ERIC SANO a.k.a "Mr NDI”, a contemporary dancer is all about self-expression and storytelling delivered by contemporary movements that convey a meaning.

The 22-year-old contemporary dancer, creator and choreographer has found a niche in that form of art which he said helps him to express his inner feelings and emotions or someone else’s story through his moves.

At the age of 9, Sano was introduced to contemporary dance after being inspired by Akram Khan, an international choreographer and dance director based in London.

He said that when he watched his videos, he loved his moves, how he grabbed the audience’s attention and how he gives life to the story he’s expressing through dance which made him strive to become like him.

In 2014 when he was 14, he started practicing contemporary dance through a church’s team called "God’s Glory Team” and in 2016, he started to work with different talented choreographers and art companies in Rwanda.

When asked why he loves contemporary dance, he said it requires one to embrace the feelings and emotions conveyed in someone’s story when performing.

"When performing someone’s story, you first have to understand and live it. You have to be that someone,” he said.

In 2019, Sano created and organised a piece called "Why Me?” which was performed in Anda Art Festival, an event that was organised by Peace and Love Proclaimers (PLP).

Eric Sano AKA Mr Ndi.

According to him, the piece revolved around internal wars a person fights which can lead to depression and he was urging people who were passing through the same situations to speak out and ask for help.

Tackling why his plays portray social issues like mental health, he revealed that it is because he has been facing depression for a long time but kept it inside him although he was later healed by art.

"I like to focus on a message that can change someone even if they don’t speak out. Many people, especially from the young generation, are facing mental health problems but they are afraid to ask for help. So, as an artist, I believe that contemporary dance or art can be a way to guide them on how they can face that problem and get help,” he said.

Sano also declared that contemporary dance became his first ever source of payment and helped him perform on big stages like "Our Past” commemoration event.

As a challenge, he said in Rwanda, there are not enough contemporary dance classes that can be hosted by international contemporary dance teachers for dancers to gain new skills.

"The challenge of insufficient dance classes is taking a big part for some kids who want to learn or know contemporary dance here in Rwanda,” he said.

However, he urged the passionate to find some learning materials on the internet like how he does and learn from their idols.  

The artist seeks to keep creating more powerful plays that are attractive to anyone and can also teach or change people’s lives.

One can find him on E-mail: ericsano250@gmail.com or Instagram: @ndi.sano____