Nontzisi Dolores Cayou's Obituary
Nontzisi Dolores I. Ca was born in New Orleans on May 19, 1937. She was the oldest child born to Walter and Annice Kirton. Her family moved from New Orleans in the forties. Nontzisi graduated from Alameda High School, – Alameda, California. She was the president of her class. She received her degree from San Francisco state.
Nontzisi was a pioneer in the teaching of jazz dance. As a faculty member of the San Francisco State College since 1963, she was among the first teachers to offer a course in jazz dance at the college level. At all levels of her teacher… Including workshops for high school students and master classes for other teachers-she gave consideration to the heritage and distinctive character of jazz dance as an art.
Her abilities as a teacher were based on her intensive studies of Afro-Haitian dance and jazz dance. She has performed in revues and concert complanies, and she has choreographed many high school, college and festival productions.
Nontzisi was briefly married to Billy Cayou, a pianist & bass, jazz musician.
She had a passion for the dance group which she founded the Wajumbe Dancer at the African American Cultural center in San Francisco, CA.
Nontzisi was preceded in death by her parents; Walter and Annice Kirton, Sisters; Juanita Sterling, Brothers; Alvin & Marcel Kirton. She is survived by Brothers; Harvey, Andre & Renel Kirton.
Funeral Services will be held at 7th Ave. Baptist Church, 1790 7th Ave. Oakland, CA – 11:00 am on October 18th, 2019. Quiet hour will be October 17th at 4499 Piedmont Ave – Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland 4:00pm – 8:00 pm.
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