Who’s Who
Banxy Joey D Deman Dayna SoopaJ DJ Baila
Banxy
Banxy is a veteran in UK hip hop dance. Having trained at Swindon Dance, the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and the London Studio Centre, he has spent the last fifteen years teaching and performing across the UK and abroad.
High-profile projects Banxy has been involved with include dancing and choreographing Jonzi D’s Me Vs the City and Aeroplane Man tours, choreographing breakdance sequences for the BBC TV series Travels with my Tutu with Deborah Bull, Principle Dancer at the Royal Ballet; and teaching and rehearsing the ground performance dancers at the Millennium Dome celebrations. He has appeared as a dancer in many TV shows, live events and music videos, including George Michael’s Spinning the Wheel.
Banxy has been heavily involved with Swindon Dance throughout his professional career and was commissioned to perform at their 25th Anniversary Gala. Most recently he appeared in the BBC Blast programme as part of the Big Dance event in Trafalgar Square, and gained second place in the Battle of the Desert competition in Almeria, Spain.
Joey D
Joey D is a true hip hop artist who has been representing the b-boy culture for almost a decade.
At the age of 24 Joey D has already made a name for himself in the UK due to the originality of his dancing and his aggressiveness in battles, which represent the real rawness of the culture.
Besides constant teaching and workshops Joey D tours theatres and schools and competes in competitions across the UK, Europe and America.
Deman
Deman studied at Swindon Dance Studios, Body Works and the prestigious Ballet Rambert. His professional career encompasses dance, performance and modelling, but his skills extend to skate boarding, roller skating and acrobatics.
Deman has appeared in adverts for the Beastie Boys and Clubbers Guide as well as in videos for a host of artists including Blue, Gabrielle and Ronan Keating. His skill makes him in demand from all spectrums - Deman has appeared on Top of the Pops, CDUK and T4, as well as the Royal Opera House, with Random Dance Company and with the Robert Hilton Dance Company. You may also have seen him competing at the Urban Games, UK Championships and B-boy Jam and at the Notting Hill Carnivals.
Dayna
Dayna has been part of the hip hop culture for almost ten years. During that time he has learned and progressed through the art of b-boying to become a known dancer on the UK scene.
He has created a unique style which has been used in many shows from street to nightclubs and theatre. For the previous 3 years Dayna has concentrated on the more competitive side of the dance, competing in competitions in the UK, Europe and America.
Soopa J
Soopa J grew up dancing and has made a career for himself based on his reputation alone. Theatre work includes breakdancing in the West End show Notre Dame de Paris, appearing in the Street Dance crew for the tour of Bounce which visited Holland and South Africa and appearing in the Jonzi D tour of Tag: Me Vs The City. Has also made numerous TV and commercial appearances, including an advert for Puma, break dancing on The Big Breakfast and Top of the Pops, and most recently dancing in an advert for Pepsi with the likes of Beckham and Ronaldhino. Soopa J was also a member of the UK All Stars crew who have won the Urban Games competition on several occasions. He is currently sponsored in clothing by Addict.
DJ Baila
DJ Baila studied Drama and Film at Manchester Metropolitan University before starting a career in professional dance and performance. He is part of the Rannel Theatre Company who are currently devising work for the Battersea Arts Centre, and has also acted in plays off-Broadway and across the globe. His breakdancing has appeared at the Notting Hill carnival, Shepherd’s Bush and Brixton Academy, as well as the UK Breakdance Championships. Matt is also a DJ and has performed regularly over the last ten years in the UK, Europe and the USA. He has also released CD’s to critical acclaim with DJ Para.
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