Funmilayo Chesney is a veteran performing artist celebrated for her mastery of dance, music, drumming, and choreography. As the Artistic Director of F.U.S.H.A. Dance Company, she has dedicated her career to preserving and promoting traditional African dance, particularly Congolese movement, while also exploring contemporary influences. A highly respected educator, she has taught at prestigious institutions such as Alvin Ailey, Harlem School of the Arts, Cumbe, and Djoniba Dance Centre, earning accolades for her excellence in African dance instruction. Her company has performed on some of the world's most renowned stages, including the Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the United Nations, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and international festivals across Africa, South America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Funmilayo’s commitment to cultural education extends beyond performance, as she is also a registered NYC Department of Education teaching artist, leading arts empowerment programs that integrate dance and music into youth development. Her outstanding contributions to the arts have been recognized with grants from Dance/NYC, the NYFA Women’s Fund, and the Brooklyn Arts Council, which have supported her continued efforts to elevate African dance and music.
In addition to her achievements in dance, Funmilayo is a prolific musician and singer-songwriter who has been performing and composing for decades. Her highly anticipated debut album, I Believe in Myself, produced by legendary bassist and composer Al MacDowell, showcases her dynamic fusion of Afrobeats, Samba, Salsa, Hip Hop, Reggae, Calypso, and Soca. The album is set to be released on May 16, 2025, just one day before she is honored as a Grand Marshal at Dance Parade New York. Through this work, she brings together vibrant rhythms and uplifting messages of self-empowerment, cultural pride, and spiritual resilience. Her music video will be produced by Bit Rosie Media, a women-led production company dedicated to supporting female and gender non-conforming artists, and her work will be released through Frances Lakshmi Records. Throughout her career, Funmilayo has been recognized for her contributions to the arts, receiving the Ethnic Dance Award from Dance Giant Step and the title of Best African Dance Instructor in NYC. She has also been featured on major platforms such as MTV and Fox TV’s Dance in the City and performed at landmark cultural events, including the World’s Fair in Detroit, Lincoln Center, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Funmilayo’s dedication to the performing arts extends into community activism, using dance, music, and storytelling as tools for cultural education and social change. She has developed and facilitated arts-based workshops for institutions such as the Leadership Program, the Harlem YMCA, and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, bringing dance and creative expression to diverse audiences, from at-risk youth to international festival-goers. Her work reflects a deep commitment to the empowerment of communities through movement and music, fostering connections between African traditions and contemporary performance. Whether on stage, in the classroom, or through her groundbreaking musical debut, Funmilayo Chesney continues to inspire and uplift through her passion for the arts, creating spaces where culture, history, and creative expression come alive.
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