Ari Herstand

(Copper Jones / Songwriter / Co-creator / Music Director / Producer)

Ari Herstand wears many hats atop his fro. He is the CEO and founder of the music business education company Ari’s Take and its online school Ari’s Take Academy as well as the host of the Webby award winning New Music Business podcast. He is the author of the book How To Make It in the New Music Business which is a #1 best seller in all categories on Amazon and is being taught in over 300 universities in the US and has been translated into multiple languages. As a singer/songwriter he has played over 1,000 shows all over the world and has released 4 albums. As an actor he has appeared on various TV shows like Transparent, Touch, The Fosters, Aquarius, Mad Men and 2 Broke Girls. As a speaker he has spoken at SXSW, BBC One Introducing, Music Biz, Berklee College of Music and UCLA. And, most importantly, he is the co-creator of Brassroots District!

Celeste Butler

(Ursa Major)

Celeste Butler is an international entertainer, multimedia event producer, and social change advocate. A two-time alum of the University of Southern California, Celeste is the Founder & CEO of Creation Against Barriers (CAB), an entertainment company that supports cultural and historical education through music, events, and interdisciplinary projects. As a vocalist, Celeste has worked with legendary artists such as Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Esperanza Spalding, KLYMAXX, and Patrice Rushen, just to name a few; and has toured extensively throughout the US, Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Beyond receiving national interest, as a featured contestant on Season 4 of American Idol (ABC Network), she has also been blessed to collaboratively release original social justice anthems “Bullets”, featuring GRAMMY Award-Winning Drummer JR Robinson (Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Madonna); and “No Peace”, featuring GRAMMY Award-Winning Bassist, Andrew Gouche (Chaka Khan, Prince, Mary Mary). Other works include: original musical, 1777 Sycamore St. (La Mirada Theater), live Theater of the Oppressed piece entitled “Radical Fictions: A Seat at the Table” (California African American Museum), the world premiere of a devised theater piece, “Upspoken” (California Wellness Foundation), and an award-winning short film “Swipe”. @celestebutlerofficial // www.celestebutler.como

Kayah Alexandra Franklin 

(Nancy)

A native of Sacramento, California, Kayah Alexandra Franklin is an alumna of Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she received her BFA in Theatre Arts & Dance. While at Howard, Kayah worked with Camille A. Brown to develop her work “3.60,” which segued into her choreographing the choreopoem production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow is Enuf, directed by LA Williams. In 2012, Kayah was appointed Dallas Black Dance Academy’s Lead Outreach Instructor. She spent 5 seasons as Director of the Junior Performing Ensemble while first performing with Encore!, formerly known as DBDT II. In 2014, she joined the professional company Dallas Black Dance Theatre, where she danced lead roles in original works by choreographers including Matthew Rushing, Twyla Tharp and Christopher Huggins.

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Kayah’s musical theater highlights include Dallas Theater Center’s Fly (directed by Jeffrey Seller, choreographed by Andy Blankenbeuhler), Stumptown Stages’ West Side Story as Anita and Timberlake Playhouse’s Christmas Kaleidoscope.​ Kayah’s commercial and television highlights include appearances in Season 5 of HBO’s Insecure, as well as campaigns for Ford, Self,, OLLY, Poo~Pourri, ClearCorrect, Healthcare.gov, GoodyGoody and Knock. She was featured as an artist in the documentary Widening The Lens, produced and directed by Macedonian film group Makedox in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy of Cultural Affairs. Kayah has modeled for brands including BVLGARI, Joico and Tote N’ Carry. 

With a Group Fitness Certification (AFAA) and Schwinn Cycling Certification, Kayah has 8+ years of experience teaching fitness classes at FlyWheel Sports, Grit Fitness, EQUINOX and CorePower Yoga. She was recently featured as spoken word artist for Netflix’s Black @ Netflix: Juneteenth Block Party in Los Angeles, CA, and is currently performing in The Tale of The Lion King at Disneyland. Kayah plays Jaelyn Smiles on the AMP World family channel The Smiles Family.

0na Zimhart

(Cassie / Choreographer)

Ona Zimhart is an artist who loves pushing the boundaries of live immersive entertainment. With 10+ years of experience in the industry she has had the opportunity to work on original productions, create immersive experiences for popular TV shows and movies, and even perform live for audience members all around the world in Virtual Reality. Ona just finished a 3 year run as an original cast member in the Los Angeles musical production, CAGES, as well as a festival run with Ferryman Collective's award winning theatrical VR show, Gumball Dreams. Ona can't wait to return with her BRD crew and get funky with all you Coolcats on the dancefloor!

