Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Figueroa.
Hi Emily, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started with my mom (hey mom!) signing me up to take a combo ballet/ tap class when I was three years old. I was more fascinated with the full-length mirrors all across the room than my instructor or what she was teaching, so my mother decided to pull me out and start cheerleading with my cousin. It wasn’t until 1st grade where my best friend invited us to watch her dance recital that I even thought about putting the tutu back on. The minute the lights went out the music stopped and the rush of the dancers filed in for their final bow, I turned to my mother and begged her to sign me up.
I took every style of dance class the studio offered. Ranging from Hip-Hop and jazz all the way to Bellydance and Caperia. I moved to a different studio to enhance my training and traveled to competitions and conventions. All year long my mother and I would find the cheapest seats and bunk up with friends all over the country just to attend weekends of classes. One of the conventions I grew to love was Tremaine Dance Conventions, and I was so inspired by their Performance company. The next year, we flew out to LA for their open-call Company audition. I found out I made the company and knew I was going to do everything I could to pursue my dreams.
In High school, I enrolled at the New World School of the Arts, where I had 5 hours of academic classes and 3 hours of Ballet, Modern, and Pointe. Graduating with honors and my associate’s degree that fall, I moved to Los Angeles.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think anyone has ever told me pursuing your dreams would be easy. I sure was not expecting the amount of rejection and loneliness that I felt in my first few months in LA. Going to audition after audition, open calls, master classes I started to believe that maybe I wasn’t cut out for dance professionally. To quote the fabulous Lady Gaga, “There can be 100 people in a room, and 99 of them don’t believe in you, but all it takes is one, and it just changes your whole life.” After an audition that I got cut, one of the professionals on the panel pulled me aside to ask for my contact info. Two days later, I got the call that I would be performing with a headlong artist at the Hollywood Bowl. From there, everything started to ripple. Booking gigs regularly and meeting some of the top choreographers in the game Oththan Burnside and Michelle Soulchild.
Working in this industry is never predictable and most of the time frightening, but that’s what makes it so rewarding and fulfilling.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My first love will always be dance. There is no feeling like being on stage or behind a camera. But like my mom, I love to teach. I teach at a dance studio in West Hills called Carousel Dance Studio. Under the direction of Karen Lee Willes and her daughter Natalie Willes. They have challenged me and my choreographic abilities to places I didn’t know I was capable of. Working with strong, determined little dancers has blossomed a brand new love for this art.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice is to introduce yourself to EVERYONE. Make-up, Wardrobe, Tech, anyone on set or backstage. I have made so many connections, and have worked with so many talented people with similar stories like myself. LA seems so big at times, and it could feel like the biggest fish tank. But we are all here to create something special.
A now good friend of mine, Alyssa Sniff, who I worked for in my earlier gigs. Has now choreographed and produced a kick-a** burlesque show in Santa Monica. She has curated a show with powerful storytelling and dancers that are amazing. I am honored to dance alongside these women in this incredible show. Don’t believe me… come and find out!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Headshots by: Nico Gooden
