Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards facts for kids
Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards is a famous American tap dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She was born on January 16, 1976, in Englewood, California. Many people call her "the mastress of her generation" because she is so skilled. In 1998, she married another dancer, Omar Edwards. They opened a dance studio together in Harlem and have three children.
Early Life and Training
Dormeshia started tap dancing when she was only 3 years old. Her first teachers were Paul and Arlene Kennedy at the Universal Dance Theatre. By age 8, she was already performing at the Tip Tap Festival in Rome, Italy.
When she was 12, Dormeshia performed on Broadway for the first time. This was in a show called Black and Blue. She danced with famous tap dancers like Gregory Hines and Savion Glover. In 1989, the New York Times newspaper said she was part of a young group who had "the certain something." After high school, Dormeshia became a solo dancer with Lynn Dally's Jazz Tap Ensemble.
Her Amazing Career
Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards also performed on Broadway in another big show. It was called Bring In Da'Noise, Bring In Da'Funk. She was the only female tap dancer in the show. At first, she even appeared dressed as a man! She has traveled all over the United States and other countries to perform.
As a teacher, Dormeshia has taught at many international tap festivals. These include the New York City Tap Festival and the Los Angeles Tap Festival. She also taught for K-Broadway in Tokyo and at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Today, she teaches dance at Barnard College.
After her experience in Bring In Da'Noise, Bring In Da'Funk, Dormeshia thought about new ways to teach tap. She wanted to create special techniques for women. She developed a course called "Women in Heels" at her Harlem Tap Studio. This course teaches a different style of rhythm-tap. It uses more flowing movements instead of the strong, straight-down steps often seen in traditional male tap dancing.
Dormeshia was also a featured dancer in the Broadway show After Midnight. For her performance in this show, she won an Astaire Award.
Awards and Honors
Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards has won several important awards for her dancing.
- In 2012, she won a Bessie Award for her amazing performance. This was for Jason Samuels Smith's dance piece "Chasing The Bird."
- She also received a dance fellowship in 1994.
- In 2017, she was given the special Princess Grace Statue Award.
Film and Music Video Work
Dormeshia has also appeared in movies and music videos:
- Tap with Gregory Hines
- Bamboozled, where she played "Pickaninny Topsy" and helped with the choreography.
- The Rodgers and Hart Story: Thou Swell, Thou Witty
- Michael Jackson's music video "Rock Your World"
