Anthony Shay

Who is Anthony Shay?

Anthony Shay is a dancer and choreographer specializing in dances from Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. In 50 years of work he has created over 200 choreographies.

Shay created and directed several dance groups: Village Dancers, AMAN Folk Ensemble, and AVAZ International Dance Theatre.

In 1977 Shay earned a Ph.D. in dance history and theory from the University of California, Riverside, where he teaches dances of Iranian culture and M.A. degrees in anthropology, folklore and mythology from California State University, Los Angeles and UCLA.

On November 18, 1995, Shay received commendations from President Bill Clinton and the City Council of Los Angeles for excellence of his choreographies, honoring his forty years as a choreographic artist, during which he created over 150 works. The Kaleidiscope Festival has designated him as Distinguished California Artist in 1997.

Dr. Anthony Shay has been awarded a James Irvine Fellowship in Dance for 1998 as one of the eight top choreographers in California with a $30,000 fellowship for research in Iranian art.