Emily Speed

Emily Speed grew up in Argyle, TX and began her training at Denton Ballet Academy under the direction of Hugh Nini. She went on to graduate from Marina Almayeva School of Classical Ballet. While in high school, Emily received First Place as a soloist at Youth America Grand Prix and was Finalist at World Ballet Competition. She qualified and competed in Varna International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria and in USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS. 

Emily danced professionally for Ballet Tucson, Alabama Ballet and Colorado Ballet as a Demi-Soloist prior moving to New York City to dance as a Freelance Artist. Some of her most notable leading roles include Russian Girl in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Jiri Kylian’s Petite Mort, Antony Tudor’s The Leaves are Fading, Lilac Garden and Pillar of Fire, Clara, Dew Drop and Sugar Plum in The Nutcracker, Pink Couple in Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, Flames of Paris Pas de Deux, Red Couple in Twyla Tharp’s A Brief Fling and Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty among numerous others. In 2023 she moved to Boise to dance for Ballet Idaho and has performed leading roles in Danielle Rowe’s Dreamland, Garret Anderson’s Congruence and Peter Anastos’ The Nutcracker. 

Emily performed at Vail Dance Fest in 2015, 2017 and 2019 and at Battery Dance Festival in NYC in 2021. Emily has appeared as a Principal Guest Artist with Olympic Ballet Theater, Boulder Ballet, Briah Danse, Ballet Renaissance, Neglia Ballet, and Festival Ballet of North Texas. She has also been invited to perform with contemporary and modern dance companies across the country including Wonderbound (CO), Mordance (NY), Continent Ballet (TX), Movement HQ (NY) and Kim Robards Dance (CO). Ms. Speed has begun work with The Antony Tudor Ballet Trust learning to stage his ‘Fandango’ and loves sharing her passion for dance from the studio to the stage.