MufukaWorks Dance Co.

“Kubatanidza” means connecting in Shona language. This piece was inspired by the social media viral video on Africans vs. African Americans; however, the end in mind is we are all connected. Do you see us? We are one tribe. We are from the mother of all nations, Africa. We have faced adversity and are still standing. This dance work will take the audience on a timeline of where the pathological pathways have created a mindset of Africans vs African Americans. Yet, we are more powerful as one tribe.

Elsie Mufuka is originally from Gardens Corner, SC. Mufuka is the founder and creative director of MufukaWorks Dance Company established in 2010. Mufuka created a trademark style, Afro Russe Dance (fusion of Zimbabwean African, Contemporary, and Ballet). The blood that runs through her veins is from Zimbabwe, Africa. Her beginning pre-professional training is credited to Shannon Kelly of Kelly Studios in Georgia. Mufuka's education includes Masters of Arts Administration from Winthrop University and dual Bachelor of Art degrees in Dance under the direction of Angela Gallo and Dr. Wanda Ebright and Communications. Some of her references, the Amy Marshall Dance Company residency of New York City, The Wanda Project, and Choreographer/Mentor Natty Mncube. After her undergraduate completion, she accepted her first professional opportunity in Johannesburg, South Africa with Ntsoana Contemporary Dance Theatre director Sello Pesa, Taelo Dance Theatre-Gustin Makgeledisa, DTL Entertainment-TumieLetsoenyo, and Lorcia Cooper.  Mufuka currently works with Charlotte Ballet Reach! (nationally recognized community engagement sponsorship program) as the lead dance teaching artist, curator for Boom Festival, University of North Carolina Charlotte clinical dance educator professor, and dance educator for McClintock Middle School. Mufuka has been awarded NC Dance Educator of the Year, Top 20 Teacher of the Year of UCPS, and Diamond Award Winner for McClintock Middle. MufukaWorks mission is to use dance as vehicle to tell life stories.