Becky UzoAmaka Umeh is a Nigerian artistic director, choreographer, singer, actress, and dancer known for her multidisciplinary career across Nigeria and the United States.
Biography
Early Life
Becky Umeh was born in Anambra State, Nigeria, and grew up in Lagos from the age of five. She first gained national attention in 1992 for her acting role in the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) children's drama Tales by Moonlight. She also featured in several independent Nigerian films including Jezebel, Twist of Fate, Living Ghost, and Amazon.
From 1994 to 1998, Umeh trained in traditional and contemporary African dance on full scholarship at the Ivory Dance Academy, founded by Steve James of the National Troupe of Nigeria. During her training, she toured with the Ivory Ambassadors and conducted field research in Nigerian villages on traditional dance.
Nigeria (1998–2002)
After graduation, Umeh served as Dance Director of the Ivory Dance Troupe for five years. She produced shows for major corporations like Guinness, Chevron, Mobil, and Seven-Up. She accompanied Nigeria’s football team to the 1998 FIFA World Cup in Paris and launched her singing career with her band, releasing the album Aiye.
She co-hosted the TV show Dance Jam Competition (1998–2001). In 2002, she organized Afrifest, a cultural festival uniting African dance troupes. She also assisted in choreographing the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant, whose winner went on to become Miss World 2002.
She performed at notable venues such as the French Cultural Center, Goethe-Institut, Nigeria Music Awards, and in Abuja. She also advocated for governmental support of independent artists.
United States (2002–present)
Since relocating to Washington, D.C. in 2002, Umeh has collaborated with stage and music professionals including Hugh Medrano, Nancy Havlik, and George Faison. She has performed at events hosted by the Red Cross, the Nigerian Embassy, and various U.S. universities and cultural centers.
In 2005, she toured with Toby Foyeh and Orchestra Africa across multiple U.S. states. She continues to work with the Malcolm X Drum Ensemble led by Doc Powel and serves as Community Outreach Coordinator for the United Aid for Africa (UAA) Foundation, which raises awareness about violence against women.
In 2006, she choreographed a Lion King production in Virginia, and in 2009, she founded the Zomema Dance Ensemble, performing traditional and contemporary African works.
Her first stage play, Legend of Abiku Zombeh, was published in 2011. She also served as language facilitator and choreographer for the University of Richmond’s production of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.
Choreography Highlights
- 2002: Gladiator Cheerleaders – MTN, South African TV
- 2004: Candombe – Hispanic Gala Theater
- 2006: Lion King – Metropolitan Fine Arts, Virginia
- 2008: You Think You Can Dance!
- 2010–2013: Songs and performances including Sisi, Toron, Korofo, Butterfly, Ekwe, Jokale, Obodo Coupe, Angels and Demons
Stage Performances
- Aruku Shanka – Nigeria (1995)
- Trial of Oba Ovoramwen – Nigeria (1999)
- Obaseki – Nigeria (2000)
- Candombe! Tango Negro – USA (2004)
- Things Fall Apart – USA (2011)
- UAA Concerts – USA (2012)
Film Appearances
- Twisted Fate (2009)
Television
- Tales by Moonlight – NTA (1992)
- Dance Jam Competition – Co-host, NTA (1998–2001)
Music (as Alejo)
Umeh has released numerous singles blending genres such as Afrobeat, Highlife, Soukous, and Rock, often infused with traditional Nigerian rhythms.
Publications
- Lena Armstrong & Becky Umeh (1990). Becky Umeh: Artistically Known as Alejo. Washington, D.C.: El Rumbero Europeo.
External Links
- Zomema Dance Ensemble – Facebook (Archived)(https://web.archive.org/web/20210425000000/https://www.facebook.com/ZomemaDanceEnsemble)