Cast Members Profiles

Cast A09 Members:

Name: Aafke Van MerleCountry: The Netherlands Age: 18	Last summer I finished gymnasium and after Up with People I will go to study medicines at the university. I love to play hockey, to run and to play harp. I listen all kinds of music, but especially film music and musicals.
Name: Ada Bleasby Country: Canada Age: 18	I am taking a year off between highschool and university. I love travelling and learning about different culture.
Name: Alana FerburtCountry: USA Age: 19	I am a student at Bermuda College, majoring in Liberal Arts to be a social worker. I work at Samadhi Spa at Newstead Hotel as a spa coordinator. My interest are spending time with family and friends.
Name: Alexandra CoppietersCountry: Belgium Age: 18	I just graduated from high school and have decided to take a year off before starting design and inside architecture. I choose UWP because during these six months I want to do things for others.
Name: Alex LippertCountry: USA
Name: Alex PennyCountry: USA Age: 24	I am taking time off from Prescott College inPrescott, AZ to travel with UWP. I spend my summers working with high school students doing trail work. Teaching and spending time outside is the greatest combination in the world.
Name: Alex Vargas SolisCountry: Mexico Age: 20	I’m a Law Student. I live with my parents and my sister. I love the sea.
Name: Alexandra Rehn AppleqvistCountry: Sweden Age: 20	Graduated from gymnasium (high school) in 2007. Moved to England, lived and worked there for a year and then I went back to Sweden to raise the money for UWP. Love music, explor the world, taking photos and having fun 🙂
Name: Alexia DelvauxCountry: Belgium Age: 18	I was in Bulayment. After this, I was in Costa Rica to learn Spanish. I love to spend time with my friends and to dance. I like to learn other languages to meet
Name: Andrea Rodriguez Lopez Country: Mexico Age: 19	I’m study university 3rd semester Biophysic. I love play soccer, I love pets (dogs), I love Kids!! I love dancing, be with my friends, family, watch movies and cooking.
Name: Andy Nijssen Country: Belgium Age: 20	I sit in a wheelchair. I like helping others.
Name: Andy RogersCountry: USA Age: 19	I’m currently a sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where I am transifioning into a theatre/performance acting major. I love to sing, dance, act and have a great time thus I’ve decided to pursue a career in acting. I’m also a firm believer in multicufusism as a key aspect of one’s life, making UWP an AWESOME organization.
Name: Angie PfeidererCountry: USA Age: 25	I graduated from the university of Me in 2006. I have taught kindergarten for 2 and half years.
Name: Anne LawrenceCountry: USA Age: 23	I am in lingo between undergrad and getting my masters.
Name: Ashely MerrillCountry: USA Age: 18	I am excited to travel, learn about different cultures, and gain new experiences, I graduated from high school in the spring of ’08 this was a great opportunity for me to see the world.
Name: Axel KremerCountry: Belgium Age: 19	I just finished my secondary school. I don’t really know what I’d like to do for a job, but it will be social or artistic. I like the children, and maybe I’ll be a sport teacher.
Name: Camilla AamodtCountry: Denmark Age: 20	I went to a boarding school in my city. I was a day student (called Herlufsholm). I have been playing handball for 10 years. I am interested in dancing and singing. But it’s not anything I have done.
Name: Camille Vandenkerckhove Country: Belgium Age: 18	I graduated from high school in June and afterwards I’ve been studying Spanish in Savilla (Spain) from Sep. to Dec. I love dancing , having fun, diving, swimming, making a fool of myself sometimes…
Name: Coty WalkerCountry: USA Age: 18	Hi, I’m Coty Walker. I’m 18 years and have just graduated from Highschool. I’m a gymenastics coach and when I am, I’d like to be an actor.
Name: Emil Elholm Country: Denmark Age: 20	I graduated from the Danish Gymnasium this summer and after that I was working to raise money to the UWP program.
