Ofosuwa M. Abiola featured in The Virginian Pilot performing at her annual Kwanzaa program December 26, 2007.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Ofosuwa M. Abiola
Ofosuwa M. Abiola has been dancing 43 years and has 30 years professional experience as an instructor, choreographer and director. She has traveled to Africa to study dance, music and culture under dance and drum masters of the Gambian National Dance and Music Troupe, and Corichow Dance Company. Ms. Abiola has been bestowed the title of Master Traditional Artist by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities. In 1996, Abiola founded her own classical African dance company, Suwabi African Ballet (based in Norfolk, Virginia). Ofosuwa's dance training began in New York City, where she was born and raised. In 1966, at the age of 4, Abiola began traditional African dance and Classical ballet training. Her training continued in 1967, but was expanded to include modern, jazz and tap in addition to the African and classical ballet. By 1978, Ofosuwa studied dance at the Dance Theater of Harlem (NYC: classical ballet and African), until she relocated to Washington, DC, in 1980, where she studied traditional African dance (African Heritage Dance School), African History and African Philosophy (Howard University). Aside from her work as principle dancer for Mariam Harper Dance Company (NY, 1968-1978), choreographer and instructor for the African Poetry Theater (NY, 1978-1989), and director of the Theater for African Cultural Arts (NY, 1990-1993), Ofosuwa Abiola has performed, choreographed and produced her own work nationally and internationally in Gambia, West Africa, St. Thomas, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Philadelphia, Maryland, and Virginia. Ofosuwa's numerous television and radio appearances include WHRO (radio and the TV station), PBS ( the TV station, PBS local radio and a national interview that aired on every PBS radio station in the 50 states of America), CBS, and NBC to name a few. Abiola has received awards and grants from countless agencies such as, the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, Partner's In The Arts, the Office of Human Affairs, the United States Navy, the Southeast Virginia Arts Association, Newport News Council for the Arts, the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center & the Attucks Theater, etc., and has been nominated for the National Endowment for Arts' National Heritage Award. Currently, Ofosuwa M. Abiola is the Artistic Director of Suwabi African Ballet. She is pursuing a Bachelor degree in Africana Studies from Virginia State University with a minor in Hisotry, and a minor in African Dance Pedagogy. Ofosuwa teaches master classes, residencies and workshops nationally and internationally.