THE COMPANY
Khensani Mathebula
Khensani Mathebula founded MATHETA Dance in 2017, with aspirations to build its presence in both the States and South Africa. She was discovered in 2010 in her hometown Johannesburg, South Africa by international guest Ana Marie Forsythe at a Horton workshop, and recruited to the competitive Ailey School/Fordham University BFA program in New York City. She graduated Cum Laude as a double major in Dance - as a select Independent Study Choreographer - and Political Science. She danced with Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company, and performed works by noteworthy choreographers including Ronald K. Brown, Matthew Rushing, Michael Leon Thomas and Vincent Mantsoe, as well as Alvin Ailey in his classic work Memoria at New York City Center Theater. Her choreography has been presented in numerous festivals around New York City including Movement Research at Judson Memorial Church, Battery Dance Festival, and Dance Gallery Festival. The Company has enjoyed residencies with CUNY Dance Initiative at Brooklyn College and the Ardsley House Choreographic Residency with Dance Gallery Festival. Her latest work “buya” is a meditation on absence - the abandonment people can experience in relationships and how they deal with the different feelings that ebb therefrom. She is excited for the Company to keep growing and sharing movement that speaks to the hearts and minds of all.
Terri Ayanna Wright
COMPANY MANAGER AND DANCER
Terri Ayanna Wright (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is a founding member and the company manager of MATHETA Dance. She obtained a BFA with honors from Fordham University and The Ailey School in Dance and Computer Science. Ms. Wright also attended several summer intensives including The Alonzo King LINES Ballet on merit scholarship, as a recipient of the Homer Avila Award. After graduating, Ms. Wright toured domestically and internationally with Ailey II, under the artistic direction of Troy Powell. Since completing her seasons with Ailey II, she has also performed with Buglisi Dance Theatre, and most recently began her second season with Carolyn Dorfman Dance. When not performing, she enjoys teaching Horton through Ailey Extension and killing it on her Michael Jackson Wii game.
Tyler Clark
MARKETING MANAGER AND DANCER
Tyler Clark, originating from Fort Wayne, IN, is a New York City-based dance artist. She is a founding member and the Marketing Manager of MATHETA Dance. Tyler received her BFA in dance and BA in journalism from The University of Iowa. Tyler has performed works by Ballet Mink, Enrique Cruz deJesus, Sans Limites Dance, Eleo Pomare, and Dana Powers-Klooster. She is currently working with Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company, Nicole Colbert Dance Theater, Apollonia Holzner, and MATHETA Dance. When not performing, Tyler is the Operations Supervisor at Steps on Broadway.
Caleb Austin
DANCER
Caleb began professional training in 2014 at The Joffrey Ballet School where he performed works for several notable choreographers such as Nathan Trice, Sekou McMiller, Rena Butler, Lane Gifford, and Patrick O'Brien. After Joffrey, he became ensemble for Maleek Washington’s collective, as well as Justin Giles’ Soul Escape. He has worked commercially as well, as seen in HBO’s Random Acts Of Flyness by Terrance Nance, choreographed by Domani Pompey. Currently, he’s working with MATHETA Dance, Spark Movement Collective, and Dolly Sfeir & Dancers.
Dayzjah Thomas
DANCER
Dayzjah Thomas (Los Angeles, California) began her dance training at the age of 13 at her local dance studio, DeYampert Dance Academy. She then continued her training at the Los Angeles County HS for Arts. Dayzjah moved to New York to study at The Ailey School, obtaining her Certificate of Dance in May of 2018. Throughout her training, she has performed works by Darrell Moultrie, Ephrat Asherie, Freddie Moore, Winston Dynamite, Earl Mosley, Sekou McMiller, Gary Abbott, Clifton Brown, Amy Hall, Robert Battle and more. She is now a proud member of Matheta Dance and is also pursuing modeling. Dayzjah loves watching the Food Network, especially Chopped Junior.