Fall2 2025 EC Program DIGITALfile v3 - Flipbook - Page 6
ARTIST PROFILES
AL ABRAHAM
AL Abraham, from the Philippines, began his dance training at
the Effie Nañas Dance Center and earned a scholarship to the
Philippine High School for the Arts, majoring in ballet. He holds
a diploma in Creative Performing Arts from the University of the
Philippines. Recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Ballet Competition and Korea International Modern Dance
Competition, Abraham has performed with Ballet Philippines,
Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Springfield Ballet, and Oakland
Ballet. As a choreographer, his works are in Alice Reyes Dance
Philippines’ repertoire. Abraham joined Smuin in 2024.
TESSA BARBOUR
Tessa Barbour, of Albuquerque, NM, trained at Alwin School
of the Dance before studying abroad in Warrington, England,
on a scholarship awarded to her at the Cecchetti International
Competition. She danced for Connecticut Ballet and San Diego
Ballet before joining Smuin. Her favorite past performances
include The Man in Black by James Kudelka and Indigo by Stanton
Welch. Since joining Smuin, Barbour has performed works by Val
Caniparoli, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Trey McIntyre, and Amy
Seiwert. As of 2023, Barbour is a certified massage therapist.
Barbour joined Smuin in 2016.
DOMINIC BARRETT
Dominic Barrett, from Cincinnati, OH, began learning hip-hop
and ballroom before starting his ballet training at The School
for the Creative and Performing Arts and the Cincinnati Ballet
Academy. He attended the University of Cincinnati’s College
Conservatory of Music for dance on a full scholarship. He has
performed around the U.S., including at Ballet Tucson and De La
Dance Company. Barrett’s repertoire includes roles in Coppélia,
La Bayadère, and Don Quixote, and works by George Balanchine
and Christopher Wheeldon. Barrett joined Smuin in 2024.
ISABEL BORGES
Isabel Borges, a New Orleans native, began her training at the
Giacobbe Academy of Dance. At fifteen, she moved to New York City
to study at Ballet Academy East under renowned faculty, including
mentor Darla Hoover, performing featured roles such as the principal
in Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht. While earning her B.A. in International
Studies from Loyola University, she danced with New Orleans Ballet
Theater, learning and performing principal roles including the Sugar
Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker and the principal in Concerto Barocco.
Most recently with Cincinnati Ballet II, Isabel performed closely with
the company in productions. Borges joined Smuin in 2025.
6 • FALL | EX TREMELY CLOSE • 2025
