https://ayodeledrumanddance.com/home daily 1.0 2026-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1590444132344-ECUQCNL4QLR4Z89PJCML/AyodeleYouthProgram.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1590968048660-6N0S7RS04K1MG82H67CH/AyoImania.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1652574829547-3UXUAFA73ANLA5TNIE4Q/Ayodele_138_MK_Resized.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1595813576242-58X3BUXWQVPCS2JOOPE7/Drums1.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1595813545808-387M87FS3OGJAWL0DCUV/Kotejuga.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1595813561916-626S4G8D2CI20Z43V5M2/Zaouli.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1595813586868-P8HBU6DXTM577YFLSTU3/Fight.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1595813584187-Z8UBPWNEVH6N5XPKJEAI/Orisha.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1595813561689-87F2JEJPLJ276MYSQJ69/MySistersKeepers.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1595813996792-05G98GYVX59YJVEG5ZBX/Bougarabou.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/c266b0dc-b582-4e91-8d1e-4cedc8219221/Ayodele+Gala+Dinner+Instagram+Post.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/be7f064d-2cfd-487e-8725-2e25a2eb22be/DSC_7811.jpg Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/cebbabeb-c59d-4436-ac19-d5972c7fffbb/Carnival.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://ayodeledrumanddance.com/ayp daily 0.75 2025-06-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1599535819016-E0ASDP0HG9TA99OWRYA9/DSC_7517.jpg Ayodele Youth Program https://ayodeledrumanddance.com/contact daily 0.75 2026-04-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1599513947456-MA86W1W9AKKVBK884KCW/Ayo.JPG Contact https://ayodeledrumanddance.com/what-we-offer daily 0.75 2025-11-07 https://ayodeledrumanddance.com/who-we-are daily 0.75 2026-04-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/2a988d3f-3467-4992-93d2-ef3900b33093/T.+Ayo+Headshot.jpg Who We Are T. Ayo Alston, Executive/Artistic Director New York native and Chicago implant, T. Ayo Alston is a quintessential educator, choreographer, and artist who specializes in a theatrical style of West African drum and dance that emphasizes the power and strength of women and the community. As the Founder and Executive Director of Ayodele Drum & Dance, Ayo has created a vibrant performance and training organization dedicated to empowering women through the affirmation of self-confidence and strength. Ayo has dedicated their career to blending traditional African dance forms with contemporary styles, using their art to foster community and create meaningful cultural work. A 2018 3Arts Awardee and 2022 USA Artists Fellowship recipient, Ayo's queered, Afro-diasporic work is centered on building supportive, inclusive and healthy communities through dance and performance. Ayo served as Dance Captain for 10 years, artistically maturing under Amaniyea Payne at Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago. They have studied with Master teachers such as M’bemba Bangoura, Mouminatou Camara, Rosangela Silvestre, and Youssouf Koumbassa in West Africa, Brazil and around the States. They have also performed and trained with companies such as Afriky Lolo, Drum Cafe West, G’bassikolo, Les Amazones de Guinée, Les Ballets Bagata and Les Merveilles de Guinée. Ayo continues to honor all of their teachers and is grateful for the knowledge they have instilled. As an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago and faculty at The University of Michigan, Ayo is pioneering the integration of African dance into academic settings, developing curricula that thrive in prestigious schools in Chicago. Their work in academia is laying the foundation for African dance to be recognized as an integral part of the broader educational landscape. Ayo began their MFAIA journey at Goddard College and will graduate and present their thesis, Kaleidoscope Eyes: Healing and Revealing the Blind Spots in West African Dance, Identities, and Spiritual Fluidity, December 2025. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/664fd6d8-2da9-47b6-a4ff-2b2257e82c87/Imania%2BFatima%2BDetry.webp Who We Are Imania Fatima Detry, Assistant Artistic Director Imania Fatima Detry is a Chicago-born and bred performing and teaching artist with a concentration in West African Dance. With over 20 years of professional training and performance with Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago as a principal artist and as the Assistant Artistic Director of Ayodele Drum and Dance, she truly enjoys and works in the effort to preserve African dance and culture as well as share her current experiences and style in her teaching and performing. Her style and experiences have given her the opportunity to work with different artist and platforms including Chance the Rapper, Fatima Robinson, Fox Productions, and more. Imania has expanded her choreography with fusion styles that include: Djembe and DounDance, Sabar, House, Chicago Footwork, Afrobeat and Afrobeats. Imania’s artistic talents also include costume design and choreography. Her contributions are displayed through Ayodele Drum and Dance and other artistic platforms across Chicago and the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/4b3a3c5d-075a-4bdc-b121-4f77dcc8a75e/Patrice+Gaitors+Headshot.jpg Who We Are Patrice Gaitors, Finance Manager Patrice Gaitors made her West African dance debut with Minianka African Dance & Drum Ensemble. She worked under the direction of late great Naghree Sutton-Silas. Later she became one of the members of Ayodele Drum and Dance under the Artistic direction of Tosha "Ayo" Alston. Patrice became a principal performer with the company. As one of the company members, she took on an additional role as the Finance Manager. