Introduction
Serge Biriteye is a Kenyan-born dancer, choreographer, and technology professional whose career reflects an uncommon blend of creativity and technical expertise. Best known for co-founding the Sin-Birds Afrobeats dance duo while studying at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Biriteye has built a reputation as both a passionate cultural ambassador and a skilled professional in the cybersecurity industry.
His journey demonstrates that artistic expression and technical education are not mutually exclusive. From performing and teaching dance in Vancouver to transitioning into cybersecurity in Ottawa, Biriteye has consistently embraced lifelong learning while remaining committed to promoting cultural diversity through movement.
Facts about Serge Biriteye
| Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Serge Biriteye |
| Estimated Age (2026) | Approximately 29–31 years old |
| Birthplace | Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Current Residence | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Profession | Dancer, Choreographer, Dance Instructor, Cybersecurity Professional |
| Known For | Co-founding the Sin-Birds Afrobeats dance duo at the University of British Columbia |
| Education | B.Sc. in Materials Engineering (University of British Columbia); Certificate in French Translation (University of Toronto); Diploma in Cybersecurity (Herzing College) |
| Dance Specialties | Afrobeats, Dancehall, Hip-Hop, Ballroom, Contemporary Dance |
| Dance Brand | Emperor Flow Dance |
| Teaching Experience | Dancehall instructor at Studio North and iDance Vancouver |
| Major Dance Achievement | Co-founded Sin-Birds and promoted African and Caribbean dance culture through performances and workshops |
| Current Career | Renewals Representative / Cybersecurity Professional at Fortinet |
| Estimated Net Worth (2026) | $200,000–$350,000 (estimated) |
| Estimated Annual Income | Approximately $90,000–$140,000 (estimated) |
| Primary Income Sources | Cybersecurity career, dance instruction, choreography workshops, performances, online content |
| Languages | English and French |
| Notable Quote | “I came to UBC for the academics, but stayed for the dance.” |
| Online Presence | Instagram: @biriteye (Emperor Flow Dance); YouTube: Emperor Flow Dance |
| Public Recognition | Featured by The Ubyssey for Sin-Birds and its contribution to multicultural dance at UBC |
| Known For Promoting | Cross-cultural exchange through Afro-Caribbean dance and community education |
Early Life and Educational Journey
Born in Kenya, Serge Biriteye later moved to Canada to pursue higher education. His academic path began at the University of British Columbia, where he studied Materials Engineering while becoming deeply involved in the university’s dance community.
During his time at UBC, Biriteye became an active member of the UBC Dance Club and explored multiple dance styles beyond Afrobeats. His training included ballroom disciplines such as waltz and tango, helping him develop a versatile performance style.
One statement has become closely associated with his university experience:
“I came to UBC for the academics, but stayed for the dance.”
The quote perfectly summarizes how dance evolved from a personal interest into a defining part of his identity while maintaining his commitment to academic excellence.
After completing his engineering studies around 2019, Biriteye continued expanding his educational qualifications. He later earned a Certificate in French Translation from the University of Toronto before completing a Cybersecurity Specialist diploma at Herzing College between 2024 and 2025.
How Old is Serge Biriteye?
He was identified as a third-year student at the University of British Columbia in 2017. Most third-year undergraduate students are typically between 20 and 22 years old, suggesting he was likely born between 1995 and 1997.
Building Sin-Birds at UBC
One of Serge Biriteye’s most recognized achievements is the creation of Sin-Birds, an Afrobeats-inspired dance duo he co-founded with fellow Kenyan student Clement Rugwiro.
Established around 2016, the group quickly became a familiar presence within UBC’s multicultural community. Rather than focusing solely on entertainment, Sin-Birds sought to introduce audiences to African and Caribbean dance traditions while encouraging greater cultural appreciation.
The performances blended several influences, including Afrobeat, dancehall, hip-hop, and ballroom techniques. Their choreography emphasized precision, rhythm, expressive movement, and storytelling.
By November 2017, Sin-Birds celebrated its first anniversary and had already gained recognition within the university community.
Biriteye consistently described dance as a powerful tool for bringing people together. Speaking about cultural exchange, he explained that when audiences are given the opportunity to understand different traditions, they often discover meaningful connections between cultures.
This philosophy became the foundation of Sin-Birds’ performances throughout their time at UBC.
Dance Style and Creative Vision
Serge Biriteye’s choreography reflects influences from multiple dance traditions rather than a single discipline.
