Hettie Vyrine Barnhill, is a choreographer-dancer raised in St Louis, Missouri. She started her dance career at the age of 3 at The Pelagie Green Wren Dance Studio. Barnhill made her Broadway debut in
Fela!
''Fela!'' is a jukebox musical with a book by Bill T. Jones and Jim Lewis, based on music and lyrics by the late Nigerian singer Fela Kuti, with additional music by Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean and additional lyrics by Jim Lewis. It is base ...
, a musical based on events in the life of groundbreaking Nigerian composer and activist
Fela Anikulapo Kuti
Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997), also known as Abami Eda, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the p ...
. Barnhill is a member of
Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, one of the nine African-American sororities.
Hettie Barnhill also participated in the
60x60 project's 60x60 Dance at the World Financial Center
Winter Garden Atrium
and at
The Sheldon
The Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri was designed by noted 1904 World's Fair architect Louis C. Spiering and built in 1912 as the home of the Ethical Society of St. Louis. Musicians and public speakers throughout the years have enjo ...
in her hometown St Louis, Missouri. In 2011, Hettie Barnhill became the dance coordinator for 60x60 Dance performances at
Dance Parade in New York City and at
The Sheldon
The Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri was designed by noted 1904 World's Fair architect Louis C. Spiering and built in 1912 as the home of the Ethical Society of St. Louis. Musicians and public speakers throughout the years have enjo ...
in St Louis, Missouri. - "It's the perfect mixture of improv and structure with the marriage of movement and music," Barnhill said.
In 2011 the NAACP honored Hettie Barnhill for her work as a singer, dancer, actress and choreographer. The award honors her achievement in arts and culture. Barnhill describes it as particularly meaningful because the entertainment business often focuses on looks, not character. "(That world) can be very superficial, and it can be taxing on your spirit," she said. "I know that's what I do, and I love it, but this award kind of makes it worth all the hardships that come with being an artist."
[http://www.fox2now.com/news/morningshow/kplr-20111005,0,5487606.story]
Articles
''A Few Minutes With Hettie Barnhill'' Alive Magazine, October 5, 2011 4:48 pm
BND, Saturday, Oct. 01, 2011
St. Louis stars lend talent to ‘Fela!’on stage and through Original Cast RecordingBy
Kenya Vaughn Of The
St. Louis American Wednesday, June 9, 2010
''Broadway Best - Hettie Barnhill of Fela! dances her way to the top of the world.''BY KRISTA-ALANA TRAVIS
Gotham Magazine
''Gotham'' was a regional magazine founded by publisher Jason Binn in 2001 and published by Niche Media, LLC. The magazine covered fashion, philanthropy, arts, culture, real estate, cuisine, celebrity, entertainment, and beauty. Published eight tim ...
References
External links
Hettie Barnhill Official WebsiteFela! Official Website Biography Page
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barnhill, Hettie Vyrine
Living people
American female dancers
Dancers from Missouri
People from St. Louis
Year of birth missing (living people)
21st-century American women