Solomon Bafana Matea

Solomon Bafana Matea, is a founding member of JUXTAPOWER, he was born in Pretoria, South Africa where he had his first classical training in dance. He received a scholarship to study at the Alvin Ailey Dance School in 1999. Upon graduation, he joined Ballet Hispanic, Elisa Monte, Juxtapower, Dance Synonymous and Battery Dance Theater. Solomon has toured countries like Australia, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Malaysia, Vietnam, Israel, Jordan, and many more…He hopes to one day go back to South Africa to build the biggest Ballet Dance School in his community.

Sean Scantlebury

Sean Scantlebury joined Battery Dance Company in 2003. A native of Barbados, he trained with Richard Thomas, Christine Sarry and Daniel Levans at New York City Public School for Dance and joined Eliot Feld's Ballet Tech, with which he performed throughout the U.S. With Battery Dance, he has performed and taught in New York, Poland, Morocco, Tunisia, Israel, Jordan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Australia and is Battery's teaching artist at P.S. 257 in Brooklyn. He has also served as a guest ballet teacher with Dance Theatre of Harlem. He is now a guest artist with JUXTAPOWER, he has been involved with JUXTAPOWER since 2005, and learnt a great deal lot about South Africa and her culture. Go big Sean, go big Zuku Barbadian boy.

Michael Nyonende Forde

Michael Nyonende Forde, also known as Zulu Steel or Essence was born in Brooklyn, New York; he is the son of the Jamaican and Barbadian parents. He attended school in the New York City, dance trained at his high school and Alvin Ailey School of Dance. Michael joined JUXTAPOWER in 2002 after a historical visit to Zulu-Land, South Africa where he lived and trained with the traditional Zulus. He has since Toured with JUXTAPOWER and STEP AFRIKA. Michael appears in September's Esquire Magazine 2005 issue as one of the best-dressed real men in America, he beat over 300 participants to win this competition. Dancer, Choreographer, Designer, and more, the sky is blue for this young man.

Sipho Hlongwane

Sipho Hlongwane, an aspiring singer, came to the USA from South Africa in February of 2005, to pursue his studies, and music career. He started acting, choreographing, and singing at a very young age back in the South Africa. Sipho has been involved in a lot of projects in South Africa, and the US, since his arrival. He joined JUXTAPOWER in May of 2005, and he adds a magical touch to JUXTAPOWER, and its duty to educate, entertain, and inspire through Song and Dance. Sipho’s saying is, “I am here to rock and roll America with my beautiful voice...”

Charmaine Trotman

Charmaine Trotman was born in the Bronx, New York; She went to the famous LaGuardia High School of the Arts (Fame television show), and later to Hunter College where she earned her BA degree, she has toured with many other top singing acts as a Hip Hop dancer/backing vocalist. Charmaine is also the founding member of JUXTAPOWER, and a very hard working personal trainer at the New York Sports Clubs. Chamairne is looking to become a doctor when she is done dancing.

Eran Asias
Drums / Percussion

Born in July 15th 1979 in Tel Aviv Israel, Eran began playing Drums and Percussion when he was 10 and played in numerous bands in Israel. Eran Graduated from the Tel Aviv Music Conservatory with a diploma of Excellence whereupon he attended the Red Sea Jazz Festival for 4 times in raw between the Years 1998 - 2001 when he moved to New York City. Eran played and recorded sessions with reknown artists such as Gloria Estefan, Will Lee, Benjy King, Scott Hall, David Santos, Lauren Echo , Shaun Barker, Derek James, Rebbecca Hart, The Ways Away, Mental Notes, The Vinyl Stash, Ballast and many more ...

Sandile Mbili

Sandile Mbili was born in Durban, South Africa, he first studied dance at the Durban Playhouse with Boyze Cekwane and Vusabantu Ngema, two of the world renowned teachers and performers in South Africa, He then went on to train with Alfred Hinkel’s Jazzart Dance Theater in Cape Town, winning his first Cape Town regional promising dance award, followed by a best dancer award the next year. Sandile won a scholarship to study in Britain where he trained with London Contemporary School of Dance for one year. He moved back to Cape Town and performed with Adele Blank’s Free Flight Dane Company, before moving to the United States to join JUXTAPOWER. Sandile has taken a short break from the world of dance, in order to re evaluate his priorities and fulfil his other dreams, however he plans to be back shortly. Once a dancer, always a dancer.

Yoni Halevi

Yoni Halevi is a British born drummer, he grew up in both England and Israel, Yoni started drumming at a very young age, he went to school in both countries where he experienced the best of both worlds. Yoni joined JUXTAPOWER as a drummer quite recently and his talents are natural and unmatched by any drummer that walks the streets of New York City. He also works with a Hip Hop group that specializes in battles. Yoni came to America to realize his dream and to shine

Kent Lucas

Kent Lucas (Performer) was born in Ohio and went to Kent State University. He has been performing with JUXTAPOWER for two years, thriving to excel in his African experience. He has also been a member of Vissi Dance Theater since 2008, learning various dance styles which have been part of his growth. He is also an upcoming hip hop rapper/producer with a goal of blending African with American sounds to produce new sounds. He is very grateful for the opportunity.

S’fiso Ka-Mavuso

Sfiso Ka-Mavuso (Assistant Choreographer/ Performer) started dancing at the age of ten in Soweto, South Africa, first with the Arco Dance Theater then later with the Soweto Dance Theater led by the late renowned African dance teacher Jackie Semela. In 1996, S�fiso was the recipient of the FNB Vita Award for most promising male dancer. In 2000 S�fiso joined the then Johannesburg based dance company Free Flight led by the outstanding prima ballerina Adele Blank. S�fiso has worked extensively in the South African commercial world, performing in prestigious shows, like Tina Turner�s South Africa�s Dream tour in 96 and Miss Universe 2002 and in theater working with South African choreographers like Robyn Orlin, David Matamela, Moeketsi Koena, Christopher Kindo and Susan Abrahams. S�fiso has also performed with South African super stars like the late Lebo Mathosa, Mandoza and Danny K. In 2003, S�fiso got a contract to perform on the prestigious ship cruise line Celebrity Cruises on their North American sailing ship The Galaxy. In 2004, S�fiso got another contract to perform on the Princess Cruises Caribbean bound ship The Caribbean. In 2005, S�fiso got a two year contract to work with Cirque du Soleil as performer for their creation of the Grammy Award Winning show Cirque du Soleil�s presents The Beatles� Love which premiered at The Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas in 2006. In 2008 S�fiso moved to New York where.

Thandi Bhengu

Thandi Bhengu (Musical Director/Performer) was born in Soweto. She is a leader of the South African community in the USA, mentoring young women who come to the States from South Africa. She helped to found South African Girl Abroad (SAGA). She is featured in the original soundtrack of the Lion King. She has done back up singing for Miriam Makeba, Angelique Kidjo, Jabu Hlongwane, and Sbongile Khumalo. She was also featured in NBC�s Superstars of Dance.

Omar Edwards

Omar Edwards (Performer) is world class tap dancer. Born in the USA, he is the original member of Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk, a Broadway show. He travels around the world teaching and performing tap dance. His entire family performs tap on Broadway and around the world. He has performed at the White House with his old colleague and Cousin Savion Glover.