Funksters Staff Bios

Emerson Aquino. One of the founders of Funkanometry SF, and the current Artistic Director, Emerson Aquino is not new to the dance scene. Having trained and danced with groups such as 220, Anarchy, Culture Shock Oakland, and SWC, Em has come a long way with his dancing and directing skills, and continues to grow through his work with Funks SF.
Em has performed at numerous showcases throughout California, and his choreography has been used at shows such as SF Hip-Hop Dancefest, Bustagroove, and Fiesta Filipina, to name a few. Having started dance at the age of 12, Em feels extremely fortunate that he is able to do what he loves everyday, while also sharing with others this great passion for dance. As a teacher and director, Em tries to inspire each dancer, while also challenging them to be the best they can be.

Mariel Martin. At the age of thirteen, she started dancing at the Counter Culture summer camp in Boulder, CO. She has been dancing non-stop since, dancing two years with Counter Culture, and two with Motion Underground before moving to the Bay Area in 2003. She danced with Mind Over Matter for a year, and in 2004 joined Funkanometry SF, where she is currently a dance principal and choreographer. Mariel was Assistant Artistic Director of Funksters Youth Dance Company for the 2005-2006 season and was a Lead for the Funksters Summer Program in 2006. Other dancing credits include AFL’s Colorado Crush City Dancers, back up for Ryan Duarte, and a music video for Kim Del Fierro. She has choreographed for Funkanometry SF, Booftroop ( San Jose ) and Hi-Fi ( San Diego ); her choreography has been showcased at Bustagroove, Culture Shock San Diego’s Choreographer’s Festival, Battlefest, and SF Hip Hop Dance Fest. She is trained primarily in Hip-Hop and has minor jazz training.

Gloryzen Mendoza. In 2001, Glory started dancing at WSPA with Jazz and Hiphop. She trained with Client Calimlim and Patrick Cruz and danced with Xplicit. Since then, she has also choreographed for cotillions and backup danced for Ryan Duarte at Seaworld and the 94.9 Bomb Concert. She has also been a background dancer for various filipino artists on TFC. She has been dancing with Funkanometry SF since 2004. Recently she was a scene extra and background dancer for the Black Eyed Peas "Bebot" video shoot.

	Emerson Aquino. One of the founders of Funkanometry SF, and the current Artistic Director, Emerson Aquino is not new to the dance scene. Having trained and danced with groups such as 220, Anarchy, Culture Shock Oakland, and SWC, Em has come a long way with his dancing and directing skills, and continues to grow through his work with Funks SF. Em has performed at numerous showcases throughout California, and his choreography has been used at shows such as SF Hip-Hop Dancefest, Bustagroove, and Fiesta Filipina, to name a few. Having started dance at the age of 12, Em feels extremely fortunate that he is able to do what he loves everyday, while also sharing with others this great passion for dance. As a teacher and director, Em tries to inspire each dancer, while also challenging them to be the best they can be.
	Mariel Martin. At the age of thirteen, she started dancing at the Counter Culture summer camp in Boulder, CO. She has been dancing non-stop since, dancing two years with Counter Culture, and two with Motion Underground before moving to the Bay Area in 2003. She danced with Mind Over Matter for a year, and in 2004 joined Funkanometry SF, where she is currently a dance principal and choreographer. Mariel was Assistant Artistic Director of Funksters Youth Dance Company for the 2005-2006 season and was a Lead for the Funksters Summer Program in 2006. Other dancing credits include AFL’s Colorado Crush City Dancers, back up for Ryan Duarte, and a music video for Kim Del Fierro. She has choreographed for Funkanometry SF, Booftroop ( San Jose ) and Hi-Fi ( San Diego ); her choreography has been showcased at Bustagroove, Culture Shock San Diego’s Choreographer’s Festival, Battlefest, and SF Hip Hop Dance Fest. She is trained primarily in Hip-Hop and has minor jazz training.
	Gloryzen Mendoza. In 2001, Glory started dancing at WSPA with Jazz and Hiphop. She trained with Client Calimlim and Patrick Cruz and danced with Xplicit. Since then, she has also choreographed for cotillions and backup danced for Ryan Duarte at Seaworld and the 94.9 Bomb Concert. She has also been a background dancer for various filipino artists on TFC. She has been dancing with Funkanometry SF since 2004. Recently she was a scene extra and background dancer for the Black Eyed Peas "Bebot" video shoot.