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Lionel Guzha

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Dance-1st International, an internationally recognised hip-hop and street dance school, is set to open today in Mt Pleasant under the guidance of Lionel Tendai Guzha.
The 23-year-old professional dancer graduated with a certificate from Dance Web Studios, an affiliate of the South African Dance Teachers’ Association. The school, probably the first of its kind, is expected to take hip-hop dance to a whole new level starting with beginners, intermediate as well as advanced stages.
According to Lionel, the school seeks to provide trained dancers who will be able to perform alongside international acts.

“Dance-1st is here to make Zimbabwe a contender on the international dance arena. We are going to be providing classes and hosting workshops across the country providing a source of income to other dancers.

“All ages are welcome, it is never too late to start dancing. People dance for different reasons, some for fitness sake. Dance is also a confidence builder as it involves a performance factor whether during competitions or for social,” he said.
Lionel said dance could make or break an artiste.

“I believe dance is seen by some as something done by unproductive individuals. The industry itself has shunned dancers though they play a crucial role in complementing the artistes. There are also sporadic incidents whereby sometimes dancers get paid and other not. So the school will be there to encourage dancers to pursue their dreams and show that if taken seriously dance is a source of income,” he said.

He said there were international dancers who were eking out a living the likes of Jabbawockeez (winner of America’s Best Dance Group) that perform sellout shows in stadiums by just showcasing their dance skills.

For those not in the know, Lionel started out in 2004 as a member of a dance group called Dcronic where he developed choreography skills. In summer of 2007 he formed his own group called “Public Felony” where he explored his skills as a choreographer.

“I was the only choreographer in the group, which had its pros and cons. Thus in late 2009 I realised that to form a powerful group you need dancers with both the skill and passion. In early 2010 I came up with the vision of a group that became to be known as High Definition Dance Group.

“We formed the group together with Takudzwa Samoyo. As always I was in charge of choreography this time around I had a helping hand which provided just the right edge for the HD movement. When HD started I was still a teenager and shy.

“Back then I never felt the need to go professional. When HD came to life I had also taken a huge interest in choreography to slow songs, songs that could tell a story through lyrical translation such as ‘James Blunt – Goodbye My Lover’ which was one of the High Definition trademarks on the dance scene,” he said.
As HD, the group performed in schools as well as beauty contests and dance battles.

In May 2008, the group won an award for Best Street Dancer Undisputed Dance Battle. They also curtain-raised for the Jamaican artiste Sean Kingston and performing live on the Big Brother Amplified Stage in 2011. High Definition accomplished what no other dance crew had done.

“At that point we could be mentioned alongside Cindy, Stunner and Winky D which was indeed a great achievement for a dance group. Everything was going all so well, but I soon came to a point where I felt my career had reached the ceiling. My choreography skills were limited to the three members of HD. The group seemed it had reached its peak in terms of creativity that is when I decided to enrol at a dance school in South Africa, Dance Web Studios, to learn on how to professionalise the art and I am back home on full-time basis to launch the dance school,” he said.