Keshia Gee
Assistant Professor of Dance
Department: Performing Arts
Email: kgee@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-5608
Professional Expertise
Brief Biography
Keshia Gee earned an undergraduate degree from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Dance and African American Studies and completed the Master of Fine Arts in Dance at Hollins University in collaboration with Künstlerhaus Mousonturm and the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, with support from The Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company.
Gee is an Assistant Professor at Elon University, where she directs the Black Lumen Project and teaches courses in traditional West African dance and other movement genres. She has presented her scholarship most recently at the International Association of Blacks in Dance, The North Carolina Dance Education Organization, and the Collegium for African Diaspora Dance. In 2023, she was named a Woman of Color Leadership Project Fellow by the National Women’s Studies Association.
Her writing includes the invited book review "Inheritance in Motion" published in Dance Chronicle. She is also the author of Roots of Rhythm: An Introduction to West African Dance, a textbook published by Great River Learning. As a choreographer and filmmaker, her works have been recognized by festivals including the Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival and The London Monthly International Dance Film Festival, with awards for the documentary film Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis created with Dr. Stephanie Baker.
Gee’s research focuses on West African dance in higher education and how this form can be engaged as a valued and valid epistemological and ontological domain in scholarship and performance.
News & Notes
Education
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2008) Bachelor of Arts in Dance and African American Studies
Hollins University a collaboration with Kunstlerhavs Mousontvrm, and The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts, supported by The Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company (2016) Master of Fine Arts in Dance
Employment History
Elon University, Assistant Professor of Dance (2020-Present)
Elon University, Assistant Professor of Performing Arts (2019-2020)
Winston Salem State University, Adjunct Professor (2017-2020)
North Carolina Central University, Adjunct Professor (2017-2020)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Adjunct Professor (2016-2020)
Courses Taught
COR 1100: The Global Experience, DAN 3200: Special Topics in West African Dance, DAN 1600: World Dance, DAN 4970: Senior Seminar I, DAN 1420: African Dance I, DAN 2420: African Dance II, DAN 2230: Dance Ensemble, DAN 2330: Modern IV, GBL 1900: Prep Seminar Ghana Performing Arts, DAN 4999: Undergraduate Research, HNR 4998: Honors Thesis, GBL 2900: IS Ghana Performing Arts, DAN 4990: Teaching and Learning Apprenticeship
Leadership Positions
Black Lumen Project Director (2025)
African & African American Studies at Elon Minor Coordinator (2023-2025)
Co-Director of Renaissance Scholars Program (2023-2025)
Artistic Director of Matriarch Dance Co. (2017-Present)
Research
Research Agenda
The Integration of West African Dance in Higher Education, Emphasizing its Value as an Epistemological and Ontological Framework in both Scholarship and Performance.
Secondary: Artificial Intelligence and Dance, Highlighting its Role in Preserving and Reimagining Embodied Knowledge while Expanding Pedagogy, Accessibility, and Cultural Inquiry
Mentored Student Research
Elon Undergraduate Research Mentor to Lucy Burk (2025-Present) "Fostering Collaboration in Dance: The Role of Audience Interaction in Live Performance"
Elon Undergraduate Research Mentor to Brianna Crawford (2025-Present) "The Rest Agenda: Liberation and Reflection for Black Women in Predominately White Institutions"
Thesis Mentor to Victoria Williams (2024-Present) "The Parallels of EcoSomatics and African World Views Explored through Traditional & Contemporary African Dance," UNC Greensboro, MFA in Dance Program
Thesis Mentor to Lisa Hines (2023-2024) “Interweaving Narrations through Choreographic Frameworks,” UNC Greensboro, MFA in Dance Program
