In the fast paced world of tech innovation by day, Solomon K. Makumbi cuts a sharp figure in his tailored suit, channeling his expertise into professional pursuits. But as the sun sets, he trades the computer for the studio, slipping into sweatpants for nights immersed in dance practice. “Suit by day, sweat pants by night,” he says, capturing the seamless duality that defines his life.
Tech & Dance
Solomon’s journey into dance was sparked by his earliest inspiration: a career in tech. Drawing directly from his experience as a tutor in that field, he applies the same principles of structured teaching and adaptive learning to mastering movement. The true ignition came when he stumbled upon Matt Steffanina’s Slow Motion video — a revelation that lit his passion ablaze. Soon after, he was catapulted into leadership, named head of dance production for an Easter production at his church, thrusting him headfirst into the world of choreography and performance.
Mentors, Movers, and Milestones
Along the way, serendipitous encounters fueled his fire. He met Duncan, a very physically present dancer whose unexpected grace and fluidity no one sees coming. Watching Duncan move inspired Solomon to think, “If he can, why not me?” That mindset, combined with unwavering support from his friends, propelled him forward. He’s been blessed to join vibrant dance groups and communities, including Clay Dance Company and Local Get Down (LGD), where he’s honed his craft amid a tapestry of talented collaborators.
Clay Dance Company gifted him the foundational skills of movement, but as Solomon puts it, “my personality as a dancer came from LGD.” His primary genre, House, flows naturally from this evolution — he was introduced to its rhythmic, expressive pulse by Bogere Ronnieval from Batalo East.
Storytelling at the Core
At the heart of it all lies his profound love for storytelling, the primary foundation for every piece. As a self-described perfectionist and “full package creative,” he brings meticulous precision to immersive shows, blending his bit of experience in poetry, singing, acting, and more. Collaboration is his lifeblood; he thrives on partnering with poets, singers, actors, and fellow multidisciplinarians to create narrative-driven productions that transcend traditional dance.
His Creative Process— “Not That Deep”
Solomon refers to his creative process as “Not that deep”: he listens to a song, resonates with it, then moves to it — in that order. Yet for his performance My Story, he broke new ground, using pen and paper for the first time to write down choreography. Above all, he seeks to dance for himself first, so he can give to people from the overflow of his cup — a perspective drawn from biblical teaching. “The best performers are those that make you feel something,” he says. To Solomon, dance isn’t just performance; it’s also worship to God.
Divine Placement and Grace
Concerning how he knew this was the path he wanted to take, Solomon says God placed him in spaces that enabled the gift inside of him to come to light. He’s had his name go into rooms before he even enters them. He’s been called to doing things he didn’t think he was ready for, and has only made it this far by God’s grace.
Love, Triumph, and Transformation
Among Solomon’s greatest highs, dance brought him a relationship that revealed the beauty of selfless, freely given love — the kind that mirrors God’s own. Through her, God shaped him into the man he is today. He’s triumphed in dance battles, represented Uganda in competitions and performances, and shared his knowledge by teaching in schools. His piece My Story marked a pinnacle of personal growth, transforming not just his choreography but his being as a person.
Grit, Pain, and Perseverance
Yet even in triumph, lows have tested him. Solomon returns to My Story as the source of some of the lowest points in his career — the preparation leading up to that performance was grueling. He danced to tracks like “Nobody’s Coming” by Andy Mineo, “Limp” by Jonathan McReynolds, and “Brother” by NEEDTOBREATHE, channeling the pain and emotion from his most difficult moments. Through these songs, he not only expressed his struggles but reminded audiences that no matter what, we have to keep on moving. “No matter what, I can trust God to get me through,” he conveys. As he puts it, “Don’t just trust the process, trust God to take you through the process.”
He credits close friends like Priscilla Anyait, Rita Namaganda, Joy Athieno, Mercy, Uncle Kai, Byreezy, Joe, Annpearl and others for holding him together during those difficult moments. “Sometimes you need to be plugged into a community in order to have the strength and support you need to make it to the next day,” he says.
Lasting Impact: Lives Changed
The impact endures: because of My Story, people have passed messages to Solomon saying, “Tell Solomon that because of his show, I have a reason to wake up and know things will get better.” His work has had lots of impact overall, and he’s especially proud of having mentored a batch of other dancers through the Fresh Dance Sessions —held on multiple Zoom calls throughout the first wave of COVID.
Faith in a Secular World
Speaking on how he balances faith-based artistry with other opportunities, Solomon says it’s never been about the rewards of the secular world. He’s seen so much of life with God that other routes simply don’t hold the same appeal, no matter how fast or sweet their results may seem. Even when presented with options outside his convictions, he’s guided by the principle of doing what’s right, mindful of the call in the Bible to avoid anything that might cause his brother to stumble.
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Solomon doesn’t see himself wearing the dancing shoes for much longer. He’s looking to do more behind-the-scenes work like scripting for shows, directing, and more. Stay tuned.
