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Herman Payne

Student & Pre-Professional Division (Contemporary)/ Adult/Open Division

Herman Payne Juilliard graduate in Ballet, Herman Payne has appeared in a number of theatrical productions. A few of such include: the Aspen Ballet Company; the Second National tour and the International tours of Ann Reinking’s Tony Award winning show “Fosse”, choreographed and directed by Debra McWaters; the International tour of West Side Story, under the Direction of Joey McKneely; 9 to 5 on Broadway, choreographed by Tony Award winning Andy Blankenbuehler; The New York City Center Encore’s productions of The Wiz, choreographed by Tony Award winning, Andy Blankenbuehler; House of Flowers choreographed by Tony award winning Kathleen Marshall; Pajama Game, choreographed By Tony Award winning JOHN CARRAFA; THE ID of BOB, directed by HINTON BATTLE; and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, choreographed by LINDA HABERMAN, where Herman worked for 14 years (2000 – 2013).

In addition to Herman’s copious theatrical work on Broadway, internationally and with the Rockettes, he has spent many hours working in a completely different language of dance. He has performed in; Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Special; with Mariah Carey, Usher, Mya, Destiny’s Child, Whitney Houston, Deborah Cox, Thalia, Tony Moran, Lisa Lisa, Kevin Aviance, Love INC., and Camp LO, among others.

Herman has choreographed various industrials, and corporate events and has worked for a number of summer intensives, such as The Broadway Theatre Project, where he is now the CoArtistic Director with Debra McWaters, the Miami City Ballet, the Springfield Ballet, Performance Edge 1 and 2, The Theatre Arts and Minds, and The New World School of the Arts. Industrials Herman has choreographed and directed include such events as: LANA MARKS; Herbal Life; and The International Hustle and Salsa Competition Corporation.

Herman’s extensive and formal education in dance, other than Juilliard, is rounded out by his studies at; Interlochen School of the Arts, The Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Houston Ballet, Alvin Ailey, The Boston Ballet, and Jacobs Pillow. He is an ARTS winner, (Recognition and Talent Search which is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts), where he won the 2nd award level in Modern Dance and an Honorable Mention In Jazz Dance. He also received a 4 year partial scholarship to attend The Julliard School where he received his Bachelors in Fine Arts.

Ultimately, Herman’s Dance studies have made him far more than proficient In Ballet, Modern, Jazz, a Theatrical Approach to all types of Dance and Hip Hop / Jazz Funk . His work experience has made him one of the most popular choreographers and instructors in today’s dance world.

He is a Adjunct Professor at the New World School of the Arts, University of Florida and Miami-Dade Colleges, and a Resident Faculty member at the world-renowned Miami City Ballet school.