MONCELL DURDEN (US)

Moncell is a dancer, choreographer, educator, ethnographer, embodied historian, and Associate Professor of Practice at USC’s Glorya Kaufman International School of Dance. His work explores the connections between dance practices, history, and Afro-diasporic cultures, with a particular focus on what he describes as the “morphology of Afro-kinetic memory.”

A highly sought-after teacher in the U.S. and internationally, Durden specializes in Locking, House, Hip Hop, Authentic Jazz, and African American social dances. An alumnus of Rennie Harris Puremovement, he has dedicated much of his career to the teaching, contextualization, preservation, and celebration of Afro-diasporic dance forms.

In 2010, he founded INTANGIBLE ROOTS, an organization dedicated to the education and preservation of Afro-diasporic social dance traditions. He is also the author of numerous publications and the creator of the documentary Everything Remains Raw: A Historical Perspective on Hip Hop Dance.

At Winter Swingtime 2026, Moncell will be our Special Guest, offering a Get Together and being part of the Panel Discussion.

​

​