Dance to the Tembo

Senior Muyunji Tembo takes the stage as the lights dim and the music slowly dies to a soft throb. Depending on the night, Tembo can be seen performing with Imani, In Motion, Poms, ABS, Precision, BoA, ITXC or Shakti.

An avid dancer and passionate leader, Tembo excels as a performer and participates in most dance clubs on campus. Whether it’s hip-hop, cheerleading or belly dancing, Tembo embodies grace and fluidly, and stuns the crowd with her precise and controlled movements.

Tembo began her dance career when she was six years old by watching groups like the Cheetah Girls and movies like High School Musical and Camp Rock. "I’d watch them every single Sunday and I’d dance along with them," Tembo recalled. From a young age her self-discipline motivated her to emulate her favorite stars and copy their dance moves.

Although she had never danced in a group or received formal training before arriving to Exeter, Tembo honed her skills by joining a variety of dance related clubs. Her prep year, Tembo was accepted by Imani, one of the more selective Exeter dance groups. "It gave me a lot more confidence," Tembo said.

Tembo quickly made a circle of friends from her dance clubs and discovered that, for her, dance acted as an outlet for her stress at Exeter. "Dance is basically my social life," she said. "Most people need to have time in their room to relax, but me personally, my relaxation time is in the studio. For me, doing these dance clubs is sort of like a de-stresser."

She has also found that her work as a dancer has improved her academics at PEA. "I do school in the day, I do dance as my sport, I have my club meetings on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in particular, and then I do my homework at night. Because I’m so busy in the day, I need to be efficient when it comes to work," she explained. "I’ve just learned how to manage and I’ve gotten used to it over the years."

In addition to developing critical time management skills, dance has also helped her to overcome her natural shyness. Not only has her stage presence grown over the years, but also this confidence has been translated to her academic life, particularly at the Harkness table.

"I really think dance helped me with my confidence," Tembo reflected. "I was a really really quiet person when I came to Exeter my prep year, but the more I joined these clubs and the more I danced, the more confident I became with expressing myself, which is why I’ve been able to get out of my shell a bit more."

At Exeter, she was exposed to team dynamics and learned from her peers through her interactions with them. Because she danced and joined such a range of dance clubs, she was able to express herself in ways she had never done before. Dance also helped Tembo learn the valuable skills of teamwork and leadership.

"In dance you don’t have solos, you’re not really an individual. You have to work as a unit with the peers in your club. In all the clubs I’m in, we have formations, and we have to look out for each other to make sure we all understand what’s going on. And even at our Harkness table discussions, you don’t want to be the center of attention, very humble and you sort of let others be heard as well as yourself," she said.

Betty Luther-Hillman, Tembo’s advisor, commended her determination, work ethic and energy she brings to the clubs she participates in. "She is involved in a huge number of dance clubs on campus, and she is dedicated to all of them," Luther-Hillman said. "It's clear that she loves dance and that she's really devoted to creating an open and welcoming dance community at Exeter."

Dance instructor Allison Duke worked with Tembo last year and continued her lessons in ballet and modern dance. Duke praised Tembo for her "zeal for movement and willingness to learn."

"Her willingness to put herself out there in front of this community deserves recognition."

"She is not afraid to try movement styles outside of her comfort zone," Duke said. "Her willingness to put herself out there in front of this community deserves recognition."

In addition to participating in dance clubs, Luther-Hillman explained, Tembo also started In-Motion, as she saw a gap in Exeter’s dance offerings. "She doesn't restrict herself to one particular style or cultural tradition; indeed, Muyunji believes that dance is a method to learn about different cultures and experiences, and she is very serious about using dance as a means of cultural exploration.

Tembo’s dance partners and friends regard her as a leader, hard worker and dedicated artist. Upper Vennela Vellanki, fellow member of In-Motion, said that although serious, Tembo found a balance between work and fun. "She knows when to have fun and when to get down to business and she is almost always on top of everything."

Upper and ITXC co-head Kevin Zhen shared Vellanki’s sentiments, and emphasized Tembo’s ability to move the group forward. "Muyunji is a phenomenal leader and dancer that knows how to get things done."

Tembo also exhibits admirable patience and is eager to help any peer who has trouble with a move or even a small facet of choreography. She works tirelessly with her co-dancers, repeating sequence after sequence, until every person has nailed the choreography and feels comfortable enough to move on.

Upper Jason Won and ITXC co-head remarked on Tembo’s patience as both a leader and a mentor. "As a leader and mentor to many, she always makes sure to stop and take a moment whenever someone has the slightest trouble, and she rarely loses her patience with anyone."

Her inclusion of every dancer also transcends to the stage, and, according to Vellanki, "as much as she loves the spotlight, she's willing to let everyone else be center of attention for a little while, too, even when she is definitely the best dancer."

Tembo’s leadership skills remain one of her defining traits. Won commended her ability to remain a leader without acting superior to her peers and friends.

"She's never overbearing. She's a friend before she's a leader, but being one doesn't detract from being the other. I think that's a great quality, to be able to lead without creating a hierarchy dynamic, and I respect her for that," he said.

Tembo’s contagious passion spreads to all who work with her, and many have a profound respect for her willingness to listen to and integrate other’s ideas while remaining true to her style and personality that she displays in her dance. Duke praised her contributions to the dance department and all the work she has put into her practices, clubs and performances.

"I Just think she's awesome and adds so much to the dance program at Exeter, in all its facets: dance classes, dance company and the clubs."