Elon Undergraduate Research Mentor to Brooke Goldstein (2023-Present) “Dance for Every Body”
Elon Undergraduate Research Mentor in Collaboration with Takudzwa Madzima to Khairi Morrow (2022-Present) “Feel the Beat, Connect the Energy, Understand the Culture, Heal the Heart”
Elon Undergraduate Research Mentor to Pheriby Bryan (2022-2024) “Semi Colon”
Thesis Mentor to Dennis Dzah (2021) “Nkunenowu: Engaging the Tenets of Traditional Ghanaian Youth Games, Dance, & Storytelling to Enact Cultural Sustainability,” University of Ghana Legon, BFA in Dance Program
Current Projects
Extending Cognition in West African Dance: Digital Innovations in Higher Education Pedagogy
Creative Approaches to Complex Pasts: A Dance Film Re/Members Acts of Racism and Black Resistance at Elon in Collaboration with Dr. Evan Gatti, Amanda Kleintop, & Buffie Longmire-Avital
Grants Awarded
Elon Innovation Grant (2025) Support for Every Body: Fostering Student Well-Being and Body Neutrality in Higher Education in Collaboration with Brooke Goldstein
Elon Innovation Grant (2025) Elon History & Memory Mobile App in Collaboration with Lynn Huber
FR&D Funding Award (2025) Advancing Somatic and Neuroinclusive Pedagogy through Comprehensive Pilates Certification
Elon College of Arts & Sciences Dean Mini-Grant (Fall 2025) Costume Design as Mentorship and Memory
Elon AI Pedagogy Challenge (2025) Awardee, 3rd Place; Selected as one of the Top 5 Finalists from a university wide pool
Office of the Provost Capital Request (2025) Rokoko Full Motion Capture to Enhance Dance Pedagogy
Elon University Fund for Excellence Grant (2025) Reclaiming Power: Black Motherhood After Incarceration
Elon College of Arts & Sciences Dean Mini-Grant (Spring 2025) Embodied Rhythms: Integrating Percussion in West African Dance Education
Elon College of Arts & Sciences Dean Mini-Grant (Fall 2024) Animating Stories: Storytelling through AI/Creation of CORE Capstone Course
Elon University Fund for Excellence Grant (2024) African Diasporas in North Carolina in Collaboration with Amanda Kleintop, Devin Proctor, & Erin Pearson
Elon University Fund for Excellence Grant (2024) Creative Approaches to Complex Pasts: A Dance Film Re/Members Acts of Racism and Black Resistance at Elon in Collaboration with Dr. Evan Gatti & Buffie Longmire-Avital
Elon Information & Technology Software Grant to Engage with Emerging A.I. Tools (2024)
National Women’s Studies Association Women of Color Leadership Project Fellow (2023)
FR&D Summer Fellowship w/ Financial Assistance (2023) “Expanding Engaged Learning and Curriculum Development in West African Dance Education
CATL Mini-Grant (2023) “Expanding Engaged Learning and Curriculum Development in West African Dance Education
Leadership Education Faculty Scholars Program (2022)
Provost Grant for Summer Research (2022) “Pioneers: West African Music on the American Stage”
New Faculty Summer Research Grant (2021) "Bridging traditional cultural dances with technology"
CATL Mini-Grant (2021) "Students of all genders are given the opportunity to wear traditional lapa while dancing in the West African dance course at Elon University"
Center for Research on Global Engagement (2020-2023) Examining students’ intercultural awareness and tracking the development of cultural humility in African diaspora-based courses
Elon University Fund for Excellence Grant (2021-2022) Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crises in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker
Sustainability Faculty Scholars Fellowship Program (2020)
Mentored Student Grants
Phi Eta Sigma Scholarship (2024) Elon Research Mentee: Brooke Goldstein, “Dance for Every Body”
Leadership Prize (2024) Elon Research Mentee: Khairi Morrow, “Feel the Beat, Connect the Energy, Understand the Culture, Heal the Heart”
Rawls Endowed Grant (2023) Elon Research Mentee: Khairi Morrow, “Feel the Beat, Connect the Energy, Understand the Culture, Heal the Heart”
Summer Undergraduate Research Grant (2023) Elon Research Mentee: Khairi Morrow, “Feel the Beat, Connect the Energy, Understand the Culture, Heal the Heart”
Barbara Rhoades Grant (2022) Elon Research Mentee: Pheriby Bryan, "Semi Colon"
Publications
Books
Wall, Keshia. Roots of Rhythm: An Introduction to West African Dance. Dubuque, IA: Great River Learning, 2024. Interactive multimedia textbook.
