Yuma Sylla

Yuma (she/they) is a freelance movement artist based in Leeds. After graduating from LCDS (The Place), they continue with MA at Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and join Phoenix Dance theatre, touring their 40th-anniversary program around the UK. Yuma is currently performing with Ramped, a community interest company focused on advancing accessibility as well as exploring the relations of communities and spaces we inhabit. They are also collaborating with artist Mandy El-Sayegh, exploring the deconstruction of political bodies and artworks. Yuma enjoys researching relations between identity and improvisation.

Mayowa Ogunnaike

Mayowa is a British-Nigerian dance artist based in London and Leeds. Her name means ‘brings joy’ and she aims to encourage that sentiment throughout her practice. She graduated from Trinity Laban in 2017 and has since worked as a performer for several companies including Phoenix Dance Theatre, Uchenna Dance, Ace Dance and Music and Mobius Dance. Currently she is performing in work by Fubunation and with choreographer Seke Chimuntengwende. Alongside performing, Mayowa delivers creative and technique classes across the UK and collaborates with artists to create multi-disciplinary work.  

Carlos Martinez

Born in Cuba, I graduated from the National School of Ballet in Havana taking part in various competitions and international Dance Festivals and working with many established choreographers and dancers including Fernando Alonso, Carlos Acosta and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

I joined “The National Dance Company in Havana, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba” where I performed works by Sasha Waltz, Rafael Bonachela, Mats Ek, Itzik Galili, Juan Cruz, Jose Carreño (Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre), Carlos Acosta amongst others.

I received the “Luna” award for my role in “Carmina Burana” at the National Auditorium in Mexico City choreographed by George Cespedes and directed by Leo Kramer.

In 2009 I began to teach professional dancers and to create my own work. I went on to be a founder member of two dance projects, “Ebony Dance Company” and “MalPaso Dance Company” where I became Artistic Director, Rehearsal Director, Choreographer and Principal Dancer collaborating with “The Joyce Theatre in New York” and “National Ballet of Cuba”.

Additionally, I was awarded a special nomination at the Iberoamericano Ballet “Alicia Alonso” competition for my role in “Anoxia” by Osnel Delgado and I became a finalist in the Gran Prix Vladimir Malakhov for my own choreography “Equilibrium”.

During this time, I was offered several scholarships for companies in France and the USA.

I joined “Phoenix Dance Theatre” in November 2016 where I performed works by Sharon Watson, Christopher Bruce, Sandrine Monin, Aletta Collins, Jeanguy Saintus, Amaury Lebrun, Shambik Ghose and Dr Mitul Sengupta, Miguel Altunaga, Douglas Thorpe, Ben Duke and Raquel Meseguer, Edward Lynch Darshan Singh Bhuller amongst others.

In 2021 I created my first work “Kardec” with Phoenix Dance Theatre for the Digital Program and I have been choreographing as well as directing as an Artistic Associate for Capuagate Dance in Newcastle under the Direction of Martin Hylton.