payal parida
Dancer & Programming Staff
Payal Parida is a dancer, teacher and choreographer, who graduated with a BFA in Dance, Minor in Entrepreneurship and Certification in Sales from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She has performed at various venues, including at Gibney Dance in New York City, Detroit School of Fine Arts in Michigan and the Konark Music & Dance Festival in Orissa, India. She has experience working as a Treasurer for the nationwide non-profit organization, We Are Queens, and was also an Entrepreneurship Minor Peer Advisor at the University of Michigan. Payal was most recently working on faculty at her the competitive dance studio that she grew up and trained at prior to college, Steps Dance Center. Payal is ecstatic to continue her passion for choreographing and teaching by being part of faculty for Activate Your Artistry for their 2024-2025 Tour.
Payal’s goal as an artist is to make a positive impact with her work, while also fighting for more diversity in the arts as a South Asian woman.
Other than dancing, Payal can also sing and act. She was involved in chorus for 6+ years along with musical theater for 4+ years. Her love for the performing arts is immeasurable, but she also loves to cook, binge Netflix, and spend time with her family and friends.