Ayodele Casel
Ayodele Casel, a Doris Duke Artist in the dance category, is an award-winning and critically acclaimed tap dancer and choreographer. Born in The Bronx and raised in Puerto Rico, her …
Free Community Event: Open to all – no Duke affiliation required!
A Doris Duke Artist known for her skilled and imaginative improvisation, Ayodele Casel is bringing her interactive performance Rooted to Duke Arts September 27 & 28.
On Monday, September 23rd, she will be joined in conversation with three singular artists of color who are shaping the Triangle’s dance scene: Andrea Woods Valdes, the chair of Dance at Duke University, artistic director of Souloworks/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers, Lormarev Jones, Theater & Dance faculty at Meredith College, and Nicole Oxendine, owner/operator of Empower Dance Studio.
The panel will discuss the impact of of women of color in dance, tap’s relationship to jazz, the influence of Black dance on broader social dance movements and popularity, teaching dance in the age of TikTok, and more.
Meet the Speakers
Ayodele Casel, a Doris Duke Artist in the dance category, is an award-winning and critically acclaimed tap dancer and choreographer. Born in The Bronx and raised in Puerto Rico, her …
Andrea E. Woods Valdés is the Chair of the Duke University Dance Program and artistic director of Souloworks/Andrea E. Woods & Dancers. A native of Philadelphia, Woods is a former …
Lormarev Jones is a Director/Choreographer, Intimacy Director and Educator currently based in Raleigh. She received her MFA in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence College. Lormarev has served as a director and …
Nicole Oxendine is the founder and artistic director of Empower Dance Studio, established in 2015. With a lifelong passion for dance, Nicole envisioned a space where individuals could explore their …
From NPR’s Tiny Desk to award-winning screen work, banjoist and songwriter Kaia Kater fuses folk, bluegrass, and contemporary roots music to tell stories of heritage and home.
Durham’s shirlette ammons brings her acclaimed album Language Barrier home for a special 10th anniversary performance featuring Lizz Wright, Phil Cook, and other guest artists.
In Sacred Spaces, Alvin Ailey’s Associate Artistic Director Matthew Rushing and Co-creator and Musical Director Du’Bois A’Keen revisit the legacy and spirituality of Revelations.
Named for the weeping willow, Salix Piano Trio shapes Mozart, Brahms, Higdon, Bridge, and Shostakovich into a vivid arc where elegance and intensity meet “fiercely intelligent playing” (The Washington Post).
Trailblazing comedian Mo Amer brings his sharp, deeply-personal stand-up to Durham to help kick off the Duke Arts Presents season. Known for his acclaimed series MO and three stand-up specials on Netflix, Amer has built a global following with comedy that blends personal storytelling, cultural insight, and fearless humor.
Drawing on folk and Americana traditions, Cherokee artist Ken Pomeroy creates quietly powerful songs whose poetic lyrics have appeared in “Reservation Dogs” and the “Twisters” soundtrack.
Ken Burns and David M. Rubenstein discuss civic engagement, leadership, and the nation’s founding ideals in this Duke exclusive event.
Madison Cunningham moves between indie folk, rock, and art-pop, known for layered arrangements and fearless songwriting—an approach that earned her a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album.
Honor the dead at the Día de los Muertos Ofrenda at Duke Chapel. Visitors are invited to contribute photos, objects, or paper-chain links in remembrance of loved ones as part of this sacred Mexican tradition.