Joya Powell facts for kids

Joya Powell, born on January 15, 1979, in Manhattan, is a talented choreographer, teacher, and activist. She is also known as Joya Powell-Goldstein. She won a special award called the Bessie Award for her amazing dance work. Joya is the founder and artistic director of a group called Movement of the People Dance Company. She is famous for creating powerful dance-theatre pieces that talk about important issues like fairness and equality for all people.

Growing Up and Learning

Joya grew up in Harlem, a neighborhood in Manhattan. Her mother was from Jamaica, and her father was Jewish. When she was young, Joya learned to play the violin at Harlem School of The Arts. She also studied dance at Dance Theatre of Harlem. After finishing LaGuardia High School, where she focused on theatre, Joya went to college.

College and Discovering New Cultures

She earned her first degree from Columbia University. There, she studied Latin American cultures and creative writing. Later, she got her master's degree in Dance Education from NYU Steinhardt School.

While at Columbia, Joya spent two years studying in Salvador Bahia, Brazil. This helped her learn more about different cultures. After college, she went back to Brazil for two more years before going to NYU. During this time, she worked with an Afro-Brazilian Carnival group called Ilê Aiyê. She helped them with translating, photography, and representing them internationally. Their teachers taught her Samba Afro, dances of the Orixás, and how to use art to make a difference. She also studied at Fundação Cultural da Bahia, where she learned more about contemporary dance and other Brazilian folk dances.

While at NYU, Joya learned about a peaceful protest movement in Argentina called Las Madres de La Playa de Mayo. This inspired her to start her own activist dance company, Movement of the People Dance Company (MOPDC). Through MOPDC, Joya creates dance-theatre that shares the stories of people who might not have a way to express themselves.

Dance Career and Activism

Even though Joya was known as a "radiant performer," she chose to create her own dance works that focused on social issues. When she returned to New York, she built her company. She presented her choreography at many well-known places. These included BAAD!, Webster Hall, Bryant Park, chashama, Bronx Museum of the Arts, Summerstage, University Settlement, and Lincoln Center.

Award-Winning Work

In 2016, Joya became widely recognized for her piece Song And Dance You. This dance directly addressed the Black Lives Matter movement, which is about fighting for justice and equality for Black people. For her strong commitment to issues of fairness and race in our communities, Joya received the 2016 Bessie Award for Outstanding Emerging Choreographer. The award recognized how she connected with the audience, making it clear that these concerns affect everyone and require action.

Besides her concert dance work, Joya has also choreographed many plays that have received great reviews. These include Job by Thomas Bradshaw, Fit For a Queen by Betty Shamieh for Classical Theatre of Harlem, and The Trojan Women at The Flea Theater. Her theatre work is often praised for its excellence, especially in The NYTimes.

Teaching and Mentoring

Joya Powell is also a respected educator. She has taught as a guest artist and lecturer at many famous institutions. These include Pennsylvania State University, Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance, Gibney Dance, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Teacher's College, Columbia University, Queens College, Brooklyn College, Kean University, NYU, SUNY Stonybrook, Barnard College, and Movement Research. As of 2025, she teaches at Hunter College and SUNY Old Westbury. She also continues to create new dance pieces.

Personal Life

Joya is the third of four children. She has two sisters and one brother. Her mother is Jo-Ani Johnson, who is known for her love of tea, great style, and modeling.