Pilobolus Dance Theatre Dancers

  Andy Herro, Co-Dance Captain,graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts from Marquette University in 2003. It was there that he began his dance training under the guidance of Darci Wutz. Previously, Andy was involved in athletics, including football, wrestling, and tennis. He has been with Pilobolus since December of 2003. Many thanks go out to his family for their love and support and to his Pilobolus family for making every day such a joy. Andy, originally from Greenfield , Wisconsin , currently resides in New York City with his wife, Julia, and their son, Tristan Basil Herro, who was born September 20, 2007.

  Jeffrey Huang, was born and raised in Seattle, Washington.  In 2005, at the age of 22, he graduated with degrees in Business and Dance from the University of Washington, where he studied modern and ballet under the tutelage of Mark Haim, Jennifer Salk, Betsy Cooper, and Hannah Wiley, among others.  During the summer of 2005 he attended the American Dance Festival as a scholarship student, where he received the invitation to audition for Pilobolus.  Jeffrey loves to sing and from the age of 18 until when he joined Pilobolus he enjoyed being a singing member in the Seattle Men’s Chorus and hopes to return to Seattle and sing with them again one day.  Jeffrey would like to acknowledge his loving family and fabulous friends, dedicated teachers and talented fellow company members who have helped him realize his dream and supported him during this awesome journey.  I love you guys.

  Renee Jaworski, Rehearsal Director/Artistic Associate,  originally from Long Island, NY received her BFA in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Upon graduating she fell directly into the hands of Moses Pendelton, performing and teaching throughout the world with Momix.  In 1997, she took a brief hiatus to give life to her daughter, Anastasia Winter. Returning to her career she created and performed her own work in Philadelphia while working for Group Motion and touring part time with Momix. 1998 brought Renee to NYC where she soon began working with Carolyn Dorfman. She has been working with Pilobolus since the year 2000 and has had many exciting adventures with them over the past 8 years, performing, creating, teaching, directing, associating and, most recently, coordinating residencies for the Pilobolus Institute. She dedicates all she does to her family, Mark and Anastasia. Thank you for keeping my vision clear.

  Jun Kuribayashi, born in Japan/raised in US since age 5, started dancing at the University of Kansas at the tender age of 22. After receiving his BFA in Dance, he premiered as a professional dancer with Momix Dance Theatre in 2004.  He is now thrilled to be a part of Pilobolus and cannot wait to share the magic of movement with all.  Jun tips his hat to the dance faculty at the University of Kansas who insisted he pursue a career in dance and who constantly put up with his craziness.  A special thanks goes to Willie Lenoir who introduced Jun to a young lady he now happily calls his wife.  Endless thanks goes to friends and family (Kuribayashi & Jones) who support his decision to follow a once distant dream of dancing.  He especially thanks his amazing and supportive wife, Casey Miranda, who always inspires a smile when it's most needed.

  Jenny A. Mendez , originally from Mexico , grew up in Houston, Texas . She began dancing at 16 while a student at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Jenny holds a BFA in Modern Dance and BS in Radio-Television-Film Production from Texas Christian University . She has worked with Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth, Andrew Jannetti, Jody Oberfelder, Susan Dodge, Lisa Giobbi, and the Tiger Lillies. She has also presented her own work at the Fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists (Toronto ) and Joyce SoHo (NY). Her film credits include working on the Dance in America production of "ABT's Leading Men" and "Fosse".  Jenny would like to thank her family and friends, especially Coco, for all their love and support.  She joined Pilobolus in August 2004.

  Manelich Minniefee, Co-Dance Captain, was raised in Fayetteville , North Carolina by a family of artists. His mother is an actress and his father and younger brother are both musicians. Manelich was first introduced to modern dance and to Pilobolus as a student at the American Dance Festival in 1998. That fall he went on to attend high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts where he graduated in 2000. He was later accepted on full scholarship to NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and graduated with a BFA in 2003. Since joining the company that same year, Manelich has had the pleasure of performing and teaching in forty six states and ten countries around the world and looks forward to whatever new adventures lie ahead.

  Edwin Olvera, born in Chicago and raised in Green Bay, he discovered dance in Milwaukee. At the age of 21 with no formal dance training, Edwin joined UW-Milwaukee Peck' School of the Arts to get his BA - alongside his twin brother, Roberto. While at UWM, they both fell in love with contact improvisation, partnering and ballet. A contact improvisation duet was set on the brothers and it carried them to A.C.D.F. Nationals at the Kennedy Center. He was also an Army Reserve combat medic with the 452nd Combat Support Hospital. He thanks his family and friends for believing in him and his dreams.

    Annika Sheaff, born and raised outside of Chicago , IL began dancing at The Academy of Movement and Music at age three.  She continued her training at The Chicago Academy for the Arts and The Juilliard School, where she received her BFA in dance performance in 2006.  She has performed works by Jose Limon, Paul Taylor, Ohad Naharin, Ron Brown and Lucas Crandell.  Her choreography has been presented at The Duncan YMCA in Chicago, and the Peter J. Sharp and Clarke Studio Theaters in NY.  She received the Juilliard Interarts Award for her arts education outreach work in NY, FL, and South Africa.  She's absolutely thrilled to be dancing with Pilobolus.  She thanks her family and friends for their endless support; and Luke for his ability to light up her life.