Ayodele Casel

Did you know that when I started to dance, the first thing I learned was tap? Before I knew what a temps de cuisse was, I was shuffling off to buffalo. I guess the two are kind of similar if you think about it. My first dance teacher introduced me to tap when I was 12 years old. The challenge of the complicated rhythms… it sucked me in. I loved it. Once I went to high school, my focus changed toward contemporary dance, but I will always have a place in my heart for tap.

Ayodele Casel is an amazing woman. Hailed by Gregory Hines as “one of the top young tap dancers in the world today”, Ayodele has made quite a mark on the male-dominated tap dance world. She has worked and performed with the world’s greatest tap dancers and companies including the late great Gregory Hines, Jazz Tap Ensemble, American Tap Dance Orchestra and Savion Glover as the only female in his company N.Y.O.T.s. (Not Your Ordinary Tappers). Ayodele has appeared on the cover of Dance Spirit Magazine, American Theater Magazine, and The Village Voice.

Ayodele’s work as a choreographer has earned her commissions from Aaron Davis Hall/Harlem Stage and the Apollo’s Salon Series. She was also selected by acclaimed composer Rob Kapilow to collaborate on a tap dance concerto which premiered at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Ayodele has performed at The White House, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden and Off- Broadway in Savion Glover’s “Downtown: Live Communication”.

I have had the pleasure of seeing her perform a few times. She is phenomenal. In person she is polite and upbeat, with an unforgettable smile! Her passion shines through. I am happy to finally present to you, the first tapper of this series Ayodele Casel…………….

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to do what you’re doing now?

I moved to Puerto Rico at the age of 9 and at the time did not speak the language at all. I remember feeling very isolated and wishing my environment was one where I could communicate more easily. I think it was at this age that I retreated into a very introverted world made up of all kinds of friends and family members that I recast with actors I would see on television! lol I knew then I wanted to be a performer. Everything I experienced from the age of 9 was with the focus and knowledge that I’d be using it to express myself as an artist when I was older.

Ayodele’s Favorites

Things to eat?

I am a self proclaimed Pancake connoisseur! Any one in my family or close friends will tell you how obsessed I am with the quality, texture, flavor, color of the pancake. My mom’s are my favorite. They melt in your mouth! And I would eat Filet Mignon every day if I could.

Books?

I am obsessed with all great books concerning Universal Law and the Law of Attraction.

Movies?

Wow. There are many. I love Shakespeare in Love. Sometimes I’m more into performances than the movie. I absolutely LOVE Rosie Perez in “Fearless”, Marion Cotillard in “La Vie En Rose”, Toni Collette in “The Sixth Sense”, “Notorious”, “To Catch a Thief”. I love Hitchcock. And “Despicable Me”! Can’t forget that one!

Dance Piece or Show/Musical or both?

I am a little embarrassed to admit the amount of times I saw Rent and Aida on Broadway but the show that literally altered the course of my life was George C. Wolfe’s and Savion Glover’s Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Funk.

I like dancers who…

are committed to truly expressing themselves, who have depth, who have an intense desire to remain authentic, who have great musicality, who choose rhythm over trickery, who are giving, who are disciplined, who understand and appreciate everything and all that happened before that enabled them to stand/dance where they are currently.

Something you like to do other than dancing?

Photography, read, and watch HGTV!

I am afraid of…

I don’t entertain these thoughts 🙂

One of the happiest moments in your life?

Any time new babies enter my family. Carsun, Aolani, Noelani, Elijah, Sy, Eva, Ava, Jovani. They make me happy those little kiddies.

One of your most unusual or coolest experiences?

Speaking to Michael Jackson on the phone after one of my shows. Yeah. That was pretty cool.

One of the most embarrassing moments in your professional career?

Ha! I don’t know if this qualifies as “professional career” but in the beginning of my training I showed up to a Black and Blue audition in pants, a red and white baseball shirt and K360’s not quite knowing that heels, fishnets, and a leo was the more appropriate attire. Awkward.

One of the hardest things about being a female Tapper?

I don’t entertain these thoughts 😉 … BUT it has been argued that Tap is a male dominated art form. I should note though that when I came into this dance I was so consumed with wanting to learn I wasn’t distracted by gender demographics. I “grew up” in this dance witnessing really strong female voices like Roxane Butterfly, Dianne Walker, Brenda Bufalino, and I absolutely loved and was inspired by male hoofers Gregory Hines, Ted Levy, Baakari Wilder, and Savion Glover, to name a few. It never occurred to me that I should be concerned about my gender which in retrospect was the perfect attitude to have. I just wanted to dance and every one of these people were so generous with me that I can’t claim it’s been hard. So for me, It’s been awesome. I am fortunate and grateful. I am very aware that it was the presence of all of the women BEFORE me that has made my experience much easier. There are times you come face to face with ignorant people who think one gender is more profitable or more interesting than the other. That’s THEIR limitation. I don’t have any. Throughout my education and professional career I’ve been able to do exactly what I’ve wanted to do being the woman that I am and will continue to do so.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Enjoying my life always.

Three words to describe yourself….

Compassionate. Determined. Optimistic.

Dear aspiring artists,

Study a lot. Practice a lot. Dream big a lot and be relentless about pursuing your vision…

–Ayodele Casel

Anything else you would like to mention?

YES. Tap dancing is a genius American art form. I’m proud to be able to be a part of it in this lifetime and I’m excited about all the ways I intend on sharing it with everyone I come in contact with forever and ever Amen.

Photo Journal

Photo : Elijah Paul

Photo : Michael Higgins

Photo : Michael Higgins

Photo : Michael Higgins

For more in formation on Ayodele, check out her site at : www.ayodelecasel.comHave you worked with …? Have you seen … perform? Help me say thank you by sharing your stories in the comments below. Thank YOU for reading!