Katherine Dunham Quotes

A collection of quotes by Katherine Dunham.

Katherine Dunham (1909-2006) was an influential American dancer, choreographer, and anthropologist. Known for her groundbreaking approach to blending African and Caribbean dance styles with modern dance techniques, Dunham developed a unique movement style in the 1930s and 1940s. She founded the first self-supporting, all-African American modern dance company and later opened the Katherine Dunham School of Dance and Theatre, nurturing future generations of dancers. Dunham's extensive research on African diaspora dance traditions led her to become a respected anthropologist, advocating for the preservation of cultural heritage. Her artistic and intellectual contributions made her a prominent figure in American dance history.

The older I grow the more I see the influence of my family o

The older I grow the more I see the influence of my family on my life. I didn't always see it. It was up to our parents to see that we had our education in a town that hadn't yet realized what racial prejudice was but actually knew and practiced it on occasion.

Katherine Dunham

Education

I have actually five honorary degrees.

I have actually five honorary degrees.

Katherine Dunham

Graduation

We had maybe the greatest success of any company that I know

We had maybe the greatest success of any company that I know of in Paris, and after two or three years I wanted to do this same number that we did for PBS, so we did it and Paris had always considered us their darlings.

Katherine Dunham

Success