in 2016 our directors Mac and Alex got married. During the wedding itself they always wanted to hold another celebration where everyone comes as the bride.

In 2026 we are making that happen.

We are exploring themes of duet, marriage and ceremony, told through Taiko and dance. Our classics are here with a different spin and we have new works to share. The ups and downs of relationships, pairings, proposals, and ceremony

Mac Evans (he/him) - Co-Director, Composer, Drummer

Mac is a taiko performing artist. In addition to co-directing Casual Fifth, he is a regular performer with Taikoza in New York City, teaches Taiko at Swarthmore College, and is a long-distance student and friend of Sukeroku Daiko in Tokyo.

Alex Pfister (she/her) - Co-Director, Choreographer, Dancer, Drummer

Alex studied modern dance and Taiko in New York City, performing with the Sokolow Theatre Dance Ensemble and Neo amongst others. She studied medicine and now works as a neurologist. She is co-director and performing member of Casual Fifth. She is passionate about bringing dance to the neurologic community through initiatives like MS Dance Movement and Tango Therapy Project.

Jim May (he/him) - Mentor, Choreographer, Dancer

Jim has been a dancer on the New York scene for over 40 years, notably as a disciple of Anna Sokolow for 35 years and co-artistic director of her dance company from 1990-2017. His performance career spans modern dance, ballet, and broadway, and his resume in choreography and teaching is just as extensive. He received a Bessie Award (1999) and the Martha Hill Award (2024) for lifetime achievement. Jim moved to Philadelphia in 2017 and has been a member and choreographer for Casual Fifth since its origin.

Meggi Sweeny Smith (she/her) - Dancer

A dancer/educator, Meggi studied dance/music at the University of Kansas and NYU. While teaching and performing with companies such as New York Baroque Dance Company and the Sokolow Dance/Theater Ensemble, she also works as the Family Liaison at Lexington School for the Deaf. Meggi is passionate about exploring the connections between different dance forms, cultures, and times. She has been a member of Casual Fifth since its origin.

Akira (Aki) Di Sandro (she/they) - Drummer, Dancer

Aki grew up watching taiko at Obon festivals in the Chicago suburbs and Japan. Moved by the intensity of the drums, Aki joined their collegiate taiko group at Oberlin and never stopped drumming! In addition to taiko, Aki is an avid cook, crocheter, pianist, and a lover of community care.

Yuya Ishizuka (he/him) - Drummer

Yuya began playing taiko in high school. A lover of all things drums, he re-discovered his love for taiko through Casual Fifth in 2021, enjoying the intentionality of each hit and full body movement with drumming. Outside of taiko, Yuya enjoys climbing, playing baseball, and occasionally DJing.

Yidan Zeng (they/them) - Composer, Drummer, Fue Player

Yidan immediately fell in love with taiko when they saw Gendo Taiko at Brown University. They went on to join Gendo Taiko and later helped produce the 2017 East Coast Taiko Conference. In 2021, they joined Casual Fifth as a drummer and fue (flute) player. Outside of taiko, they stitch together text/iles, performance, and food towards an artistic practice of attention and care.

Scout Hayashi (she/her) - Drummer

Scout is a Go-sei from North Carolina who discovered taiko at Swarthmore College and joined Casual Fifth in 2023. Playing taiko helps her find connection with her Japanese heritage and satisfy her love of learning new things. Outside of taiko she is an enthusiastic crocheter and crafter, half-marathon runner, and medical student.

Mary Therese Escueta (she/her) - Dancer

Maritess is a dance artist, educator, and sociologist. Her dance education began in Red Bank, NJ under Viorica Stampfel, Nick & Shayne Mishoe, and Jennifer James Church. In her research and movement practice, Maritess seeks to better understand the human condition and our shared humanity. She is also a member of Gwendolyn Bye’s Dancefusion. 

Alec Aversa (he/him) - Dancer

From Thornhurst, Pennsylvania, Alec began his dance training at 19 at the Joan Harris Center, studying ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary dance. After graduating from Misericordia University in 2021, he continued his education at Drexel University, where he began a PhD in electrical and computer engineering, joined the Drexel Dance Ensemble, performed as the Cavalier in The Nutcracker with Dance One Studios, and expanded his training to include improvisation and freestyle dance. In 2022, Alec began training at the Gwendolyn Bye Dance Center and joined Dancefusion as an apprentice before becoming a company member in 2023; he has also appeared as a guest artist with Dance Del Bello in Shitau and performed in reconstructed works including Daniel Maloney’s Percussion Suite, Anna Sokolow’s Lyric Suite, and Mary Anthony’s Threnody.

John Heward (he/him) - Pianist

John has been playing the piano for a significant portion of his life. He enjoys it... at home. John reluctantly brings it to the stage.