Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Rushing.
Hi Emily, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a professional dancer and Pilates instructor in Austin. Started dancing more seriously at 14 where I danced on the drill team in high school and took ballet and jazz classes after school. I later pursued a degree in dance through UT Austin. After obtaining my BA in dance, I rigorously trained with as many local and international dance educators as I could and collaborated and performed frequently with other artists and companies, and continue to do so. I have danced in festivals, backyards, warehouses, parks and on top of buildings. Love the transformation that occurs in the creation of the work and in the space itself by stepping out of the traditional settings. Additionally, my goal has always been to connect to my community, break barriers and build up my fellow artists. I want to help break down the walls of gatekeeping on what art should and shouldn’t be and expose more of Austin to what our dance scene has to offer. Before the pandemic, I was co-creator of The Seam project – the vision of a multi-disciplinary team of artists seeking to connect their work to the neighborhoods they live in, give to, and thrive from. We focused on offering performance opportunities to emerging and established artists in the community by putting on productions showcasing their work in various neighborhoods of Austin, forging new connections with the people of our city. It was really rewarding to be a part of that and I look forward to hopefully begin that work again in whatever new shape it takes. At the moment, I feel like I’m just getting back on track after the last bizarre year we have had during the pandemic. I choreograph solo and group works, dance with a site – specific aerial dance company, Blue Lapis Light, teach Pilates and contemporary dance and continue to create with other artists.
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?
No, I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road. Growing up with a passion to dance but not having much of the financial means to develop it was hard on me as a young person. I wished so desperately for more training for a long time. I think it built in a strength within me to never stop though, because my drive was so strong. I never stopped desiring to learn and get better. I struggled with confidence in my skills for a very long time. It was hard for me to believe in my strengths because I could only see what I was lacking.
I think a big challenge and also a driving force of living as an artist is never being satisfied. You never feel as though you made it, it’s a constant chase. But it’s also very rewarding. I am thankful that I finally feel like I’m stepping into my power and owning both the things I lack and what I have.
More recently, the pandemic didn’t make things easy on any of us. It threw a big wrench in the creative projects I was a part of, leading to a big halt on many things. During this break, I have learned so much about what I want and don’t want and am starting to let go of things that aren’t serving me anymore. I’m ready and fired up to continue to focus on my own projects for the rest of this year and next year.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently teach contemporary dance at First Street Studio (come take class with me on Tuesday nights 7:15-8:45pm), dance with Blue Lapis Light, and teach Pilates at I Am Total Wellness. I enjoy collaborating and dancing with many local artists and companies and over the years it is nice to see the community slowly grow and blossom into a bigger scene. I like to think of myself as a facilitator and collaborator and believe in lifting fellow artists up in the community. Unfortunately, we continue to see a decline in dance and theater performance spaces over the years. It’s forced us to be more scrappy and inventive with where we create and perform. I have my eyes set on some new big goals involving starting my own dance collective and owning my own business to serve the creative community, so stay tuned!
It’s also been a fulfilling experience to be able to collaborate with my partner, Cody on fun interactive projects. I’m most proud of collaborating with him and Carissa Fisher in 2018 on an interactive dance piece with lights. It was accepted into Austin Dance Festival and following the festival, I received a nomination from the Austin Critics Table for best dancer. I’m looking forward to delving back into another project with him this year and seeing what we come up with.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Oh absolutely. Big props to educator and artist Ellen Bartel. She was the first artist in Austin who I really looked up to and who I felt truly believed in me. She made me feel like I had a home in the dance community in Austin. I will never forget it. Of course, I’ve had many amazing educators along the way that I feel it’s too many to name. I am so fortunate to have all the dance friends I do and feel like I am an integral part of the community. So thankful for my husband, Cody and my family also. The love and respect I feel from them keep me going!
Contact Info:
- Email: Em.boykin@gmail.com
- Website: Emily-rushing.com
- Instagram: Emrrushing
Image Credits:
Sarah Annie Navarrete and Earl McGehee
