Siya Charles, a talented trombonist, composer, and arranger, has earned a prestigious scholarship to study a Master of Music in jazz trombone performance at The Juilliard School in New York City. A natural musician since childhood, she self-taught piano and later discovered her love for the trombone in high school. Overcoming personal struggles, including the loss of her mother, Charles’ musical journey includes performing with South African jazz legends and leading her own band, The Siya Charles Sextet. With a passion for education, she encourages aspiring musicians to never give up, emphasizing the importance of education in opening doors for success in music.

Tenor and bass trombonist, composer and arranger Siyasanga (Siya) Charles graduated magna Cum Laude last year with a Jazz Master’s in Music from New York’s renowned Juilliard School. She also has a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree in Jazz Trombone Performance and Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Trombone Performance, both from UCT.

Charles has worked with the late Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Dludlu, Nduduzi Makhathini, American/Costa Rican trombonist Luis Bonilla, trombonist Steve Turre, bassist Endea Owens, saxophonist Chad LB “Lefkowitz” Brown and Grammy Award-winning musicians Ulysses Owens Jr and Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers alum Geoffrey Keezer. She has performed at festivals around the world.

She recently formed The Siya Charles Sextet, which features some of South Africa’s finest jazz musicians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck-aFx8I81s