Marcea T. Daiter, a distinguished Dance Educator, and Choreographer, holds certification in the Katherine Dunham dance technique. As the Artistic Director of Kaleidoscope of Kultures, her dance theater company, Marcea specializes in teaching dance forms of the African Diaspora. Her approach embraces 21st-century methods with interdisciplinary perspectives, incorporating elements from critical dance studies, performance studies, post-colonial theory, and critical race theory.

Marcea's journey in the realm of dance began with training under Darlene Blackburn and Wilbur Bradley in Chicago. She continued her studies at the Katherine Dunham Institute for Intercultural Studies in East St. Louis and later in New York. In the latter, she had the privilege of learning from former Dunham company members and Master Teachers, including Vanoye Aikens, Tommy Gomez, Talley Beatty, Walter Nicks, Archie Savage, Louines Louinis, Jeon Leon Destine, Ruby Streate, Keith Williams, and Theodore Jamison.

The breadth of Marcea's knowledge expanded through field-study trips to Africa, Cuba, Mexico, Haiti, and the United States, visiting the Katherine Dunham Institute of Intercultural Studies and Jacob's Pillow. These experiences inspired her instructional approach, covering language arts, curriculum writing, dance anthropology, and body somatics. Notably, she engaged in choreographic collaborations with Catherine Turocy, the Artistic Director of The New York Baroque Dance Company.

Recently retired as a full-time dance educator from the NYC Department of Education, Marcea taught in Central Harlem at Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Her contributions were pivotal in developing a four-year high school Dance Scope and Sequence curriculum with culturally relevant pedagogy. Under her guidance, the dance program received arts endorsement from Chancellor Carmen Farina and hosted visiting teaching artists, students from Denmark, and arts institutions nationally and internationally.

Despite unforeseen challenges affecting her doctoral pursuits at Union Institute and University due to the institution's loss of federal aid eligibility, Marcea is thrilled to share exciting news. An opportunity has emerged for her to continue and complete her studies at Antioch University, which has graciously opened its doors to the transitioning student body from Union Institute & University.

Technique Description
Katherine Dunham introduced African and Caribbean rhythms to modern dance. The schools she created helped train such notables as Alvin Ailey and Jerome Robbins in the "Dunham technique." This technique concentrates on building strength, flexibility, and the ability to undulate your torso and hips fully and rapidly. With live drumming, students will be fully immersed in the magic of the Dunham technique, a modern dance style that brought together African dance, Caribbean dance, social dance, and concert dance. It is the fusion of polyrhythms and steps drawing from ancient ceremonial dances and European-style dance forms.

The Dunham technique, developed by Katherine Dunham, is a distinctive approach to modern dance that places emphasis on building strength, flexibility, and the ability to undulate the torso and hips with full and rapid movements. This technique is a testament to Dunham's commitment to blending diverse cultural elements into a cohesive dance style that transcends traditional boundaries.

One of the key features of the Dunham technique is its incorporation of live drumming, which adds a dynamic and immersive element to the learning experience. The rhythmic beats provide a visceral connection to the roots of African and Caribbean dance, enhancing the magic of the Dunham technique.

At its core, the Dunham technique represents a fusion of polyrhythms and steps derived from a rich tapestry of influences, including ancient ceremonial dances and European-style dance forms. This amalgamation creates a unique and vibrant dance style that seamlessly weaves together the diverse cultural threads that Katherine Dunham sought to celebrate.

The legacy of Katherine Dunham lives on through the continued practice and teaching of the Dunham technique. Students who engage with this modern dance style are not only learning a set of movements but are also immersing themselves in a cultural journey that spans continents and centuries. The Dunham technique remains a powerful testament to the ability of dance to bridge gaps, celebrate diversity, and create a harmonious fusion of artistic expression.