top of page

About MAKUDA

MAKUDA was founded by choreographer and artistic director Tendai M. Makurumbandi in 2013 and rebranded in 2023 into a symphony of creative works that cores the voices and aesthetics of the marginalized.

Makuda - Portrait of Tendai Makurumbandi

Tendai M. Makurumbandi is a professional dancer and choreographer based in Kristiansund, Norway. 

​

He holds an MA in Choreography from Oslo National Academy of the Arts and BA in dance and choreography from the National Ballet of Zimbabwe.

Early beginnings

Brought up in the high-density suburb of Mbare, the young Zimbabwean artist, was born to less privileged family of seven. The will to learn and the potential to see possibilities within and beyond the dusty suburbs of Mbare, accumulated into creative strength for the young choreographer.

 

Through the gravel in bare feet, going from one place to another to make ends-meat, Tendai’s feelings of inferiority that plagued him throughout his life, from his brief but promising sortie as an athlete, D.J and self-taught musician, led his ultimate success in the dance world. His positive drive despite circumstances is a unique trait achieved through various experiences from his life since birth.

Background

Experience

Tendai Makurumbandi began his ballet studies in 2002. He took his bachelor’s degree in dance at the National Ballet of Zimbabwe, under the watchful eye of Marie-Laure Soukaina Edom.  He won the top prize at his graduation as the overall best student and graduated with Honors merit.

​

In 2005, he made his debut at Pustervik theatre in Gothenburg, where he danced with the Swedish based Kompani Raande-vo, directed by the late choreographer, Lena Josefsson.

 

He toured extensively with Kompani Raande-vo for many years. In 2012 Tendai moved from Sweden to Norway, Kristiansund,  where he resides to date.  He works with Kristiansund Opera within multiple roles in dance development.

​

Makurumbandi holds a Master`s degree in Choreography from Oslo National Academy of the Arts.

Creations & Establishments

He has choreographed works like Silent drum, Nyami Nyami, Angels Amongst Us and Dis(placed) shadows, among many other.

 

In his choreographic practise, Makurumbandi explores shadows as metaphor as an active resistance of alterity.

 

Influenced by lived and inherited experiences, his choreographic practice weaves individual stories into a symphony of identities that interacts across the boundaries of difference.

During his time in Kristiansund via Sunndalsøra, he established Compassion 2Dance Company (2013) now rebranded to MAKUDA (Makurumbandi Dance). 

 

Makurumbandi is the founder and artistic director of the annual dance festival, IN2IT, which was established in 2016.

Artistic CV

  • EDUCATION
    Oslo National Academy of the Arts August 2019 - June 2021 MASTER IN CHOREOGRAPHY. NATIONAL BALLET OF ZIMBABWE January 2002-December 2005 BACHELOR HONORS DEGREE in dance, teaching, choreography.
  • WORK EXPERIENCE
    IN2IT International Dance Festival (Artistic director, Curator) December 2015 - Present I established IN2IT International Dance Festival in 2015 in Sunndalsøra, and the festival moved to Kristiansund in 2021. Makurumbandi Dance (Dancer, Choreographer) 2013 - Present My role as a dancer created my interest in choreography. I have choreographed full length productions such as: - Silent drum(2015) - Angels Amongst Us (2018) - Nyami Nyami(2019) - Angels Re-imagined(2020) - Dis(placed) shadows (2022) Operaen I Kristiansund (Dance teacher, Choreographer, Curator) August 2012 - Present I have multiple roles in teaching, choreographing, project leader for Regional Kompetansesenter for dans, PRODA Møre og Romsdal, and In2IT Dance Festival development. I have choreographed short works for the Opera, and have been having lead roles in the ballet, Nutcracker. Kompani Raande-vo (Dancer) 2006 - 2012 Worked as a full-time dancer. Performed company´s repertoire and was in new creations, choreographed by the late Lena Josefsson, in Sweden. Toured extensively in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Board and jury work Danseinformasjon – Vara medlem 2022 – Present Minimalen Film festival – Jury 2021 - 2022
  • DANCE EXPERIENCE
    2023: - My Song, choreographed by Tendai Makurumbandi 2022: - Mouse King in Nutcracker, Operaen I Kristiansund, choreography by Catherine Smirles 2018: - Nyami Nyami, Choreographed by Tendai Makurumbandi 2017: - Angels amongst us project, choreographed by Tendai Makurumbandi - Poetry of the feet project, choreographed by Tendai Makurumbandi 2015: - Silent drum, choreographed by Tendai Makurumbandi 2014: - Black gold, choreographed by Simbarashe Fulukia 2013: - Nutcracker, Operaen I Kristiansund, choreography by C. Smirles - Mozzart, Choreography by Cathrine Smirles 2012: - Dona bacalao , Choreography by Cathrine Smirles 2011: - Risk Zon 3, choreographed by Lena Josefsson, Kompani Randevo - Delusion, choreographed by Lena Josefsson, Kompani Randevo 2004 – 2010: - Distant light, choreographed by Lena Josefsson, Kompani Rande-vo - Plutot la vie, choreographed by Lena Josefsson, Kompani Rande-vo - 90% paradis , choreographed by Lena Josefsson, Kompani Rande-vo - Inaff, choreographed by Lena Josefsson, Kompani Rande-vo - Afro Euro, choreographed by Cliff Moustach, Nordic Black Theater - Mutapa project, choreography by Jimmy Makurumbandi 2004 – 2005: - Apprentice in Tumbuka Dance Company
  • CHOREOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE
    My SONG (2023)/ Premiers October 2023 Banor (2022), in collaboration with Sara Ruddock Dis(placed) shadows (2022) Angels amongst us (2017) and Re-visited (2020) Nyami Nyami (2018) Silent Drum ( 2015), in collaboration with Nasser Mhende
  • LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
    Project leader, Regional Kompetansesenter for dans, Operaen i Kristiansund (2023 – Ongoing) In2IT International Dance Festival, Artistic director (2006 – Ongoing) Makurumbandi Dance, Dancer/Choreographer, (2013 – Ongoing)
  • BOARD / JURY
    Danseinformasjon ( 2022 – ongoing) ICE HOT Nordic Plartform National jury (2023) DansIT - Minimalen Film Festival programming commiteee, (2021) Minimalen Film Festival jury, (2020) Dance Link AS (2017 – ongoing)
  • HONORS
    2021 – Norsk kulturråd “Diversestipend for nyutdannede kunstnere” 2006 – Møre og Romsdal Fylkeskommune Kunstnerstipend 2003/2004/2005 - Best all round student 2004 - National Institute of Allied Arts 1st position prize winner in hip hop and contemporary
  • TEACHING EXPERIENCE
    AFRIKERA DANCE TRUST (ZIMBABWE) VIDA (SWEDEN), DANCE TRUST OF ZIMBABWE DANCE FOUNDATION COURSE (ZIMBABWE) KOMPANI RAANDE VO (SWEDEN) TUMBUKA DANCE COMPANY (ZIMBABWE) ÖREBRO UNIVERSITY MUSIC AND DANCE WORKSHOP (SWEDEN) VIVALLA FOLKHOGSKOLAN ÖREBRO (SWEDEN) SAVVANAH ARTS (ZIMBABWE) AND SUNNDAL CULTURE SCHOOL (NORWAY) MOLDE CULTURE SCHOOL SURNADAL CULTURE SCHOOL KRISTIANSUND OPERA BALLET CENTER DANSELØVENE AND NORDIC BLACK THEATER
bottom of page