Meet the Artistic Director

Emily Helman Berry

Artistic Director, Seattle Ballet Conservatory

Emily Helman Berry is an accomplished professional ballet dancer, educator, and choreographer whose career spans collaborations with some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions. A native of Southern California, Emily received her foundational pre-professional training at the Maple Conservatory of Dance before being invited to study at The School of American Ballet in New York City and subsequently as a Trainee with the Boston Ballet.

As a professional artist, Emily’s diverse performance career includes dancing as a company member with Sarasota Ballet and Ballet Project OC, alongside frequent guest artist appearances with Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre and Adage Ballet Academy. Her extensive repertoire features standout roles in classical masterpieces like Giselle, The Nutcracker(including Dew Drop and Lead Marzipan), and La Sylphide, as well as celebrated neoclassical works by George Balanchine, including Diamonds, Stars & Stripes, Chaconne, and Walpurgisnacht Ballet.

In addition to her achievements on stage, Emily is a highly sought-after educator and choreographer. She has served on the faculty of world-renowned institutions, including the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Adage Ballet Academy, and New Tampa Dance Theater, and previously held leadership roles as Ballet Mistress for Ballet Project OC. Her choreographic portfolio spans over a decade of creative leadership, featuring original commissions such as Bandera, L'arlesienne, and Winter for Ballet Project OC, alongside restaged works and educational choreography for the Boston Ballet School and the School of American Ballet.

Bringing a wealth of pre-professional experience, historical knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to dancer wellness, Emily leads the Seattle Ballet Conservatory with a vision to cultivate technical precision, physical strength, and profound artistry in the next generation of dancers.