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 practice centers highly narrative works rooted in expressions of selfhood, culture and legacy.

Her breathtaking skill and dedication to her art form have made her one of the most acclaimed performers working today. Ayodele Casel: Rooted, directed by Torya Beard, is a collaborative project that brings together tap, movement, spoken word artists, and jazz musicians to explore the intersections of their art forms with their collective roots. The Rooted artists will be in conversation, movement, and fellowship with various members of the Duke University community during an extended residency, and their voices will be included in the final public presentation.