Funmilayo Chesney

Funmilayo  Chesney is a veteran Quadruple Threat performing artist who  is a dancer, choreographer and Artistic Director of Fusha Dance Company located in New York City; a drummer who teaches ongoing classes in NYC; a singer in the process of releasing her first Album and an actress.

She was a member of the only traditional Congolese dance company in New York City, Malaki Ma Congo and won the Ethnic Dance Award for best African dance Instructor in 1996.
Funmilayo has taught ongoing Congolese dance classes at the prestigious  Alvin Ailey, Rod Rodgers, Charles Moore, Harlem School of the Arts, Cumbe, Lezly Dance and Skate, Fareta and Djoniba.

Funmilayo and Fusha dance Company have graced the stages of Alvin Ailey, Harlem Stage, Brooklyn Museum, Apollo, United Nations, African Burial Ground, The Metropolitan Museum, Carnegie Hall, BAM, The African Street Festival, Brooklyn Public Library, Citibank and Symphony Space to name a few.

Funmilayo  and Fusha Dance Company has toured World Wide with ongoing yearly tours to South America, Europe, Caribbean and Africa facilitating  Congolese dance workshops for children and adults.
Aside from dancing Funmilayo is also an actress and has debut in the film“Keep it Clean.” Produced and Directed by Jeanette Sena Muehlmann.

She is a Singer and in the process of releasing her first music album;   Funmi is also a Health Coach empowering participants on the knowledge of Healing ourselves from the kitchen and the founder of “Cook to Live Interactive Nutrition Workshops.

The ancient dance of the Congolese, combined with the genius creations of their descendants have shaped musical culture of many music and dance styles in the Diaspora and Africa: Afrobeats, Samba, Salsa, Hip Hop, Reggae, Calypso and Soca to name a few.

This is our medicine dance of healing vibrations ad pelvic rotations
You can catch Funmilayo in New York City working as an Artistic Director, Performance and Teaching Artist, teaching ongoing classes to all ages building confidence and cross cultural appreciation on a variety of platforms.