Emily dances in the Student Dance Collective concert, choreographed by Emily and Devra Rayne, photographed by Reyn Photography
When dance student, Emily Andaya, stepped onto the University of Oregon campus as a freshman in 2021, it was for the very first time. On the heels of the pandemic lockdown, she auditioned for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) dance program online from her home in Las Vegas.
“It was scary at first because I didn't know what I was getting into fully until I got here,” Emily recalled. “But once I did, it was comforting to learn I made a good choice.” She quickly found her close knit community within the BFA program, meeting new people, and this year, taking a leadership role as the Vice President of Dance Oregon.
Emily performs at Duck Jam 2023, photography by Molly McPherson
Emily dances in “Sirenas” at the UO Dance in Concert, 2023, choreographed by Brad Garner, photographed by Jennifer James-Long
She could never have imagined how wonderful her experience would be back in 2020 when she was craving dancing for an audience again. But as soon as she arrived on campus, she had ample opportunities to scratch that itch—dancing in eleven performances in her first two years at the School of Music and Dance (SOMD). “I spent so much time in my room dancing in front of my computer screen during lockdown, and there were so many times I was frustrated or wanted to give up,” Emily said. “But then I learned a valuable lesson that I should appreciate that I am able bodied, and I cannot take that for granted.”
Emily’s dance journey started when she was a little girl. Her mother was a dancer, and she put Emily in her first class at four years old. She enjoyed it but something just did not click. That moment came later when she joined a tap class at 10. “That style is what really got me into dance!” she said. “The rhythmic elements, and style of movement drew me in.” She later started ballet after being mesmerized by the older kids in her studio dancing in their class.
Emily’s first ballet performance
“I don't have a specific reason for why I want to dance,” Emily says. “I just want to do it because I love it. And that is the simple truth.” She is also proud to represent her Filipino- American heritage on stage. “I didn’t grow up idolizing or having teachers that looked like me, and I know my younger self would be proud that I kept going and have made my own space to represent my identity in art,” Emily said.
Emily performs in a competition with her Las Vegas studio
By attending UO’s program, she has the freedom to explore other interests as well, like psychology, in which she is minoring. “Being able to do more than just dance is what brought me here,” she said. “I went to a performing arts high school, and I appreciated how they emphasized going to an arts college, but I wanted to have the option to diversify my studies.”
Outside dancing, she loves to bike, listen to music, draw, and paint. When she graduates, she plans to be a choreographer or freelance dancer. The confidence to pursue such dreams took root right at SOMD. "Growing up, I had self-doubt because I was not a natural and I had to work hard to get to where I am,” she said. “SOMD has helped me develop my confidence. This community is why I am where I am today.”