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/1c902372-330a-4991-9cab-6a5140d4e638/CBDLP_Headshots+-+Mashaune+Hardy_Rachel+Neville.jpeg Who We Are Mashaune Hardy, Business Manager A lifelong Chicagoan, Mashaune has deep ties to Chicago’s vibrant arts community. With more than 20 years of experience in dance, information technology, marketing, and arts administration; she sits at the intersection of process and performance. Mashaune produces concerts, conferences, and performances; has danced with Seneke West African Percussion Ensemble, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, and Ayodele Drum and Dance; and has developed social media strategies for several artists and arts organizations. Currently, she is the Business Manager at Ayodele Drum and Dance, Social Media Manager at the Jazz Institute of Chicago, Manager of jazz vocalist Dee Alexander, Associate Director of Community Arts Partnership and Strategy and Co-Director | Executive with the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. She has been honored by New City Magazine as one of “45 People Who Keep Chicago in Tune” and "Players 50 2026: The Advocates and Changemakers.” In addition to her work in the arts, Mashaune has led technology projects as a Senior Systems Analyst at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and Hewlett Packard (HP). Mashaune received a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/e989f65f-4146-45a8-9acd-47cb60325b8b/Sydney+Adams+Headshot.jpg Who We Are Sydney Lorraine Adams, Secretary and Ayodele Youth Program Company Coordinator Sydney Lorraine Adams is a Chicago, IL native. She attended Hampton University- in Hampton, Virginia where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree and her Master of Arts D at Northeastern Illinois University. Since she was a little girl Sydney has always loved to dance. She began dancing with Mayfair Dance Academy and Susubribi, her Godfather’s West-African Dance Company. As she got older; she studied, for over 10 years, with the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Company, led by Founder Homer Hans Bryant. After college, and getting used to being back in Chicago, Sydney found West African Dance Classes at Sherman Park. Soon after regularly attending dance classes Sydney joined Ayodele Drum and Dance, led by T. Ayo Alston, Founder and Executive Artistic Director where she moved up to Principal Performer. Although she is no longer dancing, she remains a part of the company as a Staff Member serving as the Secretary. Sydney is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., - Xi Nu Omega Chapter. and the Monarch Awards Foundation, Inc.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/446bd734-c8ab-4d99-a93a-f0d1f1cca7c9/Eboney+Tolliver+Headshot.jpg Who We Are Eboney Tolliver, Finance Coordinator and Ayodele Youth Program Coordinator Eboney Tolliver has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Roosevelt University in Chicago, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Management from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She joined the staff of Ayodele Drum and Dance in 2009 to be a part of and nurture an organization that gives limitless opportunities to women and children through the study of dance. Eboney grew up in the African drum and dance community and wanted to put her skills to use in an African-centered organization. She joined Sundance Productions, under the direction of Danny Hinds, at the age of seven and started a foundation in ballet, tap, jazz, African dance, and afro-Caribbean dance. After Sundance Productions, Eboney joined Alyo Children’s Dance Theater under the direction of Kimosha Murphy and rose to the position of Dance Captain. It was at Alyo and while teaching dance in the afterschool programs for Chicago Public Schools that she learned performance fundamentals and instruction techniques. Ayodele Drum and Dance provides a platform to create, lead, learn and organize for women and children on an administrative level. Through Ayodele Drum and Dance, I continue to create strong sisterhood bonds and leave a legacy for the next generation of women. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/9908aac9-5fac-4124-b00e-56aaeaac17f6/Ifetayo+Kitwana.