Judy Lynn Edwards

JUDY L. EDWARDS Native of Newark, NJ, graduated from the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts (known as ARTS HIGH SCHOOL).1979 - 1982 - attended Jersey City State College in Jersey City, NJ as a Commercial Art and Photography student and minored in Performing Arts after joining The Sulaiman Dance Company and the Black Dance Club at JCSC.1980 - 1996 - Active dance member of THE INTERNATIONAL AFRIKAN-AMERICAN BALLET, P.A.S. based in Brooklyn, NY.1984 - As a member of I.A.A.B., traveled to West Africa to further study the traditional customs and folklore of West African dance, music and song. While there, performed and visited Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and The Gambia. In the U.S., performed at New York City's Lincoln Center, The Apollo Theatre, Radio City Music Hall, Symphony Space, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Harlem World and the Brooklyn Academy of Music's "DanceAfrica" Festivals just to name a few.1984 - 1996 - Performed on several occasions as a guest artist/performer with Dundu Dole' West African Ballet (Richard Byrd, Artistic Director and Malik Sow, Musical Director), in Ithaca, NY, Umoja International Afrikan-American Ballet (Oswald Simmons, Artistic Director), Spektrums Afrikans Dance Company (Zul-Latifatu, Artistic Director) in New Jersey.1995 - 1997 - Taught and promoted various weekly African dance classes/workshops throughout the New Jersey area, including 7 fitness centers/health spas such as LIVINGWELL LADY and LUCILLE ROBERTS.October 1997 - Relocated to Richmond, VA.1999 - 2012 - Served as an occasional substitute/guest artist at Virginia Commonwealth University's dance studio for Faye Walker of Ezibu Muntu African Dance and Cultural Foundation. Judy then began to teach weekly Traditional West African dance classes at The Camel, The Richmond Christian Center, Expressions Dance Studio, Armstrong High School, ACAC Richmond Fitness & Wellness Center. Served as Assistant Organizer of various events for Salsa Family of Friends meetup group.2010 - 2013 - Instructor of Traditional West African dance techniques at the Powhatan Hill Community Center. The focus isto improve body tone, flexibility, coordination, discipline, fitness and cardiovascular health. Uniquely it incorporates aspects of dances from different parts of the African continent emphasizing the aerobic and muscle strengthening qualities. 2010 - 2017 - Organizer of the Richmond African Dancers, Drummers & Singers (RADDS) meetup group. And also serves as a guest artist for various performances with Claves Unidos (Kevin LaMarr Jones, Artistic Director) in Richmond, VA.2015 - 2018 - Instructor of West African dance meets House Music at the Powhatan Hill Community Center. This class focusesto improve body tone, flexibility, coordination, discipline, fitness and cardiovascular health by incorporating Traditional West African dance styles, movements and techniques through the various sounds and rhythms of House Music.2023 - present - Instructor of Traditional West African dance, song and more at the Powhatan Hill Community Center.