Kemba Shannon

Kemba is a celebrated dancer and educator whose career spans various facets of the performing arts. With extensive training in different dance styles, she has made significant contributions to both stage performances and dance pedagogy locally and globally. Kemba holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Towson State University. Her training is extensive and diverse, having honed her skills at the Alvin Ailey American Theater and Martha Graham School. Kemba has shared her passion for dance through teaching positions at UCLA, Loyola Marymount University, El Camino College, Maryland Dance Academy, and Portland State University, among others. Kemba’s stage credits include performances in the LA cast of The Lion King, the Broadway cast of The Color Purple, and Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity. She has worked alongside Madonna on the Drowned World Tour, P!nk during the Try This World Tour, Celine Dion on the Taking Chances World Tour, and Rihanna for the Nike RockStar World Tour. Kemba has also contributed her talents to performances with Kanye West, Fantasia from American Idol, and Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding. Kemba has developed her distinctive dance methodology known as K-Technique; this innovative curriculum incorporates elements of Afro-Funk, Hip-Hop, Modern, and jazz dance. It is designed to improve cardiovascular health, increase flexibility, strengthen the whole body, and boost mood through floor work, dynamic center techniques, and explosive choreography. Kemba is excited to be a part of the dynamic Dance Department at Reed College this fall.