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Payton Primer is originally from Dallas, Texas, where she trained at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She was a Contemporary/Modern Dance Finalist in the 2018 National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts YoungArts competition. Payton graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University/The Ailey School with three degrees: BFA in Dance, Anthropology, and International Studies with a concentration in Global Affairs. 

Payton has performed works by Lar Lubovitch, Paul Taylor, Robert Battle, Peter Chu, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Penny Saunders, Helen Simoneau, Ray Mercer, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, and Ethan Colangelo, among others. Payton has danced and performed internationally in Armenia, Georgia, and Germany as well as nationally throughout the United States. In 2022, she performed at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Spirit Gala. During university, Payton apprenticed with IKada Contemporary Dance Company and Jon Lehrer Dance Company. She has also performed as a member of Gaspard and Dancers, the Taylor Outreach Ensemble, Alison Cook Beatty Dance, and Adams Company Dance. 

Payton currently dances with Paul Taylor Dance Company.