Ayodele Casel

Ayodele, a native New Yorker, who splashed on to the tap scene in 1997, has made quite a mark in the tap dance world. She began her professional training at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts as an acting major and soon after was introduced to the art of tap dancing. In just a few short years Ayodele has appeared on the cover of American Theater Magazine and The Village Voice as well as being featured in numerous articles in major dance magazines. In 2000, Paper Magazine named Ayodele one of 50 Beautiful People in their yearly issue. Ayodele starred in and directed three sold out, solo tap concerts in New York City. She has closely worked with and performed with the best tap dancers including the late great Gregory Hines. Ayodele also executed her tap skills as the first woman to appear in Savion Glover's tap group NYOTs. The group was featured in Savion Glover's Nu York, Monday Night Football and on an off-Broadway stage in Downtown: Live Communication. Ayodele has had the honor of performing at the White House twice for President Bill Clinton, at Carnegie Hall as part of a tribute to the legendary Nicholas Brothers, at Radio City Music Hall for ABC Network and at Madison Square Garden as a soloist during the halftime show of a New York Liberty game. Ayodele, a recent graduated of The William Esper Acting Studio continues to act and teach regularly.