Join Master Teacher Monique Walker for a special workshop introducing the Umfundalai contemporary African dance technique. Created in 1970 by dance scholar, the late Kariamu Welsh, D. Arts, Umfundalai comprises its movement vocabulary from dance traditions throughout the African Diaspora. The literal word, Umfundalai, means “essential” in Kiswahili.  Much like Katherine Dunham, Welsh has designed a stylized movement practice that seeks to articulate an essence of African–oriented movement, or as she has described, “an approach to movement that is holistic, body centric and organic.” Participants will have a comprehensive experience of the technique that includes a dance class to live drumming, making their class attire, learning basic rhythm patterns, and collectively creating a short dance piece reflecting the experience. Experienced and non-experienced dancers and musicians are welcome.

Monique Walker

Monique is a dance artist and has traveled the world as a performer, educator, choreographer, and arts advocate. She has studied under many dance masters and institutions, including Dr. Charles "Chuck" Davis, Dr. Katherine Dunham, Dr. Kariamu Welsh, Philadanco!, and The School at Jacob’s Pillow. Based in Waldorf, Maryland (USA), Monique holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Administration, is a Master of Arts candidate in Dance Studies, a Master Teacher of the Umfundalai contemporary African dance technique, and a Dance adjunct faculty member at the College of Southern Maryland. She also teaches workshops and regular Umfundalai classes throughout the DC metropolitan area. Monique has served as guest lecturer at Drexel University and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and on the dance faculty at North Carolina State University and The School at Jacob’s Pillow. She is the former Assistant to the Artistic Director of Chuck Davis’ African American Dance Ensemble (NC), a former apprentice with Urban Bush Women (NY), and a former principal dancer with Kariamu & Company: Traditions (PA). Her choreography has been presented at the North Carolina Dance Festival, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival (PA), Dance Place (DC), and the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (MD). Monique continues her mission of using dance, music, and theater as a vehicle for the preservation, promotion, and innovation of African Diasporan dance through her work as a choreographer with her project-based performance company, MoDance Works.