Company Class

Company Class

I myself will be attending a company class soon, so will write a blog post on my experience of that! For now here is the information about Tavaziva's company classes if you want to take part:

Tavaziva Dance opens its company class to professional dancers and students who are close to completing their full time training (degree level or equivalent). The classes are led by Artistic Director Bawren Tavaziva, guest ballet teachers or one of the company dancers.  Bawren’s class combines the aesthetic line of contemporary dance with the rhythmical patterns of African Dance. His movement is physically demanding, intricate and challenging.
Cost: £5 per class
NB - Advance payment and booking essential - payment transferable but non-refundable
For all class dates and venues or if you would like to apply to take class with the company please visit http://www.tavazivadance.com/ or send your C.V to admin@tavazivadance.com

We look forward to seeing you at class!

Dancers in Rehearsal for Double Take

It's a Tuesday, and the Tavaziva dancers are having their weekly ballet class with Denzil Bailey, after an exciting and jam packed hour and a half the dancers stretch waiting for Bawren to arrive so that they can begin their day of work. A few jokes and stories are shared before the dancers get down to business. The piece is in its third week of rehearsal, the material is starting to take shape and the dancers are getting used to working on a brand new piece. Bawren is a very hands-on choreographer and will step into the dancers’ places to demonstrate the way he wants something done, whilst the other dancers mirror his movements so that they can execute it in the way in which he intends it. Bawren doesn't work with counts, he relies more on rhythms and music, therefore the dancers have to work extra hard to get everything looking polished and well rehearsed.

I watched the dancers rehearse a long section of movement in pairs, it was fascinating to see the pairs do the same movement, equally as good but with their different qualities, and every time are advised to “keep the spirit flowing” by Bawren. I watched on in awe as the dancers’ bodies melded together, with the sequence flowing from move to move across the space, lifts, jumps, runs all completed with intention.

Bawren reminds the dancers to “be true to the movement”, they are required to execute the movement in the exact way in which the choreographer wants. To emphasise his points, Bawren uses imagery and emotions to spark energy and certain relationships between his dancers, and this is what they rely on to get themselves into the certain mood or emotion which is required for particular sections. Moreover, Bawren is open to suggestion and change of movement from the dancers, according to how the moves fit within their bodies and with specific partners. It is also interesting to see how easily the dancers pick up the choreography, remember it and can repeat a certain section with only a few seconds notice from Bawren.

It is evident that among the dancers (both old and new) there is an element of family within the company. The dancers have to trust one another immensely with all the lifts, balances and sequences that they do, it seems that they are also there to support each other, both in and outside of the studio; and are always on hand to give each other advice.

Even by watching this snippet of an early rehearsal, it is possible to see the piece forming quickly with structure. I am excited to see what happens next and in which direction the piece is taken, watch this space...

Post Number One of Many

Greetings from the Tavaziva Dance office, Sophie here, I am the new admin and marketing assistant for the company who started last week. I'm studying for a BA Hons in Dance and Culture at the University of Surrey and am currently on my placement year with the company. I will be updating the blog with news of the company, interviews, photos and tour information.

For starters here is a little biog about the company:


Tavaziva Dance was created by Zimbabwean-born founder artistic director Bawren Tavaziva in 2004 as a London-based UK touring repertory dance company “to explore new territories in combining the rich and diverse dance forms of Africa with a contemporary Western base”. In its first four years of existence 2004-2008, the company has flourished (thanks to its early impact, notably through The Place Prize 2004, and a three-year 2005-8 fixed-term funding agreement with Arts Council England) and has now established itself as a significant presence in the UK dance landscape, bringing Bawren Tavaziva’s unique artistic vision and inspiration to a growing national audience through touring performances, commissions, residencies and education workshops.

Originally operated as a project-funded, sole-trading activity, Tavaziva Dance was incorporated in March 2006 as a company limited by guarantee, and is now entering a further three-year phase of creative development 2008-2011, building on its achievements to date, and the continuing support of Arts Council England, confirmed in early 2008.

 Tavaziva Dance presents cutting-edge new work representing the diversity of Black British Dance, creating and presenting high quality dance and music productions for the small- to middle-scale, fusing African and contemporary dance and music styles, creating a unique dance theatre style, a fresh and vibrant theatrical and educational experience that is both entirely contemporary and deeply rooted in African cultures.

The heart of the company beats around the unique choreographic voice of Bawren Tavaziva, but as well as developing his choreographic skills and creativity through a touring repertory company of excellent dancers, Tavaziva Dance aims to invite guest choreographers, engage in collaborative and research work, and deliver high quality education and residency projects, reaching the widest possible audiences.

The company have recently moved to and taken up residency at the Bernie Grants Arts Centre in Haringey, this is a fabulous space with rehearsal studios and a spacious office for the management. The dancers are currently working hard at the Paddington Arts Centre on a new piece called Double Take which will be on tour from 21st January (tour dates coming soon). That's all from me at the moment!

Sophie.