JOHN COLE CHOREOGRAPHING HIS WAY TO THE TOP

He is Zimbabwe's most sought after choreographer and with a r é sum é that includes working on The First Lady's birthday party...

He is Zimbabwe's most sought after choreographer and with a résumé that includes working on The First Lady's birthday party, Hifa (Harare International Festival of Arts), Miss Tourism Zimbabwe and the Harare International Carnival, to mention but a few, it is not hard to see why.

Cole has rubbed shoulders with a whole host of international artists as well, from the likes of American rnb legend, Joe Thomas, to Jamaican dancehall duo, Brick n Lace.

Urban Craft's own Blaque Aqua sat down with the celebrated choreographer/dancer/actor for a brief, yet light-hearted chat and below is how that encounter went.

What is your name and what do you do?

I am John Cole and am a choreographer

Tell us in brief about yourself......

l was born on the 16th of June 1988 at Edith Opperman. I grew up in Ardbennie, Sunningdale, Highfield, Mbare and Glen Norah.

Do you have a village of origin?

Lol, Hona manje Mdara, kuRoots tokuziva bho bho usadaro

**laughs**Really?......here is your village?

Shamva

When growing up we all have that special lady we love,who was your crush?

It was and still is Cameron Diaz.

**Laughs** Did you know she was a witch on Snow White?,What inspired you to persue a career in dancing.

I watched the dance movie, You Got Served and l was inspired and what drove me was my desire to prove my friends wrong(which l did) and also l wamted to feel in a void in my soul. My mother supported me in my venture which boosted my self-esteem.

What method got you to where you are?

Honestly, l am clueless but l believe its word of mouth.

Who are some of the individuals that you have choreographed for throughout your career?

Sebastian Magacha's 1+1, Tytan's Mukoko video, in which l improvised the whole choreography and Cynthia Mare's Shinga album launch, to mention but a few.

We love your performance as Tinashe, how did you meet up with Cynthia?

I was introduced to her by Sebastian Magacha

Do you ever get the chance to wear the Tinashe costume off the set?

No, that'll be uncool, what will my kidz think? l do sometimes wear it at live perfomances though.

What was the toughest test that you had to overcome in you career?

When we were competing in Battle of Africa dance competition(We won) in 2011

How did you get the chance to act on an Invision Studio production and get a chance to KISS Ammara Brown?

I was introduced to Invision Studios by Musa Effect and l auditioned the role in 'Far from Yesterday' and after getting it, they said they were looking for a charismatic actress who could play my partner and that's how Ammara Brown got the role. l feel happy about the success of the film,l don't regret doing it.

WHO IS JOHN COLE?

John Cole is Zimbabwean dance choreographer , dancer , mentor , brand ambassador , tv presenter , philanthropist , artist director , thinker , founder and president

John Cole is the most sought out choreographer in ZIMBABWE.

He has choreographed projects with grace and ease utilizing every style of dance , this versatility makes him an asset to any project.

He has many credits under as belt in tv , stage , commercials , music videos and concerts.

John has been dancing for 7 years. John holds 3 dance awards as best choreographer and dancer respectively including 5 collaboration awards.

John Cole is the president and founder of the Zimbabwe Choreographers Dancers Association, Zimbabwe Dance Industry Awards and John Cole Group Of Companies

John Cole has choreographed many memorable shows , events , videos , concerts  through out his career.

FLASHMOBS

- Barclays 

- Dstv (Multichoice)

- Ster Kinekor 

- Harare International Carnival

- Wafest 

- SayWhat

- ActionAid

CHOREOGRAPHY

- First Lady Birthday Party Dr Mai Grace Mugabe 

- Jah Prayzah Album Launch

- Miss Tourism Zimbabwe

- Cynthia Mare Album Launch  

- African Joy Choir 

- Harare International Carnival 

- Miss Deaf Zimbabwe 

- Sabastian Magacha Live Dvd

- Permican Awards 

- Miss Uz

- Stem

- Zaoga Live Dvd 

- Zimbabwe Fashion Week 

- Shoko Festival 

- Harare International Festival Of Arts(Hifa)

- FoodWorld SuperMarkets

- Zimbabwe Fashion Week 

- Miss WUA

- Pianos Jaravaza Live Dvd

- Miss Harare Junior

- FaRose Album Launch 

- Zimbabwe National Hip-hop Dance Team (Boty) | African Champions |

UNIFORMED FORCES

- Zimbabwe Air Force Of Zimbabwe 

- Zimbabwe National Army 

- Zimbabwe Prison Services 

- Zimbabwe Police Band

AWARDS 

- Zimbabwe Models Awards (2015) * Best Choreographer

- Zimbabwe Models Awards (2016) * Best Choreographer

- Zimbabwe Hip-hop Awards (2016) * Best Dancer

COLLOBARATION AWARDS

- Zimbabwe Youth Achievers Awards (2016) | Video Of The Year By Ammara Brown & Tytan (Mukoko) | *Choreographer

- Zimbabwe Models Awards (2016) | Best Pageant By Miss Tourism | *Choreographer 

- Zimbabwe Models Awards (2016) | Best Entertainment By ZTA | *Choreographer

- National Merit Awards (2015) | Video Of The Year By Sabastian Magacha | *Choreographer

- National Merit Awards (2015) | Best Choral Group By African Joy | *Choreographer

ACHIEVEMENTS

- Undisputed Battles | Bboy Champion |

- Jibilika Dance Battles | Crew Champions |

- Battle Of The Year  | African Champions |

JUDGE 

- Ghetto Fabulaz | Reality Show |

- Zimbabwe Finest Dance Crew

- Interschools Dance Battles

- Battle Ship

- Miss Highfields

- Miss Harare

- Alavanche Dance Battles

- Zichire Dance Battles 

- Break Down 3

- Jibilika Festival

MENTOR 

- Ghetto Fabulaz

- Star Brite | Talent Show |

INTERNATIONAL DANCE FUSION

- Pockemon (France)

- Last4One (South Korea)

SPECIAL FEATURES

- Brick N Lace (Jamaica)

- Joe Thomas (Usa)

- Freshly Ground (South Africa)

- Last4One (South Korea)

- Pockemon (France)

ACTOR 

- Far From Yesterday By Invision Studios

ARTIST ( Choreographer / Dancer )

- Jah Prayzah | MTv People Choice |

- Cynthia Mare | Multi Award Winning |

- Ammara Brown | Multi Award Winning |

- Sabastian Magacha | Multi Award Winning |

- Zimpraise | Multi Award Winning |

- Roki | Multi Award Winning | 

- Movip

- Guspy Warrior 

- Pianos Jaravaza

- Eyara Mathias

- Innocent Utsiwegota

- Pastor G

- Shingi & Simba Tags 

- Faith Jori 

- Dj Romeo 

- Emelda

- FaRose 

- Thembalami

Story by Blaque Aqua