In his native Cameroon, Titus began his formal training in Traditional African Dance at the young age of eight. By the age of 16 he was invited to join the Cameroon National Ballet, becoming a principal dancer before the age of 17. His early success inspired Titus to adventure into various other forms of movement, culminating in the development of his own brand of “Afro-inclusive” dance he calls Masouka, meaning Passion. (Literally translated as My Sugar). Lead by this passion for understanding his own and other African art forms, Titus traveled extensively throughout the African Continent, training with prestigious ballets in Senegal, Zaire, Congo, and the Ivory Coast. Also notable to Mr. Fotso's many achievements, was earning his Black Belt as a member of the Cameroon National Judo Team and the Samurai Judo Club of Yaounde.

“Titus Fotso stands in the gap between the present and the past, preserving and perpetuating the rich tapestry of Africa's traditions.”

Titus states that Masouka has always been with him, a concept, which to him seemed as natural as movement itself. “My life and all the paths I have taken have lead me to Masouka”, says Fotso. “I cannot separate myself from the idea of a language that bridges Africans together as a single people, and I have found that language to be the rhythms, songs and dances of the African People.” Titus Fotso is profound in his philosophies and to hear him speak is both educational and inspiring, a true Griot (Oral Historian) of the 21st century. Titus notes some of the common stories depicted by all African song and dance include, the daily struggles for survival of the hunter, fisherman, farmer and field worker; the planting or harvesting of crops; warrior rites and rituals for preparing or entering into battle to protect their villages; and ceremonies for birth, marriage, and death.

It is intrinsic to all African Music and Dance to depict both the historical and current events of the environment and its people. So while carefully respecting the fundamental movements of Traditional African Dance, Titus acts as a vehicle for the translation of tradition into movements that speak to the sounds and cultural experiences of the present day. His extensive dance vocabulary ensures both authenticity and originality. Titus points to the example of tying Traditional African Dance movements to the sounds popular American Hip-Hop, as a powerful tool in reaching out to and teaching African- American youths about their ancestral roots. “As certain as people change and evolve, so to will the songs and dances that are used to interpret and define us. At the same time we must remember that our past, our history, is the light by which we are able to, with clarity, navigate our present and, with confidence, head towards our future”. It is statements such as this that are the unique and soulful wisdom of Titus Fotso.

Beyond Africa
Satisfied with his mastery of African Dance, Titus turned his focus to the West, leaving his beloved Africa to become a student of modern and jazz dance at the Paris Centre in France. The completion of this western dance training launched him into the spotlight of the Los Angeles art scene where his star continues its assent. To date his dance appearances include; cast member and associate choreographer in Debbie Allen's theatrical productions of “Soul Possessed” (2001 & 2001), dance consultant in Debbie Allen's “Pepito's Story”(2003), dance consultant and choreographer of the Congo Square scene of “Romeo and Juliet” for The Theatre at Boston Court (2003), dancer and choreographer for the U.S.A. World Cup Soccer Championship (1994) and opening performer for the Rolling Stones Voodoo Lounge Tour (Rose Bowl Stadium - 1994), to name a few. Film appearances include, actor in Steven Spielberg's “Amistad”, lead dancer and associate choreographer in the film “Tony Jet” and lead dancer and choreographer for the musical “From the Heart of Love”.

Additionally, Titus has served as artistic director of the Mamadou Bineta and Kalabantou African Dance and Music Ensembles; founder of the JTF World Dance and Research Project; Distinguished Chancellor's Lecturer at the University of California, Irvine and Faculty Member at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy specializing in West and Central African dance. If his achievements in dance were not enough, Titus is a singer and composer of his own “Sangalo Music” and was the 1999 winner of the John Lennon songwriting contest in the World Music category.

As he sees it, initiating new students into Traditional African Dance forms, choreographing new African ballets, and translating traditional African dances into new forms of African contemporary dance, are all essential elements necessary to the preservation of the African cultural heritage. This African heritage is an oral tradition, whereby the history, lifestyles and social customs of daily life in Africa, are passed down from generation to generation through dance and music. Titus Fotso is a living expression of the philosophy of his ancestors and hopes to preserve in himself and in his students, their teachings through the same oral traditions.

Currently, as Artistic Director of Masouka, Titus is working on the development of a standard curriculum for the Masouka form of dance. He hopes to integrate this curriculum into an accredited program of certification for students of dance around the world.