Greetings,
It is truly a blessing to be founder and artistic director of Total Dance, Dancical Productions, Inc. Dancical is a spiritual manifestation of my work here on earth as a cultural arts entertainer. At Dancical, our creativity is strongly rooted in dance. However, our focus is not just on dance; our focus is the total person. Dancical Productions was created to bring positive enlightenment to diverse audiences through offering a variety of performances and arts education classes. We strive to present positive messages that will counter destructive images found in modern media. We believe that dance is a fundamental component of our society and should be accessible to all communities. At Total Dance, part of our mission is to provide high quality arts education in undeserved areas, using the arts as a transformational tool in the lives of people of all ages. We believe that artists are the keepers of our culture, and we strive, to utilize the arts as a forum for communication to celebrate the heritage and culture of African Americans.
We are here for you, not just for your entertainment but also for your empowerment.
Terrie Ajile Axam
Founder, Artistic Director
TERRIE AJILE AXAM
Founder/ Dance Artist/ Artistic Director/ Cultural Arts Entertainer
Distinguished dancer, choreographer, cultural artist and vocalist, Terrie Ajile Axam is an exceptional representation of her name; which means “a gift to our town”. Her extensive training and experience comes from master instructors around the country. As an arts educator, founder and artistic director of Total Dance/Dancical Productions, Inc., Ajile has studied with such greats as James Truitt, Katherine Dunham, Tommy Gomez, Charles Moore, Chuck Davis, Alfred Lezepko, Sara Yarborough, Majorie Perces, Carl Ratcliff, and others. She has worked with Emmy Award-winning group Arrested Development, actor Avery Brooks, playwright Don Evans, soul singer Millie Jackson, and balladeer Peabo Bryson. Ajile was lead vocalist for Alex Haley’s research presentation of the highly acclaimed Roots. Ajile was recognized as a “Fun, Fearless Female” by Cosmopolitan Magazine. Other recognitions include but are not limited to awards from the NAACP and The Black College Dance Exchange. In 2018 the Kuumba Tribute award was presented by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. East Point College Park Alumnae Chapter, The Elephant Leadership Award for trail blazer and legacy builder was presented by Giwayen Mata , and The Arts Scholarship Award was presented by The Colorful Arts Society. Most recently in 2021, the National Endowment for the Arts, recognized Dancical Productions for the Signature production, Women Hold Up Half The Sky, a tribute to the African American Woman.
Ajile’s dedication to increasing dance education in the community, parallels her prolific artistic career. Working as an arts educator and performer throughout Atlanta, the United States and abroad, she believes the arts should be accessible to all individuals. She was the first person in the state of Georgia to receive a teacher’s certificate in dance. Ms. Axam was the pioneer dance teacher/coordinator at Tri-Cities Magnet Arts Program for the Fulton County Board of Education. She help develop dance programs at North Springs High School, Langston Hughes High School and Creekside High School.
Terrie Ajile Axam received her B.A. degree from Princeton University only to teach there soon after, and her M.A. from Rutgers University. She has also taught at Trenton State College, Macon Jr. College, Valdolsta State University, Brenau University, Penn State University, Edna Manley College in Kingston Jamaica, University of Visoas in Brazil. She has served as guest tutor and performer at the Kalani Honua Festival in Hawaii, Edna Manley College in Kingston, Jamaica, Cultural Exchange Tour in Senegal, West Africa, HBO special- “Ms. Evers Boys”, the Olympic village, and U.S. Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China and more.
Terrie Ajile Axam’s artistic mission is to focus on the development of one’s mind, body, and spirit; to produce great artists and great leaders. The individuals that she has touched have an opportunity to develop their artistic talents and make their dreams become a reality.