Sylvia Soumah

Sylvia Soumah is the Founder/Artistic Director of Coyaba Dance Theater (Since 1997)

Coyaba Dance Theater has celebrated over 20 years of portraying outstanding performances in Traditional West African dance and drumming and theater. Coyaba is a 2001 and 2004 recipient of the DC.Dance Award for outstanding group performance. Sylvia has collaborated with Daniel Burkhoder (My Ocean is Never Blue) StepAfrika Kingman Island Festival (DC) Usuthu Arts Productions (South Africa) Salamata from Ghana, West Africa,Jessica Phillips Silver: Finding Rhythm! The Journey Through The Musical Brain (2020) Inspired Child educational Music Video A to Z This is MY DC music & dance Video Coyaba Performed at the Ethiopian Embassy for Micheal Jackson receiving the Humanitarian Award (2004) for his work in africa, Co-Choreographer/Performer with What’s Going On touring company under the direction of Vincent Thomas. She has studied in Guinea Conakry, with Ls Ballet Africaines, and Senegal under the direction of Bouly Sonko, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Senegal. Sylvia has performed and studied with Wo’se Dance Theater, Moustapha Bangoura, Mamady Keita, Fadouba O’lare, Mabinity Bangoura, Erika Thimey, Dance Projects (Debra Riley) Carla & Co. Sylvia is the head of Dance Place African dance Program, Artistic Director/Griot of Dance Africa DC. Washington Performing Arts 2015 Pola Nirenska Award for outstanding contributions to the field of dance and education. 2020 Marcus Mosiah Garvey Outstanding Community Service Award 2024 Pola Nirenska Lifetime Achievement Award in Dance. She currently performs and teaches at, Coyaba Academy, Dance Place, Inspired Child, John Eaton Elementary, Inspired Child, Washington Performing Arts, and Yamz.

Learn more about our teaching artists!