About Sylvia
Sylvia B. Bryant is an accomplished dancer, teacher, and choreographer specializing in sacred and contemporary dance. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee University and a master of science degree from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. Bryant attended the American Dance Festival at the Connecticut College of Dance in New London, Connecticut, where she was introduced to and studied with Martha Graham, Rod Rogers, Jose’ Limón, and Charles Weidman, all pioneers of contemporary dance. Bryant studied with the Alvin Ailey American Theater and Margaret Fisk Taylor-Doane a pioneer in the area of sacred dance, who put Sacred Dance on the map.
In addition to choreographing, teaching, and performing liturgical dance in churches ministered by her husband, the late Revered Fletcher Juan Bryant, for over 30 years, Mrs. Bryant directed the dance program at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has performed in numerous professional exhibitions in New York, Baltimore, and London. One of the highlights of her dance career took place at Wesley’s Chapel in London.
Bryant first’s published book on sacred dance, Dancing Through the Christian Calendar (Cokesbury, 1996), established her as a preeminent liturgical choreographer. In 2013, she was invited to participate in a community piece choreographed by Ronald K. Brown, of Evidence, A Dance Company, at BRIC House in Brooklyn. That same year, she traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, where she was featured in a tribute performance for Dr. Maya Angelou at the Paa ya Paa Arts Centre, founded by Phillida and Elimo Njau.
In addition, Bryant worked as the parent liaison coordinator for Montclair Public Schools in Montclair, New Jersey. She retired from the district in July of 2016. Bryant continues to choreograph, teach, and perform as the founder and director of the Call to Worship Liturgical Dance Ensemble, which travels and performs throughout the U.S. She is also a member of the Sacred Dance Guild, where she taught as a clinician at their annual festival.
Currently residing in Bethesda, Maryland, Bryant looks forward to continuing to share her passion and gift of dance with friends around the world through dance workshops, book readings, and lecture demonstrations.
Photos of Sylvia by photographers Susie Adamson and Diana Sherblom.
Sylvia B. Bryant not only gives African – American spirituals a new hearing, she ensures that they will be seen and felt in a new way. This book will help ministers and lay people alike bring the spirituals to life in their own congregations.
William B. McClain Retired Professor of Preaching and Worship, Wesley Theological Seminary