To know dance culture
is to know the world.
Dancer on the drum: Snorri Mahileo Maldonado
Photographer: Sigrun Saemundsdottir (Tucson, Arizona 2020)
Welcome to Cross-Cultural Dance Resources—the home of Dr. Joann Keali’inohomoku’s vision to develop the field of dance anthropology and where scholarship focused on dance culture frames our work and our mission.
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Dancing on the drum symbolizes the role of dance culture to serve as a knowledge system.
The city of Flagstaff sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, on homelands sacred to Native Americans throughout the region. CCDR honors their past, present, and future generations, who have lived here for millennia and will forever call this land home.
Why Dance
Culture Matters
Dance is more than performance—it is a visible expression of identity, values, beliefs, and ideals.
At Cross-Cultural Dance Resources (CCDR), we promote an inclusive, integrated approach to the way studying dance culture reveals knowledge about ourselves, each other, and the world.
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The study of dance culture enhances empathy, fosters connections, and nurtures equity through expressive movement.
Our work continues the pioneering legacy of dancer-anthropologist Joann Keali’inohomoku, who shaped the interdisciplinary field of dance anthropology worldwide.
Its American roots began in 1972 with the extraordinary gathering of dance and anthropology scholars informed by the Pasqua Yaqui tribe in Tucson, Arizona to explore how dance, culture, and place intersect.
Today, we offer educational curricula, scholarly research, expert consultations, and events and programs to deepen understanding of dance as embedded within a rich cultural context.
Joann Keali’inohomoku
Cross-Cultural Dance Resources® Services
Education
Instructional tools and curricula designed for educators, students, and community groups.
Research
Scholarly venues to engage with the field of dance anthropology.
Consulting
Expert guidance for academic programs, advocacy, scholarship, and grants.
Events and Programming
Interactive workshops, symposia, festivals, and residencies that connect communities and enrich cultural understanding through dance
Our Impact In Action
“My experience as a choreographer expanded dramatically because of Cross-Cultural Dance Resources. My work gained perspective, insight, and depth.”
DAVID APPEL, Choreographer & Dancer
Brooklyn, NY
“Cross-Cultural Dance Resources’ respectful and inclusive approach has transformed how we create community-engaged art, bridging cultural traditions and generating lasting legacies.”
SAVANNAH WALLING, Artistic Director
Vancouver Moving Theatre
Join the Movement
CCDR is committed to advancing knowledge that promotes equity, cultural understanding, and societal transformation through cultural dance education.
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Whether you're a teacher, student, researcher, or part of a community group, we invite you to explore the profound interconnectedness of life through the practice and study of dance culture.
The Legacy of Joann Keali’inohomoku
Founded in 1981 by dance anthropologist Joann Keali’inohomoku, CCDR has been at the forefront of dance anthropology in the United States.
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Our origins are deeply tied to Arizona, where Joann first inspired the academic recognition of dance as an essential lens for understanding human culture.
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We invite you to join us today as we celebrate our 44th year and continue to build upon her trailblazing legacy.
Join Our Dance Culture
Community
Don’t miss out–stay connected, contribute your insights, and access exclusive dance culture content by subscribing to our thriving community today!