ON POINT WITH… EMILY BROMBERG
Position: Principal Soloist
Years with Company: 10
Hometown: Orlando and Boston
Emily Bromberg may look like she’s floating when she’s on the stage, but off stage is a woman so grounded to the earth with such a tenacity of spirit that it’s little wonder as to why she has achieved so much.
We know you have an incredible work ethic. Can you tell us a little bit about where you think that comes from?
“When I was 11 or 12, I really wanted to attend a summer program but my parents couldn’t afford it. So, I asked everyone I knew, what can you do to make money when you’re young? A neighbor friend told me that her cousin had a paper route. So, I took myself to the local daily paper and asked for a route. After a year of delivering those papers, I earned enough to pay for one week of the program.”
Do you have an alternative “dream” profession or was there ever a time when you thought maybe dance wasn’t for you?
“Yes, before I went to train at Boston Ballet school, I went to a studio that was just not a good fit for me. It killed the joy I had for dance. My mom, thankfully, gave me ten days to seriously think about it. I thought maybe I’d be a vet because I’ve always loved dogs. Or maybe a lawyer, but in the end, I knew I had to dance.”
You were promoted to principal soloist last season after your standout performance in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and are now busy this season learning all sorts of new repertoire. How do you manage to keep things in balance?
“I go for walks on the beach with my two dogs, Sabbi and Bruno, at least once a day. Sometimes for hours.”
And, what do you do to maintain your energy?
“To be honest, a Latin meal of rice, beans, meat, and veggies works great for me.
What’s one thing you’d tell aspiring dancers?
“Never let them kill your joy.”
What do you think people would be most surprised to learn about you?
“I really love cars. I drive a manual and my dream car is a Volkswagen GTI.”
It’s a fitting car for this tiny but mighty dancer who zips and glides across the dance floor.
See Emily perform in I’m Old Fashioned
On now until Jan 26 in Miami, Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
Tickets from $30