I wished to create a new piece of work which drew on other African cultures and was able to undertake the research needed for this thanks to the Trailblazers scheme. My personal development focus during my time on the scheme was two fold: to deepen my choreographic practice; and to obtain the skills and knowledge needed to start my own dance company in the near future.

Part of the Trailblazer bursary I received was used to purchase a video camera. This camera has been invaluable in helping me to capture my work thus enabling me to build an archive of my past choreographies which in turn has helped me to develop my dance vocabulary into what it is today.

Mostly my background as an African. Africa consists of a diverse mix of cultures. How this mix has influenced my work along with the desire to create work that educates people who haven’t come across Zimbabwean culture or contemporary African culture is what inspires my artistic vision.

More collaboration with other choreographers and musicians in order to enrich and develop my ways of working as well as my choreographic and musical practice [Bawren has created musical scores for Phoenix and Union dance companies, and for all his choreographical works]. Throughout my career I have been helped by State of Emergency productions to show my work. In the next five years I envision doing the same for upcoming talented choreographers by providing opportunities for them to create works for my company.

I feel that there are not enough male dancers, let alone ethnic minority male dancers, in the industry. I want to be able to contribute to the addressing of this imbalance by inspiring male youths to pursue a career in dance. In the UK we are lacking this inspiration and I feel it is my job to change this especially in urban areas where there are a lot of talented male youths who can dance but are exposed primarily to only one dance form - hip hop. Tavaziva Male represents a practical way for me to increase the levels of male dancers who can be employed in mine or any other professional dance company.