SUSIE PAYNE

Susanne Payne was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio where she danced professionally with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s touring company, performing works by such noted choreographers as Eleo Pomare, Donald Byrd, Rennie Harris, and Ron K. Brown. She has also danced with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company in New York City as well as Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Payne received her BFA in Dance with a minor in Psychology from Wright State University and has set several choreographic works for both professional companies and regional academies nationwide.

With 18 years of experience in both teaching and choreography, Ms. Payne is passionate about spreading her love for self-expression through contemporary dance and making her class accessible yet challenging for all. In 2021, she moved to the Atlanta area to attend Emory University’s Physician Assistant program and will graduate in December 2023! She has a two-year old son named Yakobi and enjoys yoga, cooking, reading, and playing piano in her free time!