Kai Zhang
Dance Instructor/Action Director
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Kai Zhang is a highly experienced professional specializing in action design and direction. His journey began with a deep commitment to hip-hop dance, particularly popping and locking, but over time, his focus expanded into the demanding field of action design.
As the founder of 777 Raw Street Film Production LLC, Kai has directed action sequences for several award-winning films. His work is recognized for its precision, creativity, and the ability to craft high-stakes, visually compelling action scenes. Kai’s expertise in action directing has earned him numerous accolades, establishing him as a leading figure in the industry.
Kai’s contributions to the film industry have been widely celebrated at international film festivals, where his innovative approach to action design has solidified his reputation as a versatile and dynamic artist.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Kai is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of action designers. He believes in the power of well-executed action to tell compelling stories and strives to inspire his students to explore their potential in this specialized field.
Eric Fuchs
MMA and Stunt Coach
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Coach Eric has an extensive background in martial arts. Starting in Shotokan karate at five years old, then later adding Krav Maga, Jujitsu, MMA, and Wushu to his arsenal.
He’s also competed for over ten years in karate, jujitsu, and kickboxing, but eventually transitioned to pursuing a career as a stunt performer. Now he’s worked on dozens of television shows and he has a mission to share his passion for these arts with his community.
Yurie Ono
Contemporary Dance Instructor
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Yurie Ono is artistic director at Umami Playground Dance Company.
You can learn more about Yurie on her Instagram!
Filipe Guedes
Capoeira Instructor
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Felipe Guedes, also known as Professor Mequetref in the world of capoeira, is a highly experienced teacher with nearly 30 years dedicated to the art. As a member of the renowned ABADÁ-CAPOEIRA school, his profound understanding stems from decades of training.
Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, he brings a passion for transformative learning to Queens, NYC. A champion competitor and dedicated educator, he offers comprehensive capoeira classes for all levels, emphasizing technique, music, and cultural understanding. With a history of empowering youth through capoeira programs in Brazil and Spain, Professor Mequetref is committed to fostering personal growth and community spirit. He provides expert instruction in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, welcoming students of all backgrounds.
Yenny Sánchez
Acting Coach
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Actress and Master in Dramatic Arts, graduated in 2011 from Universidad Central. Founder of the Baca Theater company in 2012, serving as artistic director for 12 years. Participated in theatrical productions such as "I Fall in Love Every Day" and "I'm Going Bald," as well as in audiovisual projects like the short film "Hidden" and the telenovela "Aunt Alison" on Canal RCN. In addition to acting, she develops workshops and classes on diction and acting techniques and is currently preparing a pedagogical research project on games and practical tools for actor creativity.
Experience in children's theater, with works such as "Once Upon a Time There Was a King," "The Magic Cape," and "A Christmas Gift." Knowledge in mask-making, object theater, and puppetry with the Teatro Libre de Bogotá, Colombia.
Action Acting Coach
Joe Suba is an accomplished actor and film producer from Harlem, New York, with a strong background in boxing and martial arts, including earning a black belt in karate. His skills caught the eye of famed producer Roger Corman, leading to roles in several war films and a successful career in the entertainment industry.
Joe's versatility as an actor and his ability to perform his own stunts have earned him recognition in various films, including the critically acclaimed Opium War, for which he received the Best Actor Award at the Kish International Film Festival.
Beyond acting, Joe has expanded his talents into producing, recently completing a feature horror film titled Shadows. He also hosts a podcast, SUBA TALKS, where he discusses topics ranging from health and wellness to the entertainment industry.
Joe is passionate about teaching action acting, drawing on his extensive experience in hand-to-hand combat, boxing, and self-defense to train the next generation of performers.
Acting Coach
Made in Taiwan, Claire Hsu is a two-time award-winning, trilingual actress who has performed in Chinese, French, and English, both on stage and on screen. Upon graduation, Claire landed a role in Lynn Ramsay’s Cannes-winning film You Were Never Really Here, sharing the screen with Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix (Joker). That same year, she became a finalist for Disney’s live-action Mulan, where she was flown to LA and screen-tested at Disney Studios.
Claire has portrayed a wide range of characters, from the innocent victims in the Emmy-winning series A Crime To Remember to a badass crime boss in Broken Badges. She has appeared in national TV commercials, on the book cover of Soundless by NY Times bestselling author Richelle Meade, and frequently in YouTube and Instagram ads.
Her acting accolades include winning Best Lead Actress for Nanny at the First Line Festival in 2017 and taking home the same prize for Locked Alone at the Northern Ireland YFIFF in 2019. Claire most recently appeared in Universal Pictures' Boogie (directed by Eddie Huang), which was released in theaters in 2021.
Video Production Instructor
Yung-Jen Yang is an award-winning cinematographer and director with a Master of Fine Arts in Media Arts Production from The City College of New York. His work has been featured in prestigious film festivals, including the San Diego Asian Film Festival and BAMcinemaFest, with notable projects such as Red Card (2023) and Clytaemnestra (2021).
With over a decade of teaching experience at institutions like Shih-Hsin University, Yung-Jen specializes in courses on Cinematography, Video Production, and Video Editing. His approach combines practical skills with film theory, making him an inspiring mentor for aspiring filmmakers.
Music Production Instructor
With rich experience in the audio industry, Yiran Chen, known as Amelia Chen, has established herself as a versatile and innovative sound artist and musician. She holds a Master's degree in Music Technology from New York University and a Bachelor's degree in Media Arts Production, with a focus on Sound Design, from Emerson College.
Yiran's diverse portfolio spans a wide range of music and audio production projects, including music recording and production, songwriting and film scoring, location sound mixing, post-production sound for films, and sound and music design for theater plays, games, and VR projects. Her notable works include original songs like "The Relic Linked to All" and "Warm-toned," the narrative short film "Clam Shack Blues," the sci-fi short film "Deep Blue," the Korean documentary "Safari," the theater play "The Metamorphosis" produced by Mou Theatre, and the film theme songs "Continued Writing" and "Hawaii," among others.