Name: Gianna RoosCountry: Switzerland Age: 19	I finished High School in July 2008 and so I need a break after 12 years school. To earn money I worked as a server in a little Caffee for 5 months. After UWP I like to go to the university.
Name: Gregor Pollehn Country: Germany Age: 24	I graduated from University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Systems. I’m interested in traveling around the world and meeting a lot of different people and cultures. I like to do ballroom-dancing and singing.
Name: Hannah BehunCountry: USA Age: 19	I am attending Northern Arizona University to become a teacher. I like to swim, go to concerts and hang out. I babysit and work for maintenance at my school.
Name: Ida LundgrenCountry: Sweden Age: 19	I like music, sports, spending time with my friends. I just graduated from High School.
Name: Ida ThomsenCountry: Denmark Age: 20	I graduated High School this summer, and worked for a half year to earn the money for the trip with Up With People. I worked as a teacher, a phoner for a newspaper and in a bookshop.
Name: Ido Adler Country: Israel Age: 24	I studied computer science. I’m interested in perfoming on stage.
Name: Isaline PetitCountry: Belgium Age: 18	I was in a boarding school. I spent 4 months in spain before I came here. In Belgium, I like to spend time with my friends. I like to meet new people and to find out more about new cultures.
Name: Jason DelgadoCountry: USA Age: 20	I’m a tile installer and server. I like mountain biking, singing, and basketball.
Name: Jefferey ForemanCountry: USA Age: 26	Before traveling with Up With People, I was a teller coordinator for a US Bank. I also enjoy singing and recording music
Name: Jessica SchangCountry: USA Age: 26	I am interested in improving my skills of working in and with different cultures because my goal is to eventually work in human rights on a global scale. For now, I can’t situate my travel bag.
Name: Joe SalazarCountry: USA Age: 19	I was a student at Collen County Cormits College. I like to play Volley Ball and Tick Box.
Name: Josephine FehrmannCountry: Germany Age: 19	I finished High School last zear. I love to travel and get to know new and other people, countries, cultures, food. My passions are photography, psychology and singing.
Name: Joshua Yu Country: China Age: 25	I graduated in 2007 and worked after that as a purchasing specialist for one and a half years. Now, I’m a free fish who is traveling with his dreams.
Name: Josimar SerberieCountry: The Netherlands Antilles
Name: Juan Carlos Gonzalez Bellon Country: Mexico Age: 20	I study mechatronics , I’m in the third semester. I like classic rock, melodic metal, blues, old country and classical music. I like videogames.
Name: Karoline Veum SolbergCountry: Norway Age: 19	I just finished high school. I love music and theatre and would like to work with that in the future. I also love swimming and snowboarding.
Name: Katja PedersenCountry: Denmark Age: 20	I finished High School in 2007 and moved to Finland for six months to work, beacause my mom is Finish. I love dancing and sweets (candy!).
Name: Kelly CurranCountry: USA Age: 23	I recent graduated from Wake Forest University, majored in psychology, minors in sociology and gender studies. I want to be a family therapist and hope that the experiences in many cultures and families in Up With People will be of use. I enjoy dancing (Irish Step, etc.) scrapbooking and writing.
Name: Kristen EastmanCountry: USA Age: 22	I recently graduated from the University of Nebraska in Biology and Psychology. I hope to attend graduate school following Up With People.
Name: Kyle HarnoisCountry: USA Age: 18	I studied music and math at CCRI. I work at Yawgoog Seent reserration.
Name: Lilian StettlerCountry: Switzerland Age: 24	I’m interested in culture, social work, traveling, music, and dance, dance, dance!
Name: Lindsey FrothinghamCountry: USA Age: 24	I’m a Mechanical Engineer who loves nature and being creative. I love to rockclimb and swim. I’ve always wanted to do Up With People and am so excited to be on tour!
Name: Liz DavisCountry: USA Age: 26	I recently graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in Public Relations. I have two younger siblings and I love being a big sister.
