Gregory Maqoma — Vuyani Dance Theatre
Gregory Vuyani Maqoma started creating dance work while in a Youth Club, already dealing with issues that were affecting his society.
He started his formal training in 1990 with Moving Into Dance, a Johannesburg based dance school and company. A year later he was accepted in the main company as a dancer. In 1992 he completed a one yearlong teachers training course at Moving Into Dance. In 1994 he presented his first choreography for the company, which earned him an FNB Vita Pick of the Fringe Award. A year later he received another award for his choreography, FNB Vita Pick of the Stepping Stones Award. In 1997 he was awarded a scholarship to attend a five-week choreography DanceWeb program in Vienna. In 1998 he was the recipient of the Young Choreographers Grant, a grant he used to create "Layers of Time" dedicated to Moving Into Dance 20th Anniversary , the work was premiered at the FNB Vita Dance Umbrella.
In 1999 he was nominated in the category Choreographer Of the Year for his Layers of Time, he received a scholarship to study at PARTS (Performing Arts Research and Training Studios) in Brussels under the direction of Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. Whilst in Brussels, Maqoma formed Vuyani Dance Theatre Project and created Rhythm 1.2.3, which was premiered at the Its Festival in Amsterdam. In 2000 he was named the FNB Vita Choreographer of the Year for his Rhythm 1.2.3, created Rhythm Blues, his second choreography for the company.
He submitted the African Project 'Tales Off The Mud Wall' together with Faustin Lenyekula from Congo to the Internationale Tanzwochen Wein Committee which was the only one chosen and accepted. He co-produced " New Directions" a dance program for the Standard Bank National Arts Festival together with Moeketsi Koena, Sello Pesa and Mandla Mcunu. Commissioned by the Pretoria Tech. Dance Department to create '…and denial, and silence and ignorance…' Invited by the International Theatre School Company in Amsterdam to create 'Autumn Harvest' for the company. In 2001 received an FNB Vita Dance Umbrella Award for the best original presentation of work in contemporary style for his 'Rhythm Blues'. Selected to choreograph a collage of his works 'Revolution' dating from 1996 for the "Dunhill Symphony Of Fire" in Nigeria, Lagos. In 2001 he was announced the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Dance 2002. Maqoma is named the Associate Artistic Director for Moving Into Dance Company.
In 2002, Maqoma received the FNB Vita Dance and Contemporary Award for Best Choreography for his 'Southern Comfort' and 'Ék se...Hola'. Created Miss Thandi, a moving tribute to Raymond Matinyane known as Miss Thandi. Created 'Rhythm Colour' in collaboration with six musicians, premiered at the National Arts Festival. Maqoma presents his paper 'Identity, Diversity and Modernity in a Cultural Cocktail' at the Society of Dance History Scholars in Philadelphia.
In 2003 Maqoma creates 'Rephrase a replay' for Jazzart Dance Company in Cape Town. Serve as Artistic Consultant for Adzido Pan African Dance Ensemble in London. He is appointed as the Artistic Leader for Afro-Vibes Festival based in Holland.
Maqoma is currently collaborating with Sean Fitzpatrick on a film project '213 feet per second' and creating 'Ketima' a solo investigation that leads to a quartet.
In 2004 Maqoma was among the finalists selected as potential Protégés for the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative.
Apart from working and producing work for his company, Maqoma teaches and choreographs for other companies and institutions like the Pretoria Technikon, Moving Into Dance, The Dance Factory, Jazzart Dance Company, Siwela Sonke, International Theatre School in Amsterdam, Adzido Pan African Dance Ensemble in London and gives international workshops on African dance and culture and choreography.
