Princess Grace Statue Award, 2017

Princess Grace Award
Dance Fellowship, 1994
Jazz Tap Ensemble

Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards is one of the most dynamic professional hoofers of all time. She is a two-time Bessie Award winner (as performer and choreographer) and recipient of a Princess Grace Award, Hoofers Award, and Astaire Award for Best Female Performer in Broadway’s After Midnight. Additional Broadway credits include the Tony Award winning productions of Black and Blue and Bring In Da’Noise, Bring In Da’Funk. Dormeshia was integral to Noise/Funk’s International Tour (dance captain/principal) and performed as special guest for Grammy Recording artist Fantasia, and for International Jazz Day at The Kennedy Center collaborating with the legendary Al Jarreau and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

Film and TV credits include “TAP” with Gregory Hines, Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled” (Assistant Choreographer/actress), “The Rise and Fall of Miss Thang” (Best Lead Actress nomination), Superstars of Dance (representing the USA), Tops Commercial, and onscreen coach for MTV’s Made to name a few. Dormeshia was also the Tap advisor for Dance Magazine and the face of Capezio’s national Tap campaign. Choreography credits include Michael Jackson’s Rock My World, The Cotton Club’s Sophisticated Ladies, The Blues Project (co-choreographer/co-creator), and Jacob Pillow debut And Still You Must Swing with leading collaborators Jason Samuels Smith and Derick K. Grant (named New York Times’ The Best of Dance 2016).

With over 30 years touring the world, she also spent 11 years as Michael Jackson’s tap instructor. Throughout her career Dormeshia has established high standards for the art form of tap performance, choreography and instruction, where there is an emphasized balance of musicality, technicality, grace and presentation. She specifically credits her teachers and mentors Paul & Arlene Kennedy for giving her the foundations to excel throughout the industry.