Brenda Daniels

Contemporary dance faculty Brenda Daniels' teaching style emphasizes clear goals and clear information about how to reach those goals, both technically and creatively. She demands full engagement, physicality and artistry from every student, while providing a safe and nurturing environment in her studio.

My students learn how to be disciplined and work hard, how to dance cleanly and properly without fear of injury, and to honor their own voice and creativity in their own choreography while learning the skill sets to make effective work.

Brenda Daniels

Career Highlights

  • Dancing with the Dutch company, Ton Simons and Dancers, for 12 years.
  • Forming Brenda Daniels Dance Company and presenting concerts annually in New York City, as well as touring in the United States, Europe and Asia.
  • Receiving choreographic grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, the Queens Council on the Arts and the Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts.  
  • Faculty member at the Merce Cunningham Studio for fifteen years, teaching classes for the company and all levels of technique.
  • Teaching Cunningham technique to students from all over the world at the American Dance Festival during the summers, 2001-14

Awards, Recognitions and Honors

  • Seafirst Award for Teaching Excellence at Cornish College
  • UNCSA Excellence in Teaching Award
  • Kenan Foundation's Class Acts – Best Practices in Education Award
  • UNCSA’s first endowed professor 

Education

M.F.A. DanceHollins University

B.F.A. DancePurchase College