Hiatus Members
Kenny
"Nomura"
Fong
Kenny Fong was born in New Jersey. He studies Hung Ga Kung fu under his father, Sifu Bill Fong. He has deep interests in cooking, martial arts as well as acting. When he is not working, he cooks food or he trains his fighting technique. He currently attends the East Brunswick high school as a student. Kenny studies under Yoshi Amao with the Samurai Sword Soul sword fighting. He is motivated to learn more and immerse himself with the knowledge of acting and the arts of fighting.
Dom Mancuso
Driven by a deep interest in mixed martial arts, fantasy (especially Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series), sci-fi (Star Wars) and classical and medieval history Dom began training Waki Style Tate under the direction of Yoshi Amao in October 2012. He quickly immersed himself in Japanese swordsmanship and began studying Shinkendo (traditional Japanese swordsmanship) at Modern Samurai Dojo under the direction of Sensei Lou D’Agostino in June 2013.After nearly a year and a half of training Dom made his debut with Samurai Sword Soul in March 2014. Dom’s strong motivation and desire to learn continues to drive him in his study of stage and traditional Japanese swordsmanship.
Sandy Chase
Sandy Chase went from studying mechanical engineering to touring the world as a professional modern dancer, performing with both MOMIX and Pilobolus. He helped start Sal Anthony’s Movement Salon in 1998, and was certified in Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® by Juliu Horvath. Along the way, he studied Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, earning a second degree black belt, while cross training and competing in Judo. He began training and performing with Samurai Sword Soul in 2010. In his latest incarnation, Sandy is a cinematographer and media producer, working in TV and independent film. He has produced or collaborated with SSS on several exciting film projects. Check out the latest projects at FluidFilm.com
Members in Japan
Atsunori Hayamizu
aka Umihei
Umihei was born in Japan. He began his dance training the age of 19. He moved to New York City in 2005 and now is training at Peridance Center. His training includes Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, House, Locking, Poping, Breking, Pilates, Yoga, and Samurai Sword. He is a free-style of overgrand. Umhei performs with various artists and also choreographs his own works. When he is not training at the studio, he is dancing on the streets of New York. He would like to say special thanks from the bottom of his heart to his family, teachers, friends, and all the people of his support. LOVE &PEAE.
to contact Umihei: denace_u-a@hotmail.co.jp
Akira
Ito
Akira Ito was born in Kobe, Japan, and started acting as a member of The Second Theater Company in Osaka. He performed in many productions including Straw Band, Bond In The Twilight, Relaxing Room, Average Man, Where Justice Exists, Kuma-Chaka Pharmacy, and also in a mime performance, Fugue for X and Y. He came to New York in 2008 to study acting and dance. In New York, he has performed as a dancer in Hatch, Evolve Dance Festival, J-summit, Movement Research, as an actor in Samovar at the Bar, Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
Yoichiro
Kawakami
As Radio personality at WALLOP and Smile FM. Learned sword fight by Ei Kawakami.
He was inspired with New York City when he traveled United States by himself. In 2014 he moved to NY to find a New World. And then met Yoshi and joined SSS. He is performing Film, Theater, Voice over, etc...Now his challenge is going on...
For More Info, www.yoichirokawakami.com
An Actor from Japan.
He's performed in the film industry in Japan since 2000. Starting on roles in Youth-H series Making of Love(2010), The sorrows of younger “Lotte”(2012), Hoshi’s long day(2013).
Shunsaku
Yanai
Shunsaku Yanai is a NYC based actor, who was born in Osaka, Japan. After acting training in Tokyo, he decided to moved to NYC in early 2019 and joined Samurai Sword Soul. Shunsaku is also a proficient martial artist with a black belt in karate and stage combat experience. Recently, Shunsaku graduated from The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute® in NYC. Now, he works both in theatre and on-camera industry. Since he was trained in tap dance and musical theatre singing, Shunsaku also performs in musicals as well.Shunsaku has worked on [STAGE] Samurai AI(2019), Samurai Combi(2019), A Christmas Carol(2019), Twilight: Los Angels 1992(2016), and [FILM] One(2019), If The Weather Was Different(2017) Disconnected(2016), [COMMERCIAL] Schick How To Shave(2019) etc. https://www.shunsakuyanai.com
Kaoru
Tani
Kaoru Tani was born in Tokyo. She is a Dancer, Singer, Musical actress and Free style performer. She graduated Acting and Musical Theater major at KANTO International High School. She's been performing in New York since 2017. In addition, she performed at APOLLO Theatre Amateur Night in 2019.Tani joined Samura Swrod Soul in 2018 and debuted at the Branch Brook Park Sakura Matsuri (NJ) and the Brooklyn Sakura Matsuri (NY) as the heroin "Sakura".
Musician
Yuzu
Natsumi
Singer / Songwriter / Shamisen player
Yuzu is a singer and songwriter playing "shamisen", Japanese traditional guitar, in a modern and in a traditional way. With her shamisen and her catchy rhythms, she introduces the beauty and sophistication of Japanese culture to the world, through traditional music and her original songs.
To share her love of Japanese culture, she travels all around the world. So far she performed in 16 countries, including France, Iceland, Serbia, Thailand and India. She is now based in New York.
At a time when audiences are looking for something new and different in a crowded musical field, Yuzu is certain to provide a sound that is quite unlike anything you have heard before.
