Ta’Shayla Montgomery

Ta’Shayla is a native of East St. Louis, IL. Having left the area to pursue her education and career, she has returned home and currently teaches Dunham Technique at SIUE East St Louis Performing Arts Center and SIUE Charter High School, as well as working as a freelance choreographer in the Greater St Louis Metropolitan Area.

Ms.Montgomery started dancing at age 9 at the SIU East St.Louis Center, formerly known as PATC (Performing Arts Training Center). There, Ms.Montgomery trained with Certified Master Dunham Teacher Theodore Jamison, Certified Dunham Teachers Jamila Ajanuku and Keith Tyrone Williams, and PATC graduates Andrea Smythe, Earl Wilkes and Jack Williams. At the Katherine Dunham Centers for the Arts and Humanities, Ms.Montgomery continued her training with Certified Master Dunham Teacher Ruby Streate, Certified Dunham Teacher Heather Himes, and James Belk (Master Drum Instructor). Ms.Montgomery occasionally performed with Innervision Dance Theater under Mr. Keith Williams, and was a company member with COCA Dance Company at the Center of Creative Arts in University City, MO under the direction of Lee Nolting. Ms.Montgomery has frequently attended the Katherine Dunham Seminar since age 9, where she had the opportunity to continue training in Dunham Technique with Certified Master Dunham Teacher Rachel Tavernier, Certified Dunham Teachers Penny Godboldo and Patricia Wilson, and more. 

Ms. Montgomery traveled frequently with Master Dunham Teacher Theodore Jamison as his Demonstrator at Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and Philadanco, which allowed opportunities to perform alongside their company dancers.

After graduating from Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in East St. Louis, Ms.Montgomery continued her education at Stephen’s College as Dance Major, furthering her studies in Ballet, Graham, Horton, and Limon Dance Techniques. She transferred to Howard University receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts and an MFA in Acting for Film at New York Film Academy. She was a full scholarship student at Dance Theater of Harlem, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. Ms Montgomery worked in numerous runway fashion shows, commercial print and TV /film work, such as grocery store commercials like, Save a Lot, Tyler Perry Sistas, Bobby Brown Story, The Quad, Netflix Film “The Six Triple Eight”, as well as an appearance in KQED “If Cities Could Dance “.

Ms. Montgomery has received acknowledgments such as National Honors Society of Dance, Dance St.Louis Career Award, and “Brown Girls Do Ballet” Ambassador. Ms.Montgomery has worked with artists such as Debbie Allen, Tyler Perry, Ray Mercer, Jamal Story, Hinton Battle and many more.