APA Master Teacher Bio

2009 Master Class

in contemporary modern dance

with

Broadway cast member of:

The Lion King

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Omaha Nebraska native, Ray Mercer is presently in the Broadway cast of The Lion King. He began his dance training at the University of New Orleans. He furthered his studies with Deeply Rooted Theater (Chicago, IL) and at The Alvin Ailey American Dance School and Broadway Dance Center (New York City). Ray was a company member of The Detroit City Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and was a guest artist with Boston Ballet and Joel Hall Dancers.

He has taught extensively for schools and community outreach programs including the Alvin Ailey Summer Camp Program, the Joffrey Ballet Educational Program, and the National High School Dance Exchange.

Ray won top honors for best presentation for his choreography representing the Lion King in the BC/EFA’s 17th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition in 2005. His work also earned The Michigan Dance Council Award and Chicago’s Black Theater Alliance Award. Ray has served as resident choreographer for the All-City Dance Companies in Detroit and Chicago. His choreography has been commissioned by Dallas Black Dance Theater, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and DRA:Dancers Responding to Aids/New York and has been featured in the New York Times, the Chicago Sun Times, and Movmnt Magazine.

Ray has worked with Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Stephanie Mills, Kevin “Iega” Jeff, George Faison and Louis Johnson.

Ray is a fantastic choreographer and his work is frequently featured in the New York area.