EMILY R. PORTER

Professional Dancer Clothing Designer Choreographer

Picture a young girl with Shirley Temple-esque hair dancing on a mountain side dodging cow pies in her bare feet. That is how I grew up on the Oregon Coast, Always dancing. Since then, I have experienced much of life through dance opportunities. As a professional working with ballet and contemporary companies across the country, I thrive in creative processes and exacting poise and precision. Dance is my life’s passion and joy; however, injuries have forced me to step back from it multiple times. The road to recovery has been tumultuous but has given me gratitude for my body and created space for me to explore many other pursuits in visual and studio mediums.

 

The one medium that particularly inspires me is clothing design. In the dance industry, everything is so focused on the outward experience of a person and first impressions. I have always been particular in how I express myself and have become very in touch with what I am trying to communicate in any situation. Clothing design is particularly fascinating to me. Having lived in many places has made me a very eclectic designer, but I primarily create nature inspired street wear – taken from my experiences in large cities as well as from the quiet simplicity of my roots in rural Oregon. I have a knack for recognizing the unseen, creating treasure from trash. Therefore most of my work consists of disregarded clothing, old drapes, curtains, and sheets turned into something new and unique. 

Emily Porter began her ballet career on the Oregon Coast, training at Marlo Dance Studio and Pacific School of Dance with special thanks to Christine Radar, Mary Paula, and Angela Steidle. She then continued at Marin Dance Theatre in San Rafael, California with instruction by Margaret Swarthout and Lynn Cox. She received Youth America Grand Prix awards and attended ABT, Ballet Arizona, and other summer programs. In 2019, she joined BalletMet’s second company directed by Edwaard Liang and also danced works of Alexander Ekman and Gustavo Ramirez Sansano. In 2020, Emily joined the Joffrey Ballet’s studio company under Ashley Wheater and Jose Carayol and performed virtual works by Nicolas Blanc and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. She then proceeded to Jacob’s Pillow and received the professional advancement award while dancing under Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Amy Seiwert. Emily then joined Charlotte Ballet in 2021 under the direction of Hope Muir.

Specific Dance Experiences and Shout-Outs

  • Professional Dancer at Charlotte Ballet: Aug. 2021 - June 2023

  • Choreographer for Charlotte Ballet: May 2023 - June 2023

  • Woven Fashion Incubator: Spring & Summer Sessions 2023

  • Jacob’s Pillow Onsite Contemporary Ballet Ensemble: July 2021

  • Joffrey Ballet Studio Company Artist: Aug. 2020 - 2021

  • BalletMet 2nd Company Artist: Aug. 2019 - 2020