Name: Lotte AalbertsCountry: The Netherlands Age: 18	I have finished highschool and now I want to learn about the world together with people from different cultures. After traveling with Up With People I want to study international communication.
Name: Luis Espinosa ChávezCountry: Mexico Age: 20	I study mechatronics in my homecity. I love to draw and play videogames, was well als longboarding and snowboarding.
Name: Maggie McDowellCountry: USA Age: 18	I graduated from high school in 2008 (a year early). I worked at Red Robin for 8 months to save money for this trip. I enjoy swimming, riding my bike, hiking, wakeboarding, volleyball and making hemp jewelery.
Name: Marianny Sanabria DelgadoCountry: Venezuela Age: 18	I’m a student and studying music (drum, guitar and piano). I love music! I think it’s the best in the world and also love my country.
Name: Marjolein VisserCountry: The Netherlands Age: 19	I graduated from pre-university in 2008. My interests are philosophy, psychology, theatre, writing (stories), reading, travel and cultural anthropology.
Name: Matt AboussieCountry: USA
Name: Michael SmetsCountry: Belgium Age: 26	I just like to do a lot of different things. I’ll see what will come across my way and if it pleases me I’ll join the ride. I you want to move on with us: join the bus!
Name: Nicole LemasCountry: USA Age: 18	I attend Hawaii Pacific University in their international vocal Ensemble, studying cultural anthro. I love singing, surfing, swimming (outdoors). I work as a server back home at a italian restaurant.
Name: Nouria VandermeulenCountry: Belgium Age: 19	I went to a grammar school for 3 years but graduated in the option human science. Music is my passion. I love to listen to it, to sing and to get to know new bands and genres. I love to travel and want to make a bit of the cultures a piece of myself. I also write, mostly poems in dutch.
Name: Paquita CornelissenCountry: The Netherlands Age: 18	Before Up With People I finished high school and went to a musical academy for 4 months. I like singing, acting and dancing, but I’m not a good dancer. I just want to have fun doing it. After Up With People I want to go to university. I’m interested in anyting about biomedics.
Name: Rebecca Thorbek UldallCountry: Denmark Age: 22	I finished high school (“Gymnasium”) in the summer of 2008 with a focus on theatre, politics, psychology and philosophy.
Name: Ricky GonzalezCountry: USA Age: 22	I am a musician, I work for Universal Music Group.  I am attending junior college, majoring in economics. I love reading, running, and spending time with my family.
Name: Rixt MeindertsCountry: The Netherlands Age: 18	I graduated from highschool in May 2008. My hobbies are sewing, traveling, reading, hockey and music.
Name: Rowinda AppelmanCountry: The Netherlands Age: 22	Hi y’all! I just graduated from university and I would love to work at the UN. My journey with Up With People will hopefully teach me a lot about other cultures and beliefs, so I will be able to help make the world more unified.
Name: Sanne SchockaertCountry: Belgium Age: 18	I did acting school, dance and singing. Those are also my interests, and I like music. I’m sure Up With People will change my life.
Name: Shalyn HarrisCountry: USA Age: 19	I am a passionate dancer. I love traveling to new places very much. I am a people person and family oriented. Currently, I’m attending the University of Alaska, Southeast in Medical.
Name: Shannon McClellan Country: USA Age: 23	I go to school in San Diego Mesa College. I’m a self-employed pet-sitter. My interests are being with my family and friends, singing, music, going to the movies, go to the beach, shopping, etc.
Name: Sisa CernanskáCountry: Slovakia Age: 24	Hi! 🙂 I’m interested in traveling, learning about new things around me, dancing, helping others, sport, learning everythink I can from foreign cultures. I graduated in Marketing, Management and Publicity.
Name: Stuart DanielCountry: USA Age: 20	I was a corrections officer before coming on tour. My interests include music, dance and any form of theatre.
