Shawn Garnier

 A former professional dancer with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, he went on to perform with Paul Taylor and John Selya of American Ballet Theatre, while also collaborating with recording artists on stage and in production. With 25 years in the performing arts, he has toured internationally, built nationally ranked college dance teams, and pioneered Fluid Flow, a yoga-based system that enhances performance and protects dancers from injury. At Purchase College, Shawn launched the hip hop class in 2009 during his first year of graduate school and has been a consistent presence for students ever since. He loves Purchase College, the students, and the creative energy of artists cross-pollinating ideas to discover possibilities they never imagined. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Shawn also brings a lived commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, mentoring students to find both artistic and personal strength in their identities. Known for bold vision and uncompromising standards, he doesn’t just meet expectations—he raises them, inspiring students, colleagues, and communities to leap higher.