Cemiyon Barber (dancer)

Cemiyon Barber, born in Jackson, Mississippi, began his formal dance training at The Academic and Performing Arts Complex (APAC), an afterschool program affiliated with Jackson’s Public Schools. Cemiyon was then given a scholarship to study at Idyllwild Arts Academy summer program in California and later received a scholarship to continue studying at the year-round boarding school. He also studied at Ballet Austin’s summer program. Cemiyon graduated with his High School Diploma, Arts Degree, and a full academic scholarship to the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase, where he later earned his BFA. While at SUNY Purchase, Cemiyon received the Adopt-A-Dancer Scholarship and performed works by Azure Barton, Jonathan Ridel, Brian Enos, Norbert De La Cruz, Nejla Yatkin, Keerati Jinakunwiphat, as well as George Balanchine’s 4 Temperaments and Concerto Barocco. While freelancing in NYC, Cemiyon has had the pleasure of working professionally with Bill T. Jones, Kyle Abraham, Christopher Williams, Austin McCormick, Liz Gerring, Megan Williams, Staycee Pearl, and Vladimir Varnava. Cemiyon also participated in Merce Cunningham’s night of 100 solos in California 2019, and has completed many workshops with the Merce Cunningham Trust. He has been featured in fashion editorials for Vogue Russia and Numero Berlin, while also making guest appearances on TV networks PBS Social and MTV. Cemiyon was mentioned in The New York Times twice in 2021, as well as The New Yorker in 2017 and 2021.