Although widely recognized for dancehall instruction, his performances often incorporate elements from:
- Afrobeats
- Jamaican dancehall
- Hip-hop
- Ballroom dance
- Contemporary movement
This combination produces performances that are energetic while maintaining technical precision.
Observers have frequently described his choreography as featuring sharp execution, elegant transitions, and fast footwork. Rather than treating different dance cultures as separate traditions, Biriteye often combines them into routines that celebrate diversity without losing authenticity.
His creative work demonstrates how movement can communicate shared experiences across cultural boundaries.
Teaching Dance in Vancouver
Under the brand Emperor Flow Dance, he began teaching introductory dancehall classes at well-known studios, including Studio North and iDance Vancouver. His classes introduced students to Jamaican dancehall fundamentals while incorporating Afro-Caribbean influences and performance techniques.
Instead of focusing only on choreography, Biriteye encouraged students to understand the cultural background behind the movements they learned. This educational approach helped create a welcoming environment for dancers from diverse backgrounds and experience levels.
His instructional work expanded further through workshops and collaborative events. In early 2024, he participated in a Dancehall workshop hosted by UBC Dance Horizons, continuing his connection with the university community that helped launch his dance career.
Transition into Cybersecurity
While many dancers remain entirely within the performing arts, Serge Biriteye chose a different direction by pursuing a professional career in technology.
Building upon his engineering education, he completed a Cybersecurity Specialist diploma through Herzing College between 2024 and 2025.
This transition reflects the growing importance of digital security across industries and highlights Biriteye’s willingness to adapt to emerging career opportunities.
By 2026, he had joined Fortinet as a Renewals Representative and cybersecurity consultant based in Ottawa.
His move into cybersecurity does not replace his dance background but rather complements it, demonstrating that creative and analytical thinking can coexist within the same professional journey.
Professional Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
| Around 2016 | Co-founded the Sin-Birds Afrobeats dance duo at UBC |
| 2017 | Featured by The Ubyssey during Sin-Birds’ first anniversary |
| Around 2019 | Completed engineering studies at the University of British Columbia |
| 2021 | Began teaching dancehall classes in Vancouver |
| 2021–2022 | Earned a Certificate in French Translation |
| 2024 | Conducted a Dancehall workshop with UBC Dance Horizons |
| 2024–2025 | Completed a Cybersecurity Specialist diploma at Herzing College |
| 2026 | Working in cybersecurity at Fortinet in Ottawa |
Online Presence
Serge Biriteye maintains an active online presence through platforms dedicated primarily to dance education and choreography.
His Instagram account, branded as Emperor Flow Dance, features dance performances, class announcements, rehearsal footage, and instructional content.
His YouTube channel also showcases original choreography, dancehall tutorials, workshop recordings, and collaborative performances.
These digital platforms serve as the primary way audiences discover his work and follow his continued involvement in dance despite his transition into the technology sector.
Cultural Contribution and Community Impact
Although still early in his professional journey, Serge Biriteye has already contributed meaningfully to cultural exchange through dance.
At UBC, Sin-Birds helped strengthen multicultural engagement by introducing audiences to African and Caribbean dance traditions through accessible performances.
As an instructor in Vancouver, he continued encouraging students to appreciate the cultural history behind dancehall and Afro-Caribbean movement rather than viewing them simply as performance styles.
His work demonstrates how dance can become a platform for education, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding.
Equally noteworthy is his transition into cybersecurity, which illustrates that pursuing artistic passions does not limit opportunities in technical fields. Instead, his career shows how diverse interests can complement one another and contribute to personal growth.
Career Beyond Traditional Boundaries
One of the defining characteristics of Serge Biriteye’s career is his ability to succeed across multiple disciplines.
- Engineering provided analytical thinking.
- Dance developed creativity, leadership, and communication.
- Cybersecurity introduced a rapidly growing technical specialization.
Together, these experiences create a career path that challenges conventional expectations. Rather than choosing between the arts and technology, Biriteye has demonstrated that both can coexist successfully.
Conclusion
Serge Biriteye represents a modern professional whose achievements extend beyond a single industry. From co-founding the Sin-Birds dance duo at the University of British Columbia to teaching dancehall throughout Vancouver and later establishing a career in cybersecurity, he has consistently embraced learning, creativity, and cultural engagement.
His work illustrates the value of combining technical knowledge with artistic expression while promoting diversity through dance. As his cybersecurity career continues to develop alongside his longstanding passion for choreography and instruction, Biriteye remains an example of adaptability, lifelong education, and cross-cultural leadership.
