Adia is a choreographer and performer whose global experience and dedication to traditional African dance brings a vital dimension to the dance program at Friends. Dancing at Friends is a dynamic blend of cultural exploration, artistic expression, and socially emotional learning.

In the dance studio, first graders weave a sticky web of masking tape, criss-crossing the room with playful determination, as they bring the folklore of Ananzi, the spider—a clever trickster from West African mythology—to life. As they navigate the tangled strands, the children aren’t just learning about movement; they’re connecting with each other, their creativity, and the world around them. This intricate web of connection extends far beyond tape in the dance studio. 

Much like Ananzi’s web, Sankofa is built on the strength of its connections. It weaves together diverse cultural traditions, academic subjects, and emotional learning. 

Adia is a dancer, choreographer, and educator with extensive experience in Afro-Haitian dance vernacular movement and contemporary modern dance forms. She’s the founding artistic director of Àșę Dance Theater, a 25-year-old Brooklyn-based performance ensemble that explores neo-folkloric dance and music theater rooted in the African diaspora. 

She traveled to countries such as Haiti, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Ghana, and Brazil to study traditional African dance styles.