The founders
Co-founders Dr Luca Pontiggia and Yasheen Modi bring an extremely diverse set of skills that culminate in the production that is the Universe on Stage. They share a love for both creativity and rational thinking, with a combined 20 years of corporate experience in technical story telling - the art of making complex ideas not just simple but enjoyable.
The Composer
Yasheen (left) is an actuary, composer, and performer, currently the Head of Technical Marketing at Discovery. He started playing the piano at age 8 and quickly rose to prominence, winning the prestigious Sanlam National Music Competition at just 11 years old. He also excelled academically, graduating summa cum laude in actuarial science from Wits University.
Yasheen thrives at the intersection of logic and creativity. In his professional role, he bridges the worlds of finance and storytelling. As the pianist for Universe on Stage, he fuses the intellectual and the emotional with music.
"Frédéric Chopin composed the Revolutionary Étude— his most demanding work that symbolized Poland’s defiance against Russian rule. This piece has served as the foundation of my career – going against expectation.”
Yasheen’s journey and work are a testament to the power of defying convention, creating a symphony of order and spontaneity.
The Physicist
Luca (right) holds an undergraduate degree in nuclear engineering and a PhD in theoretical physics (string theory) from Wits. He now serves as a Senior Data Scientist and Head of Technical Communications at Discovery.
Raised by an engineer father and an artist mother, Luca grew up at the crossroads of logic and creativity. Inspired by visionaries like Da Vinci and Einstein, he developed a deep passion for both the science and the storytelling behind our universe.
This passion fuels his wide-ranging pursuits—from directing an award-winning short film and running a photography business to officiating weddings, dabbling in furniture design, and even becoming first runner-up in the 2024 Mr. South Africa pageant. Through it all, Luca brings curiosity, discipline, and imagination together to connect with audiences in meaningful ways