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Emily Gray, Owner and Artistic Director
Emily Gray is a dynamic dance educator, choreographer, and researcher with over twenty years of experience in the fields of dance and education. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning in Organizations at Vanderbilt University, complementing her academic achievements with a practical foundation rooted in years of teaching, curriculum development, and program leadership. Emily holds a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography from Jacksonville University, where her thesis focused on the influence of lighting on human movement, and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a minor in Professional Education from the University of North Florida. Her dedication to innovative, inclusive, and research-driven dance education has shaped her impact on students and educators alike.
Emily’s professional career includes founding Campus Dance Academy, where she serves as Artistic Director, developing curriculum-based dance programs for multiple independent schools in Florida. At Campus Dance Academy, she designs dance programs that fostered physical, social, and emotional growth for PK-12 students. Emily’s programs incorporated diverse dance styles, from ballet and jazz to hip hop and cultural dance, and provided students with opportunities for creative exploration and performance. She also leads teacher training initiatives to maintain consistent instructional quality and guided faculty expansion across multiple campuses.
Currently, Emily is part of the DAPER Dance Faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she teaches Jazz Funk and Improvisational Dance. Her teaching at MIT reflects her commitment to creating supportive and engaging environments for her students, emphasizing skill development, self-expression, and collaborative learning. Additionally, as a course developer for Endicott College, she has been instrumental in designing coursework for a restructured Performing Arts major, set to launch in Fall 2025, with a focus on leadership, marketing, and human relations within performing arts organizations.
In addition to her academic and professional work, Emily is deeply committed to community service. She has led numerous initiatives, including partnering with organizations such as Dance Fairies to collect and distribute dancewear for underprivileged children around the world. Her involvement extends to working with nonprofits such as The Bridge of Northeast Florida and the Children’s Home Society, where she taught dance to underserved youth, providing them with opportunities for creative expression and confidence-building. Emily’s community projects underscore her dedication to using dance as a tool for social good and empowerment.
Emily’s contributions to dance education extend beyond the classroom. She frequently presents at national conferences and appears as a guest speaker on industry podcasts, sharing insights on topics such as dance education and neuroscience, active listening through improvisational dance, and dance entrepreneurship. Her commitment to professional development is evident through her roles with the National Dance Education Organization, where she is an active member of special interest groups focused on early childhood dance education and teacher training.
One of Emily’s notable innovations is The Dance Dots, a patented training tool she developed to support spatial awareness, choreography, and classroom management in dance education. Created from her own experiences as a teacher and dancer, The Dance Dots serves as a practical resource for dance educators looking to improve precision, alignment, and organization in their classes. It has been used in studios and schools along the East Coast of the United States, helping students and instructors enhance foundational skills through structured learning aids.
Through her extensive work in program development, teaching, research, and community service, Emily Gray is committed to advancing dance education in ways that empower both students and educators. Her approach combines creativity with structured methodology, aiming to make dance education accessible, meaningful, and transformative for learners of all ages. Emily’s career is marked by her dedication to fostering inclusive learning spaces, supporting professional growth in the field of dance, and inspiring the next generation of dancers and educators.
"The Noblest Art Is That Of Making Others Happy." - P.T. Barnum
