Daniel McCusker

I cultivate a culture of observation and generous collaboration, focusing on personal process and the idea that there are no choreographic principles separate from dances—no rules, only conventions to note and, sometimes, observe.

Daniel McCusker began teaching modern dance technique and creative process at Boston Conservatory in 2011.

Teaching and collaboration have been central to his creative practice since he began to focus on his own dances in the mid-1980s. He has taught internationally in Canada, Singapore, and France as well as at several American dance festivals. In addition to making his own work, he danced with the Lucinda Childs Dance Company, performing in the United States and on tour in Europe. For seven years he directed Ram Island Dance, a community dance organization in Portland, Maine, with a company that toured throughout New England, held classes for children and adults, and had a small presenting program. He is a senior lecturer at Tufts University, where he has taught since 1997.

A dance maker, teacher, mentor, and dance curator, McCusker is involved in the local dance community as a choreographer, mentor, and occasional presenter. His creative work has been supported by federal and state grant organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts, NYSCA, MAC, the Monks Trust, producing organizations, and generous individuals.

McCusker trained in New York with Alfredo Corvino, studied at the Cunningham Studio with Judy Padow, and attended classes with Gwyneth Jones, Olivier Besson, and Debra Bluth, which have had more recent impact on his dancing. He holds a B.A. in comparative literature and social sciences from Fordham University. After college he did graduate work in comparative literature at the City University of New York (CUNY), but after a year he realized he would rather be dancing.

Recent Notable Engagements

• Merce Cunningham Centennial Celebration (2019):
  Night of 100 Solos—performer
  Akron Museum of Art—performer
  Bard Spiegeltent—performer
  The Guggenheim Museum—performer