Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Payton Johnson began her formal dance training at Jean Leigh Academy of Dance. There, she trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop and focused on strengthening her technique in an effort to fulfill her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Being accepted into The Juilliard School in 2017 was a goal achieved and the next step to becoming a true artist. Over the past four years, Payton has had the honor of performing new works by Bryan Arias, Nelly Van Bommel, Andrea Miller, and Matthew Neenan and repertoire from Martha Graham and José Limón. Payton made her professional dance debut at the age of eight as a ballet student in the major motion picture The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and followed that in the role of “Clara” in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at age eleven. While attending summer intensives at Juilliard, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Arts Umbrella, Payton has been fortunate to learn repertoire by Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Jiři Kylián, and William Forsythe. Upon graduating from Juilliard in 2021 with a BFA in Dance, Payton will utilize the gifts she has received and the knowledge she has gained from this truly rewarding experience to propel her into the world of professional dance.