Bio
Esi Samuels is a New York City born dancer whose work sits at the intersection of Afro diasporic dance, concert dance training, and contemporary performance. Represented by Bloc LA, she is currently based between New York and Los Angeles.
Esi began cultivating her love of dance at four years old at the Lola Louis Creative and Performing Arts School, where a deep reverence for music and movement across the African diaspora took root. She continued her formal training at the Ailey School and later joined the MOVE|NYC| Young Professionals Program, while simultaneously connecting with her West African and Caribbean roots through the vibrant Afrodance community in New York City, training with the CarNYval Dancers and later joining DWP Academy. Esi went on to earn her BFA in Dance from the USC Kaufman School of Dance, graduating in 2025.
Her career as a performer has taken her across six continents. As a resident dancer with Everyday People, she has performed in Brazil, South Africa, Senegal, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Germany, among others, experiencing each country through the lens of music, movement, and community. She spent the beginning of 2024 dancing and training in Accra, Ghana, deepening her connection to the West African dance forms central to her artistry.
Esi has built a consistent and high-profile body of work in live performance. She has worked closely with DJ and producer Uncle Waffles, having performed alongside her at Coachella, Afro Nation, Osheaga, and headline shows across New York City. Her credits include performances with Adekunle Gold, Olamide, and Wyclef Jean. In September 2025, she performed with Ciara on America's Got Talent. Most recently, she appeared at the 2026 Academy Awards in a landmark performance of "I Lied to You" from the film Sinners.
In March 2025, Esi represented Ghana as part of a Puma activation celebrating the reveal of the World Cup kits alongside Black Sherif, an opportunity that brought together her heritage, her craft, and her growing presence as a cultural ambassador within the global African music and fashion landscape.
At the heart of it all Esi’s goal is to see and learn about the world through dance. With a strong academic foundation, a growing body of professional experience, and an unwavering commitment to her craft, Esi is building a career while living her dream.
