Kenneth Tharp

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Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp is a dance artist. Born in London to English and Nigerian parents, he trained at London Contemporary Dance School. His 25-year performing career included working with London Contemporary Dance Theatre (1981-1994) and Arc Dance Company (1994-2005). He now works extensively as a choreographer, teacher and director and is currently Lead Artist & Artistic Advisor for The Royal Ballet School’s Dance Partnership & Access Programme and Assistant to the Head of Contemporary Dance at Millennium Dance 2000. With composer Simon Redfern he is also co-director of Artyfartyarts, a multi disciplinary arts group, as well as being on the Board of Trustees at the Royal Opera House and Phoenix Dance Theatre. He is currently a NESTA funded Fellow on the Clore Leadership Programme. In 2003, he was awarded an OBE for services to dance. In was announced in June 2007 that he will be taking up the new role of Chief Executive of The Place.