What was most evident during BeingsDance’s Artistic Director Emily Bufferd’s rehearsal is that her dancers trust her. Completely. Just as she seems to trust them. I was invited to a run through of a work she was presenting at the DUMBO Dance Festival and then a “work through”, where Emily patiently allowed her dancers to fumble through choreographic problems with her, rather than by themselves or as dictated by her. Her rehearsal space seems wonderfully safe and free from the stress for instant perfection or complete understanding. It’s like watching a seed grow when you don’t quite know what it’s going to become. With the proper care and nourishment, whatever grows will be the most beautiful version of itself.

1. What is the first creative moment you remember?

I remember knowing I wanted to dance when I was 2 years old, and the story still manages to get told that I asked my mom to find me a dance studio, and fortunately for me she found one willing to take a peanut as young as I was. Does that count as a creative moment?  Actually doing something creative, I very much remember being little and doing shuffles along to Al Gilbert records in dance class.

2. Where did you grow up and how did you end up where you are now?

I grew up in South Florida and danced at the same studio from the time I was 3 until I graduated high school.  I interned at Broadway Dance Center the summer I was 17 and knew I wanted to be in NY after that.  I always knew I wanted to play with choreography, but didn’t fully get into it until a knee injury forced me out of dancing for several months.  During that time I presented my first piece, and had dancers asking if I had a company; out of which BEings came to be in April of 2008.  Since then I’ve been fortunate enough to be presenting work pretty regularly at venues in and around the city, as well as recently having our first out of state performance.

3. Which performance, song, play, movie, painting or other work of art had the biggest influence on you and why?

I think life is truly my biggest influence.  Obviously, teachers, choreographers, and various shows have influenced my work, but all in all, I’m influenced by whatever I happen to be feeling that day… that minute.

4. What is your ideal creative activity?

I love nothing more than being in a studio with dancers who are willing to try anything.

5. How do you begin your day?

I think I begin my day pretty normally; wake up, get ready, check email, check phone (I have to admit that I am probably more dependant on my phone than any sane person should be), and then head out to either a dance class, or work, or school depending on the day of the week.

6. Have you ever had to make a choice between work and art? What did you choose, why, and what was the outcome?

I did actually, I had to choose between going to see my dancers perform in the 60×60 Show at The Winter Garden or going to one of my classes at school (I count school as a job, I am a full time student along with the other things I do).  I very matter of factly chose to go see my dancers perform, and I don’t regret that decision even a little.

7. When you work, do you love the process or the result?

I think I love both equally. There is something about the process that is hard to verbalize; it’s a journey you take with your dancers to see where the potential of a basic movement can go.  The result of the process is the tangible piece of work; you get to see where the journey led, and feel where the dancers have been to get there.