Titus Fotso is like no other. More than a dancer, he is a multi linguist, Multimedia Designer, a scholar, master teacher, choreographer, movement director, filmmaker, videographer, Sound Designer, award winning singer/songwriter, music producer, AWA Brand™️ creator, Brand ambassador and more.
This week he will be joined by Jason Pellegrino, Suzy Williams, Pape Diouf, Michael Jost and Matt DeMerritt.
Titus early success inspired him to adventure into various other forms of movement, culminating in the development of his own brand of “Afro-inclusive” dance he calls KOSSA DANCE*. Led by this passion for African art forms of dance, Titus traveled extensively throughout the African Continent, training with prestigious Dance Companies in Senegal, Congo (DRC) and the Ivory Coast.
“Titus Fotso stands in the gap between the present and the past, preserving and perpetuating the rich tapestry of Africa’s traditions.”
Titus states that “KOSSA DANCE” has always been with him, a concept, which to him seemed as natural as movement itself. “My life and all the paths I have taken have led me to “KOSSA”, says Fotso.”I cannot separate myself from the idea of a language that bridges Africans together as a single people, and I have found that language to be the rhythms, songs and dances of the African People.”
“Titus Fotso is profound in his philosophies and to hear him speak is both educational and inspiring, a true griot (Oral Historian) of the 21st century.”
It is intrinsic to all African Music and Dance to depict both the historical and current events of the environment and its people. So while carefully respecting the fundamental movements of Traditional African Dance, Titus acts as a vehicle for the translation of tradition into movements that speak to the sounds and cultural experiences of the present day. His extensive dance vocabulary ensures authenticity, originality and creativity. Titus ties traditional African Dance movements to the popular American Hip-Hop Sound, as a powerful teaching tool in out reach youth dance programs, for understanding about their ancestral roots*.
Titus believes initiating new students into traditional African Dance forms, choreographing new African ballets, and translating traditional African dances into new forms of contemporary dance are all essential elements necessary to the preservation of the African cultural heritage. This African heritage is an oral tradition, whereby the history, lifestyles and social customs of daily life in Africa, are passed down from generation to generation through dance and music. Titus Fotso is a living expression of the philosophy of his ancestors and hopes to preserve in himself and in his students, their teachings through the same oral traditions.
Titus Fotso has created and developed a standard curriculum for the “KOSSA” form of dance and technique. He hopes to integrate this curriculum into an accredited program of certification for students and teachers of dance around the world.
“I believe, as certain as people change and evolve, so too will the songs and dances that are used to interpret and define us. At the same time we must remember that our past, our history, is the light by which we are able to, with clarity, navigate our present and, with confidence, head towards our future” — Titus Fotso.
Satisfied with his mastery of African Dance, Titus turned his focus to the West, leaving his beloved Africa to become a student of modern and jazz dance at the Paris Centre Studio in France. The completion of this western dance training launched him into the spotlight of the Los Angeles art scene where his star continues its assent. To date his dance appearances include; cast member and associate choreographer in Debbie Allen’s theatrical productions of “Soul Possessed” (1999,2000, 2001) for the Kennedy Center and the Alliance Theatre Company, dance consultant in Debbie Allen’s “Pepito’s Story”(2003), and The Debbie Allen Dance Academy’s Hot Chocolate Nutcracker(2017, 2018, 2019)
Dance consultant and choreographer of the Congo Square scene of “Romeo and Juliet” for The Theatre at Boston Court (2003).
In U.S.A. he appeared in Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad”, the HBO Special’s “MIDDLE OF PASSAGE” directed by Debbie Allen, lead dancer and associate choreographer for the musical Theatre “From the Heart of Love” directed by Richard Lawson.
Titus Fotso has been honored to Choreograph, perform and share the stage with world-renowned Artists such as: The Rolling Stone, Stevie Wonder, Debbie Allen, George Clinton, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Carmen de Lavallade, Pauletta Washington, Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, just to name a few.
Additionally, Titus is founder of the JTF World Dance and Research Project; the AFREEKA DANCE rEVOLUTION Project. AFREEKA WITH ATTITUDE ™️ project.
Titus Fotso has been a Distinguished Chancellor’s Lecturer/master teacher in several Dance Institutions across the USA, Director of the AFRICADANCE CONFERENCE, and Senior Faculty member, master teacher of African Classical Dance styles and techniques at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.
Virtual Tips for Titus Fotso
titusfotso.com/donate/
Titus Fotso on Radio Venice
Radio Venice Season 18 Premiere – September 19, 2021