Rujeko Dumbutshena belongs to the Shona tribe of Zimbabwe. While exposure to the traditional life of Zimbabwe keeps her rooted in centuries of African cultural heritage, her participation in western forms of education provides her with a comprehensive modern and global perspective. Her unique background and knowledge of both Western and African music, dance and culture provide the perfect platform for Rujeko to act as a bridge between the two cultures.

Leaving Zimbabwe in 1992, Rujeko began the journey of sharing her culture with the world. She has been teaching and performing at prestigious institutions throughout the US, Canada and Australia since 1994. Through performances at venues such as the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, the Lincoln Center in New York, and the Sydney Opera House, Rujeko has gained a wide array of performance experience. She has also received outstanding response from both students and colleagues for her teaching at universities throughout the US. She is currently on faculty at Sarah Lawrence College.

In addition to teaching and performing Rujeko is both artistic director and co-founder to the Panjea Foundation a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing African and Western traditions together through cultural exchange tours, music and dance conferences and workshops. The Panjea Foundation has been in existence since 1998.

Rujeko’s life experience and skills allow her to act as a crucial meeting point of cultures. She is dedicated to sustaining communities through teaching the healing and soul-lifting cultural practices of her people and to making significant contributions to the study and performance of African dance on a global level.