2025 Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Performers
Come see all of our amazing LOCAL performers at this year’s CDBF!
MEET OUR EMCEES
Fran Campbell
Fran Campbell was born in Denver. Her parents are Filipino immigrants. She started her career as a Pediatric LPN and then switched to Behavioral Health Sr. Clinical Support. Fran is currently the President/CEO of the Asian Chamber of Commerce.
She has been an active leader in the Denver AANHPI community throughout her life. Fran served 14 years as a Denver Commissioner for both the Asian American Pacific Islander Commission and the Immigrant & Refugee Commission. She served over 30 years as an elected Director and Officer of the Filipino-American Community of Colorado. She served on the Governors Asian Advisory Council; and she is currently on the Cultural Advisory Board of Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families; as well as a program facilitator at all nine of the Camps.
Harry Budisidharta
Harry received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University of Los Angeles, and his Juris Doctor from University of Colorado Law School. Harry works with government officials and community partners to address health disparities in the refugee and immigrant communities. Due to his extensive experience in non-profit and government relations, Harry has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, The Denver Post, The Aurora Sentinel, Westword, Law Week Colorado, The Colorado Statesman, Colorado Politics, and Asian Avenue Magazine.
Jennifer Samuel
My hard work comes from the strength and perseverance from my immigrant parents. Because of them, I have seen both struggle and successes.
I am the co-owner of Perseverance, a training gym in Denver and Aurora. My fitness journey started from the age of two when dance/fitness was a big part of my life. My aunt competed in the Seoul Korea Olympics and grandfather played tennis in senior leagues. In college, I taught fitness and dance at various studios and made a name for myself. Even though I had a corporate career, I became certified in personal training, spinning, and boxing.
I enjoy volunteering in Filipino, Asian Pacific Islander, and Black communities, mentoring youth programs, along with directing cultural and contemporary dance. Fun fact: I am the first Filipino American on the Denver Broncos Cheerleader team.
Alyse Nuebert
Alyse is thrilled to be part of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival! She holds a BA in Theatre Performance and Directing from Fort Lewis College and an MFA from the Accademia dell’Arte in Italy. Her training spans across the U.S. and Europe, focusing on physical theatre, movement, and devised work—with influences from clown, circus arts, dance, and Commedia dell’Arte.
Alyse has worked as a director, choreographer, educator, and Artistic Director, always seeking fresh ways to tell stories on stage.
Deep thanks to Lorraine, Sara, and everyone who brings this incredible festival to life in Denver!
Alston Phu
Alston Phu is a second-generation Chinese-American actor, filmmaker, and fight choreographer. With the support of his family, he’s pursued a career in the arts to help amplify underrepresented voices, especially within the Asian American community. He was very fortunate to study theatre and film production at The University of Denver, where he received his BA. Driven by a passion for authentic, thoughtful storytelling, he believes representation isn’t just important—it’s necessary. Whether he’s acting, directing, or choreographing, he approaches each project with care, integrity, and a commitment to doing justice to the stories being told. With experience spanning film, traditional and immersive theatre, and commercials, he’s dedicated to working on projects that are meaningful, collaborative, and rooted in purpose. He’s excited to be a part of the 25th anniversary of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival and to celebrate the Colorado AANHPI community.
Arlene Hicks
Arlene Hicks is part of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities (SCFD) team that is proud to support Colorado Dragonboat. She actively participates in metro Denver’s arts and culture scene outside of work too. She’s been in plays for Theatre Esprit Asia and sung with cover bands, “Boogie Machine” and “Ronnie Raygun and the Big 80s”.
Arlene is a local award-winning actress and some of her favorite roles include Christmas Eve (Avenue Q), Camila Rosario (In The Heights) and her gender-bending performance as the Engineer (Miss Saigon).
Enjoy the festival!
Hanah Chang
Hanah Chang is a Korean-American actor and writer who recently moved from Chicago to Denver. After years of denying her creativity, she pursued acting, landing her first on-screen credit in the Netflix karaoke game show, ‘Sing On!’, and playing the lead in the short film, 'Don’t Worry About It,' which screened at many festivals, including SlamDance, and is available to stream for free on YouTube.
As a multi-hyphenate, Hanah wrote, directed, and acted in her short, 'I Wish I Were Pretty,' currently in post-production. She teaches visual storytelling to children through SeriesFest’s Mobile Cinema Lab and helped produce the sUPosium, Unlock Her Potential’s annual conference, which provides mentorship to womxn of color in the entertainment industry. A strong believer in indie film and TV, Hanah is dedicated to increasing authenticity, diversity, and representation both in front of and behind the camera.
Donna Hansen
Donna H. Hansen is a mother, an actor and Realtor with Ion Real Estate. Born in Okinawa, Japan and raised in rural Florida she is thrilled to emcee the Band Stage at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival again. She has been a fan of the festival for years, is an active member of the community and serves on the Board of Mile High JACL. An actor with Donna Baldwin Talent, she has appeared in local and national commercials. She is honored to introduce so many talented members of the community on the stage this weekend. She is thankful for her husband, Mark, and daughter, Portia, for their amazing love and support.
Danielle Kreutter
Denver7 Investigates Reporter
Danielle Kreutter joined the Denver7 news team in November 2022. The Denver native has spent her entire broadcast career covering her home state.
She previously worked as a reporter/anchor in Colorado Springs. While there, she worked on investigations that held business owners accountable to the Americans with Disabilities Act, gave a voice to victims and families during difficult criminal justice proceedings, and kept residents up-to-date when dangerous severe weather or wildfires threatened neighborhoods. Before covering southern Colorado for nearly a decade, she was a reporter in Grand Junction.
Danielle's work has been recognized by the Colorado Broadcasters Association with the Award for Excellence for Best Reporter in a Non-Metro Market in 2016. She was also part of team coverage of a severe spring blizzard that received the Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast in Small Market Television in 2020.
Danielle is also a proud member of the Asian American Journalists Association.
When she's not reporting, you can find her hiking with her chocolate lab, trying out new restaurants or cheering for her CU Buffs!
Vivian Egonio-Norman
Vivian Egonio is a dedicated nonprofit leader with The Filipino American Community of Colorado. and community advocate passionate about uplifting diverse voices and fostering cultural connection. Vivian also serves as a CO VP for the Asian Round Table of Colorado. With years of experience leading initiatives that empower underserved communities, Vivian has championed programs in education, cultural preservation, and social equity with FACC. Known for bringing people together with warmth and energy, Vivian is honored to serve as emcee for this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, celebrating heritage, unity, and community spirit.
Laura X Williams
Laura X. Williams is a community organizer with Asian Vibes in Denver (AVID), a local social group for intersectional AA&NHPI identities in the Denver Metro area. She practices couples and family therapy in Colorado while supporting various community mental health initiatives. Outside of being in community, you can find her playing trombone and spending time with her 3 cats.
Natalie Chuck
Denver7 Investigates Reporter
Natalie Chuck joined Denver7 Investigates in May 2024. Previously, she worked as a Multimedia Journalist in San Diego where she covered historic flooding, wrongful-death lawsuits, and cold cases in southern California.
Natalie was born and raised in Fort Mill, S.C. She graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism in 2020.
She began her career at KOAA, reporting in Pueblo, Colorado, before moving to Colorado Springs. In 2022, she was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Colorado Broadcasters Associate for "Best Investigative Reporting."
Natalie is excited to be back in the Centennial State, spending her free time hiking and camping with her border collie.
Performing Arts Stage
Band Stage
360 Stage