Emily is elated to be making her debut with MorDance! Born and based in New York City, Cardea is a dancer and performing artist whose work is inspired by human connection and authentic storytelling. Raised in a performing artist family, Cardea’s first introduction to the stage was as a child singer with the Metropolitan Opera, performing at Lincoln Center in several productions including Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, and Pagliacci. At age seven, she was accepted into the School of American Ballet where she trained for eight years while attending the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan. Cardea’s performing background also includes eight years of professional performance experience at Lincoln Center where she earned roles with both New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, in ballets including Swan Lake, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Coppelia and Le Corsaire. At age eighteen, she became a member of Orlando Ballet, where her repertoire included featured roles in The Nutcracker, Giselle, Carmen, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and Peter and the Wolf. She has also performed and acted Off-Broadway, and in numerous dancing guest roles in both theater and television. Cardea has since developed her own voice as a choreographer, performing pieces with Cafe Telephone, an international artist collective. Most recently, Cardea made her directorial debut with her dance film “Dos” (2020) which was screened at the High Line Nine Galleries’ “Females in Film” Showcase in 2021.