Dr. Albirda Rose, the former director of the Dunham Technique Certification Board says that having a spiritual awareness and focus is invaluable in approaching the technique, “Really, the three most important things to bring to a Dunham class are an open mind, body, and spirit.”
“Dunham studied ballet before traveling to the Caribbean to conduct field research in Martinique, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Haiti. Aspects of both ballet and Caribbean forms can be spotted in both barre work and traveling movement combinations.” The technique also encases some rhythmic challenges. Rose says, “Dunham’s approach to dance is polyrhythmic.” In classes, they regularly use more than one drummer, therefore having multiple beats overlaid in the same exercise, which requires dancers to develop critical listening skills.