Ms. Barbara McDaniel is a multitalented individual who has a lifelong history spanning over three decades in the dancing and teaching fraternity. A creative and cultural being at heart, she obtained a Certificate in Dance from the Jamaica School of Dance in 1985. She became well known for her numerous contributions to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC’s) National Dance Competition during the years 1985 – 1991 where Wolmer’s Preparatory School was successful in winning Sixty (60) Gold Medals and Fifteen (15) Silver Medals.

She was also awarded as Best Junior Dance Teacher during that period, as well as the Ivy Baxter Award for Excellence in Dance in 1994.
Ms. McDaniel is a founding member of the Company Dance Theatre and has served as the Artistic Director of the Wolmer’s Dance Troupe since 1991, as well as Dance Theatre Xaymaca since 1996. Also, among the many accolades that Ms. McDaniel has garnered throughout her extensive career was being bestowed a Badge of Honour (BH) (M) in the Field of Choreography by the Governor General of Jamaica and receiving the AMCHAM Jamaica Business and Civic Leadership Award on behalf of the Wolmer’s Dance Troupe for a School or Community Based Organization in 2001.

As Ms. McDaniel continued to make an indelible mark on the creative arts industry, in 2012 she was the recipient of the BIGGA High Achievers Award for Outstanding contribution and service in the field of Dance and in 2014 she was inducted into the Caribbean Hall of Fame in recognition for her outstanding contribution in the fields of Dance and Choreography by the Caribbean Development for the Arts, Sports and Culture Foundation.

Ms. McDaniel has received Actor Boy nominations for Choreography for “Oliver’s Posse” in 2000 and “Jamaica to Rahtid” in 2008, as well as provided Choreography for numerous Jambiz Productions for the period 1999 – 2010, the JCDC National Festival Queen Competition 1989 – 2015, the JCDC National Grand Gala for the period 2005 – 2017, and the Cricket World Cup Gala Opening in 2007.

Throughout her career Ms. McDaniel has lead the Wolmer’s Dance Troupe and Dance Theatre Xaymaca on numerous tours to the Caribbean, the United States, Europe, Korea and China. She has also contributed choreography for yearly Dance Seasons for The Company Dance Theatre, Tivoli Dance Troupe and the Jamaica School of Dance.

While Ms. McDaniel has maintained an active presence in the dance industry, Ms. McDaniel has been fully involved in her teaching career. She has been employed to the Wolmer’s Preparatory School for the past Thirty-Six (36) years, and she currently serves as the Events Co-Ordinator and Dance Teacher and has served in various capacities such as Dean of Discipline, Development Co-Ordinator, Head of Ancillary Staff and Physical Education Departments.