Payton is from Northern Colorado and began her dance training at The Conservatory and Loveland Dance Academy—better known as Dance Dream Studios—at the age of 4 where she danced on scholarship and competed. She attended Colorado State University and graduated Cum Laude and as a University Honors Scholar in May 2021 with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Business Administration. While attending school, Payton was selected for the Jane Sullivan School of Dance scholarship and the Creative and Performing Arts scholarship. At CSU, Payton had the opportunity to perform in over 15 shows, attend National Dance Education Organization, attend American College Dance Association, travel with the Outreach program where she performed and taught, and act as President of the Dance Student Advisory Committee. Throughout her 18 years of dancing, she has had the opportunity to take master classes under prestigious names including Denise Vale, France J. Roach, Jeri Kumery, Raffaele Morra, Lauren Gibbs, Cat Cogliandro, Kenny Wormald, and Mia Michaels. Payton moved to the Denver area to be closer to the buzzing dance scene the city has to offer. Her passions lie in contemporary dance, choreography, dance education, and dance for film. She plans to keep performing as long as she can while sharing her love for dance to others through teaching, choreography, engagement, and advocacy. Payton is very excited to begin teaching at MOVE by Morelli!
