Elizabeth Mendana (lighting designer) began designing theatrical lighting as an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado. At the University of Utah, her graduate thesis focused on the integration of lighting design and choreography. Her design work strives to create lighting choreographies where dancers and light interact dynamically. She has recently designed lights for Bay Area dance companies including Liberation Dance Theatre (at Jacob's Pillow), Robert Moses' Kin, Push Dance Co, Todd Eckert and Nol Simonse, Heidi Schweiker, Ramon Alayo Ramos, Little Seismic Dance Company, Spoon, Dance Ceres, Sonya Smith, and more.

JooWan Kim (composer) holds a BM from Berklee College of Music (summa cum laude), and an MM from San Francisco Conservatory of Music (both in composition). In 2005, he formed the Ensemble Mik Nawooj, which consists of: flute, clarinet, violin, cello, drum set, bass, and an MC. It was for this ensemble that he wrote "Great Integration, the Hip-Hop Chamber Opera" which led him to secure an exclusive management contract with the Jazz Legend Ahmad Jamal (2006-2009). In 2007, with the recommendation of Mr. Jamal, JooWan received a lifetime endorsement from the Steinway and Sons Piano Company. Kim believes that the world is going through a profound alchemical change right now and his music reflects this "Great Integration".

"In this day and age, for an artist to succeed, the talent has to be either exceptional or very different. JooWan Kim is both; exceptional and very different" -Ahmad Jamal

Marlon Sagana Ingram (media/visual arts) is a designer, artist, and educator. Marlon has developed and implemented a contemporary arts curriculum based upon local history, youth culture, technology, and Hip-Hop principles for over ten years. He has taught in public schools, after-school programs, and taught youth from organizations including at The Foundation, 3rd Street Youth Center & Clinic, The Imagine Bus Project, and the Buchanan YMCA. Marlon’s graphic design clients include Cost Plus, Sony and Cinema Paradise Films and OM Records. He is also an internationally exhibiting artist.

Marlon received an interdisciplinary degree in graphic design and fine arts from California College of Arts in 1996. Mr. Ingram’s classes identify on a strong emphasis on design, mural art instruction, conceptual thinking, art development, oral presentation, & youth leadership within public schools. Marlon Sagana Ingram’s contribution to the artistic communities of the whole Bay Area is monumental in arts education. He sets new challenges for our Youth by educating them with traditional crafts sustainable for modern tools for the future.

“Raissa is a great provider of content on each project, she works wonders teaching dance to inner city kids, at the same time she is a great person to collaborate with. I would be honored to work with Raissa anytime on any project.” 

Marlon Sagana Ingram, Creative Director , The MSI