Journals
Gee, Keshia. “Inheritance in Motion: The Embodied Archive of Ghanaian Kete Dance.” Review of The Embodiment and Transmission of Ghanaian Kete Royal Dance: From Palace to Academy, by Emmanuel Cudjoe. Dance Chronicle.
Features:
Shriram, Jhvani. “How a Professor of Dance Used Krikey AI Dance Animations to Inspire Students.” Krikey Animation Spotlight Case Study, 2024.
Johnson, Ryan J., in collaboration with Keshia Wall. “Eternal Recurrence and Racist Histories.” In Contemporary Encounters with Ancient Practice, edited by Abraham Jacob Greenstine, Ryan J. Johnson, and Dave Mesing. Leiden: Brill, 2022.
Neenan, Candence. “First Year’s First: How Dancers Can Prepare for Their Freshman Year in College.” Dance Spirit Magazine, 2021.
Presentations
North Carolina Dance Education Organization (2025) Presenter, Enhancinng Dance Pedagogy with A.I. Driven Technology: Integrating Virtual Tools into the Classroom
International Association of Blacks in Dance (2023) "Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis” in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker
Black Maternal & Infant Health Conference (2023) "Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis” in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker
The Association for the Study of African American Life & History (2022) "Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis" in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker
Minority Health Conference, UNC Chapel Hill (2022) "Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis in Collaboration" with Dr. Stephanie Baker
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NC (2022) "Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis" in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker
The Collegium for African Diaspora in Dance Conference, Duke University (2022) "Strategies for Improving the Transition of African Diaspora Dance Practitioners into Higher Education"
Invited Teaching & Choreographic Residencies
American Dance Festival (2025) Lecturer & Choreographer, Durham, NC
Valdosta State University (2024) Guest Teaching Artist & Choreographer, Valdosta, Georgia
Highpoint University (2021) Guest Teaching Artist, Highpoint, North Carolina
The Dance Project (2021) Guest Teaching Artist, Greensboro, North Carolina
Virginia Tech University (2021) Guest Teaching Artist in Residence, Blacksburg, Virginia
UNC Greensboro (2021) Guest Teaching Artist in Residence, Greensboro, NC
Virginia Tech. University (2019) Guest Lecturer, Blacksburg, Virginia
Virginia Tech University (2018) Guest Lecturer, Radford, Virginia
Radford University (2017-Present) Guest Teaching Artist in Residence - Summer, Radford, Virginia
Invited Performances & Film Screenings
Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (2023), Presenter, “The Eternal Recurrence” in Collaboration with Dr. Ryan Johnson, Kalamazoo MI
Hollins University Fall Dance Concert (2023), Presenter, “The Eternal Recurrence” in Collaboration with Dr. Ryan Johnson, Roanoke VA
Hobnobben Film Festival (2023) Official Selection: “I Want to Undie You,” in Collaboration with Jaki Shelton-Green, Poet Laureatte of North Carolina, Indiana
Rogue Dancer Film Festival (2023) Official Selection: “Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis” in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker, Raleigh, North Carolina
Hobnobben Film Festival (2023) Official Selection: “Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis” in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker, Indiana
London International Monthly Film Festival (2022) Official Selection: “Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis” in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker, London, United Kingdom
Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (2022) Adjudication Panel, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Greensboro Dance Film Festival (2021) Official Selection, “I Want to Undie You” in collaboration with Jaki Shelton-Green, Poet Laureate of North Carolina, Greensboro North Carolina
Ernie Barnes Celebration of Movement (2019) NC Museum of History “Trouble in the Pocket” & “Bourgeois Blues”
