Class Notes
The Stars Aren’t the Limit
Dancing has always been a part of her DNA.
Aisha Olemba was in her middle school dance company and on her high school pom team. When she came to TU, Olemba became a founding member of the VIBE dance team. As much as she loved the movement of dance, she never thought it was something she could pursue professionally.
Fast forward just a few years and Olemba already has an impressive resume under her belt. She danced for popstar SZA’s S.O.S Tour, has choreographed music videos for other artists and now teaches choreography classes for all ages in Los Angeles, where she lives.
From the top: Aisha Olemba (on the left in each image) on SZA’s S.O.S Tour.
Broadway inspired
Olemba attended TU through the Credit for Prior Learning, which offers an opportunity for TU students to receive college credit for abilities they may have acquired through life experience, personal study and/or military course work.
She graduated with a degree in family and human services and planned to become a family and marriage therapist. But, after attending a dance competition in New York City with VIBE for the third time, encouragement from a professional Broadway dancer changed the course of her life.
From dance education to backup for SZA
When she moved to California her goal was to be a dance educator.
One day a friend needed a ride to a class hosted by SZA’s choreographer. Olemba was supposed to babysit that day, but when the family canceled, she purchased the last ticket to the class.
In the middle of the class, SZA walked into the room and locked eyes with Olemba as she danced. Before Olemba knew it, she was added to a group chat called “S.O.S. Tour Dancers.” For most professional dancers, it can take years if not an entire career to become a backup dancer for an artist as big as SZA.
I remind my students that the skies and the stars aren’t the limit ... You can do it all.
Aisha Olemba
“I’m doing something I would have never thought someone of my size would be doing,” Olemba says. “I had to remind myself, ‘You did not get this opportunity by mistake. Do what you need to do to get the job done.’ I have never worked so hard for something in my life.”
With what she learned at TU and the community she built, Olemba seeks to impart confidence and independence in her students, especially children. She plans to one day return to her academic roots and earn a master’s degree in family therapy to continue to inspire the next generation.
“I remind my students that the skies and the stars aren’t the limit,” she says. “You can do it all.”
Photos courtesy of Aisha Olemba.