Kevin McEwen is the Founder and Executive Director of the Kofago Institute and the visionary behind the Kofago Dance Ensemble, a company rooted in the cultural traditions of the African Diaspora. A dynamic leader, choreographer, and educator, Kevin has dedicated over two decades to using dance as a tool for empowerment, education, and social transformation.
Kevin’s artistic and administrative leadership has grown Kofago from a grassroots dance collective into a respected cultural institution known for its powerful performances, community-based programs, and youth engagement initiatives. Under his direction, the Kofago Dance Ensemble has performed across the U.S. and internationally, including a landmark cultural exchange tour in Dakar, Senegal.
In higher education, Kevin brings his passion and expertise to students as a full-time lecturer at Lehman College and an adjunct lecturer at Queensborough Community College (QCC). At both institutions, he teaches courses in African, Caribbean, and modern dance, choreography, and dance history, while also mentoring aspiring artists from underserved backgrounds. His work at QCC helped to expand the college’s dance program and deepen its community outreach, and at Lehman, he plays a key role in developing cross-cultural programming and student recruitment strategies.
As a dance educator and scholar, Kevin’s research focuses on traditional West African dance and its transformation within the African Diaspora, examining the intersections of ritual, resistance, identity, and performance. His teaching and leadership continue to inspire students, educators, and artists alike, while advancing the mission of the Kofago Institute to preserve culture and empower communities through the arts.