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Ifetayo Kitwana, Rehearsal Co-Director Ife serves as part of the artistic staff and is a principal dancer with Ayodele Drum and Dance Company. She began her dancing career at a young age, founded within the African drum and dance community of Chicago. Ife has over 22 years of professional training and performance experience as well over 8 years of teaching experience. The Chicago native is also a registered dance/movement therapist, licensed clinical professional counselor, and group fitness professional. It is Ife’s philosophy that wellness manifests through mental, physical, spiritual, and communal development, thus her belief and passion for holistic health and wellness drive her life's work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/da5da50c-6940-4f9c-96ff-3476d7fc9914/Saidia+Murphy+Headshot+2.jpg Who We Are Saidia Murphy, Ayodele Youth Program Staff Saidia Murphy, a native of St. Louis, MO, was first introduced to West African dance and culture through the Organization for Black Struggle (OBS). As a youth, she attended community classes and cultural programs offered by Better Family Life, The Spirit of Angela, and The Sunshine Group, where she was exposed to the beauty of African dance and live drumming. She later became the Director of the St. Louis youth company Maat, providing young dancers with opportunities to explore and celebrate West African traditions. After relocating to Chicago in 2010, Saidia and her daughter immersed themselves in community classes with Ayodele Drum and Dance. She has since grown into a Principal Performer, training under Executive Artistic Director Tosha “Ayo” Alston and Assistant Artistic Director Imania Detry. Saidia continues to honor her cultural roots while expanding her artistry and sharing the healing power of African dance with her community. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/6116e89a-ef3d-4f4b-aa02-b5cd6d479ebe/Augusta+Scescke.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Augusta Scescke, Rehearsal Co-Director Gus is a lifelong Chicagoan who bridges her work as a community mental health nurse and as a principal performer with Ayodele Drum and Dance under the direction of T. Ayo Alston. Augusta began dancing at a young age and was part of the performing youth group Jump Company through Chicago Park District’s Peterson Park. While she has studied various styles including ballet, modern, jazz, and tap, she specializes in West African dance. Augusta was first introduced to West African dance as a participant of AileyCamp Chicago in the summer of 2003. She got connected to Ayodele in college and began taking classes. Augusta joined on as a company member in September of 2016. She has performed with Ayodele Drum and Dance for the past 9 years and is excited to continue her artistic growth. She believes in the power of dance and drum to heal, which motivates her work. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/640cc4ca-48a4-4a24-a123-b3ab01ea908b/victoria-boateng-is-an-autism-advocate-victoria-was-diagnosed-with-autism-when-she-was-three-years-old-and-couldn-t-speak-until-she-was-7-years-old-victoria-uses-her-gift-of-djembe-to-inspire-the-autsm-community_orig.png Who We Are - Make it stand out Victoria Boateng https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/01f46a94-3d40-4c9c-a81a-ea465b5a3117/Carrian+Bell+Headshot.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Carrian Bell https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/c90be6e8-6c6d-497f-985c-39f5c4394ab0/Maria+Estes+Hall+Headshot.jpeg Who We Are - Make it stand out Maria Estes Hall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/d2fc3c6c-b96d-4c0a-8dd0-261bf3fd62b0/Candice_Flows_Photo+copy.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Candice Igeleke https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/5a3b6886-920b-4881-a88e-2be9bc374d47/Anaya+Jeffries+Headshot.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Anaya Jeffries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/e8311d88-eb28-4cde-a9ba-c68d6364ef50/Sunyatta+Johnson+Headshot.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Sunyatta Johnson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/89aabb5e-71c8-4a8d-a06c-90f2a14c9826/LePierce+Kess+Headshot.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Le Pierce Kess https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/c14e5718-d027-49d3-91a0-1d8980ab4477/Joyce+Lindsey+Headshot.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Joyce Lindsey https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/e36d2241-2dd6-4148-b646-e435779c47cb/Maanami+Headshot.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Maanami Phillips https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/e976e4fc-d0b8-4e69-a9ff-87e28ce796f2/Jess+Sanders+Headshot.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Jess Sanders https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/cf4b8850-4e1d-452e-8938-4580e37504c1/Tredensa+Sanders+Headshot.png Who We Are - Make it stand out Tredena Sanders https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/a4c042ff-45cb-4c8c-8ae4-7b851ca813aa/Karen+Headshot.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Karen Shifflett https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/27c9c536-aee4-45d5-96df-b43cd45a47ce/Asmina+Turner+Headshot.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Asmina Turner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/e0faba4f-03db-49b7-a637-3447b0b760cb/Brittany+Walker+Headshot.jpg Who We Are - Make it stand out Brittany Walker https://ayodeledrumanddance.com/conference2026 daily 0.75 2026-04-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ecc2f344c483c5e7cd8921e/be7f064d-2cfd-487e-8725-2e25a2eb22be/DSC_7811.jpg Conference - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://ayodeledrumanddance.com/store daily 0.75 2024-03-28