Musician’s Tool Box
MAX CAPISTRAN
Originally a blues player, Max Capistran grew up in NH. His career as a guitarist/teacher began early in life at Bedford Youth Performing Company. He spent the later part of his teens running workshops in after-school programs in Manchester NH. He was also a member of a group from the school in conjunction with Easter Seals bringing music therapy sessions to various facilities in the greater Manchester area.
Abandoning his original plan to become a nurse, he was accepted as a guitar principal at Berklee College of Music spring of 2012. During his time at the college, Max started the African String Ensemble in partnership with percussion professor Joe Galeota. He graduated summa cum laude with a degree in songwriting in the spring of 2015. Since moving to Brooklyn, Max fills his time teaching private music lessons at an independent music school in Brooklyn and writing songs—many of which become adapted, arranged, & performed by Damn Tall Buildings.
Singer’s Tool Box
SASHA DUBYK
Sasha Dubyk is a Philadelphia-raised, Brooklyn-based musician and educator. Sasha holds a degree in Music therapy with a minor in African studies from Berklee College of Music. Classically voice trained, with a background in jazz and musical theater, Sasha has performed nationally with Damn Tall Buildings and internationally as lead vocalist with The Klezmeranians.
In 2013 as a young college student excited by all the new possibilities Berklee had to offer, Sasha purchased and learned upright bass to join the four piece bluegrass-outfit, Damn Tall Buildings. With the Klezmeranians, Sasha sings traditional klezmer pieces in Hebrew, Yiddish, Spanish, and Russian and has performed at festivals around the world.Though performing is an essential aspect of Sasha’s everyday life, working with children and integrating into her community is a constant. Sasha has worked as a music therapist at a medical clinic in Gondar Ethiopia, preschool teacher in Philadelphia, private music instructor, and most recently as an elementary school music teacher at East Harlem Scholars Academy in Harlem, NY.
DAMN TALL BUILDINGS
In their early days, Damn Tall Buildings didn’t rehearse – they busked. Now, whether live or on record, the band still radiates the energy of a ragtag crew of music students playing bluegrass on the street. But anchoring that energy is their instrumental chops, their strong songwriting, and their varied influences that stretch beyond bluegrass, even beyond American roots music altogether. Whether sharing lead vocals and instrumental solos or blending their voices into loose, joyous harmony, the four members of Damn Tall Buildings (guitarist/lead vocalist Max Capistran, bassist/lead vocalist Sasha Dubyk, fiddler/vocalist Avery Ballotta and banjoist/vocalist Jordan Alleman) blend elements of bluegrass, blues, roots-rock and vintage swing to create a captivating, high-energy sound. Their lyrics find beauty and glory in the mundane, workaday struggle of everyday life: time keeps passing, you don’t like your job, you drink too much, you laugh with your friends, you search for a home, and you dream about what else might be out there. You carry on. This is what Damn Tall Buildings sings about, what they seek to share with their audience.
ACTING FOR THE CAMERA (AGES 12+)
PHOEBE GARCIA PEARL
Phoebe Garcia Pearl was born and raised in LA. She moved cross country to attend The Boston Conservatory on scholarship majoring in dance. She became a Radio City Rockette at the age of 19 and danced with the company for many seasons until leaving to focus on and pursue acting in 2017. She also performed all over North America in the national tour of Dirty Dancing as the dance captain and understudy to the leads. She has appeared as a recurring Character on HBO's The Deuce, has worked on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and has starred in many indie films. This past year she appeared in New York City Center’s production of Evita and finished production on her own film in which she wrote and directed. It is now playing the film festival circuit in the states and internationally! Fun fact - Her first role in a movie was in Matilda @phoebeopearl
DANCE
BAILEY CALLAHAN - DANCE
Bailey Callahan is a celebrated eight year veteran of the Radio City Rockettes. She has starred in both the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the New York Spectacular, working with directors Linda Haberman, Dennis Callahan, Julie Branam, and Mia Michaels. As a Rockette she has had the honor of performing in six Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parades, the 71st Annual Tony Awards, MTV’s Video Music Awards, The Rockefeller Tree Lighting, NBC’s Michael Buble Christmas Special, the New York Knicks Half Time Shows, and much more. She is also involved in the Rockettes’ dance education program, having taught numerous master classes, audition prep workshops, and for the prestigious Rockette Summer Intensive. In addition to her time at Radio City Music Hall, Bailey has also debuted in Singin’ in the Rain at the John W Engeman Theater, directed by Drew Humphrey and Broadway by the Year concert series at Town Hall, choreographed by Danny Gardner.
When she is not performing, Bailey is most passionate about teaching, hoping to inspire the next generation of broadway bound stars. In her free time, she loves to take class, bake cupcakes, and cuddle with her dog Sir Rockefeller.
MELENIE DIARBEKIRIAN - DANCE
Boston-based dancer, Melenie Diarbekirian, holds a BFA in Dance from the Boston Conservatory, and is a current member of Luminarium Dance Company, Pantos Project Dance, and Turning Key Dance. Throughout her performance career, she has done works by José Limón, Alwin Nikolais, Thang Dao, Larry Keigwin, Andy Noble, Agnes de Mille, was a member of Urbanity Dance, and has performed at the ICA/Boston, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out Stage, and the Boston Opera House. Melenie is currently on faculty at the Acton School of Ballet, and serves at the Ballet Mistress to Commonwealth Ballet Company.
ALYSSA EPSTEIN - FOSSE
Alyssa is thrilled to join the Verdon/Fosse Legacy as one of the first proteges! As a protege, Alyssa assists in recreating, archiving and teaching the work of Mr. Fosse to the next generation of dancers. She spent 14 years kicking up her heels as a Radio City Rockette. Alyssa has been seen dancing on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Rachael Ray, Live with Kelly and Michael, America's Got Talent and many more! She has worked with Broadway choreographers Randy Skinner and Chet Walker on various projects. Favorite regional theater credits include, Showboat, 42nd St and Crazy For You. Most importantly Alyssa is a four year Breast Cancer Survivor! She works with many charitable organizations around the country in spreading hope to those that need it most!
Abigail Gatlin
Abigail is NYC-based musical theatre performer from Cleveland, TN. Favorite credits include: Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Rockette), Nat'l and Internat'l tours of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Regional productions of CATS (Bombalurina, Demeter), White Christmas (DC, Rita), The Producers, and Shrek.
Megan Levinson
Megan just finished her 10th season as a Radio City Rockette. As a Rockette she has had the opportunity to perform on the “Rockefeller Tree Lighting,” “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”, “The Today Show”, “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks”, “Live! With Michael and Kelly” “The Wendy Williams Show”, “The Chew”, “Saks Fifth Ave Window Unveiling”, and the stages of both Radio City Music Hall and The Grand Ole Opry. Her professional career began at the age 11 as Clara in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Megan has studied at School of American Ballet, Miami City Ballet, New Jersey Ballet School, and was asked to be a part of Atlanta Ballet’s Pre-Professional Division. She has had to the opportunity to work with, workshop and perform Mia Michaels choreography. Megan’s other credits include performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing in a Jean Paul Gaultier fashion show in Vienna Austria and in a Jodi McQueen Music Video. She has her BA in Psychology from Montclair State University and just went back to school part time for her Masters in Sports Psychology.