Adjunct Faculty Member Sheila Barker Interviewed for NYPL Dance Oral History Project

Dance faculty member Sheila Barker was recently interviewed for the New York Public Library’s Dance Oral History Project.

According to the library’s website, the project “is a distinct collection of interviews that have been initiated and recorded by the Library in an effort to add to the existing primary source material available to researchers in dance.” It was first begun in 1974.

Barker, who has long been considered a creative force in the dance world, was interviewed by jazz dance artist, dramaturg, and scholar Melanie George. “People always think the edge is up top, but the edge is where you are,” Barker told her. “You are the edge. You are the star.”

Barker has a BFA in dance and has served as a teacher and choreographer for the past several years; in addition to MMC, she teaches at Broadway Center and the American Ballet Theatre. She is also the co-founder and director of Success America, a New York summer intensive program for aspiring dancers.

In addition, Barker has taught master workshops and choreographed in Japan, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Europe, and across the U.S. Her work includes industrials, live concerts, and videos for a number of recording artists. Her performing credits include the Broadway show Uptown…It’s Hot and the soap opera One Life to Live


We are so proud of you, Sheila!

Published: February 10, 2023