Today during conference the Dallas Black Dance Theater treated an audience of Upper School students and faculty to ballet and modern dance demonstrations, a lesson in proper arm placement and an astounding performance entitled “His Grace,” a tribute to Nelson Mandela.

Ann Williams, founder and Artistic Director of DBDT, opened the show with a little history of the company. Founded in 1976, the company is the oldest continuously performing dance group in Dallas. They have garnered both national and international acclaim through their U.S. performances and worldwide tours in 14 countries and five continents.

That same company performed today for Hockaday’s Black History Month Assembly.

After demonstrating ballet and modern warm-up routines featuring classical ballet technique and  modern Horton technique, Associate Artistic Director of DBDT Melissa Young taught the audience members how to do some dance technique of their own with a lesson on various port du bras, or positions of the arms.

Finally, the company performed their tribute to Nelson Mandela, their costumes featuring the colors of the South African flag. What started out as a slow and thoughtful piece transitioned into a fast-paced tribal routine that made good use of the rhythmic music.

Check out the photo gallery below to view highlights of today’s performance.

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– Mary Clare Beytagh

Photos by Mary Clare Beytagh and Erin Thomas