Patricia Wilson

CO-DIRECTOR IDTC (2014-PRESENT)

Patricia Wilson began dancing at a very young age at square dances in West Halifax, Vermont, where she learned that dancing is about joy and community. As a teenager, she began studying modern dance and ballet as well as practicing yoga and meditation. When she discovered the Dunham Technique at age 22, in a class with Arthur Hall at The American Dance Festival, it was a spiritual and physical homecoming, bringing together all the energy threads of her previous studies. Patricia then dedicated herself to furthering her knowledge of Dunham Technique, continuing to work with Arthur Hall, and attending the first Dunham Seminar in 1983 in East St. Louis. East St. Louis and St. Louis became a second home for Patricia as she returned each summer to study with Miss Dunham, Pearl Reynolds, Tommy Gomez, Lucille Ellis, Vanoye Aikens and Talley Beatty among many other fine teachers. Patricia especially treasures the memory of many years studying Ghanaian dance with C.K. Ghano and Ronnie Yao Marshall. In 1992, Patricia was honored to assist Katherine Dunham in the final week of her 47 day fast to protest the American treatment of Haitian refugees. Chosen to be part of the first group certified by the Institute of Dunham Technique Certification, Patricia was certified to teach the Dunham Technique by Katherine Dunham in 1993.

As a choreographer, Patricia has created several full-evening shows as well as over forty shorter dances. Her company, ziadance, reflected Patricia’s commitment to community. With twenty-five dancers ranging from nine to 75 years old, ziadance toured in Russia in 1995, performing Imani’s Song and Images to Grow By. Thirty-seven Russian dancers of all ages were incorporated into the shows. The Americans stayed in the homes of host families, experiencing Russia life firsthand. The power of this kind of cultural exchange, with dance as the connective language, continues to inspire Patricia’s life goals.

Patricia has choreographed many musicals, including, All That Jazz, Cabaret, Chicago, Sweeny Todd, The Wiz, Frog and Toad, Urinetown, Pippin, Crazy for You, Hard Times and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Patricia has taught Dunham technique, ballet, modern, yoga and figure skating at studios, rinks and colleges for fifty years. She currently teaches at Keene State College and The Putney School as well as guiding Dunham classes and yoga for her community.

Patricia received her BA in Music and Dance from Middlebury College and her MFA in Film Production from Loyola Marymount University.

Patricia sends her gratitude to all her teachers, especially Katherine Dunham and Arthur Hall. As well, she humbly honors the Great Mother, her teacher in the form of the mountains, the waters and the winds.

May all beings find peace.