Kieron Dwayne Sargeant
Kieron Dwayne Sargeant was born in the twin island state, Trinidad and Tobago, the most southerly of the Caribbean Archipelago. He is an interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, drummer and dance researcher emerging out of the African-Caribbean Diaspora tradition.
Over two decades, Kieron has meticulously documented Caribbean and Western African dance traditions. His pedagogical approach involves the dissemination of dance teachings and workshops that both recognize and reinforce these traditions. His performance pieces often integrate spiritual, cultural, and sacred themes. Notably, his work "He Shall Walk" (2023), presented by Northwestern Black Arts Consortium, offers a profound exploration of his personal journey as a "Mourner". Through choreography, he examines the generational wisdom and history that resonate within the body, manifesting at moments of introspection.
Kieron's contributions to the realm of masterclasses are evident in renowned institutions like Florida State University, Collegium for African Diaspora Dance, Woezo Africa Music and Dance Theatre Inc., the International Association of Blacks in Dance, NYU Steinhardt, the Nigerian Dance Guild, Ecole des Sables, and Simon Fraser University. His choreography has been showcased nationally at Universoul Circus, Florida State University, Northwestern University, SUNY Brockport University and internationally at MSC Mediterranean Cruise Lines, Brin Chocolat in Lome, Togo and at the Nigerian Dance Guild in Nigeria.
Academically, Kieron holds an MFA in Performance, Choreography from Florida State University, an MA in Community Dance from Ohio University, and a BA in Dance from the University of West Indies. Among his notable recognitions are the 2019 FA Ada Belle Winthrop King Art Endowment Award from Florida State, 2020 UNESCO Dance Fellowship and a Grant Wood Fellow in Interdisciplinary Performance in 2022 from the University of Iowa.
In 2020, he founded the Kieron Sargeant Dance and Dance Education Foundation in Trinidad and Tobago, creating a supportive space for artists to thrive in the country. He has received recognition for his work, including the 2021 International Artist Award from the Ayjano Folklore Heritage and Performing Arts Institution of Nigeria, a mentorship position with the Mojuba Dance Collective Company, and the prestigious Mayor of the City of San Fernando Citation Award 2023 for his significant contributions to the arts, dance and culture of Trinidad and Tobago.
Kieron is currently involved in joint projects with Hofstra University and Rutgers University, working closely with scholars and artists from around the world. These collaborations demonstrate his dedication to exploring and enriching the worldwide significance of African contributions to dance traditions.
ARTIST STATEMENT
As an interdisciplinary artist, my canvas is the human body in motion, painted with the vibrant hues of Caribbean and Africanist sensibilities. Grounded in the profound traditions of dances from Trinidad & Tobago, and extending its embrace to the broader tapestry of the African diaspora, my choreography speaks a language that is at once ancient and contemporary.
This rootedness in African-Caribbean dance is not an end, but a beginning. From this foundation, I weave in threads of American Contemporary and Modern Dance. The result is a unique blend that pays homage to tradition while breaking new ground, evoking histories while engaging with the present. Through my work, I aim to showcase the seamless integration of diverse dance lineages and celebrate the boundless possibilities of movement and expression.
In the rhythmic dance of the African Caribbean, I see, feel, and express a living chronicle that captures the visceral pulse of the African Diaspora. Drawing deeply from the Griot tradition, my dance becomes more than just movement—it is a testament to lived experiences, a vocalizing of stories passed down through generations. As I dance, family ethnography melds seamlessly with religious undertones, grounding my work in authenticity while allowing the freedom for contemporary interpretations.
Complementing my dance, my costume designs are more than just ornamental. They are the tangible representation of Africanist culture and black aesthetics. As I craft each piece, I'm guided by the rich tapestries of tradition and the vibrant hues of Caribbean life. Every stitch, every hue is a homage to the art, culture, and spirit of our people. My mission is to ensure that through my work, the beauty, resilience, and dynamism of the African Caribbean legacy shines forth, blending tradition with modernity, and history with the present.
I am committed to knowledge production through scholarly research, the exploration of Caribbean and African diaspora movement, and the choreographic process
Photography- Meagan Helman
“Culture is that part of education which enriches the mind. The dance is traditional and tradition gives security. Tradition is the foundation on which cultural elements can be built for one element impinges upon another.”
— David, Christine. Folklore of Carriacou.
Photography - Meagan Helman