Toward a Global Conversation in Black Movement

Black Modern Dance is not a single lineage but a constellation — a vibrant, evolving tapestry of embodied knowledge, diasporic history, and contemporary innovation. From the African continent to the Caribbean, from Brazil to the United States, from the Indian Ocean to Europe and beyond, Black dance techniques stand as intellectual traditions, aesthetic systems, and powerful tools for cultural transmission.

This six-week professional workshop at École des Sables invites dancers into an expansive inquiry: What can Black Modern Dance look like? What philosophies shape it? How have African and Diasporic artists codified, protected, and evolved their movement languages? How do these forms speak to one another?

Black Modern Dance Techniques

Pendant 6 semaines, les étudiants se plongeront dans une pratique intensive des techniques suivantes, enseignées par des artistes-chercheurs de renom dans le domaine de la danse :

THE ACOGNY TECHNIQUE
Dr. Omilade Davis-Smith, United States
Artistic Director, École des Sables
Professor, The American University

KATHERINE DUNHAM TECHNIQUE
Dr. Saroya Corbett, United States
Chair of the History and Theory Program, Institute for Dunham Technical Certification (IDTC)
Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in African Studies, Williams College

UMFUNDALAI TECHNIQUE
Dr. C. Kemal Nance, United States
Senior Master Teacher, Umfundalai Technique
Dance Professor, University of Illinois
Artistic Director, Nance Dance Collective

L’ANTECH: ANCESTRAL MEMORIES SYNERBRIDGED AS CARIMOD
Dr. L’Antoinette Stines, O.D., Jamaica
Creator of the Anyah Carimod technique (Antech)

DECONSTRUCTING BLACK MODERN DANCE PRACTICES FOR CONTEMPORARY BODIES
Dr Patrick Acogny, Sénégal / France
Choreographer, Dance Pedagogue
Researcher in Contemporary African Dance

A Living Dialogue

This Black Modern Dance Workshop is designed to:

• explore embodied knowledge systems across continents
• ground dancers in the historical, cultural, and philosophical foundations of African and Diasporic techniques
• offer rigorous daily training with master teachers
• foster critical conversation and reflection
• create a bridge between African, diasporic, and global contemporary practices
• provide a laboratory for experimentation, personal research, and creative exchange

HOW TO APPLY?

Apply by submitting the FORM no later than May 1, 2026 your C.V., a motivational letter or video explaining why you want to take part in this training, a recent headshot, and a one-minute video of you dancing solo in your personal style.

COST OF WORKSHOP

2 750 € (includes accommodation, meals, courses and airport transfers)

• €200 to reserve your place immediately after notification of acceptance
• €1,275 no later than 3 weeks after notification of acceptance
• €1,275 no later than May 25, 2026

Full payment due by May 25, 2026.

For more information: candidature@ecoledessables.org