Byb Chanel Bibene is a dancer and choreographer from the Republic of Congo and has been dancing for the past 10 years in the modern dance style rooted in traditional Congolese dance. He has trained with several international companies originating from Africa, England, and France, and he has performed throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and the USA. Upon Byb’s recent relocation to San Francisco, USA, he has had the opportunity to present his solo work and dance with local choreographers such as Paco Gomes, Robert Henry Johnson, Amara Tabor Smith and with Rachad Pridgen  with whom he performed in the Black Choreographer’s Festival 2009 and 2010. The recipient of the CA$H Grant and Zellarchac Family Fondation grant, Byb Chanel is performing his solo work Clinic in the SFIAF May 2010. Byb organizes dance programs in Brazzaville for young dancers and dance courses for adults and directs an annual festival Rue Dance, that introduces modern dance to the streets and public spaces of Congo-Brazzaville, a style of dance considered a novelty and oddity. Olivia Eng finds her greatest passions in dancing, music, yoga, photography, world traveling, and the beauty of a conversation without having to say a word.  She graduated from the University of California, Irvine, focusing on Dance and Sociology. She is grateful to those who have inspired her along the way including Victor Moreno, Donald McKayle, Toru Shimizaki.  Olivia currently dances with the Dance Monks, Liberation Dance Theater, Aguas Da Bahia and Paco Gomes and Dancers. She gives thanks to all of those who have continually taught and inspired her from around the globe.  Ultimately, she believes that life should be a journey of adventure and love. "No Hay atajos para alcanzar algo que valga la pena.....There are no shortcuts to any place worth going" Sophia Formosa comes from Northern California's Humboldt County, where her love of dance was nurtured within the local dance community of Feet First Dancers.  After high school, she entered into the dance program at UC Santa Barbara where she graduated with a BFA in Dance in 2008.  While in school, she had the pleasure of dancing in many student and faculty works, as well as several opportunities to present her own choreography.  In her senior year, she was a member of the UCSB Senior Dance Company which toured throughout California and China.  Since living in San Francisco, Sophia has worked with various choreographers, including Janice Garret and Charles Moulten.  She has been a proud member of Paco Gomes and Dancers since 2009. Elizabeth Morales graduated from Saint Mary's College in 2007 with a B.A. in Communication and Performing Arts: Dance. In the fall she will begin her MFA studies at Mills College. Elizabeth began seriously studying dance in high school, although according to her mother she has "always done those moves". She is very excited to be dancing with Paco Gomes and dancers! Elizabeth Morales graduated from Saint Mary's College in 2007 with a B.A. in Communication and Performing Arts: Dance. In the fall she will begin her MFA studies at Mills College. Elizabeth began seriously studying dance in high school, although according to her mother she has "always done those moves". She is very excited to be dancing with Paco Gomes and dancers! Charlotte Nehm received a degree in dance and single subject teaching credential from San Francisco State University. She currently dances with Paco Gomes & Dancers, Duniya Dance & Drum Company and Damage Control Dance Theater but what she loves most is sharing her knowledge of both traditional and fusion dance forms with her middle and high school students at International Studies Academy in San Francisco. John Peter Pazmino is a self employed dancer, teacher, and choreographer in the Bay Area. He is constantly inspired by innocent curiosity and it’s abundant knowledge. Erica Pinigis began dancing at the Kanopy School for Contemporary Dance and Choreography in Madison WI. She went on to receive her BFA in Dance from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Erica spent two years after graduation producing and choreographing her own work in the Twin Cities and spent a month as Artist in Residence at the Anderson Center before moving out to the Bay Area. Erica is currently dancing with Facing East Dance and Music and the Natasha Carlitz Dance Ensemble as well as managing and performing with Paco Gomes & Dancers. Weidong Yang was born in China, grow up in the gobi desert area in the remote northwest. Weidong Yang discovered dance later than most. He found it to be one of the most wonderful gifts in the life.