Barbara McDaniel: Three decades of dance and discipline

For more than 30 years, Barbara McDaniel has been a commanding force in Jamaica’s dance theatre. Affectionately called ‘Miss B’, she is founder and artistic director of Dance Theatre Xaymaca (DTX) and longtime leader of the Wolmer’s Dance Troupe. Her artistry has carried Jamaican stories across the world while nurturing generations of dancers at home.

From September 26–28, McDaniel and DTX will mark their 30th Anniversary Season of Dance at the Little Theatre in St Andrew. The season blends celebrated works from the repertoire with new creations by Orville McFarlane, Onaje Bell, Jevon Ferril and Joshua Craigie.

McDaniel’s journey began at the Jamaica School of Dance in 1985. Within six years, she was already a standout choreographer, leading Wolmer’s Preparatory School to 60 gold and 15 silver medals in the JCDC’s National Dance Competition. She went on to earn the Ivy Baxter Award for Excellence in Dance before launching Dance Theatre Xaymaca in 1995 with her senior Wolmer’s students.

For her dancers, McDaniel is far more than an artistic director. “Miss Barbara was always more than a teacher,” said Dr Jeunette Small, now a parent with three children in the Wolmer’s troupe. “She made sure schoolwork was done before rehearsals. Dance was family.”

Cheryl Lawson Waite, a friend of over 40 years, recalls entrusting her daughter to McDaniel’s training. “She instilled discipline and balance. She has always been a second mother,” she said, noting that her daughter will return to the stage this season with other alumni.

Discipline and artistry

Inside the rehearsal hall, McDaniel’s reputation is built on discipline and artistry. “She can manage 100 dancers onstage and make them look sharp and cohesive,” said Natalie Gallimore, DTX’s associate artistic director. “Her eye for costuming is unmatched and she knows how to build a show that entertains every audience.”

McDaniel is also known for mentoring younger choreographers. “Miss Barbara is a legend,” said Charissa Clemetson. “She has shown us that leadership in the arts is about lifting others.”

Her influence reaches beyond dance. Conroy Wilson, executive director of The Ashe Company, recalls collaborating with her on a joint season: “We flowed seamlessly to create something extraordinary. In the artistic world that kind of effortless collaboration is rare.”

McDaniel’s accolades include the Badge of Honour in Choreography, AMCHAM Jamaica Business and Civic Leadership Award, Bigga High Achievers Award, and induction into the Caribbean Hall of Fame. She has choreographed for Jambiz Productions, the Festival Queen Competition, the 2007 Cricket World Cup Gala Opening and the National Grand Gala since 2005.

She has also given more than 36 years of service to Wolmer’s Preparatory School, shaping students not only as a dance teacher, but also as dean of discipline, development coordinator and events coordinator. Tours with DTX and Wolmer’s have taken her work to the Caribbean, the United States, Europe, Korea and China.

Though reserved offstage, McDaniel lights up when is speaking about her late mentor, Tony Wilson. “Celebrating this milestone is bittersweet because my Daddy, Mr. Tony Wilson, is no longer with us. Much of who I am today as an artist and leader was shaped by his teachings.”

As she reflects on three decades, McDaniel finds her greatest joy in seeing her “grandbabies”, who are the children of her former dancers, take the stage. For her, the legacy is clear: dance is not just movement, but discipline and love carried across generations.