Meet the Founder

Clement Mensah

Founder, Teaching Artist, Dancer/Choreographer

Clement Mensah was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa. He moved to the Netherlands at the age of 11. After high school and graduating from CIOS (sports academy) he went to Amsterdam School of Arts and graduated in June 2008. as an exchange student at the Ailey School where he received a fellowship to study, he became member of the Student Performing Group. While at Ailey he apprenticed with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. He danced with Francesca Harper Project, Emerge 125 formally known as Elisa Monte Dance performing both national and international after graduating in Amsterdam. He has taught workshops and master classes at different institutions such as The Ailey School, The Theater School in Amsterdam and Codart in Rotterdam, NL. Mr. Mensah was the artist in residence at Dancers’ Workshop, WY and Bennington College, VT and Episcopal School of Jacksonville, FL as well as teaching and a TA at the Center for Advance Training (C.A.T.) at Trinity Laban. After receiving his MA degree in Dance Performance at Trinity Laban School of Contemporary Music and Dance in London, he returned to the U.S performing arts scene. He worked with Battery Dance leading the world-renowned dance education program Dancing to Connect. Mr. Mensah also worked with Ronald K. Brown/Evidence A Dance Company and appeared as a guest artist in José Limón Dance Company. Currently, he is a member of Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group, Equus-onsite, Teaching Artist at DreamYard Project and the resident choreographer of Chevalier Ballet. Mr. Mensah has performed and taught dance in over 40 countries and he is featured in moving stories the movie. As the founder of TIKoRO formally known as Off the Radar Creative Project, Mr. Mensah aims to use the gift of creativity to bridge different cultures and bring generations together through self-expression.

What is the meaning of TIKoRO?

TIKoRO is short for Tikoro nko agyina which means “two heads are better than one.” A word in Twi, one of the languages spoken in Ghana. It conveys a sense of cooperation and teamwork. TIKoRO’s logo is one of the Ghanaian Adinkra symbols that represent concepts or aphorisms, popular proverbs, and records historical events. It expresses a particular attitude that inspires different views and opinions and will ultimately help to make decisions to achieve better outcomes. A sense of community is essential in TIKoRO: a person is not sufficient on their own. The symbols of Adinkra are used extensively in fabrics, logos, and pottery in Ghana. Sometimes, they are even incorporated into walls and architectural structures. TIKoRO is inspired by Ghanaian and an African sense of community and uses dance to re-create the environment and focuses on every person’s contribution.