mduduzi

BiographyIn 1995 Mduduzi started dancing with Thusong youth centre in Alexandra Township, then in the year 1998 he became a member of Alexandra Theatre Organisation. There he worked as a developer for arts and culture programs with specific foci in acting and dancing. He then decided to study dance more formally at the Johannesburg Dance Foundation, and his extra mural classes at the Dance Factory, he also did a Learner ship program as an assistant stage manager with the Dance Factory Crew. Upon completing three years of study, he choreographed and performed a solo piece called Monday to Friday at the FNB Dance Umbrella in South Africa.The technical and genre in the disciplines of dance like Contemporary; Modern; Ballet; African; Tap and Jazz. Mduduzi has worked with the South African dance companies, cultural organisations, and universities including, University of Witswaterstad, and Artscape. In 2003 he was on tour in South Africa, Middle East and Europe with the South African Dance company “African Footprint”.He then based in Germany, and he choreographed and performed a dance piece titled Leib, with the theme of the Political dance theatre by Chatarina Gadlelha from Brazil. This work inspired Mduduzi to become more interested in the social ills enveloping societies like “Alex.” Around 350,000 people live in this small area of less than two square miles. Alexandra is the most politically developed township but is the most decimated by unemployment. He was also casted as an actor and a dancer in filming dance titled Lucky Spine by Colin Sincliar for the African Filming Festival in Berlin. After his visit to Theatre Bonn in Germany, he was selected as young guest choreographer for the Story telling and dance integrated on stage at the opera house. The event featured an interesting dance routine based on Annie Twala's life choreographed by Mduduzi Nyembe. Born in KwaZulu-Natal in 1903, Twala was one of the first and most famous residents of Alex. She lived in a mud house which became a landmark to both residents of the township and visitors alikeBy his dance profession, he instructed in Portugal and Germany, dance workshops and intensive courses in different dance companies like Tanzhaus, Rotraud Hantke Ballet studio, Dance emotion and Assiociacao Nos Da danca. On his social occasion he participated in community development programs as a dance teacher. In his classes he features Modern dance, Creative movement and Afro fusion dance. And perhaps his most unique workshop is teaching creative movement and choreographing for the girls and boys aged 7-15 accommodating all the dancer’s expressions to complete work as one Ensemble.These classes are taught using dynamic movements, percussion, and music that express rhythmic communication. I undoubtedly believe what makes a performer great is the elusive qualities of expression and individuality that take a dancer “beyond technique.” Because the way we practice movements is the way we practice living.Modern Dance (1 ½ hour classes) The basic movements may be simple, emphasizing the upper body, torso, or feet; or they may be complex, involving coordination of different body parts and intricate actions such as fast rotation, ripples of the body, and contraction and release, as well as variations in dynamics, levels, and use of space. The dance may be open to all, or it may be an activity in which one, two, three, or four individuals take turns in the dancing ring. Team dances also occur. The formations may be linear, circular, serpentine, or columns of two or more rows.African traditions greatly emphasize dance, for movement is regarded as an important mode of communication. For this purpose the dance utilizes symbolic gestures, mime, props, masks, costumes, body painting, and other visual devices. Using indigenous South African dance expressions that have been maintained by oral tradition and are stylistically distinct, Modern dance combines elements from various South African dances and the basic Contemporary, Horton techniques.Modern Dance is breath-controlled, invigorating and refreshing the mind through movements.It is designed to give beginners and advanced level dancers a structured approach to dance. The classes build technique and give the opportunity to develop expression through movements. The elements of Modern classes are, balance / off-balance, rhythm, gravity, Curves and alignment (center and posture). Warm-up : (floor work) done through relaxed torsoe, neck, shoulders, and arm release; co-ordination of body movements with contraction and extension through the floor. Center work : (vertical) release work, involving body pendulam swings; movement through space, floor transitions that create center combinations Corner work : (diagonal) creates space and uses simultaneous movements done with a relaxed flow that is sustained through a body balance.