People

Zensay Carlos Hill, "Luz Divina", founder, director, coach and instructor. Zensay obtained a B.A. in Spanish Literature from Dartmouth College and a M.S. in Educational Administration from SUNY Albany.

In his youth, Zensay participated in a variety of sports including cricket, soccer, tennis, swimming and track. In adulthood, his passion for the physical arts translated to Martial Arts training. In 1974 he began study in Shotokan and Goju Ryu Karate under Sensei Victor Collier (8th Degree) in Albany, New York, completing the requirements for first degree Black Belt. When Zensay moved to Berkeley he began study at the Aikido Insitute in Oakland, training to the Shodan level, or first degree Black Belt. By 1980, he was immersed in Capoeira studies under Bira "Mestre Acordeon" Almeida, founder of the United Capoeira Association and was promoted as one of Mestre Acordeon's first American graduates. He also undertook extensive study of Kajukenbo, Wun Hop Kuen Do Kung Fu, under his current mentor, Bill Owens of the Cascos Academy of Martial Arts, Oakland. In 2004, he earned a third degree Black Belt with Sifu Owens. Carlos Zensay Hill has coached teams and privately for many local clubs such as: Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club, Bay Oaks Soccer Club, and the Mavericks. He holds a National Soccer Coaches Association of America "A" level license.

Zensay says he is honored to pass on his knowledge to Playing Life Academy students, to watch them connect with the material, learn and transform through their experiences, becoming more healthy, confident and vibrant.

Caroline Duke, founder, director, Footfire Soccer Camp's chef and art director. Caroline holds a B.A., Mills College and M.A., UC Berkeley, in Asian Art History. In connection with her research on Indian Art, Caroline has traveled extensively in South and South East Asia. For over two decades she studied acting, as well as a variety of movement arts, including Capoeira, Jazz Dance, and Yoga. Her varied experience encompasses a 10-year restaurant career. The source of her Playing Life perspective, however, began with her parents. "Green" when it was only a color, Caroline's mother was gardening, baking, canning, sewing and stretching a dollar stretch only a child of the Depression could. Her father was a musician and singer in traditional Hawaiian and Jazz styles who began his long entertainment career in childhood, standing atop a fruit crate, soliciting donations. From their example she learned that creativity isn't an option, but the essence of life. She is happiest when she sees Playing Life Academy students exploring their creative spirits.

Nigel Hill, program consultant, Footfire Soccer field and equipment coordinator. Nigel Nill Nigel, a native Trinidadian, is a consummate outdoorsman. Among his passions are scuba diving, fishing and gardening. He brings a full tool kit of soccer experience as player, youth coach and referee to Footfire Soccer. Nigel is the creator of the Footfire Soccer Tennis Net, a source of endless camp fun. He officiated the first Footfire Soccer Tennis Chamionship. Footfire Summer Soccer Camp thrives as a result of Nigel's tireless contributions.

Both Nigel and Zensay trace their enthusiasm for the physical arts to their parents, especially their mother, a fearless field hockey player and Junior Wimbledon Tennis Competitor in England who served the Government of the Rep. of Trinidad and Tobago as its Director of Physical Education.

Kamani Hill, "Macacu", program consultant, Playing Life Academy Capoeira graduate. Kamani was the inspiration for the Footfire Summer Soccer Program. He and his teammates represent the first generation of Footfire CIT, counselors-in-training. They went on to earn Berkeley High its first NCS division title for men's soccer in 2004. Kamani has played at the college level with UCLA and at the national level with the US Men's National Team. In 2006, he began his professional soccer career in the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg, Germany, signing in 2009 with Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal. On March 28, 2012 Kamani joined the Major League Soccer Team the Colorado Rapids. He will continue with us as Footfire Soccer's Technical Director.

Kaiso Hill, "Viravolta", program consultant, Footfire Soccer Coach, Playing Life Academy Capoeira graduate. Kaiso has trained and performed with the Youth Muscial Theater Company, Berkeley and the American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco. In 2009, Kaiso traveled to England for summer study at the Theater Royal Bath with A.C.T. Currently, he is in his second year in the B.F.A. program for acting at CalArts in Los Angeles. In between rehearsals, you'll find Kaiso practicing Tai Chi.

The knowledge and experience of our instructors perfectly match our goals.

We are proud to introduce the following instructors to our Playing Life Academy commmunity:

Arturo Avila, "Beriba", Movement Educator, Playing Life Academy Capoeira graduate. We are proud to have had Beriba as a student and prouder still that he has returned as an instructor. Beriba is at home in either Holbox, Mexico or the East Bay. He has performed throughout the Bay Area and taught Capoeira classes for children at Playing Life Academy, as well as local schools. Beriba's movement exemplifies Capoeira: it flickers between the extremes of freedom and control, intensity and playfulness, high and low, all at dizzying speed. A talented muralist, you can see Beriba's art emblazoned on the outside of Mi Tierra Market, corner of Addison Street and San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley.

Ken Doumbia, Movement and Drum Educator. Mr. Doumbia's knowledge spans geographic distance and disciplines. A Senegalese native and master drummer and dancer, Mr. Doumbia has performed for the past 20 years throughout Europe, Africa and the United States with Afrique Noire and Ballet Du Senegal. His travels extend to Kerala, India, where he has studied yoga and trained an African Drumming Troupe, and to Thailand, where he conducts drumming and dancing classes. He has since gained the 500 hr. Yoga certification. He is co-author, along with his wife, Naomi Doumbia, of The Way of the Elders: West African Spirituality & Tradition. From his Bay Area base, Mr. Doumbia shares music and dance instruction with children and adults through programs such as San Francisco Arts Education. Come and experience the serendipitous convergence of Mr. Doumbia's many talents on Tuesday nights at Playing Life Academy!

Tanya Celeste Chianese, Movement Educator. Talented dancers are few; fewer still are those whose ability extends from dance to teaching. This makes us especially excited to have Ms. Chianese as an instructor, for she has the uncommon capacity for both. Ms. Chianese grew up in Los Angeles, where she started her professional dance career as an apprentice with the Media City Ballet. As well as obtaining a B.F.A. in Modern Dance and B.A. in Art History, University of Oklahoma, Ms. Chianese has served as an administrator for the Oklahoma City Ballet. Her career has literally taken her dancing across the United States and parts of China. Ms. Chianese has taught ballet, jazz, and modern dance to all ages, including at-risk children and visually impaired children and adults, at studios in California and Oklahoma. During her free time, Ms. Chianese choreographs and dives into Screendance, where choreography and film/video practice meet. More about Ms. Chianese

Val Serrant, Music and Percussion Educator. Mr. Serrant tells us he has decades, but we suspect it's more like lifetimes, of experience as a steel pan and traditional drummer. An international performer, recording artist and teacher, we think of Mr. Serrant as the Ambassador of Everything Wonderful. He is a rare combination of talent and tireless commitment to the community, exemplified by his classes for youth in the schools in which he provides an essential lifeline to music. In addition to Bay Area schools, Mr. Serrant encourages the musical traditions in his native Trinidad and Tobago through support of Parry's Pan School in Tacarigua.