Dr. Terry Bright Ofosu, Head of the Dance Department at the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts, says maintaining a private life has become increasingly difficult following his viral dance interview on Hitz FM.
The renowned dancer, academic and 1989 National Dance Champion has opened up about the impact the March 5 interview has had on his personal brand, his students and the wider perception of dance education in Ghana.
Speaking in a recent interview with Kwame Dadzie and Doreen Avio on Daybreak Hitz, Dr. Ofosu said the viral dance moment helped change public attitudes toward dance as an academic discipline while also boosting the confidence of students pursuing the programme.
According to him, many students who previously felt hesitant to openly identify themselves as dance students now proudly embrace the course and speak more confidently about their studies.
Although some people expressed concern over the sudden attention and popularity he gained after the interview, Dr. Ofosu said he remains focused on the positive influence the exposure has created for dance education.
“I see some of my students call me celeb but I have always tried to maintain a very down-to-earth persona, and where it’s getting to I think it is now getting to me. It is becoming extra difficult to be private,” he said.
He revealed that since the interview went viral, people frequently approach him in public for photographs and interactions.
Dr. Ofosu also noted that the Hitz FM appearance opened doors for several media engagements and collaborations, which have positively impacted both his career and the visibility of dance as a field of study.
He cited collaborations with artistes, renewed public interest in dance and a revived social media presence as some of the benefits that have emerged from the exposure.
Widely respected within Ghana’s dance and academic circles, Dr. Terry Bright Ofosu has made significant contributions to choreography, performance studies and dance education over the years.
As Head of the Dance Department at the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts, he has played a major role in training and mentoring young dancers while promoting both indigenous and contemporary dance forms in Ghana.