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Following in the footsteps of a highly regarded mentor, who made sure he had helped clear her a path to Katherine Dunham certification, even after his death, Ta’Shayla Montgomery returned to the dance studio where it all began. 

Montgomery, an alumna and former dance instructor of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts (PA), held a Katherine Dunham workshop from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 in the PA studios on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus. 

“I grew up here,” reminisced Montgomery. “I am grateful to the program, the instructors and my mentor Mr. Jamison (the late Theodore H. “Theo” Jamison, former PA program director) for nurturing my love of dance, and teaching me the skill and discipline of Dunham Technique.” Homer Simmons is the current PA director. 

“This is where it started for me, and this is where it starts for you,” Montgomery said to the 15 girls seated on the hardwood floor. “I have done commercials. I have danced in New York and around the country. I have been doing Dunham Technique since I was 10 years old.” 

“How many of you know who Katherine Dunham was?” she inquired. 

Her question produced three correct answers: “A dancer.” “An anthropologist.” “An activist.” 

Montgomery went on to explain how Dunham started the PA program and the basis of Dunham Technique. 

“It is a style of dancing from the inside, out,” she instructed, as the students got to their feet. “Today, we are going to tell a story with our bodies. We are going to be queens in the jungle. Pick what kind of animal you want to portray.” 

Montgomery is undergoing her Dunham Technique accreditation process through the Institute for Dunham Technique Certification. She also studies at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, Calif. 

“Mr. Jamison wrote my recommendation letter two years before I decided I would apply,” she recalled. “He was training me on what I needed to know when it came time to get certified. When he gave me my letter, he said, ‘You are going to need it. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be here,’” Montgomery tearfully shared. “I do feel a little bit overwhelmed, because I wanted to experience my certification process with him.” 

“But at the same time,” Montgomery said, straightening her shoulders, “I am more prepared to go through and succeed at this process, because Mr. Jamison made sure that I would.”   

SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts has a long, rich history. The legendary dancer, anthropologist, and social activist Katherine Dunham founded the Center for Performing Arts at the SIUE East St. Louis Center in 1967. At its peak in the 1990s, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts provided year-round instruction to more than 1,000 youth and became a training ground for professional artists of all disciplines. For decades, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts has provided performing arts classes to students and community members to develop local talent and to cultivate a love of the arts. The program serves children ages 7-17. Students study beginning piano and guitar, drums, bass guitar, West African drumming and multiple styles of dance. Classes often culminate in musical and theatrical productions. 

Photos:
Ta’Shayla Montgomery, alumna and former dance instructor at the SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts, teaches a workshop on Dunham Technique.