Taking up space and continuing to make history within the authentic scene of Detroit’s New Center, Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy emerges not merely as a dance studio but as a sanctuary of art and community spirit, meticulously woven over four decades. At the helm of this artistic odyssey is Debra White-Hunt, a figure synonymous with nurturing and excellence in the realm of dance. Through the years, White-Hunt has assumed the role of a guiding matriarch, shaping the destinies of countless dancers whose grace has adorned stages far and wide.
The academy’s walls, spanning 10,000 square feet, serve as a canvas to the chronicles of its past, with photographs of pirouetting ballerinas and vibrant jazz ensembles capturing moments that stretch back to the early 2000s. These images, more than mere decorations, are testaments to a legacy of dance that has flourished under White-Hunt’s stewardship.
2024 marks a milestone year for the academy, celebrating its 40th anniversary with a flourish of activities that pay homage to its rich history. The centerpiece of this jubilation is the annual Black History Month concert, set for Thursday February 22 at the Detroit School of Arts aptly named “More Precious Than Rubies,” a nod to both the significance of the ruby anniversary and White-Hunt’s personal reflections on the value of her life’s work. “The title draws from the deep well of my birthstone, the ruby, and the sacred words of Proverbs 3:15, which resonate with the journey of this academy,” White-Hunt explains.
The Detroit School of Arts will play host to this grand celebration, featuring an eclectic showcase of dance forms that mirror the academy’s diverse curriculum. From the fluid narratives of contemporary dance to the rhythmic tales told through tap and samba, the event promises an immersive cultural experience. The evening will also unveil the artistic contributions of seven local visual artists, further enriching the academy’s tradition of celebrating art in its myriad forms. A reception for the artist unveiling will take place at 5:30 p.m., while the concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 on the academy’s website and $25 at the door.
The academy’s story began in 1984, rooted in White-Hunt’s vision and her partnership with her husband, Bruce Hunt. From a modest beginning in Harmonie Park, the academy has evolved into a beacon of artistic excellence, with its current abode in the New Center One building on West Grand Boulevard serving as a testament to its growth and enduring impact.
White-Hunt’s journey with dance has been both a personal and professional crusade, marked by accolades and acknowledgments, including the prestigious 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow. Yet, her reflections often circle back to a pivotal conversation with Alvin Ailey in New York, which sowed the seeds for what would become one of Detroit’s most revered cultural institutions.
As the Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy commemorates its 40th year, it stands as a monument to the transformative power of dance, having touched the lives of over 15,000 dancers. This anniversary is not just a celebration of past achievements but a beacon of hope and inspiration for the art of dance in Detroit, continuing to illuminate the path for future generations.
Today, the Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy (DWDA) thrives at 3031 W. Grand Blvd. Echoing the nurturing atmosphere of the Detroit recreation centers from White-Hunt’s own youth, the academy has become a cornerstone of the community. Since its inception, it has imparted dance and invaluable life lessons to over 15,000 students, their ages spanning from toddlers at 2 to seniors at 95.
“Our oldest student was 95 and that was my dad actually,” said White-Hunt. “He was in the daddy-daughter class, and he danced until he passed on. Dance was just in his blood and that’s how I have it. We love teaching various age groups because each age group brings a new energy and a new opportunity to the dance floor.”
Throughout her extensive journey in dance, spanning over six decades, White-Hunt has garnered numerous honors for her profound impact on the community, including her 2021 induction into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. Yet, from her home in northwest Detroit, White-Hunt shared on January 16th that her ascent to becoming a beacon of inspiration and a community leader was never her initial aim.
White-Hunt’s repertoire extends across a broad spectrum of roles including artist, dancer, choreographer, writer, artistic director, and notably, educator. It’s this last role that has seen her go above and beyond. The drive to educate propelled White-Hunt and her husband to establish the DWDA back in 1984 within a quaint studio in the Harmonie Park neighborhood, fueled by a commitment to her students who yearned for continuity in their dance education during the summer months.
“Dance means everything,” White-Hunt shared. “It’s who we are. It’s part of our culture and it makes us shine. It’s part of being alive. To move our bodies and to move our bodies in rhythm, it’s nothing like it.”
Speaking with a gentle yet fervent tone, White-Hunt reflects on the transformative journey of the DWDA and its profound effect on both the lives it has touched and her own life, enriched by the support of family, friends, and a community that rallied around her vision. Despite her deep connection to the academy and its mission, White-Hunt hints at a future where new leadership takes the helm. This transition, she insists, must be to individuals who uphold the academy’s foundational values and integrity, ensuring the legacy of an institution that has weathered Michigan’s harshest winters—a resilience symbolized by an anecdote involving Bruce during the academy’s beginning stages.
As White-Hunt outlined the academy’s ambitious agenda for 2024, including the Black History Month Concert, a Crystal Ball in April, the Annual Concert in June, collaborations with local artists, and even a spelling bee to augment the academy’s diverse dance curriculum, the undercurrent of passing on the leadership baton was palpable. Yet, for such a handover to occur, White-Hunt emphasizes the imperative that DWDA’s future stewards embody the core principles that have been its bedrock through four decades of growth and challenges.
“It’s been a journey of love and it’s been a passion,” said White-Hunt. “It’s had its ups and downs, its triumphs and tribulations, its joys and sorrows but faith was always in the background knowing that I’ve been on the path of the calling over my life.”
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