Adjudication Engagements
Screen Dance International (2021) Adjudicator, Michigan
Winona State University (2021) Invitation for Student Choreographer’s Panel, Winona, Minnesota
Professional Activities
International Association of Blacks in Dance
Collegium for African Diaspora in Dance
North Carolina Dance Education Organization
National Dance Education Organization
Service Activities
Service to the University
Black Lumen Project Director (2025-Present)
Committee on History and Memory (2025-Present)
CATL Diversity Inclusion Grant Committee (2024)
African & African American Studies Coordinator (2022-2025)
Renaissance Scholars Program at Elon Co-Director (2023-2025)
Poverty & Social Justice Advisory Committee Member (2023-2025)
College of Arts & Sciences Dean Search Committee Member (2023)
Faculty Fellow for Equity & Inclusion Search Committee Member (2023)
CREDE Black Solidarity Conference Committee (2022)
Elon Core Curriculum Committee (2022-Present)
Elon Core Curriculum Short Term Committee (2021-2022)
Elon University Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Taskforce (2021)
Elon University Black Employees Resource Group (2020-Present)
Donning of the Kente Committee Member and Choreographer (2019-Present)
Service to the Department
Concerts (Choreography & Direction)
Dancing in the Landscape (2024)
Spring Dance Concert (2022)
The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (2021)
Fall Dance Concert (2019)
Dancing in the Landscape (2019)
Black History Month Dance Concert (2019-2024)
Search Committees & Task Forces
Technical Director Search Committee (2022)
Dance Lecturer Tenure-Track Search Committee (2022)
Music Theater Director/Choreographer Search Committee (2021)
Performing Arts Department Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Taskforce (2019-2021)
Service to the Dance Program
Musical Accompanist Coordinator for Dance (2023-Present)
International Dance Day Instructor (2025)
Rhodes Student Project Grant Committee (2022)
High School Dance Day (2021-2024)
International Dance Day Instructor (2021)
Dance Program BIPOC Choreographer for Spring Dance Concert Committee (2021)
Elon Dance Auditions, Instructor & Interviewer (2018-Present)
Prospective Student Tours (2021-Present)
Student Organizations
African Diaspora of Elon (2022)
Elon African Society (2020-2022)
DanceWorks (2019-2022)
Service to the Profession
National Dance Education Organization Dance & Disability Committee (2025-Present)
Music Theatre & Dance Professionals in the Academy, Board Member (2020-2024)
Greensboro Dance Film Festival, Assistant Coordinator/Board Member (2019-2020)
Professional Development
Movement Principles Pilates Instructor Training – Balanced Body (2025)
Pilates Mat 1 Instructor Training - Balanced Body (2025)
Pilates Mat II Instructor Training - Balanced Body (2025)
Pilates Mat III Instructor Training - Balanced Body (2025)
Elon Information & Technology Padlet Pilot Program (2025)
CATL Undergraduate Research Program Mentor Workshop on Writing about Undergraduate Research Mentoring for Professional Development and Advancement (2024)
Elon Information & Technology Shared Data Governance Around Gen AI Training (2024)
CATL Letter of Recommendation Workshop (2024)
CATL Asynchronous Summer Teaching Workshop (2024)
CATL Summer Writing Institute (2022)
Anti-Racism Training with Kaja Dunn (2021)
Anti-Racism Training with NCCJ (2020)Awards
Provost Scholar Award at Elon University (2024) Khairi Morrow, in Collaboration with Dr. Takudzwa Madzima "Feel the Beat, Connect the Energy, Understand the Culture, Heal the Heart"
Honorable Mention Best Documentary (2023) London Monthly Internation Film Festival, London United Kingdom "Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis” in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker
Best Unscripted Short Award (2022) Hobnobben Film Festival, Indiana "Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis” in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker
Semi-Finalist Best Documentary (2022) Nutmeg Film Festival, Connetticut "Reclaiming Power: The Black Maternal Crisis” in Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Baker