Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Murakami.
Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and from a very young age, I knew I wanted to be on stage. As a little girl in ballet class, I remember feeling that there was nothing else that could make me feel the way dancing did. I was so passionate about ballet that I attended a High Performance Athlete program at school meaning I was at school learning from from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and spent the rest of my day at the ballet studio. For years, I truly believed my future was in ballet and that I would eventually join a ballet company and build my career as a dancer.
As I grew older and continued training, however, I began to realize that my body was different from many of the other girls I trained alongside. Insecurities began to develop, and I found myself questioning whether I could really see myself pursuing ballet professionally for the rest of my life. At the same time, musical theatre had always been a part of my life, but I considered it a hobby. I never thought I could make it my career because, in my mind, choosing anything other than ballet meant that I was giving up on the dream I had worked so hard for.
Everything changed when my mother and I went to see *CATS* for Christmas in 2019, just before the pandemic. Watching the performers move with such technique and foundation in ballet while combining acting, and singing made me realize that there was a world where I could bring together everything I loved about performing. I could still dance, but I could also tell stories and connect with an audience in a completely different way. I left that theatre knowing that I wanted to dedicate myself to musical theatre.
I went on to attend the Etobicoke School of the Arts in Toronto for musical theatre, while continuing to train intensely in ballet. When it came time to audition for university programs, I knew that the University of Michigan was where I wanted to be. I put almost all of my eggs in one basket and auditioned for only four musical theatre programs in the United States, even though many students auditioned for fifteen or more. I was one of the few people I knew in Canada pursuing college in the U.S., but that never really scared me. I had always believed that I would end up where I was meant to be.
Getting into the University of Michigan changed my life. Moving to the United States and studying my passion has challenged me in ways I never could have imagined, while allowing me to continue dancing harder than ever. I’ve had opportunities to perform in projects like *Sing Sing Sing* as the trumpet solo with the Verdon Fosse Legacy, while also continuing to refine my singing and acting technique.
Now, as I look toward the next chapter of my life, I feel a mixture of excitement and fear. The future is uncertain, but I try to hold onto the same faith I had when I was applying to college, that if I continue working hard, stay open to possibility, and follow what makes me feel most alive, I will end up where I am meant to be. I’m continuing to shoot for the stars, and my dream is to build a career on Broadway.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I had a deep passion for ballet, and I found it incredibly difficult to leave that pathway behind. Ballet had become such an important part of who I was that walking away felt like I was abandoning a part of myself, one that was not ready to be let go of. It wasn’t just about leaving a dance career. It felt like I was letting go of an integral part identity, a passion, and a aspect of my life that had given me purpose and meaning.
Then I found a way to reroute my path and continue dancing in an environment that allowed me to develop a new relationship with my body. Instead of focusing on how my body looked and comparing it to my peers, I began to appreciate it for everything it could do for me. I found an environment where I could continue to dance while learning to love and respect my body, rather than criticize it. This shift allowed me to rediscover the joy of movement and realize that dance could be a place where I felt connected to and grateful for my body, rather than defined by it.
I also took the step further and I am getting a minor in movement science which lends to my appreciate my body and learn how it moves me through my dance career!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a multifaceted artist. I love being onstage and performing, but I also find so much joy in working behind the table, choreographing, directing, and collaborating with other creatives. I have had the opportunity to choreograph for University cabaret productions, including *Gradients 2026* and *Senior Entrance*, as well as a youth theatre production of *The Wizard of Oz*.
Teaching is another part of my artistry that I deeply value. Since Grade 10, I have spent my summers teaching dance and theatre to younger generations. Through teaching, I have discovered how much I love helping others find their own confidence, creativity, and voice.
I believe the greatest gift I have as an artist is the ability to inspire others to create. Whether that is through watching me perform, experiencing the dances I choreograph, collaborating with me in the room, or learning from me as an educator, I want to share my love of creation with others. For me, being an artist is not only about creating art myself, but about encouraging others to find the artist within themselves and giving them the space and confidence to create, too.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that might surprise people is that one of my favourite ways to decompress from busy school weeks and rehearsals is going for a run or spending time at the gym. Focusing on my breath while running or lifting becomes almost meditative. It gives my mind space to quiet down, process whatever I’ve been carrying, and work through things without consciously trying to. For me, movement isn’t only about performance it’s also one of the ways I take care of myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emilymurakami.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.murakami_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@emilymurakami3801