Bryan Porter

(Theo)

BRYAN just starred in HULU’s “Merry Kiss Cam”, alongside a successful debut of his one-man theater show "The Dirty Picture Man" for BROADWAY ON DEMAND. He is also known for playing opposite KEVIN HART in "The Real Husbands of Hollywood" and "Dear White People" on NETFLIX. Other recent credits include the GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE in November ("These Two Things"), and voices for “Paw Patrol” and “Blaze and the Monster Machines” on NICKELODEON. Upcoming projects include the Feature Film "A Beautiful Risk", and his next one-man show, THE THINGS THEY CARRIED.  aHe is represented by KMR (Theatrical), DPT (Voiceover), and managed by Max Shifrin (SGA Entertainment). Clips and more at www.BryanDanielPorter.com

Alex Vergel

(That Guy)

Alex Vergel dabbles in a number of fun things, mostly in and around film and theater spaces. He knows that's pretty vague, but this is the first bio he's written in over a year and priorities have drastically changed in that time, so, you know. He's recently begun dipping his toes in painting with acrylics after his roommate's girlfriend bought some on a whim. So, that's nice. Aside from that, these days, it's mostly following superfly funk phenoms and living the simple life from my simple van. So if you're tryna expand your mind and commune with the threads of our ancestral fabric, man, you know where to find me, man.

Luiza Castellucci

(ZaZa)

Luiza Castellucci is a Brazilian/Italian Performer who was born and raised in Brazil. Luiza has been working in front and behind the cameras at different American shows and productions since she was a child including musicals, short films, mini-series, and plays. Find out what Luiza is up to next on her Instagram: @luizacastellucci and Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/izacastellucci

Barika Philips Bell

(Auntie B)

Barika Phillips Bell originally hales from Dallas, TX. After graduating Suma Cum Laude from Fisk University in Nashville, TN, she received her bachelor's degree in Psychology & Theater. She is an accomplished actress, singer, director, published poet & spoken word artist, a playwright & producer. "James & Joseph" produced by Barika, was nominated for an NAACP award. Past credits include: "And Then There Was You" with Brian White and Lynn Whitfield, the films "No Sunlight", "Maternal Instincts",  and "A Mother's Ordeal" and "The Last Appeal". She recently won Best Actress for the film "The Tale of the Corporate Slave" airing now on Tubi. You can also find  her Open Door Playhouse voicing the plays of "The Visit," "Custody," and "Rainbow Girls". She is beyond excited to join the cast and band of BRD!

Aaron Mastin

(Keys)

Aaron Mastin is a pianist/keyboardist/vocalist hailing from Nashville, TN. His musical foundation and style was developed playing gospel piano in church as a child, as well as studying jazz piano at the University of Tennessee with internationally renowned jazz pianist Donald Brown. As a result,  Aaron's performing experience has been extensive and ranges from stadium/arena shows with Tony Award Winning performer Levi Kreis to touring sold out theaters all over the country with a wide range of artists and bands. Aaron also works as a producer, songwriter and session musician in the Los Angeles area working with artists such as WizKid, Brandy and Ayra Starr to mention a few. 

Kya Karine

(Bass)

Kya Karine (otherwise known as Bass Princess) is originally from Salt Lake City, where she graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance. While she loves to pay homage to jazz greats like Ray Brown, Ron Carter, and Paul Chambers on her upright bass, she equally loves to rock out on electric bass in pop/soul/funk/r&b settings. Back in her hometown of SLC Kya spent years as a freelance bassist working in every genre; her favorite project was an Amy Winehouse tribute group that she founded and managed featuring her original arrangements, reharmonizations, and reimaginings of Amy's music. In 2020 Kya worked with Los Angeles based producer/engineer Lior Goldenberg (Allen Stone, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Luther Vandross) and wrote and recorded all of the bass parts on the album "Reflections in a Two-Way Mirror" by rock group Band on the Moon. In 2021 Kya relocated to Los Angeles in order to pursue bass playing full time. Since arriving in Los Angeles she has worked with artists such as Jazz in Pink, Raine Stern, Cyrille Aimee, Nnenna Freelon. She currently spends her time freelancing all around on both upright and electric bass, in a multitude of genre settings. She is excited to bring the funk with Brassroots District.

