Sonya Tayeh is a New York City-based choreographer, teacher, and director. She is known for her powerful, athletic, and emotionally resonant choreography. Tayeh has worked across the worlds of dance, theater, and film, and she is one of the most sought-after choreographers working today.
Tayeh was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She began dancing at a young age, and she studied ballet and modern dance at Wayne State University. After graduating from Wayne State, Tayeh moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in dance.
In Los Angeles, Tayeh quickly established herself as one of the most talented choreographers in the city. She created choreography for music videos, television shows, and feature films. She also choreographed for a number of dance companies, including the Los Angeles Ballet and the San Jose Repertory Theater.
In 2009, Tayeh joined the cast of the Fox reality show So You Think You Can Dance as a choreographer and guest judge. She quickly became one of the most popular choreographers on the show, and her work was praised by critics and viewers alike.
Tayeh has choreographed for a number of Broadway productions, including Kung Fu (2013), Moulin Rouge! (2019), and Six (2022). She has also choreographed for a number of Off-Broadway productions, including The Wild Party (2013) and The Band's Visit (2017).
Tayeh's work has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations. She has won two Tony Awards for Best Choreography, for her work on Moulin Rouge! and Six. She has also won a Lucille Lortel Award, an Obie Award, and two Emmy Awards for her choreography.