MURIEL FOSTER (Director) attended the Sammy Dyer School at the age of ten. She furthered her education in dance under the tutorship of Carl Shook, lead dancer with the "Ballet Russe." She studied tap with Cholly Atkins a well renown choreographer. Her professional career began in 1950 as a member of the "Dyerettes," traveling throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Mrs. Foster has toured with many of the "greats" of show business such as Sarah Vaughn, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole. The highlight of her career was a national tour with Sammy Davis, Jr.. Since 1960, she has managed the Sammy Dyer School's administration as Deputy Director and became Director in 1998. In February 2005, she shared the podium with Joan Gray of the Muntu Dance Theatre, Najwa I of the Najwa Dance Corps, and Joseph Hall of the Joel Hall Dance Center as an inductee of the History Makers. In May 2007, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project presented the "JUBA" Award for lifetime contribution in the field of dance from the Board of Directors. Her valuable experience and knowledge of show business and over thirty years in human resources have helped her to develop the school into the artistic monument it is, today.
ELAINE BLAIR (Creative Director - Ballet/Lyrical and Jazz) began her training with Enid Collins, then later studied at the Sammy Dyer School, Joel Hall, Alvin Ailey and Columbia College, where she earned her B.A. degree in Dance. She has taught and performed in many of the Cultural Exchange Programs with Bahamas Dance Theatre. Elaine has opened for musical acts such as Sister Sledge and the Spinners at the Arie Crown Theatre, in addition to television and film performances. Presently, she is the Director of the Dance Department at Carver Military Academy.
IDELLA DAVIS (Creative Director - Tap) began her training at the Sammy School of the Theatre under the tutelage of Mrs. Shirley Hall-Bass, Mrs. Muriel Foster, and Mr. Teddy Levy. She is recognized as both a skillful artist and one Chicago's most sought after tap instructors. Idella has been featured in numerous Tap festivals throughout the United States and Europe including: Heidelberger Steptanz-Festival, Jazz Tap Ensemble's Tribute to the Nicholas Brothers, The Michigan Tap Festival, Tappin' In the Twin Cities and the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. Idella is currently an active member of the Spirit of David Adult Dance Ministry of the Salelm Baptist Church of Chicago.
JEENA BRADLEY (Creative Director - Acrobatics, Performing Arts Coordinator) began and studied dance and acrobatics at the age of ten. She continued developing her skills at the Rainbow Beach Community Center, park districts, and high school teams. She also studied at Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre under Roger Franklin and Mrs. Shirley Hall-Bass. After receiving her Masters Degree, she continued to train over 4600 youths for public and private programs. Students whom she has trained, have placed 1st in regional and national level competitions. She was awarded most outstanding youth service award from the Cook County Juvenile Court Presiding Judge. She also coached the CSU Jr. Dance Team and the students at St. Jude Educational Institute.
ROBIN EDWARDS (Creative Director of Music and Tap Instructor) joined the Sammy Dyer family in 2000 as an assistant vocal coach. Her career had a novel beginning when, at the age of four, she began to play the piano on her own by ear. Later she studied at Mayfair Academy and the American Conservatory of Music. Robin is currently the Director of Music for Christian Concepts International Ministries as well as an accomplished worship leader and songwriter.
RASHEDA GAITHER (Instructor - Performing Arts and Acrobatics) studied Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Acrobatics under Shirley Hall-Bass, Joel Hall, Joseph Holmes, Joe Tremaine, Carlton Smith and David Torrente. She has directed and choreographed Youth Groups that performed at Walt Disneyland and placed in Regency, Applause and Tremaine Competitions. She was a member of the Chicago State University's CheerleaderTeam and the University of Illinois Circle Campus Dance Team. Rasheda has trained over 2,000 children in ballet, jazz, tumbling and modern dance for the Chicago Park District, Citywide Organizations, Churches and Private Schools across the Chicagoland Area. She currently teaches dance at the St. Jude Educational Institute. After receiving a M.S. degree and working as a scientist by trade she currently teaches at Sammy Dyer School with great pride.
SHAFEQAH BOLDEN (Instructor - Ballet/Lyrical and Jazz) is a former student of Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre. She began her dance training at the age of 5 at Bell Dance School in Chicago. She enhanced her training at Joseph Holmes, Joel Hall, KMG Cultural Dance Program, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre in the areas of ballet, lyrical, modern dance, tap, and jazz. She has had over ten years experience choreographing ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance for productions as well as competitions. Her dance performances include Disneyland in California, Disney World in Florida, the Jenny Jones show as well as performances in Las Vegas, Ohio, Missouri and the Bahamas. After receiving her MEd. Degree, she continues assisting as an all-around instructor and choreographer at Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre.
TASHA GIBSON (Instructor - Jazz) has been a part of the Sammy Dyer Family for 15 years. She received the majority of her dance training from the late Shirley Hall-Bass, Ted Levy, Ron Wilson, Elaine Blair, and Idella Davis. Tasha has performed throughout the United States as well as the Bahamas, Jamaica, and West Indies. She is a member of Rhythm Iss and Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago. Currently, she is a dance instructor for the Chicago Public School System.
JUMAANE TAYLOR (Instructor - Tap) is a young tap dancer who has been dancing since the age of 7. He began studying tap at Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre. This experience has helped broaden his horizon as a dancer. Since then, Jumaane has done numerous performance with ETA Creative Arts Foundation, Inc. and won first place in the annual All Chicago Tap Off. Jumaane has performed with Bril Barrett and Martin Dumas III in festivals all over the U.S. He has had the opportunity of studying and sharing the stage with Savion Glover, Dianne "Lady Di" Walker, Sam Weber, Robert Reed, Van Payne, Jr., Jay Fagan and Ted Levy. Jumaane has also traveled to Oklahoma, Florida, and Michigan to dance at tap festivals. He danced at the St. Louis tap festival and the Chicago Human Rhythm Project. Currently, he is teaching, choreographing and performing with M.A.D.D Rhythms, founded by Bril Barrett and Martin Dumas III. Together they will teach the world how to tap.
FRAULINE Y. MILLER (Administrative Assistant) has had a long association with Sammy Dyer School of the Theatre since enrolling her daughter in 1959. Miller's dynamic energy and work ethic quickly entrenched her in the activities and administration of the school. Initially, she served as a member and officer of the parents' club. She has chapaeroned performing arts groups and had a major hand in the "Kiddy Cabaret" productions, in addition to front office responsibilities. Since then, Miller has managed public relations for the school, organized volunteers and participated in the Cultural Exchange Program with the Bahamas Dance Theatre and Freeman School of Gymnastics since 1966. She was a founding member of the board when Sammy Dyer achieved non-profit status in 1968.
OFFICE STAFF AND ASSISTANT TEACHERS
NICOLE ROBINSON - DIANE THOMPSON