KATHERINE DUNHAM

June 22, 1909 - May 21, 2006

"When you have faith in something, it's your reason to be alive and to fight for it."

-- Katherine Dunham

Walter Nicks

July 26, 1925 - April 3, 2007

Certified Master Instructor

WALTER NICKS, Walter Nicks (Born July 26, 1925 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; died April 3, 2007 in Brooklyn, NY) was a renowned African American modern dancer, choreographer, and beloved teacher of jazz and modern dance. He was a certified master teacher of the Katherine Dunham technique, and was professionally active for nearly 60 years.  Nicks was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from Central High School. From 1942-1944 he attended Howard University. His early dance training took place at Cleveland's Karamu Settlement House, where his talents were recognized by Eleanor Frampton.

He studied dance at the Katherine Dunham School in New York beginning about 1945 under Miss Dunham, Lavinia Williams, Talley Beatty, Tommy Gomez, Archie Savage and Marie Bryant. He also studied with Jose Limon, Robert Joffrey, Karel Shook, Louis Horst, Doris Humphrey, and others.  Miss Dunham recognized his exceptional talent and in 1947 awarded him a fellowship for study for a Master Teaching Certificate in Dunham Technique, which he received in 1948.  In 1947, even before he received his certificate, he was appointed Assistant Director of Dance at the Dunham School--a position he held until 1953.  In 1948-49 he danced with Frances Taylor (later Mrs. Miles Davis) in the Benny Goodman Jazz Review on a 13-month tour. He left the Dunham School in 1953. Forming a small company, "El Ballet Negro de Walter Nicks," in Mexico, he performed at the Insurgentes Theatre in Mexico City in a production starring Cantinflas; at the Sans Souci in Havana; on television in the Dominican Republic, and at the Condado Beach Hotel in San Juan. Also during this period, he spent five months in Haiti observing voudoun dances.  Upon his return to New York, he became an instructor with the Phillips-Fort Studio (1954-55). In 1954, he also performed with Joe Nash and others in Donald McKayle’s “Games” at the 92nd Street Y.

For more information:   http://www.ddfest.org/WNicks.html

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