When it comes to Deaf Dance performers, it is incredible how both the hearing and Deaf community connect through the art form of dance. Deaf culture and dance have many similarities when it comes to expressing oneself with hand gestures, body movements, and facial expressions. For Deaf Dance performers, many dance techniques are curated for them to follow to perform choreographies. This blog will highlight many famous Deaf Dance performers and how this inclusivity within the dance community is creating a safe space for Deaf dance performers.
Famous Deaf Dancers
Famous dancers like Daniel Durant, Zahna Simon, and Antoine Hunter have carved out a space for themselves and the Deaf community in the dance world by showcasing the representation of their community. Some of the dancers' accomplishments have pushed the boundaries of what dance should look like. Daniel Durant is known for his role as Leo Rossi in the 2021 film, CODA and as a contestant on season 31 of Dancing With the Stars. Daniel Durant has redefined dance culture with his performance on Dancing With the Stars. Daniel Durant and his partner, Britt Stewart, performed a dance routine showing what it is like to dance as a Deaf performer. Daniel and Britt began their performance with music but later showed a glimpse of the routine without any music. Through his performance, Daniel combatted ableist stereotypes about the Deaf community: Deaf people are capable of doing anything they set their mind to and being Deaf should not be seen as an obstacle. Daniel’s performance showed how hearing dancers rely heavily on music while highlighting the difference in how Deaf Dancers navigate dance without music.
Check out Daniel’s Dancing With the Stars performance below:
Dance video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MOWc9mCxus
Zahna Simon is another Deaf dancer who discusses her drive and passion for dance in an article by Rebecca Ritzel. Simon is an assistant director at the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival and the Urban Jazz Dance Company. Simon shares how instantly she felt connected with ballet as she could learn to dance through observing and did not have to struggle with following conversations. Simon’s experience emphasizes dance as a form of communication through dance and how Deaf and hearing dancers can share stories that overcome language barriers with body movement.
Many Deaf Dancers are creating safe spaces for other Deaf Dancers to perform and learn, such as Antoine Hunter. Hunter, also known as Purple Fire Crow, is an award-winning African, Indigenous, Deaf, and Two-Spirit producer, choreographer, and dancer. Hunter founded the Bay Area International Dance Festival where he aims to create a space and give opportunities for Deaf Dancers to show their artistry. Here is a link to Antoine Hunter’s dance profile page, https://www.realurbanjazzdance.com/mr-antoine-hunter.html
“I wanted Deaf artists from all over the world to have a safe place to learn and perform.” - Antoine Hunter
You can read more about Antoine Hunter in the article by Rebecca Ritzel, but you can also check out their website here.
The Bay Area International Dance Festival has created a safe space for Deaf Dancers worldwide, including Colombia, India, Russia, and Taiwan. Event programming includes workshops, performances, and panels. The festival creates a welcoming space for all dancers from all around the world and shapes an inclusive environment.
Dance Techniques Created for Deaf Performers
There are misconceptions about Deaf performers’ abilities to dance and follow along with music. Some may suggest that they can “hear”, by feeling vibrations of the music through the floor while others may assume that Deaf dancers can use their residual hearing to pick up cues from music to assist them. However, this isn’t always the case. The ability to feel vibrations from music depends on the music quality (bass or treble tones) and volume and the dancer’s type of hearing loss (high or low-frequency loss) is dependent on the use of residual hearing. Dancers instead learn routines and basic rhythm patterns. As the dancers learn a new step, dance instructors give a signed count for each step, similar to a verbal count for hearing dancers. Most Deaf Dancers require many hours of practice to establish an inner sense of timing and rhythm, just like a hearing dancer. All in all, when learning new dance routines, Deaf Dancers can use many techniques including visual cues, using musical vibrations, a high-quality sound system, and communicating using sign language.
Through Deaf Dance stories and their experience of dance, the techniques showcase many similarities between the hearing community and the Deaf community when it comes to mastering dance performances. With the rising representation within the dance community, it opens up a safe and welcoming space for Deaf Dancers to learn and grow their artistry.
Below are links to the articles and websites that were referenced while creating this blog.
Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart’s performance on Dancing With The Stars:
“Dancing While Deaf: What It’s Like To Move To Music You Can’t Hear” by Rebecca J.Ritzel
Zahna Simon’s profile on the Urban Dance Company website:
Antoine Hunter’s profile on the Urban Dance Company website:
“‘CODA’ Actor Daniel Durant Gave a Glimpse at What It’s Like to Dance While Deaf on DWTS” by Zara Hanawalt:
“Daniel Durant dances without music in powerful Dancing With the Stars moment to model his experience as Deaf performer” by Maureen Lee Lenker:
“Dance Techniques Taught to Deaf Performers” by Gallaudet Dance Company:
https://gallaudet.edu/art-and-media-design/gallaudet-dance-company/dance-techniques-taught-to-deaf-performers/
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