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Dr. Emily K. Gray, Owner and Artistic Director
Dr. Emily K. Gray is a distinguished dance educator, choreographer, and entrepreneur with extensive experience spanning K-12, higher education, professional dance training, and performance. She holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University and an MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University. With a passion for innovative pedagogy, she integrates research-based approaches into dance instruction, curriculum development, and teacher training.
Dr. Gray currently serves as DAPER dance faculty at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an adjunct professor at Endicott College, where she develops and teaches courses in dance history, dance technique, improvisation, entrepreneurship, and performing arts leadership. She has trained dancers across multiple disciplines, including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip-hop, and cheerleading, while also leading professional development for dance educators.
Her extensive performance career includes serving as a professional cheerleader and dancer for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, where she performed nationally and internationally. She was a company member with The Florida Ballet, Jamco & Soundstage, and has performed in various musical theatre productions, national dance festivals, and corporate entertainment events.
As the founder and artistic director of Campus Dance Academy, Dr. Gray establishes and expands dance programs in independent schools, training faculty and directing performances across multiple institutions. She is also the creator of The Dance Dots, a patented tool designed to support spatial awareness and choreography retrieval in dance education.
Dr. Gray’s choreographic work has been presented at institutions such as The Bolles School, Episcopal School of Jacksonville, the University of North Florida, and national dance conferences. She has served as a competitive dance coach, leading teams to national titles at UDA, NDA, Cheersport, and The Summit. Her research focus includes fine arts leadership, program evaluation, and dance educator training centered on professional development’s impact on independent dance studio success.
A committed advocate for dance education, Dr. Gray is an active member of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO), Rhee Gold’s Dance Life, Florida Dance Education Organization (FDEO), and is an ABT® Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT® National Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education (SAEE). Through her work, she continues to shape the future of dance education, inspiring students, educators, and industry professionals alike.
"The Noblest Art Is That Of Making Others Happy." - P.T. Barnum
