Merissa Lyons and Kianna Rachal exhibit amazing talent and stage presence that surpass their tender age of fourteen and founded the group Sistas-Wit-Style.
Born of Trinidadian parents, Merissa began dancing to Soca in her mother's womb. Exposed to the active involvement of her family in the cultural art form of Carnival in the group Mas Makers Massive, at an early age, it was not long before Merissa took a lead role in choreographing the dance routines for the group's annual productions.
Kianna Rachal was introduced to the culture of Carnival at age 7, when she participated in the Kids In Carnival project conducted by Mas Makers Massive at her elementary school and she has been a natural convert ever since. Kianna adopted the music and dance rhythms as though it was her birthright and has taken the role as lead dancer and choreographers in the group's annual productions. With these two at the helm, Mas Makers Massive has consistently captured first prize for dance at the annual Carnival festivals held in San Francisco and Oakland.
This talented duo with the addition of an excellent scholar, dancer, and friend Valencia Newton (publicity coordinator and journalist) has taken on the challenge of creating, performing and teaching dance all year round. With their formation of SWS. They have added their creativity to the historical traditions of dance to make the culture their own. SWS truly reflect the spirit of Carnival by developing their own form of self-expression and sharing their gift with others.
The group has performed in San Francisco, Oakland, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Texas. The group established great loved for the culture when they began performing through out California for different organizations such as: Black Expo of Sacramento and Oakland, Black Ski Club, 25th anniversary San Francisco carnival, Montera Middle School, College of San Mateo, Adonal Foyle from the Warriors Basketball and the Unity Church of San Leandro. We have also opened for Trinidad artists such as Machael Montano, Faye Ann Lyons, Rupee, Denise Belfon, Rikki Jai and many more for Broward and Houston Carnival.