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Gibson Mhaka
BULAWAYO artiste Vanessa Nyoni, who participated at the recently completed Next Level Academy programme in Harare has hailed the programme for renewing her inspiration and teaching her on how to monetise her brand as a dancer.
Nyoni was part of the selected Zimbabwean hip hop dancers, MCs, beat makers, and DJs aged 18 to 35 who attended the Next Level Academy programme at 7 Arts Theatre in Harare which ran from the 8th to the 18th of July 2024.
US artist-educators, including dancer Lady Beast, MC Dee-1, DJ Nick Neutronz, and beatmaker Krithi, led the Next Level Academy alongside project manager Aysha Upchurch.
Participants received instruction in both arts skills-building and entrepreneurship.
Sharing her newfound knowledge, Nyoni said the programme was a real eye-opener for her dance career.
She said the programme provided not only advanced dance training but also equipped her with valuable skills in areas like artist branding, marketing, and financial management – all essential for building a sustainable career in the arts.
“I was the only dancer selected from Bulawayo for the two-week Next Level Academy programme. Each art category had a tutor from the US, and for dance, we were fortunate to have Lady Beast, a renowned Popping dancer.
“As someone who excels in Popping myself, I learned a tremendous amount from her and the programme director. The programme went beyond dance, offering valuable workshops on entrepreneurship. I gained insights on how to monetise my brand as a dancer and build a strong personal brand identity. On the final day, we showcased the work we created throughout the programme.
“In terms of my dance practice, these past two weeks have been transformative. I feel a surge in confidence and a newfound belief in the validity of my ideas. I now understand that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. Learning entrepreneurship skills from organizations like the Zimbabwe Marketing Association opened my eyes to the vast possibilities available to me as a dancer,” said Nyoni.
She said that for years she had been working on projects, but she lacked the confidence to share them publicly or the resources to sponsor them.
The workshop, however, equipped her with the skills to navigate these challenges.
“I have projects I’ve been working on for years, but I haven’t had the confidence to share them publicly or the resources to sponsor them.
“While I still lack those resources, I now understand the importance of asking for help. We’ve been given a clear process for tackling issues like this. Successfully executing these ideas will create more employment opportunities for our community. Therefore, I sincerely hope to receive the necessary support from my city as I continue my journey in movement art,” said Nyoni.
She said they would also be awarded certificates from the US embassy.
Online Reporter