Nadia Dieudonne
Nadia Dieudonné is a choreographer, dancer and teacher who began dancing at an early age. By the age of 12 Nadia was performing with well known Haitian folk singer and community activist Mrs. Myriam Dorisme. Nadia's innate talent as an Afro-Haitian dancer grew stronger in 1990, as she began to travel back to her homeland to research and study the origins, purposes of Haitian dance and its connections to Africa. . Her expertise comes out of her diligent study of the folkloric heritage of Haitian dance. She honed her skills by attending several Lakous (communities that preserve and practice specific Vodou ceremonies) in the countryside and in dance schools in Port-au-Prince and New York. For more than 12 years Nadia has been fortunate to have been mentored by Haitian icon Jean-Leon Destine and worked alongside him as an assistant teacher.
As part of her commitment to preserve her culture, Nadia founded in 1994, Nadia Dieudonné & Feet of Rhythm, an Afro-Haitian dance company where she creates, develops and fuses the traditional Vodou dances with her unique contemporary style. In 1995, Nadia also found it necessary to share and teach young Haitian-American youth who are not aware nor exposed to the vibrant culture of Haiti by creating Feet of Rhythm kids cultural program & Dance Company. Since its founding she has diligently extended her services to underserved youths within the public schools, community based organizations, and daycare centers throughout the Tri state. Nadia has conducted adult master classes at many prestigious institutions such as New York University-NYC, City College-San Francisco, State University-San Francisco, Lincoln Center-NYC, Jacobs Pillow (assistant to Jean Leon Destine-Boston, Lincoln Center Mid Summer Night Swing- NYC, The Katherine Dunham Dance Institute-NYC and Alvin Ailey NYC(substitute dance instructor). As a performing artist Nadia has also danced with the many acclaimed groups from the African Diaspora and been commissioned to perform throughout the US and abroad Canada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Holland, Japan and Trinidad.
Presently she is Nadia Dieudonné is a certified teacher for the Department of Education and has a MA in Dance Education from New York University. She is also an adjunct professor at Hunter College where she is teaching a graduate course in Haitian dance.
Classes:
“Konbit’ Haitian Dance Workshop
Sunday, May 7 | 4-6pm | In Person