David Thatanelo April is a director, teacher, choreographer, and lobbyist in the realm of South African dance and performance. As the Creative Entrepreneurial Officer of David April Arts Consultancy, he provides individualised, handson consulting services for public and corporate arts organisations, and educational institutions. With over two decades of experience in the Creative and Cultural industries he has filled a diverse collection of roles and imparts his longstanding knowledge of the performing arts as a dedicated mentor and advisor to arts practitioners and internationally acclaimed choreographers. April became the first recipient of the prestigious Tunkie Memorial Award for “Outstanding Dedication and Leadership in Dance” (2003). He’s received the “Management and Leadership in Cultural Economy” award from Wits School of Arts in Partnership with Business Arts South Africa. He is a graduate of Moving into Dance’s Community Dance Teachers Training Course, completed a BA at the University of South Africa and is skilled and qualified in Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Arts Management from institutions such as Raizcorp and IMM Graduate School of Marketing. He completed an MA in Cultural Policy and Management at Wits University and is currently employed at the University of Pretoria’s School of the Arts involved in Production Logistics alongside lecturing Arts Administration and Management as well as Movement Studies.
Dada Masilo is a South African dancer and choreographer, known for her unique and innovative interpretations of classical ballets. Trained in classical ballet and contemporary dance, Masilo fuses these techniques with African dance steps to create a unique high-speed synthesis of movement. She was born and raised in the Johannesburg township of Soweto. Masilo studied for two years at PARTS – Performing Arts Research and Training Studios – in Brussels. She is Artist-in-Residence at The Dance Factory. She has created and performed her own versions of Romeo & Juliet, Carmen, Swan Lake and Giselle (voted Best Performance 2017 for Danza&Danza). She collaborates with other choreographers & artists (most recently William Kentridge). Although she is interested more in the personal challenge of choreography than political statements, her pieces often address taboos such as homosexuality and race relations.
Ondiege Matthew is a dancer, choreographer, and DANCE INTO SPACE founder, a group of contemporary dancers, socially engaged performance artists, and the only mixed ability contemporary dance company in East Africa. Through exploring personal stories and employing participatory methods, the company under Ondiege creates touring productions, teaches dance, empowers people with different abilities, raises awareness on human rights issues, and strengthens self-advocacy. DANCE INTO SPACE works with other civil society members, creatives and government agencies, carries out civic education, constitutional education and human rights awareness among citizens in Kenya through the creative arts. As a leading contemporary dance choreographer as well as an activist, Ondiege has been using the mixed ability dance projects as a creative approach to inclusiveness since 2005. The projects address stigma while tackling punitive cultural practices that promote discrimination and basic human rights violations among people with disability. He continues to produce new and original works with his team.