VANIA CLEMONS BYNUM

Vania C. Bynum is an Artist and former Engineer who lives by the motto, “Feel the Fear, and do it anyway”.  She believes in arts education, serving the community, and pushing boundaries.

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Vania received a BA in Physics (Xavier University), a BS in Computer Engineering (Auburn University), and BA in Dance Performance (Cornish College of the Arts).  Heralded as the first Black woman to be elected Miss Auburn in 1993, in the backdrop of racial tensions at the university, Vania was nominated by the National Society of Black Engineers, and she ran on a platform of UNITY.  Her collaborative achievement marked an important milestone for the community at large and for diversity and representation at Auburn.  She was presented a formal resolution from the Senate of Alabama and featured in “The guide to 101 of the Best Values in America’s Colleges and Universities.”

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Vania has been a part of the Seattle Arts community for 20+ years and has performed at venues including the Paramount/Moore Theaters, Intiman Theatre, Benaroya Hall, Meydenbauer, Langston Hughes, Seattle Center, and local churches, leading the Liturgical Dance Ministry at New Beginnings Christian Fellowship for 11 years. Her Intiman Theater credits include The Lion Tells His Tale (2024) and Black Nativity (2023/24), which was nominated for Outstanding Choreography by the Theatre Puget Sound – Gregory Falls Awards.  VCBynum Arts & Education also received the 2024 Kwanzaa KUUMBA Award for creativity. Utilizing her gifts to directly support communities in need, Vania produced a Hurricane Katrina Relief Benefit in 2005, and in 2020 produced the We Inspire Humanity Concert. In addition to raising funds, artists were provided paid opportunities to share their talents.  Her efforts are supported by numerous local and national grantors.

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 Other organizations Vania has choreographed for include the Seattle Peace Chorus, Dr. Maxine Mimms Presents, Sound of the Northwest, Seattle International Dance Festival, Northwest Tap Connection, Tacoma Urban Performing Arts Center, Broadway Bound Children’s Theater and more. She danced the role of Clara in Spectrum Dance Theater’s Harlem Nutcracker (2022), performed at the 2nd Annual City of Bellevue Juneteenth Celebration (2023), choreographed/performed in “I Will Live Until I Die - the Life of Thea Bowman” musical (2024) and performed in Kent Stevenson’s “Gospel Magnificat” (2024). Performing with The Amazing Throwbacks, a 50+ dance group, Vania is dedicated to inspiring others to never stop dancing.