Careitha Davis
Brooklyn
Summary
Dance educator and researcher with extensive experience in the New York City Department of Education, specializing in culturally responsive curriculum design, embodied learning, and student mentorship. Grounded in Afro-Caribbean dance traditions, my work centers on decolonizing pedagogical approaches that position the body as a site of historical, intellectual, and cultural knowledge. Recognized for excellence in arts education, I foster community engagement, interdisciplinary inquiry, and professional development that empower students through innovative choreography, critical reflection, and identity-affirming practice.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Professor
New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
New York
08.2022 - Current
- Designed and delivered curriculum for undergraduate students in the Dance Education program; course is highly recommended and consistently enrolled as a popular elective
- Mentored graduate students in the Professional Development–Internship course, expanding the range of partnering organizations and professional pathways for internship placements
- Founding faculty member of the African Diaspora Track, established by Director Deborah Damast, contributing to curricular vision and program development
- Instructor for Internship in the Arts Profession, teaching the course for four consecutive years and providing sustained mentorship to master’s students during their internship placements
Teaching Artist / Group Instructor
Cumbe: Center for African Diaspora Dance
Brooklyn
10.2018 - 01.2021
- Instructed open adult Caribbean dance classes (SOCA), cultivating ongoing community engagement.
- Conducted performances and master classes for festivals, school assemblies, television programming, and community events.
- Directed choreography for community showcases while sustaining consistent participation from class members.
Dance Teacher
New York City Department of Education
New York
09.2016 - Current
- Delivered comprehensive dance education at Wadleigh Secondary School for Visual and Performing Arts, guiding students in grades 9–12.
- Formulated and launched integrated, sequential curriculum and program for Dance majors that adheres to artistic and academic standards.
- Collaborated with leading performing arts organizations to facilitate artist residencies, professional development, and cultural exchange experiences in dance.
- Selected as an Arnhold Dance Teacher (2017–2018) in recognition of excellence in dance education.
- Awarded Model Teacher – Leadership Role (2024) through the Teacher Career Pathways initiative, including:
- Led professional development workshops at New York Public Library for Performing Arts and Mark Morris Dance Center.
- Served as a keynote speaker for arts education and dance pedagogy events.
- Mentored student interns at the Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists, and Wadleigh Secondary School.
- Hosted and supervised student teachers from New York University, Steinhardt.
Teaching Artist
Harlem Stage
New York
01.2023 - 06.2024
- Developed and executed interdisciplinary arts program engaging students in poetry, spoken word, and dance.
- Partnered with teaching artists to spearhead a 14-session West African dance residency culminating in multimedia-informed performance
- Conduct dance workshops for community engagement initiatives hosted by Harlem Stage.
Dance Teacher
Beginning With Children Charter School
Brooklyn
09.2018 - 02.2020
- Created and led a middle school dance program for grades 6–8, including after-school arts programming
- Served as 8th Grade Team Leader, supporting student achievement in the arts and facilitating weekly staff meetings
- Awarded the Leadership Program Grant from Community Partnership Schools/BWCCS
Education
Doctor of Education - Dance Education
Teachers College, Columbia University
New York, NY09-2025
Master of Arts - Dance Education
New York University
New York (City), NY05-2012
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies - Dance Minor
SUNY, Purchase
Purchase, NY05-2005
Skills
- Curriculum design
- Interdisciplinary teaching
- Community engagement
- Performance choreography
- Student mentorship
- Professional development
Conference Presentations
- New York State Dance Education Association (NYSDEA) Winter Conference, 2016, Presenter
- Collegium for African Diaspora Dance Biennial Conference, 2026, Presenter, Black Phoenixing: Dancing Through Ruins
Guest Teaching
- MOVE|NYC
- Ballet Hispánico
Performance Experience
- Something Positive Inc., Dancer/Performer, 2023–Present
- Davalois Fearon, Assistant Choreographer / Performance Artist, New York, NY, 2020–2022, Assisted choreographer for Kernel (Finding Her Stories Solo Series), performed at Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center’s 46th Annual Showcase and Vision Arts by Arts Festival, Choreographed original work for the Her Stories Solo Series, Assistant choreographer for PLG Arts presentation Music and Dance at Parkside Plaza
- Spoke the Hub Festival, Brooklyn, NY, 06/01/21, Presenter, Premiered original choreography Trinidad Noir
- Kofago Dance Company, Guest Choreographer, 11/01/21
- Dianne McIntyre Group, Dancer, New York, NY, 2016–2020, National touring artist; rehearsals based in New York
- Mouminatou Camara & Ismael Kouyaté, Dancer, 2018–2020
- Sesame Flyers, Choreographer, Brooklyn, NY, 07/01/18 – 09/01/19, Choreographed for the West Indian Day Parade, Directed and managed rehearsals
- Ronald K. Brown / EVIDENCE, Dancer / Community Performance, 2016–2017
- Movement of the People (Bessie Award Winner), Joya Powell, Dancer, 2015–2017
- Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn, Dancer, 2000–2015
Publications
South Korea Dance Society Conference Proceedings, 2022, Preserving and Continuing Caribbean Dance — Research Paper
Grants And Residencies
- Jamaica Arts Center Emerging Choreographer Grant, 2025
- Downtown Brooklyn Rehearsal Residency Initiative, 2021
- Davalois Fearon Dance Commission Initiative, 2022
Fellowships
- Jacob’s Pillow Research Fellowship, 2023–2024
- Astors International Fellowship, NYU, Kampala, Uganda, 2023
Websites
Timeline
Teaching Artist
Harlem Stage
01.2023 - 06.2024
Adjunct Professor
New York University, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
08.2022 - Current
Teaching Artist / Group Instructor
Cumbe: Center for African Diaspora Dance
10.2018 - 01.2021
Dance Teacher
Beginning With Children Charter School
09.2018 - 02.2020
Dance Teacher
New York City Department of Education
09.2016 - Current
Doctor of Education - Dance Education
Teachers College, Columbia University
Master of Arts - Dance Education
New York University
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Studies - Dance Minor
SUNY, Purchase