Dee Simone

(Drums)

Danielle “Dee Simone” Thompson attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA from

2010-2012, earning an Associates of Arts degree in Percussion Performance. She studied under Fred Dinkins (Musical Director for The Emotions & Deniece Williams), Donny Gruendler (MI Curriculum Editor, MD for Rhett Frazier Inc.) as well as Stewart Jean,(Assistant head of the Drum Department, and the West Coast Music Agency); gaining advanced knowledge and skills in harmony, theory, odd meter and rhythm techniques.

Ms. Thompson’s experience spans from 2007 to the present, working with various artists, including: Jayla Darden (Interscope R&B Artist), The Voice Live Semi-Final Top 8 Performance, (Smooth Jazz artists): Jazz In Pink (all female jazz ensemble), Maysa, Jessy J, Nils, Kandace Springs, (R&B artists): The Honey Cone, Miki Howard & Nona Hendrix, Mereba, & Solange Knowles. (Hip Hop / R&B artists): Iman Omari, Little Dragon, Lady Rho & ill Camille. (Country artist): Lily Meola. (Gospel artists): Allywon Price, Greater Zion Church Family, J Kingdom, and (Pop / Rock artists): Thomas King, Inglorious, & J. Ovanni.

She has performed at some of LA’s most notable venues: Playboy Jazz Festival, Hollywood Bowl, LA Live, Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival, Soul Train Cruise, CAMI Japan Battle of the Bands Competition 2007, including recordings with Shanachie artist, Jazz in Pink and the Bay Area Studio CD recording: “Vitabeats & Minerhymes.”

Fabio Santana

(Trombone)

Fabio is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and teaching artist born in Brazil. Now living in Los Angeles, CA since 2013, he has become a highly skilled trombone player and has had the opportunity to work with big artists in the music scene such as Ziggy Marley (trombone player on thealbum Fly Rasta, Grammy Award winner for Best Reggae Album 2014), Lady Antebellum, 5Seconds of Summer, Colin Hay, Rocky Dawuni, Quadron, Dori Caymmi, Pancho Amat, Play 4 Change, Gaslamp Killer, to name a few. Fabio has also shared his talents with many local bands such as Jungle Fire, Dublab, Mestizo Beat, Jahgun and Justifyah, Extra Ancestral, San Miguel Perez, Cecilia Noel, Brass Roots District, Os Zagueiros, Salt Petal, Sea Funky Brass Band, Angel City All-Star Brass Band, L.A. Winds Orchestra, Bruns Collective Jazz Band, Kizambo, Viver Brasil DanceCompany, Xodó, and Sawtelle Brazilian Jazz Trio.

Fabio was also a Forró dance teacher and one of the founders of Forró in LA, a group that helps spread the Brazilian culture by promoting dance classes, events, and local/international artists.

Fabio contributes to the local community educating kids through after school programs using music and dance as a tool to develop creativity, confidence, and principles of music math. In the program, he teaches Brazilian drumming and folk dance to kids grades K through 5th.

Andréa Lisa

(Guitar)

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Andréa Lisa was born in South Africa and raised in New Zealand, she is now heading into her fifth year of living in Los Angeles. For the last 4 years she has been predominantly performing with Grammy award winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum, she also features performing her original song ‘Get Your Wings Up’ on his album Humanité. Andréa has recorded guitars for the band Kool & The Gang and also Ralph Johnson from Earth Wind & Fire. In February this year she released a groovy guitar feature called ‘Vortex’, be sure to check it out! And keep a look out for more music to be released in 2023 from Andréa Lisa’.

Randal Fisher

(Sax)

I was born in Los Angeles and started playing clarinet at 11. I studied with Ricky Washington, the father of Kamasi Washington. I have played, toured and recorded with Aloe Blacc all over the World and have worked with The Heavy, Celeste, Joey McIntyre, Tony Allen, Lupe Fiasco, Lukas Graham,

Miguel Atwood Ferguson, Mark DeClive Lowe, and many others, I also lead my own Jazz ensemble that plays around Los Angeles

Brandon Samuels

(Trumpet)

Monica Miklas

(Director) 

