Studio Stories: Reminiscing on Twin Cities Dance with BRKFST Dance - Season 9, Episode 117

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 choreographed and performed by members of BRKFST and
directed by Maria Juranic, 2016 McKnight Dancer Fellowship, and
2008 Jerome Travel and Study Grant. In collaboration with Joseph
Tran and BRKFST Dance Company, Berman has set repertoire and
original works on dancers at Bates Dance Festival, Dance2Connect
Hip Hop Festival in Dublin, Ireland, The University of
Minnesota-Twin Cities, Carleton College and Hamline University.
She has performed in Minnesota, Connecticut, 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 is a founding member of BRKFST Dance Company
and also a member of the world-renowned breaking crew
Knuckleheads Cali, respected for their uniquely intricate and
non-traditional methods of movement. Tran is therecipient 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 which have
premiered at various venues such as The Cowles Center, Southern
Theater, and Orchestra Hall with the Minnesota Orchestra. He has
toured internationally to Ireland for Dance 2 Connect Festival
and nationally to Hartford, CT with the Hartford Symphony
Orchestra. Tran has set repertoire with BRKFST at the University
of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Carleton College, and Bates Dance
Festival. 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 and Young Dance.