Frozen Power

Teddy Mtuta is a 24-year-old Tanzanian dance artist and recent graduate of the Muda Africa training centre. She has performed in numerous productions with both local and international choreographers, including Natamani by Marcel Leeman (Switzerland), Whispers of Unity by Fatuma Bwana Ali (Tanzania), and The House Doesn’t Save Me by Estelle Lopez (Spain). Her artistry spans a variety of style including traditional, urban, latin dance and African contemporary dances.

Happyness Ndaki is a 22-year-old Tanzanian dance artist and graduate of Muda Africa’s Contemporary African Dance training programme. She has performed in prominent productions such as Frozen Power by Ian Mwaisunga (Dance Life Festival, Kenya, 2024) and Ditoro by Thamsanqa Majela (Kigali Triennial, Rwanda, 2024). Her work includes collaborations with international choreographers from South Africa, Switzerland, Spain, and the Netherlands. Happyness has performed at major festivals, including Rafiki Festival and Jukwaa Huru, blending Tanzanian traditions with contemporary dance. She is passionate about challenging body stereotypes in dance and  is emerging as a leader for women dance artists in the Tanzanian community.

Deosantus Deodati is a 23-year-old Tanzanian dance artist and choreographer with a Diploma in Contemporary African Dance from Muda Africa. He has performed internationally in productions such as Survive by MANACAN (South Africa) and Ditoro by Thamsanqa Majela (South Africa), with appearances at festivals like Batalo East (Uganda) and Kigali Triennial (Rwanda). His choreography Hata Dakika was showcased in Goma and Bukavu, DR Congo. Deosantus has taught Afro-contemporary and yoga classes to children and adults, including sessions for Codarts University (Netherlands). Known for his passion and versatility, he combines Tanzanian cultural influences with global contemporary dance styles.

Ulonzi Almasi, born in 2000, discovered his passion for dance at the age of 15, starting with capoeira in the streets of his neighborhood. Five years later, he graduated from Muda Africa Dance School in Dar es Salaam. As a traditional and contemporary dancer, Ulonzi has worked with choreographers from Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Italy, France, Germany, and Cuba, participating in notable festivals such as Batalo East in Uganda, Dance Life in Kenya and Kigali Triennial in Rwanda. In 2022, he performed Haraka Haraka Haina Baraka with Cooperativa Maura Morales (Germany), showcasing at Asphalt and Tanz Moderne Tanz festivals in Germany. Ulonzi performed in Qatar for the opening of the UN’s LDC5 conference in 2023. Beyond performing, Ulonzi is dedicated to teaching dance in Tanzania, aiming to inspire youth and empower his community through creative expression.

Mahmoud Mbega is a 24-year-old dance artist based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A graduate of Muda Africa dance school, he specializes in African contemporary and traditional dance. Mahmoud has collaborated with local and international choreographers, including Ian Mwaisunga (Tanzania), Thamsanqa Majela (South Africa), Matthieu Nieto (France), Vanessa Tamburi (Italy), Marcel Leeman (Switzerland), and Maura Morales (Germany/Cuba). Mahmoud’s debut solo, Ujana na Tamaa (Youth and Desire), blends dance techniques with crab movements to address challenges facing Tanzanian youth. This piece was featured at the Time 2 Dance Festival (Tanzania, 2022), the Stuttgart Solo Dance Festival (2023), and the UN LDC5 Conference (Qatar, 2023).As co-founder of the African Roots Dance Company, Mahmoud is dedicated to storytelling through movement, inspiring audiences with his creativity and dedication.

Mbwana Mtulia, widely known by his stage name D’bass Ganun, is a gifted Tanzanian bassist and qanun (ganun) player based in Zanzibar. Specializing in Afro-fusion, his music blends traditional Ndengeleko rhythms from Rufiji with contemporary styles, creating a unique sound with rich cultural heritage. Born in 1988 in Dar es Salaam into a musical family, Dbass’s father nurtured his early talent, while his mother guided his music career. He honed his craft at the Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA) in Zanzibar. Over the years, D’bass has become a prominent figure in the East African music scene, performing solo and with his band at major festivals like ZIFF, Sauti za Busara, and Doa Doa showcase. His collaborations span globally, having performed with artists like Sousou & Maher Cissoko and Sadio Sissoko, and recording with Tanzanian stars like Diamond Platnumz, Ally Kiba and Q Chief.