Coming from the dusty streets of Mbare to become an internationally recognized dancer and choreographer, who expresses the trials and tribulations of his country folk through theatre and dance, Brian Geza definitely has the key to the hall of fame under his belt.
At a time when hip hop and club dancers are taking centre stage in the country, Geza has managed to win the international arena with his contemporary, Afro-fusion choreography, complemented by his superb stage managing, scene setting and audio effects.
He has mastered the art with great expertise winning him the getaway ticket to transverse across the globe to hone his skills to meet international standards.
He produced three internationally acclaimed art pieces as part of his studies in International Diploma in Masters of Choreography at the Oslo Academy of the Arts in Norway.
I have come a long way. My dream is not yet finished, in fact it is just getting started. This diploma is the best reward in my life, having been the only African in a class of four. The next step is how to use it, said an optimistic Geza.
Apart from freelancing as a choreographer for various arts organisations in the country, he founded the Zvishamiso Arts in 2003 to nurture disadvantaged young aspiring dancers in the communities.
Thorny road to success
He was the second born in a family of eight with his early childhood mainly centralized into sports. Geza grew up at the Caps United Soccer Academy before he crush landed into arts as a dancer in 1999.
In 2000, the proud father of three was awarded a three year scholarship to study theatre and dancing. Due to undisclosed circumstances, Geza joined Tumbuka Dance Company until 2006 after suffering from a career-shattering spine injury.
After the major setback Geza healed his way back into the arts fraternity, only this time as a choreographer, teaching various aspiring communities as a freelance choreographer.
During this period, he also worked with various music groups and judged at several dancing competitions, chief among them Mafriq and Battle of the Year contests, respectively.
After a mouthwatering performance at the 2006 Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA), Geza made another date with destiny as he was again awarded another scholarship to study in Netherlands.
His dream was cut short since his funds were not yet readily available and had to resume his career as a dance choreographer.
The choreographer has urged fellow artists to reform and take time perfecting their work before thinking about the next paycheck.
We have to create quality work and the rest will follow. Zvishamiso Arts started in a small gym hall in Mbare but today it is a different story. It is about passion and quality. Let us have the enthusiasm to perfect our work before we ask for money. Lets be masters in our own trade. How many are we who have that magic hand, you will find that they are very few. That is why its either Iyasa or Tumbuka going abroad. We need to meet international standards, said the dreadlocked perfectionist.
My main objective is to give arts to the community through dance and theatre. Giving the youths in the community something positive in their lives which will also shield them from drug abuse, crime and prostitution through advocating for social change through dance, he added.
Post published in: Music
he is my son. i say keep it up.