Artist Bio X 2017

A little more about me

I am Titilayo Adebayo. I see myself as an honest raw freeform dancer and a freelance dance artist. My end goal is to create a dance company/collective. I want to be a practitioner and innovator of dance. My intention is to travel and train over the years. I want to create my own artistic form and to collaborate with artists from other art forms. Last year I graduated from University of Roehampton with a Second-class honours, upper division (2:1) in dance. Ever since finishing at University I have been working as a freelance dance artist ever since.

My first ever inspiration was Alvin Ailey. I love how he paved the way for African American dance on a global scale. As someone of Nigerian descent, during my time training as a dancer up until now. I can not help this feeling of being unfulfilled with the global representation of traditional African dance. I want African dance and dance techniques to be recognised, practised and respected globally (beyond commercial means). The same way dance styles such as:- ballet, hip-hop and modern dance are practiced and respected throughout the world.

Thus far my training has been in predominantly western/European dance techniques. I first started 'training' when I chose to do dance at A level in Luton 6th Form in my home town. But the following year at 17, I moved out and lived on my own while studying musical theatre at Birmingham Ormiston academy for two years. Then I moved down to London to begin my degree at University of Roehampton which is the top University for dance studies in the UK.

This is where began my training in Modern and Postmodern styles including; Graham, Limon, Release, Cunningham, improvisation and contact. There my love for dance developed grew into wanting to be a dance artist/practitioner. I studied abroad in New York for most of my second year of University where I also gained some training in; tap, commercial hip-hop, ballet, choreographic and somatic techniques.

For my final year I returned to University of Roehampton where I picked modules which focused on artistic development. My course consisted with modules such as; gender studies, anthropology of dance, philosophy and aesthetics and other social, political and community based studies in relation to dance.

Then following graduation I went straight into my first dance job where I was a performing as part as a traditional african dance troupe. And I have been dancing and training consistently ever since. I have been able to work in a variety of dance jobs, projects and have even been able to perform my own solo piece as part of a dance residency at the Rich Mix Center. I danced behind Tiwa Savage and Victoria Kimani as part of One Africa Music festival. During this time caught the eye of dancer and choreographer Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau (better known as Kaffy) who hand picked me to provide mentorship and guidance to ensure I reach my fullest potential as a dancer and leader of tomorrow.

Aside from my commercial work, I have also been able to gain experience in a professional dance art job. In July, I was on of 12 performers and the only female casted from London for Trajal Harrells: Hoochie Koochie in the famous Barbican exhibition center. Thus far this has been my biggest achievement. As I was the youngest and the only black female to be one of the performers.

What I want to do now is to learn more African techniques, encourage black dancers to be invested in their roots and its dance form. To explore themselves and dig deep creatively and artistically through body, mind and soul. I want this to be more universal and accessible. I think it will give us a more genuine sense of pride as African dancers throughout the world.