Emerson’s journey to the stage is one of true transformation — an artistic metamorphosis of a lifetime. 𐦍

Raised in a small, rural Texas town by a family with roots in the performance industry, she knew from the age of five that Broadway was her destiny. Her passion for the stage was undeniable, and she quickly made a name for herself as a child dancer and actor. By her teen years, Emerson had become one of the top award-winning dancers in the southern region of the United States, earning recognition for her talent, unparalleled discipline, and je ne sais quoi. As she continued to grow, she began working in Equity productions at several renowned regional theaters, further solidifying her place as a rising star in the industry.

Despite her early success and accolades — earning her the title of “destined for greatness” from her peers — Emerson’s path was marred by immense personal struggles. Behind the scenes, she battled severe mental health issues and trauma stemming from the pressures of the theatrical world, which began in her early childhood. These challenges, combined with the intense demands of the performance industry, often took a toll on her well-being.

After graduating from a prestigious fine arts academy in North Texas, she moved to New York City at eighteen, determined to pursue her dreams. Her relentless ambition and talent paid off as she quickly landed roles in musical theatre productions, earning her the title of “Rising Star” upon graduating from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy with the highest honors. Even before graduating at the age of twenty, she booked several regional theatre productions and a major national tour.

However, the onset of the worldwide pandemic shifted everything. With each job disappearing overnight, Emerson found herself battling deep depression, as the mental health struggles she had dealt with since adolescence resurfaced with force.

During this challenging time, she took the brave step of redirecting her career. Determined to help others who had experienced similar struggles, she pursued a degree in counseling psychology to become a therapist for artists like herself. Alongside her studies, she dove into spiritual transformation and healing, inspired by mystical experiences she’d encountered during her childhood. It was in this period of deep reflection that Emerson founded the Broadway Mental Health Foundation (BMHF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to filling the gaps in mental health care within the theatre industry. BMHF offers free resources, talks, and events to promote mental health literacy and provide therapeutic support to artists.

In addition to BMHF, Emerson also founded The PSYKHE Studio, a platform designed to integrate healing modalities into the artistic process. Her vision for the studio is to inspire future generations of performers to create with heart, soul, and empathy, while offering artists a space to heal and grow.

Living in Manhattan for eight years, Emerson is continuing to pave her way in the industry while also advocating for the mental health of fellow artists. She’s an Upper East Sider with her loving other-half-slash-creative-partner and their two very special felines.

She is currently seeking representation as she takes flight with the wings she’s earned — a butterfly evolved and changed, ready to put progress into motion. 𐦍