Monica Miklas is a theatre artist who creates boundary-pushing embodied experiences. Her career-long focus on new work manifested in the 2015 founding of radical theatre collaboration Capital W, which specializes in transformative immersive experiences for intimate audiences, including the hits Red Flags and Hamlet-Mobile. Recent Capital W highlights include writing and performing the 2020 Fire Season (an audiowalk about climate change) and creative producing  The Blind Date for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Monica develops immersive and experiential entertainment for RWS Entertainment Group, where she recently creative directed the 2022 haunt season and a new series of immersive nightclub experiences for MSC Cruise Lines. www.monicamiklas.com

Andrew Leib

(Co-Creator / Executive Producer)

Andrew Leib is the Co-Creator and Executive Producer of Brassroots District alongside frequent collaborator Ari Herstand. Whilst not fostering the funk, Leib is an artist manager at Red Light Management in LA with a roster that includes Victoria Canal, Nu Deco Ensemble, Maris Jones, Andy Arthur Smith and Dreux. With almost 15 years in the entertainment industry, Leib has worked on countless campaigns with indie and major artists alike. 

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Antonieta Carpio

(Stage Manager / Production Artist)

ANTONIETA (an-to-nie-ta) CARPIO (Stage Manager) as a Design and Dramatic Arts graduate from the University of California, Davis, Antonieta has worked both on and off stage. Her most recent credits include The August Wilson Competion ( Seattle Rep)  as a production manager and her most recent stage management credits include Romeo & Julieta (Seattle Shakespeare), Mananaland (Book it Repetory Theater) End of Sex (Victory Theater), The Times (Teatro Luna), Dr. Dubois and Miss Ovington (Robey Theater Company) and The Sweetheart Deal with Teatro Campesino (Los Angeles Theater Center/ Latino Theater Company). Her previous training also includes costume, properties and sound design. Originally from El Salvador by way of Los Angeles, Antonieta is skilled in producing events that allow diverse groups, particularly Latinx, to collaborate and showcase. She is excited to bring her skillset back home to LA and stoked that her first show back was this amazing funk train Brassroots District! 

@antonietacarpio

Danny Taylor

(Associate Producer)

Danny is thrilled to be the Associate Producer of BRD! As a musician, Danny has served as the drummer, percussionist, and/or conductor for the Broadway/Touring companies of In The Heights, Legally Blonde, Sister Act, Allegiance, Aladdin, and Hunchback of Notre Dame. As a producer, he has produced several benefit events for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS as well as concerts at 54Below, The Duplex, and Vitello’s. Notable venues performed at include Madison Square Garden, Metlife Stadium, The Bitter End, The Whiskey, The Roxy, The Pantages Theatre and The Dolby Theatre. Away from music, Danny has had the opportunity to serve in many roles within the entertainment industry. Highlights include COVID coordinator at Netflix, stuntman at Universal Studios, set dresser at FOX Sports, and a magician’s assistant. Danny is a proud member of the Themed Entertainment Association.

Maris Jones

(Costume Designer / Creative Direction)

Livinia Wright

(Costume Designer)

Daysha Veronica

(Writer)

DAYSHA VERONICA has written short plays and full-lengths that have been workshopped/performed at UC San Diego, UCLA, New York Theatre Workshop (in collaboration with UCLA), IAMA Theatre’s Under 30 Playwright’s Lab, The New Harmony Project, PlayGround and more. She has received awards/recognition from The Kennedy Center, Playwrights Foundation, Kentucky Women Writers Conference, Samuel French/Concord Theatricals and more. She is currently under commission for the second time by PlayGround-LA and received her MFA in playwriting from UCLA. She offers dramatic writing coaching and tools that can be found on her website, www.dayshaveronica.com. Social: @DayshaVeronica.

Brett Nolan

(Songwriter / Album Producer) 

Brett Nolan has worked in music since he was 16 years old. His first job in music was working for Dianne Warren and her company RealSongs. From there he went on to get an audio engineering degree and interned at such prestigious studios as Ocean Way and Record One. Brett then became staff engineer at Can-Am recorders before opening his own commercial recording facility, SoundQuest Recording with his father, esteemed songwriter Kenny Nolan. Brett has worked with many artists and has either written for/produced/recorded musicians including Ari Herstand, Lindsey Stirling, Elliott Yamin, Frankie Valli, Chuck Negron, Lady Gaga, Alex Da Kid, Philip Lassiter, Cory Henry, Michelle Williams, Perez Hilton, Brassroots District and many more.