Meet Emma Draves | Dance Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emma Draves and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emma, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I would say that choosing to be a dance artist – and choosing to remain a dance artist – carries a notable level of risk-taking in our society. Across human history, dance has served to build/bind Community, to honor Ritual and Spiritual practices, and – yes – to Entertain. Dance is absolutely integral to our daily lives, past and present. Yet, we so often forget the Joy that moving and witnessing dance stories brings to people of all ages.

There is a tendency to sidestep seeing artistry as a career path; but it absolutely is. Dance can offer a unique insight into the human condition. And I do wish it could be better valued for what it offers to our cultural fabric.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Ha! this one feels tricky to answer without long, winding pathways…

I started dancing as a very small child, progressed to competition dance, and then joined a pre-professional Academy. Collegiate pursuits landed me with a double-major in dance and anthropology. Where, in my efforts to complete my Thesis, I discovered the gentle giants of Les Ballets Trockadero. Whilst interviewing the Trocks, their General Manager, Gene McDougle, offered me a job working in the archives post-graduation. So, I worked and danced in NYC for a bit… and returned to the Midwest to dance some more.

Settled in Chicago, I performed with Mordine & Company (a Chicago modern dance stalwart). One fortuitous moment connected me with bharatanatyam company Natya Dance Theatre. Artistic Director, Hema Rajagopalan, kindly took me under her wing and I spent many years learning and performing with them.

I also obtained my MFA, and moved into collegiate teaching (focusing in studio techniques and dance studies) and creating my own work.

I have as much pride in performing work to intimate audiences in abandoned-converted storefronts, as I have in performing for large crowds at notable concert auditoriums. But, I would say I have a trio of standout, is-it-real moments:

1. a duet with Yo-Yo Ma on the Pritzker stage at Chicago’s Millennium Park for an audience of 11,000
2. a critically-acclaimed solo performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
3. dancing on and in sailboat rigging, for fellow boaters, in South Carolina whilst we waited for the Bridge to open

In regards to challenges, each moment has provided its own unique demands. Yet, and as cliche as this is, I really have learned from all of them. Some learnings I didn’t particularly like and I can’t say that I would choose to repeat them(!) – but you learn a lot about yourself when you work through-around-beyond perceived obstacles. I’m not always confident, and I still get nervous before I go out for a performance, but I have developed a reliable tenacity in holding the line as a career artist.

There’s this wonderful poem by Sarojini Naidu, titled “In the Forest”, which reminds us to take the time to mourn the fatigue and the failures; but also to rise, to wander, to return to the world, and still to dream…. I’ve always quite loved its message.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hmm, this one feels tricky. There’s so much!… Let’s see:

I love biking the lakefront in June.
I love the warmth and green of Garfield Park Conservatory in the middle of winter.
I love wandering through the Art Institute, and sitting outside at the cafe by the fountain.

I love leaving my place in Oak Park, and walking for hours – looping the parks, and small shops (The Book Table), and coffee shops (Addis and Kribi are pretty top tier) in the village.

And – perhaps not surprising – I love seeing dance at different venues across the city: the Dance Center, Links Hall, the Harris Theatre, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Oh! and Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Grant Park Music Festival can’t be beat.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I live with such an incredible collective of artists here in Chicago – to name them individually would be to leave someone out. But, suffice it to say, we are hard-working, hard-loving people here; with representations that stretch across the spectrum of dance styles, ethnicities, genders, and abilities/disabilities.

I create dance works with some long-time collaborators: Andy Slavin and Chloe Grace Michels. So I’d love for them to feel the warmth of appreciation for their willingness to jump all in on projects. And, I’ve collaborated with some great musicians, such as Bob Garrett and Helen Money.

Teaching is also a significant part of my life, so I’d love to give recognition to the transformative curriculum at Columbia College Chicago. Their Dance program is just a bright star in the academic landscape, and I am weekly inspired by the students. As well, the students in our dance program at Northeastern Illinois University are some courageous souls who generously provided space for me to come in and help curate their studies.

Website: https://emmadraves.com/

Instagram: Emma KD

Image Credits
Photographers shoul all be listed in photo title: 1st two are Lifan Li white pants & black dress are A.Deran white sheer dress & orange top are William Frederking