Michel Kouakou

Michel Kouakou is an Ivorian choreographer and dancer, recognized for his international contributions to contemporary dance. He is the founder and artistic director of Daara Dance and the recipient of the 2012 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Dance and the Carnegie Corporation Great Immigrants Award.

Early life and education
Born in Côte d'Ivoire, Kouakou began under the mentorship of Werewere Liking in the village of Ki Yi M'Bock in Abidjan, where he was introduced to the spiritual dimensions of art. He then studied with choreographers such as Germaine Acogny in Senegal and Bud Blumenthal in Brussels. Kouakou pursued formal education in dance, earning an MFA from Hollins University in Virginia.

Career
Kouakou's career is marked by a number of influences, drawing from his African heritage and encounters with various international dance forms, including Butoh in Japan. His work reflects a dialogue between traditional West African and American contemporary dance, with themes of identity and displacement. In 2003, he founded Daara Dance, leading the company to international recognition through performances and workshops in Europe, Japan, and the United States. His dance style has been influenced by choreographer Reggie Wilson.

Awards and recognition
Kouakou has received a number of awards for his work, including the Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Research in Dance (2012), the U.S./Japan Creative Artists Program fellowship (2008), and the New York Foundation for the Arts Artists' Fellowship (2007). He was awarded the 2012 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Dance for his impact as an immigrant artist enriching the American arts landscape. That same year, the Carnegie Corporation of New York recognized him as one of their Great Immigrants.

Personal life
Kouakou is based in Los Angeles.