In this interview I speak with Emma Davies, a dancer currently based in Vienna and part of Blue box’s in house annual contemporary dance program, a program that brings together emerging dancers and renowned guest artists in an environment dedicated to training, creation, research, and performance. Emma shares her journey growing up in Barcelona, where her love for dance began very early. She started ballet at the age of three at her local ballet school, initially driven by joy and curiosity, before gradually taking it more seriously. This path led her to a ballet conservatoire in Barcelona, where a pivotal influence entered her life, her ballet teacher. Emma speaks with great appreciation about this mentor, who helped her not only refine her technique but also understand and recognise the dancer she was meant to become, shaping her both artistically and personally. Her journey continued at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, where Emma discovered her deep love for contemporary dance. It was there that she experienced the power of creative freedom, exploration, and expression, and where collaboration became central to her artistic identity. Emma reflects on the importance of working alongside other dancers, learning from one another, and feeding off the collective energy that emerges when artists share space, ideas, and movement. This sense of collaboration is something she is experiencing again at bluebox in Vienna. Dancers from different backgrounds, disciplines, and stages of their careers come together, creating a rich and motivating environment. Emma speaks about how inspiring it is to be surrounded by such diversity, where dancers challenge, support, and uplift each other daily. For her, the reward is found not only on stage, but also in the studio, in the ongoing process of movement, self reflection, and continuous improvement. A central message that runs through Emma’s story is the value of trust. Trust in the work you have put in, trust in your training, and trust that opportunities will come when the time is right. Emma shares how she is seeing this more and more in her own career, that by staying committed, open, and trusting, doors begin to open in unexpected ways. I found this interview deeply inspiring. Emma is a young dancer whose passion for movement is unmistakable, and whose understanding of the long term process of growth, patience, and perseverance is remarkably grounded. Her story is a beautiful reminder of what it means to stay motivated, to keep trusting the journey, and to continue showing up fully for the work.
