tsola

Tsola is a multifaceted performing artist from Silver Spring, Maryland. Her roots originate from Nigeria, and she is the middle child of four children. Tsola began her artistic journey at the age of 5, training in classical styles of dance: ballet, tap, and jazz. A hobby turned passion lead Tsola to seek out performance opportunities across the D.C, Maryland, and Virginia area where she would take dance classes, compete in dance competitions, and create her own choreographic and creative works throughout her time in grade school. While Tsola was an active child participating in a plethora of extracurricular activities, she spent most of her time in the dance studio. Tsola assisted dance classes at her dance studio on the weekends and attend her regular dance classes on the weekdays at D’anna Dance Center (Formerly known as ‘Mary Lou Peters Dance Studio’). Tsola always had an interest and gift to lead and communicate to large groups of people which grew her passion for creative expression and individuality within her curated schools program.

During her time in school, Tsola dove deeper into choreography, fashion, poetry, and songwriting. Tsola constantly would skip her gen ed classes to be in the dance studio and lead the classes for her fellow peers while her dance teacher was away on maternity leave. Later down the line, Tsola sought out higher education, becoming a fine art major at Morgan State University for one semester and then transferring to a dance major at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. In 2017, Tsola got offered a contract to sign with a dance agency after an audition she had from a summer dance program. Tsola left college, heading west to Los Angeles to see what would come about. Moving to California as a college drop-out with $800 dollars and a one-year dance contract, Tsola was off to go from prepro to pro.

Two months later, Tsola moved to LA and began working with N.E.R.D, which lead to her becoming one of Pharrell Williams’ core dancers. Throughout the years she also has danced back-up for major artists Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Anita, Kem, Kanye West, Normani, Nicki Minaj, Pink, J Balvin, Janelle Monae, H.E.R, Beyonce, and has performed in two of Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty fashion shows in New York, modeled for brands Ulta Beauty, Adidas, By Far, acted/danced in the movie ‘Don’t Worry Darling’, and has done countless music videos, commercials, awards shows including the Oscars, Grammys, VMA’s and AMA’s and more! Tsola expanded her dance work to movement direction, assistant directing and choreography when given the opportunity to assist choreography for H.E.R’s 2021 BET Awards performance to ‘We Made It” , movement directed for Ella Mai’s album cover ‘Heart on my Sleeve’ and other music videos/shoots of hers, Tsola also had her solo debut choreographic work for Doechii’s hit single ‘persuasive’, and also choreographed Roddy Ricch’s album trailer ‘live life fast’ and more. Her full-time dance career blossomed into a full-time performing art career! With an influx of experiences, blessings, and inspiration, Tsola’s consistent and continuous expansion as a performer and creative aided her release of her debut EP “MANU” in 2020, followed by her sophomore EP “WINNING STREAK” in 2022 with hit singles “Take About A Week” and the self-titled single “Winning Streak” being the EP’s fan favorite. In 2022, Tsola had her first professional singing job being one of eight singers to sing back-up for Beyonce’s 2022 Oscars performance of ‘Be Alive’ and a week later performed with Kelly Rowland as her back-up singer and dancer for the American Heart Association red dress gala. Before then and since then, Tsola headlined her own shows in LA and has opened for INIKO during their LA stop on their US ‘cosmic lounge’ tour. It’s safe to say Tsola has created her own unique space in the art and entertainment industry by the grace of God, who she gives all the credit for her success. “I never asked for this life, God truly gave me more than I could’ve asked, thought or imagined.” Tsola is a Spirit lead storyteller, authentic performer and selfless communicator and is excited to keep sharing her story and talents with the world.