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Choose ONE choreographer that you have studied from the prescribed list below - NSC Dance Studies - Question 8 - 2024 - Paper 1
Question 8
Choose ONE choreographer that you have studied from the prescribed list below. SOUTH AFRICAN CHOREOGRAPHERS Alfred Hinkel | Alvin Ailey Gregory Maqoma | Christ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Choose ONE choreographer that you have studied from the prescribed list below - NSC Dance Studies - Question 8 - 2024 - Paper 1
Step 1
An introduction on the choreographer: Background
Answer
Good evening and welcome to the Jomba Dance Conference.
It is my honour to introduce you to the highly acclaimed choreographer Gregory Maqoma. Maqoma was born in 1973 in a South African township called Soweto. He started dancing in the 1980s in his community as a way to escape the political turmoil at the time. His formal training started at Moving Into Dance Mandeville (MID) in 1990 under the direction of Sylvia Glasser.
Step 2
An introduction on the choreographer: Training and dance career
Answer
Maqoma received a scholarship to study at PARTS (Performing Arts Research and Training Studios) in Brussels, Belgium. He is the founder of an African Contemporary dance company, called Vuyani Dance Company. This company has received both local and international acclaim and has performed extensively around the world, teaching and sharing South African dance globally.
Step 3
An introduction on the choreographer: Contribution to dance in society
Answer
Maqoma’s contribution to dance in society is profound. He actively engages with social issues through his works, addressing themes of cultural identity and community. He uses his platform to inspire the next generation of dancers and promote African dance as a rich cultural heritage.
Step 4
How the choreographer's choreographic style and/or dance work has been influenced by: Social and/or political context
Answer
Maqoma's choreographic style is deeply influenced by his social and political context. His experiences growing up in a politically fraught environment have shaped his artistic expression, leading him to fuse various styles, including African dance, contemporary, ballet, and salsa in his works, such as Four Seasons.
Step 5
How the choreographer's choreographic style and/or dance work has been influenced by: Personal influences and/or collaborations
Answer
In terms of personal influences, Sylvia Glasser, who taught and mentored Maqoma, played a pivotal role in his growth as a choreographer. He refers to his style as a cocktail of genres, incorporating diverse dance styles to infuse cultural rituals, environmental concerns, and human behaviours into his creations. Maqoma often collaborates with various artists, enhancing his work with a rich array of perspectives.