TOTTO Niwenshuti
Director, Choreographer, dance teacher, Producer, singer, peace activist and young researcher.
Awards/Prizes (recent):
-Rector Excellence Award 2009 as BEST INNOVATOR -- For the positive impact that his initiatives have brought to the National University community and society, especially the recent research about “dance therapy”.
-Best promoter of Art and Culture 2007
He was the first Rwandan contemporary dancer and choreographer to represent his country in various international festivals:
- “Les rencontres choregraphiques de l’Afrique et de l’Ocean Indien” in Tana/Madagascar, in 2003.
- Senegal in 2005
- FRANCE, in 2006,
- KINSHASA/DRC, July 2009 where he performed with a Zimbabwean a piece called “The other side.” After, he led a forum-discussion for invited artists at that 1st Platfrom of contemporary dance in the Great Lakes (Organized by KVS-Belgium- and the Ministry of Culture of the Democratic Republic of Congo).
As a singer Totto has many known hits like “Oya” (No) – a blues song in English and Kinyarwanda, often used during the mourning in April. Since 2006, he’s been teaching, assisting and performing for the FESPAD (Pan African Festival of Dance) in the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Rwanda, as dancer and assistant choreographer or facilitator for opening ceremonies and workshops.
As a researcher, he has worked with:
- Professor Barz and Scott from the USA (Nashville/Vanderbilt University) about Music and Genocide in Rwanda (a work still in progress),
- Marie Berry (USA) about Women and Leadership in Rwanda After the Genocide
- Thomas (Belgium) and Raul Maya (Portugal) for a Dance Experiment Work
- Izabel Barsive (Canada) about a dance video production
- Totto will soon publish his own research related to the role of dance and its in contribution to solving the increasing problem of trauma due to the consequences of the genocide.
Apart from working at the University Computing Center (2001-2002), Totto was head of the Department of Dance at the University Center for Arts and Drama (2002-2004); and creating his own dance group iNSHOZA in 2005, Totto has worked with and produced different artists like Apollinaire (Burundi), Safa Papy John (Rwanda), Jean Marc (France), Sowers (Rwanda), IMIBHALA Dance-Theater (South Africa and USA), modern and cultural groups from High schools (using art and culture to promote peace and other human rights through the club he found while in high school: Club RUGARI UNIVERSAL FAMILY).
Along with the above mentioned actions, there are more that cannot be detailed here (like the Peace in Darfur Campaign, now the “Oya campaign” which was initiated and in 2007, conferences, workshops and trainings he offered in the country and outside, etc) that have impacted positively and inspired many people, young and old.
Recently, on 09/9th,09 he said during a press conference, he had an idea of launching "I have a dream-INZOZI " Foundation, an orgnanization which is going to coordinate, advise, get needed ressources and support to ensure continuity and expension of already initiated programs by him or other people,especially young and vulnerable ones, with the same vision to contribute to a better society. Half of the sellings from his film URWINTWARI (a dance film paying tribute to peace heroes from Rwanda) will serve to start this Foundation.
He has tremendous experience on various issues and a big network of contacts, friends, fans and supporters, individuals and institutions. He has received many professional trainings in Dance, Drama, Cinema, ICT, Youth psychology and management, human rights, sound and image software, etc.
Academically, he completed high school in the option of Biology and Chemistry. He has just received a bachelors’ degree in Journalism and Communication and would like to specialize in anything related to Communication for Development, Peaceful Resolutions of Conflict, International Relations, Health, Space, etc.
To contact him:
E-mails: totto.niwenshuti@gmail.com
Cell phone:
+250 788 493 971
+250 750 450 550
