Stephen Shynes is a multifaceted interdisciplinary artist hailing from Washington, D.C., with a focus on choreography, teaching artistry, and creative direction. His journey began at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and culminated in a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Montclair State University, where he received the Choreographic Excellence Award in 2016. That same year, he was named second runner-up at the American College Dance Association for his piece “M-a-rgin”. Stephen's work spans a variety of platforms, including live performances, film, editorial, and multimedia installations. His choreography has been showcased at venues such as Judson Church, 92nd St Y Theater, the Martha Graham Studio Series, Triskelion Arts, Chez Bushwick, ACE Hotel, and CreateART, among others. He has also been commissioned to create works for pre-professional programs and schools, including The Joffrey Ballet School, Shenandoah University, and Newark Arts High School. As a performer, Stephen has collaborated with distinguished artists and companies, including Bill T. Jones, José Limón, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and Antonio Brown Dance. He has served as a teaching artist at the Martha Graham Summer Intensive, Tri-C Dance Academy, Gallim Dance, Mark Morris Dance Group, Montclair State University, The Public Theater, and various studios throughout the Tri-state area. Recently, Stephen was the movement director for BLANC Magazine’s 2024 shoot, “Getting Some Religion,” and Nio Levon’s live recording concert, “Manifest.” He served as the CUNY Dance Initiative resident artist at Medgar Evers College, where he workshopped and performed his evening-length work suRREALIST in several theaters across NYC and taught master classes to the Medgar Evers College dance community. Currently, Stephen is choreographing a new work for Shenandoah University, creative directing with musician Nio Levon in NYC, and serving as a teaching artist at The Apollo Theater, while continuing his work as a freelance creative artist.