Ayaba Adepeju Oguntade
A Cultural Ambassador, Master Artist, and Keeper of African Tradition
Ayaba Adepeju Oguntade is a dynamic and internationally accomplished dancer, storyteller, and cultural ambassador whose work embodies the depth, beauty, and spiritual richness of African performance traditions. Based in Cincinnati, she is a distinguished Teaching and Performing Artist with Bi-Okoto Cultural Center, where she plays a vital role in educating, inspiring, and engaging the community through African drum and dance.
With a professional career spanning more than two decades, Ayaba Adepeju brings a wealth of experience rooted in Nigeria’s vibrant performing arts scene. She has worked extensively across local, national, and international stages, collaborating with notable directors and cultural institutions. Her artistic journey began in a family deeply immersed in theater and performance, where she developed her craft within her father’s troupe—laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to artistic excellence and cultural preservation.
A former member of the National Troupe of Nigeria and an active leader within the Guild of Nigerian Dance Practitioners, Ayaba Adepeju is widely respected not only for her performance artistry but also for her leadership within the dance community. Her work reflects a deep understanding of Yoruba and broader West African traditions, blending technique, storytelling, and spiritual expression into powerful, immersive experiences.
At Bi-Okoto, she serves as a teaching professional at the Drum and Dance Center, where she mentors students of all ages and backgrounds. Through her instruction, she emphasizes discipline, creativity, and focus—values she credits dance with instilling in her own life. As she has shared, dance has taught her to be “focused, creative, and disciplined,” a philosophy she passes on to every student she teaches.
Her artistic style is deeply rooted in traditional African dance forms—particularly Yoruba dance traditions—which integrate rhythm, movement, and narrative. She works closely with live drumming, including traditional instruments such as the djembe, dunun, and bata drums, creating a powerful dialogue between dancer and drummer that lies at the heart of African performance. Her work often incorporates theatrical elements, storytelling, and call-and-response structures, making each performance both educational and spiritually engaging.
Beyond performance, Ayaba Adepeju is a passionate advocate for cultural preservation. Through workshops, stage productions, and community engagement, she actively promotes African heritage and fosters cross-cultural understanding. Her presence in Cincinnati has strengthened the cultural landscape, helping to ensure that African traditions are not only preserved but also celebrated and shared with new generations.
Ayaba Adepeju Oguntade is more than a performer—she is a teacher, mentor, and cultural torchbearer, whose work continues to uplift, educate, and connect communities through the universal language of rhythm and movement.
And she has two awesome sons. One of which finds time to donate his time to Bi-Okoto, helping out with graphics design projects!
