One of The New York Times' "Biggest Breakout Stars of 2019", Ayodele Casel, “a tap dancer of fine-grained musicianship” (The New Yorker), is a 2019-2020 fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. Born in The Bronx and raised in Puerto Rico, Ayodele began her professional training at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Her origins in theater and love for storytelling and tap dance have significantly contributed to the narrative nature in her work, which is rooted in the expression of identity, culture, language, and communication.

View full bio at www.ayodelecasel.com

Torya Beard is a New York-based director, creative consultant/strategist, choreographer, educator, and producer. She's performed with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, among others. She toured with The Harlem Nutcracker, made her Broadway debut in "Disney’s The Lion King”, and was a featured dancer in the film “Idlewild.” Torya is Executive Director of A BroaderWay Foundation, Director of Original Tap House, Co-Founder of tall poPpy, Inc., Managing and Creative Director of Ayodele Casel's AyoLives, Inc., Artistic Director at Excellence Community Schools, and serves on the board of Earl Mosley's Diversity of Dance.

View full bio at www.toryabeard.com