ABOUT EMERGE125
EMERGE125 is a Black female-led dance company that expands the reach and impact of dance through creation, performance, and education. Through a body of expressive, athletic modern dance work, EMERGE125 explores social dynamics and personal identity, fostering empathy, reflection, and human connection. We believe that dance can serve as a uniting force across differences in age, race, class, and more.
EMERGE125 has been led by celebrated choreographer Tiffany Rea-Fisher since 2016. Based in Harlem, EMERGE125 has a strong education program, tours nationwide, and shares virtual content globally.
By performing in traditional, multidisciplinary and non-arts spaces, as well as engaging in cross-disciplinary collaborations, we expand access to dance beyond traditional audiences. We engage people who are curious, open to new perspectives, and eager to experience art in conversation with other disciplines. Our youth dance education programs serve K–12 students as well as pre- and early-career professionals, fostering these same values in the next generation of artists, audiences, and creative leaders.
VISION STATEMENT
EMERGE125's repertory reflects the singular artistic vision of Tiffany Rea-Fisher, Artistic Director and Choreographer. Athleticism, technical excellence, and expressive storytelling are at the core of our work. Rigor, empathy, and joy connect every piece we create. We embrace joy not only as celebration, but as resilience, effort, and protest.
Through expressive, athletic contemporary dance, EMERGE125 explores social dynamics, personal identity, collective memory, and cultural resilience. Our work celebrates diverse experiences and invites audiences into meaningful dialogue with the world around them.
Audiences are welcomed into an experience that begins the moment they enter the space. No prior knowledge of contemporary dance is required. We create performances that are engaging, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant, fostering reflection, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the art form and its artists.
Each work challenges the physicality and artistry of our dancers while showcasing their individuality and excellence. Committed to the continual creation of new work, EMERGE125 develops repertory that evolves alongside contemporary conversations and resonates with audiences in New York City and beyond.
“Tiffany and her team help you to understand that there’s more than just becoming a principal dancer––there’s so many different types of things you can do with dance. [They teach you that] you need to be healthy in your mind, not just your body but in your mind too.”
Active│Grounded│Powerful
“The mission is to have a high level of dance performance, but I think intertwined with that is a high level of awareness about what’s going on in the world...”
E125’s relationship to our company members embodies the organization’s larger ethos towards equality, equity, and elevation: our dancers are viewed as holistic artists who deserve our support and resources to push themselves and discover new levels of their artistic practice. In recent years, the company has moved our work beyond traditional stages, creating immersive experiences in large-scale spaces.
![[April 14 2021] EMD H.E.R Morningside-46 (1).jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5333328de4b0daf4c7fe189a/1620197582284-34KINU6GIC2V7HZZOO00/%5BApril+14+2021%5D+EMD+H.E.R+Morningside-46+%281%29.jpg)
Leader│Innovative│Present
“One of the things that drew us to EMERGE125 [is] that the arts have so much to say and to do in terms of social issues.”
Being an artist is inherently a political act – since we channel our insights and views about the world into our creations – and E125 is proud to use our artistic platform to serve as a community organizer for civic action.
![[April 14 2021] EMD H.E.R Morningside-69.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5333328de4b0daf4c7fe189a/1620197388960-WHHY3WLQLFYFEMNX5L81/%5BApril+14+2021%5D+EMD+H.E.R+Morningside-69.jpg)
Meaningful│Vital│Audacious
“What spoke to me was the relationship of preserving the past and moving the company forward at the same time. That’s what really sets the company apart and makes it special, it has a strong lineage with a really forward thinking leader. [...] This company is a pioneer and it has the history to back it up, it takes our history and our community forward while still holding onto masterpieces.”
With our values of developing the whole artist and providing access as our guide, we look forward to continuing to build community within our Harlem neighborhood, New York City, and the entire dance field.