Matisse Laida is an emerging writer and producer in Wurundjeri country.

Matisse founded We Eatin’ Good (WEG), a platform for queer First Nations, Black, and POC to showcase food and identity. Through WEG, Matisse has had the opportunity to meet and work with community, to hear and share their stories.

Matisse has hosted and posted a web-series with In(V)isible the Drum, curated Next Wave’s Radical Hospitality events, produces a queer chef series with queer Black owned restaurant OKO, and co-directed and produced a documentary commissioned by Multi-Cultural Arts Victoria which premiered with Human Rights Arts and Film Festival and screened with ACMI Online.

Matisse has also worked in curating and producing community events and fundraisers, spoken on numerous panels, and has worked in stage and screen production as a writer, producer and performer.

Matisse is currently a part of the Black Marks writing course with Arts House/Yirramboi, has completed the Victorian Independent Producers Initiative with TNA, and is grateful to be working again with Next Wave as a Young Artistic Directorate for A Rising Tide.

Lydia Tesema is a Melbourne born and raised, Ethiopian MC, Conversationalist, Creative, Youth Programs Facilitator, Cultural and Community Engagement Consultant, Converse All Star and the founder of creative media agency ‘Below The Surface’.

Dedicated to carving out a unique and versatile career as a global Thought Leader, Entrepreneur and Community Leader, Lydia divides her time between community work and her love Presenting, Hosting Emceeing, Speaking and Panel Moderating.

Academically, Lydia has completed a Bachelor of Social Science (Behavioural Studies), MicroCert in Digital Storytelling, Engaging in Positive Behaviour Support Practices (short course) and is a 2021 Blue Nile African Australian Business Masterclass Program alumni.

Extremely passionate about making sense of the world and inspiring the next generation to be purpose- and change-driven, Lydia uses the power of connection, communication, conversation, creating (in all its forms) and her deep interest in social cohesion to leave her unique mark on the world.

A ‘big-ideas guy’, and self-described ‘good friend’, Anthony Bandalan aka Banda is an enthusiastic documentarian of his artistic surroundings.

Across various mediums he spotlights and uplifts his creative counterparts, trying to capture the very essence that defines his artistic community. His passion project podcast, ‘De Tempore’, takes centre stage as an unfiltered, unvarnished chronicle of life’s moments experienced by his circle of friends.

Beyond the microphone, Banda’s commitment to creative exploration extends to community cultivation and a necessity to ensure its documentation at an important time in its growth.

Through his ‘big ideas’ and a collective effort, his vision takes shape: to elevate and enrich the art scene in Naarm/Melbourne, fostering an enduring legacy woven with threads of positivity, gratitude, and unwavering pride in the collective journey and boundless potential that lie ahead.

Banda’s narrative is one of empowerment, connectivity, and the profound celebration of his cherished creativity community.

MaggZ is an award-winning choreographer, director and performance artist of Chinese-minority / Tibetan descent - working across directing, choreography, movement direction and live performances. MaggZ’s practice is interested in constantly expanding and reinventing the possibilities of movement and dance through site-responsive visual arts, architecture, screen, music and fashion and community-building.

Selected Clients + Collaborators:
Asia TOPA Festival, Australia Fashion Week, Charlotte Tilbury, Chlöe, Clean Bandit, Mecca Beauty, Melbourne Design Week, Melbourne Fashion Week, Museum of Contemporary Art and Oaxaca Culture, National Youth Council Singapore, Nike Sportswear, Nowness Asia, O Days Festival Copenhagen, Omah Lay, Phoenix Central Park, Puma Sportswear, Rising Festival, Soft Centre Festival, Soho House Berlin, Speedo, Sydney Opera House, Pocoapoco Oaxaca, ZARA.

Education + Recognition:
MaggZ is trained in ballet and now specialised in w_acking - a freestyle dance originated in 1970s LA from the Latinx and African American queer community, predominantly involving arm movements. MaggZ completed their BA with double majors in French and Japanese, MA in education.

Founder of (nexus), Young Artistic Directorate at Next Wave Melbourne, producer / performance art consultant at Collide24 Berlin, recipient of the Young Creative Awards Green Room Australia