Pedagogy
& Research

Image courtesy of Leslie Parker
​
Leslie Parker's experimental and intersectional work combines autoethnographic research, methodology, and dance.
​
Parker draws on over 20 years of experience performing and training in dances derived of the Black and African Diaspora. Her work uses multi/trans-disciplinary approach, and draws from unique lived experiences of an individual by referring to the body as an embodied archive, a source for an amalgamation of collective and individual memories.
Research & Writing
View CV
Call to Remember Essays & Statements on Collaboration, Improvisation, and Black Creative Research​. By Leslie Parker and Naimah Petigny, printed and distributed by Walker Art Center, in partnership with Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography (MANCC).
​
2023
"Call to Remember Methodologies: Reflections."By Naimah Petigny and Leslie Parker, published by Walker Art Center
​
2023
Teaching experience

Thresholds of Change, installation by Jordan Hamilton and Leslie Parker

Photo by Pat Berrett
Guest Assistant Professor
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA
-
Master Dance Class, Black Dance Improvisation (Undergraduate Level)
2024
Instructor
TU Dance Center
St. Paul, MN
-
Contemporary Experiment, Black Dance Improvisation (Open Company Class) March 11 & March 13
2024
Mini Residency
Temple University Dance Department
-
Improvisation (Graduate Level)
-
Neo Traditional African Dance (Graduate and Undergraduate)
-
Reflection/Response Artist Talk (Lecture)
2023
Lecturer (Full-Time Faculty)
University of Minnesota Theater Arts & Dance
-
Contemporary levels 5, 6, 7, 9
-
Composition I, II
-
African Diaspora levels 3, 4, 5
-
Rehearsal Director
-
ACDA Mentor
-
Faculty Choreographer-in-Residence for Student Dance Concert
2018-2020
Instructor (Contemporary Experiments Workshops)
TU Dance Center, St. Paul, MN
-
Pre-professional Contemporary Classes
-
Pre-professional Advanced Contemporary
-
Professional Advanced TU Dance Company Members
2017-2019
Adjunct Faculty
University of Minnesota Theater Arts & Dance
-
Modern I
2017-2018
Instructor (Summer Low-Residency Graduate Dance Program)
Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
-
Contemporary Experiments - Mentored Studio Practice
-
Contemporary Experiments - Improvisation + Technique + Performance
2017-2018
Instructor
Zenon Dance Company and School, Minneapolis, MN
-
Contemporary Experiments - Processes Unfolding
2017-2018
Artist Lead (Lake Street Arts Program)
Pangea World Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
-
"Movement/Resistance" Improvisation & Memory workshop initiative created by Leslie Parker in partnership with Cowles Center for Dance and Performing Arts, Zenon Dance Company and School, and Pangea World Theare
2016-2017
Substitute Instructor
Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY)
-
Modern I
-
Choreography II
2016
Teaching Artist (Master Dance Class)
Esther Boyer College of Music & Dance
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
-
African & Contemporary Technique Fusion
2015
Substitute Instructor
Sarah Lawrence College, Yonkers, NY
-
African Diasporic Dance
2015
Parker's autoethnographic research titled, Performing Identities in Real-time as Contemporary Practice in Dance, digs into place, lineage, and memory. She asserts that improvisation is also a critical form of expression for Black and Brown bodies in particular and while related to all improvisation models.
Teaching Experience Continued

Divination Tools: imagine home at Walker McGuire Theatre
Leslie Parker
Photo by Yasmine Yassin
​
Guest Artist
Threads Dance Project, Minneapolis, MN
-
Company Master Dance Class - Contemporary Dance Practices
2015
Instructor
Gibney Dance Center, New York, NY​
2014-2015
Instructor
Satellite Academy High School, New York, NY
-
World Culture Day
-
Afro-Modern
2012-2015
Instructor
St. Ursula High School, Bronx, New York, NY
-
African American Culture and Dance History
-
Contemporary Dance Practices
2011-2012
Choreographer, Teacher
Co-Program Development (Artist Activist Program)
Penumbra Theatre Summer Institute, St. Paul, MN
-
African Diasporic
-
Contemporary Dance Practices
2008-2012
Teacher
The William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs
-
International Dance & Culture
-
Afro-Modern
2007-2010