Cyndal Ellis

Cyndal grew up in Houston, TX but has since made a home with her son and husband in the Green Mountains of southern Vermon, drawing inspiration and peace from the natural beauty of rural New England.

In addition to her work with the Institute for Dunham Technique Certification (IDTC), Cyndal teaches dance and performing arts for Wings Community Programs, bringing the arts to life in small mountain communities. She also teaches math at an elementary school that caters to students with intensive needs, bringing the arts back into the academic classroom.

Cyndal holds a Master of Arts in Education from Goddard College, where she wrote an interdisciplinary curriculum that illuminates the life and legacy of Katherine Dunham for elementary aged children. Cyndal continues in the pursuit of highlighting the work of Katherine Dunham as a revolutionary influence in dance, American history, and global relations.

Cyndal has had the privilege of teaching at Jacob’s Pillow, Landmark College, The Southern Vermont Dance Festival, Vermont Dance Alliance, the Putney School and numerous grade schools throughout New England. During her undergraduate work at Smith College, Cyndal combined her love of anthropology and fusion dance forms under the tutelage of Donna Mejia. Cyndal went on to perform with The Sovereign Collective under the directorship of Donna Mejia. She also choreographed for and performed with Firekeeper Productions, touring the original multimedia show The Mabel Story throughout New England. Cyndal was co-director of SoBo Studio, a community dance center that opened up a world of dance for learners of all ages and abilities. She also co-founded and co-directed Al Amal Belly Dance Company.

Cyndal was drawn to Dunham Technique under the mentorship of Patricia Wilson. Dunham Technique, as “a way of life”, has deepened Cyndal’s connection to herself and society, her relationships as an educator, and her voice as a creator. Dunham Technique has re-asserted for her the power of dance to spark positive change. Cyndal is humbly grateful, as a forever student, for the international community of dancers, activists, and scholars who have been part of her Dunham education. She is honored to be a contributor to the continuation of the legacy of Katherine Dunham.