As a movement artist, Tanesha Payne (she/they) performs, creates, educates, and advocates for all things dance. Tanesha is the founder and artistic director of sumRset Movement, a professional contemporary dance company based in San Antonio, TX. She holds a BFA in Dance Studies from Texas State University and earned her MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Her journey merges academic insight with lived experience, shaping both her creative and educational practices.
As a teaching artist with over 10 years of experience—and a certified Wolf Trap Teaching Artist—Tanesha is passionate about making dance approachable, joyful, and meaningful. She specializes in using movement to support early literacy, self-expression, and connection across communities. Whether in classrooms, theaters, or public spaces, Tanesha creates inclusive environments where movers of all backgrounds feel seen, empowered, and inspired to move with purpose.