Events

As part of the Program in Dance’s spring 2022 co-curricular dance offerings, Omari Wiles leads a class on Afrobeat.

Curated by Princeton alum Lauren Auyeung ’19, this class series develops a diverse understanding of hip-hop’s foundational forms. With an emphasis on physical techniques, the course exposes dancers to the many dance forms that exist under the umbrella of hip-hop. Through the course, students will understand the basics of hip-hop’s form and will also be challenged to synthesize elements of groove, musicality, texture, footwork, and personal expression in their own individual improvisation.

Join a Class

Classes are free and open to Princeton students, faculty and staff. No RSVP or registration required; just drop-in. Princeton alumni who wish to participate should email Cindy Rosenfeld at cr17@princeton.edu.

Get directions to the Roberts Studio and find other venue information for the arts complex.

COVID-19 Guidance + Updates

Per Princeton University policy, all guests are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to the maximum extent, which now includes a COVID booster shot for all eligible to receive it. Masking for classes is now optional, however individual instructors may require participants to wear a mask. Guest artists may be unmasked when leading the workshops.

Accessibility

symbol for wheelchair accessibilityThe event space is wheelchair accessible. Guests in need of access accommodations are asked to contact the Lewis Center at LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week prior to the event date. Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information at our various locations.

About Omari Wiles

omari with serious expression in white tee with black hoodie

Photo courtesy Omari Wiles

Omari Wiles was born in Senegal, West Africa. His passion for dance and the arts grew over many years of watching his mother and father Olukośe Wiles and Marie Basse Wiles dance and play the drums. His parents are the founders of the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance in New York City.
Omari has trained with Ron K Brown, Assane Konte, Ephrat Asherie, The House of Mizrahi and Marie Basse-Wiles. Over the years he has trained in Contemporary, Vogue, Hip-Hop, West African, and House dance.

Omari has performed with Rashaad Newsome, John Legend, Gargon City, Wunmi, Gala, The Maimouna Keita Dance company, Ephrat Asherie Dance, Forces and most recently choreographed and performed with recording artist Jidenna at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Omari loves to cook, act, and travel during his free time, and feels deeply committed to his role as a teacher in the community. Constantly looking to expand his knowledge of African-rooted dance forms, he has found his-own voice by creating “AfrikFusion” a style that fuses traditional African dances and Afrobeat styles with House dance and Vogue.
Omari Wiles received the status of Legend after 10 years of competing in the Vogue Ballroom scene in NYC.

Presented By

  • Program in Dance

Share