We were lucky to catch up with Emma Morris recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Emma, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

Honestly, I just want to be remembered as someone that was nice. Yes, I also hope people remember me for my work as a dancer and choreographer, but at the end of the day, it’s how we treat others around us that really makes the difference. I love that I get to be a dancer and a choreographer for work. And I do hope that I am able to grow my business to one day achieve all the goals I have set for myself and become a big name in the industry. However, for me that is not the be all and end all. I want to be remembered as someone that was a light in the room – no matter what job or circumstance it may be.
Whilst I am very career driven, I also know that I was put on this earth to accomplish a whole lot more than just have a dance career. I want to make an impact on peoples lives, inspire, be inspired and shine a light when someone needs it. I know it sounds cheesy but we weren’t created to do life alone and I truly believe that the tiniest bit of kindest can go a long way. I’m not perfect at this by any means but I’m trying and that’s all that matters.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a dancer and choreographer from Auckland, New Zealand now based in New York City. I first became a dancer at age 5 because my grandmother put me in ballet lessons. At the time I did not like dance, well I didn’t like ballet. It wasn’t til I was about age 11 where I explored other styles of dance and fell in love with it. Just to set the record straight – I like ballet now and I think it is a very important style of dance for all dancers, but it is not my main focus. By age 13 I was training in Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Ballet and was part of my studios competition team. And by age 16 I was also teaching and choreographing dance at my dance studio; Stewart Dance Studios. Whilst dancing in New Zealand I was able to win multiple national titles, dance for the SkyCity Cheer Team and was featured on Dancing With the Stars New Zealand to mention a few highlights.
At age 19 I made the move to Los Angeles where I continued my dance training at AMDA College of the Performing Arts. After a great two years of dance education I was able to graduate with Honors, gaining my Associate degree in Dance Theatre. Soon after I graduated Covid hit, shutting down all the opportunities I was hoping would be open to me after graduation.
With Texas being open and having family friends that had just made the move from NZ, I moved to Dallas in the summer of 2020. Whilst in Texas I was able to pick back up my teaching and choreography skills, teaching for Studio B Dallas and the Dance Studio Network. I was also able to perform with Zion Dance project, Urban Performing Company and RevCrew.
At the end of 2021, I decided that I wanted to be back in a city that is more centered around the arts and made the move to New York City, without realizing that I would go back to Dallas more often than I thought.
I now live in New York City where I continue to teach (at DanceWorks), train, perform and audition. I also go back to Dallas once a month to choreograph and teach for Studio B’s competition teams and also went back over the summer to perform as a dancer in the Mary Kay 60th Annual Seminar.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative for me, is being able to see my thoughts come to life. I personally see music in videos and movies in my mind, so seeing what was just a late night thought come to life is the best gift. On the performance side, I love being able to explore different textures and dynamics within movement and see someone else’s vision come to life. Dance pushes my body to limits that I didn’t know were possible and I feel very fortunate to get to do this for a living.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think non-creatives might struggle to understand the why behind what I do what I do. And honestly, sometimes I do question the why myself because being an artist is not an easy career decision. As a christian, I do believe that dance is what God has called me to and something he has placed in my life for a reason. As much as another career choice would be easier, I just don’t think anything else will give me the same joy that dance brings to my life, and getting to dance with the Lord by my side just makes it that much sweeter.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://emma-morris.webflow.io/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma.morris/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmabarris9/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-morris-142b50192/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@emmamorris4332

Image Credits
Cameron Butryn Dwayne Taylor Photography