Faculty & Staff

Dawn C. Humphrey-Shaw IV is a master dance educator and lifelong performing artist whose career spans over five decades of dedicated study, instruction, and artistic leadership. With a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts and their essential role in holistic education, Dawn has committed her life to shaping, inspiring, and training dancers across generations and disciplines.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Dawn began her formal training in the performing arts at the age of two and a half. She received early mentorship under Robert and Norma Taynton, former principals of American Ballet Theatre, earning a full scholarship to study under their guidance until the age of eleven. By twelve, she became a protégé with the Detroit City Dance Company under the direction of Carole Morisseau. At fourteen, she was awarded a full scholarship to both Marygrove College and Harbinger Dance Theatre, where her studies focused intensively on Russian ballet, Cecchetti technique, and pointe.

Dawn’s professional development continued as she trained extensively in a wide range of techniques, including Dunham, Graham, Horton, West African, Tap, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Liturgical Dance. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Western Michigan University, where she further honed her craft and deepened her academic grounding in dance and performance.

Throughout her career, Dawn has demonstrated a profound commitment to arts education and community impact. For 14 years, she worked with the Highland Park Board of Education in Michigan, where she successfully transformed three general education schools into performing arts magnet schools. She also served as a dance instructor at Wayne State University, mentoring emerging artists in both technique and professional development.

Since relocating to Atlanta, Georgia in 2007, Dawn has continued to teach at multiple studios across the metro Atlanta area, bringing her signature blend of classical discipline, cultural depth, and holistic mentorship to every class. Her pedagogical approach reflects a conservatory-style rigor while preparing dancers to pursue careers with esteemed institutions such as Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and other professional companies.

With over 52 years of experience in the Fine Arts, Dawn C. Humphrey-Shaw IV remains a passionate and visionary leader in the dance community. Her longevity and tenacity not only reflect her personal artistry but also serve as a living legacy of what it means to devote oneself to excellence, education, and empowerment through the arts