard Liang. Rogers joined Smuin in 2021.
JOÃO SAMPAIO trained in classical ballet in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil under Ana Palmieri and Romulo Ramos. He has won national and international dance competitions, including the Youth America Grand Prix and the World Ballet Competition. Sampaio joined Tulsa Ballet in 2014, where he performed featured roles in Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, Wayne McGregor’s Infra, Nacho Duato’s Remanso, Kurt Jooss’ The Green Table, Yuri Possokhov’s Classical Symphony, and Edwaard Liang’s Romeo and Juliet and Age of Innocence. In 2018, he joined Festival Ballet Providence, performing lead roles in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker. Sampaio joined Smuin in 2019.
Brennan Wall, originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, began her professional training at Los Angeles Ballet Academy before joining Silicon Valley Ballet as a trainee, and later The New Ballet’s Studio Company. In 2017, Wall joined Ballet de Monterrey where she danced for two seasons, performing in La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and dancing soloist roles in The Nutcracker, Phantom of the Opera, and Shorthand of Emotion. At Smuin, Wall has performed in works by Val Caniparoli, Trey McIntyre, Amy Seiwart, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Michael Smuin. Wall joined Smuin in 2019.