BRANDON KYLE GIBSON-JACKSON

I made my musical debut at the Watkins campus of the D.C. Cluster Schools on Capitol Hill and continued my early training in the arts through the D.C. Youth Ensemble, the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, Taps and Company, Camera Ready Kids, and both the Children of the Gospel and Eastern Senior High Choirs.  

Although  I studied and exceled in all areas of the Performing Arts i.e., modeling, drama, and dance, I loved to Tap and sing more.  My first professional musical was at the Kennedy Center in “Purlie” with Stephanie Mills, Doreen Harwood, Reginal Vel Johnson and Larry Storch, under the direction of Kay Cameron,

Under the direction of Ms. Joyce Garrett, I have sung on stage with such notables as Gloria Estefan, Smokie Robinson, Aaliyah,  Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder.   My rendition of  “The Impossible Dream” by Vandross is considered an epic marvel by some.  I was priviledged to sing this song at a convention in Miami that I attended with my Mom. 

My first professional acting performance was as the “Boy” in Much Ado About Nothing with David Birney, under the Direction of Michael Kahn, Folgers Shakespeare Theatre, Washington, D.C.   Kennedy Center performances include three roles in Sundiata – The Lion King of Mali; and, Pepito Story choreographed and directed by Debbie Allen.  Additionally, I studied dance and performed at the Dance Theatre of Harlem Residency Program under the direction of Arthur Mitchell at the Kennedy Center, as well as performances with the Dance Institute of Washington, under the Direction of Fabian Barnes.  I was also cast as the “Assistant to the Mayor in THE DISTRICT, a CBS series”

As a Kennedy Center Kid, I learned lighting and staging techniques and with the D.C. Youth Ensemble under the direction of Carol Foster as well.

Dance awards were received in 1988 Catch a Rising Star (lst place) and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Talent Hunt (2nd place) – tap dancing – I also performed for the Volunteers of America honoring former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young hosted by Cokie Roberts, Moran Productions.  

Modeling awards were received from Talent America in New York (lst place); and other modeling venues include the Cohen Clothing Catalog, cover publication of the Black Child Institute Annual Report Special Edition; and am currently in the McGraw Hill-History Text Book update used in most public schools.

Modeling competitions have become a phenomenon for high school and college youth in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.  To this end and in an effort to give back to the community, I decided to bring a different twist to this arena.  As the Founder/Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer, in September 2007, I established Cimbolica Inc., a 501©3, nonprofit organization based on promoting Fashion and Education through the Performing Arts. This organization brings forth a venue where young people can express their talents through the art of fashion design, dance, and modeling.   Fusing this activity, I believe will provide a nexus between the fashion industry, designing, illustrating, photography and the performing arts as a tool to motivate and encourage higher education for underserved and at risk youth. 

Cimbolica Inc. members consist of local college and high school students in grades 9-12, who MUST maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average.   Cimbolica Inc. is an establishment that prides itself in allowing young people at all academic levels the opportunity to express their talents on a larger scale.  The word Cimbolica is transformed from the word symbolic, symbolizing the uniqueness of people and the talents they bring forth.   Our goal is to provide scholarship assistance for the company members to attend and remain in college and/or other institutions of higher learning. 

Company members assist me as the artistic director in costume and set design, choreography, and production.  We believe this program not only provides talent development and financial incentives, but will develop self-worth, independence and team players of at-risk students in a drug and violence free environment.

As a relatively new company, we are seeking sponsors.  It is our company's mission and goal to showcase and feature http://www.cimbolica.org young people from all over the Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. areas and allow them to travel locally and abroad to showcase their talents.  Additionally, we are seeking resources and capital through grants, corporate sponsorships, Angel funding, as well as other financial support to allow us to serve and bring in more students, who have an interest in pursing these avenues in college and other institutions of higher learning.  




Cimbolica is registered with the Combined Federal Campaign where donations and pledges can be submitted each year to CFC#97351.  Our Federal Tax Exempt Number is EIN 11-3810024.