Name: Subu RanaCountry: Nepal Age: 21	I am a social worker by education and profession. I love travelling to different places especially such places where I can help disadvantaged and poor people.
Name: Theresa GeipingCountry: Germany Age: 20	Last year in june, I finished school and really wanted to explore the world. So I worked quite hard to finance “Up With People”. But it’s a great opportunity for me to get to know many different people and their culture.
Name: Toño Gonzalez HinojosCountry: Mexico Age: 27	I studied Industrial Engineering and Percussian. I like to play soccer, tennis and also singing. I play the drums, narimba, some guitar, some piano. I love learning things and taking pictures.
Name: Torrin TylerCountry: New Zealand Age: 22	I love sports, especially ice-hockey, and working with animals. In the future, I want to became a canadian citizen.
Name: Tove AlsegårdCountry: Sweden Age: 20	I’m between swedish high school (“Gymnasium”) and college. I like to perform (dancing and theatre). In my freetime I love to be outdoors in the nature.
Name: Yan Zhang Country: China Age: 21	I’m a student in Soochow Universitz. I like social workd and being a volunteer to help others. Reading, sports and making friends with people from different countries are my favorite things.
Name: Yewalashet GirmuCountry: Ethiopia Age: 28	I am a journalist and a teacher. I have a BED degree in Geographi and a Master’s degree in Population Study and Development. In my freetime, I write different articles, poems and short stories and also play Ethiopian cultural instruments.
Name: Yohannes Yimer DawdCountry: Ethiopia Age: 28	I have graduated in Business Administration with a Masters degree from Addis Abeba university. I have been working as an organisational capacity building consultant for non-profit working organisations. I like playing table tennis and travelling.
Name: Zelda LiangCountry: China Age: 22	I graduated from university a few months ago. I am working on applying for graduate school and hopefully become an Anchropologist. Right now, I am seeking for the answer of “who I am” on tour.
Name: Zola GedamuCountry: Ethiopia Age: 23	Hello! I am Zolalem from Addis Abeba and graduated in Information Technology in 2006. I worked as a Data Manager. You’re very welcome to talk to me if you’re interested!

Road Staff for Cast A09:

Cast Manager Jen Moody USA
Assistant Cast Manager Gabe Anchondo USA
Logistics Coordinator Molly Robertson USA	I was raised in Ohio, but I live in California. I graduated in May 2007 with a B.Sc. In Marketing from Wagner College.
Business and Marketing Manager Matthew Erley USA
Admissions Recruiter Brodie Kinder USA	I travelled with Cast C 2007. I tried out for American Idol and made it on National Television.
Admissions Coordinator Sofie Martinsson Sweden
Businees Administrator Phil Woods USA	I am currently the Business Administrator for cast A09. I recently graduated university with a degree in mathematics. I love traveling, meeting new people, and playing music whenever possible.
Education Manager Aoife Redmond Ireland	I am the Education Manager for Cast A 2009 and I’m so excited about this upcoming semester! I travelled as a student in Cast A07 and have so many great memories that I can’t wait for this cast to make their own! Woo!
Education Coordinator Dave Penny USA	Currently, I am an education coordinator in Up with People. This is my fourth semester with UWP. Before Up with People I was a high school social studens teacher of which I will return to.
Education Coordinator Hans Nelson USA	I’ve got a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Currently, I’m one of the Education Coordinators on the road. I love to travel, entertain and laugh.
Show Manager Yui Mihara Japan
Music Coordinator Kady Brown Canada	I’m currently the Music Coordinator for Up With People. I have the best job in the world, singing around the globe, hanging out with rockin’ people doing awesome things! I also enjoy coffee, laughter, ice cream, markers, beaches and writing things on whiteboards.
Dance Captain Paul Conzemius USA
Technical Manager Rafael Cardoso Brazil
Lighting Technician Anthony Anaya-Gorman Navajo Nation
Audio Technician Manuel Rivas Mexico