Gurman is an accomplished teacher, choreographer and dancer with over 30 years of experience. She taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as she studied for her dance degree and continued teaching at Middleton High School, Memorial High School, Jefferson Middle School and West High School. During this time, Gurman was able to touch the lives of countless young people, many of whom have pursued careers in dance due to her influence. In 1981, Gurman received her M.S. in dance from UW-Madison. She credits Professors Louise Kloepper and Claudia Melrose as having the most profound influence on her work in dance and Professor Brian Edmiston for her use and understanding of dram in education and dance. Gurman has performed with the Anna Nassif Dance Theatre, serving as co-choreographer, and for the past 14 years, she has taught dance, drama and creative movement to Hawthorne Elementary School students in Madison. Gurman continues her professional dedication to teaching through her membership in the first Wisconsin cohort for the Courage to Teach, a groundbreaking program world-renowned educator Parker Palmer established for educators.
Since 1993, Gurman has toured with Call for Peace, premiering her solo, “Miriam’s Dance” at the 100 Year Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago, 1993, following an address by the Dalai Lama. Miriam’s dance tells of the Jewish liberation from Egyptian bondage when God parted the Red Sea to allow passage to the other side for the beleaguered Hebrew people. The dance depicts Miriam’s celebration of freedom and thanksgiving, as well as her plea for peace and the recognition of humanity in all people. Miriam dances with a timbrel (a tambourine) in her hand as she celebrates with the Hebrew women who have escaped bondage in Egypt. As she gives thanks for her people’s emancipation, she turns toward the Red Sea and watches in horror and grief as the Egyptian army drowns in the tempest of the closing sea. For Miriam, as for all peace loving people, the death of anyone—even in the context of a flight for freedom—remains a great tragedy. Gurman dedicates her performance to her mother, Miriam, and all the mothers who wish for peace throughout the world.