Introducing Emma Hanks

Born and raised in Crowley, Louisiana, Emma Hanks is a performer, choreographer, and dance educator driven by her passion for the artistry of movement. She began training at the age of 6 under the direction of Brenda Core at Core Dance Center. Her time here ignited a deep love for the arts and self-expression through dance, pushing her to further her artistic craft and training.

She is currently a junior at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette pursuing a BFA in Performing Arts with a concentration in Dance. Over the years, Emma has performed in many UL productions as well as Acadiana Center for the Arts’ Ten Tiny Dances 2025 production and Basin Arts’ LINEAGE 2024 event. She is also currently a dance educator at Core Dance Center while often choreographing for local musical theater productions. Over the summer, Emma had the opportunity to train with Jacob Jonas, the Company at Perry Mansfield, where she was pushed to learn complex movement through a lens of nature, community, and immense vulnerability.

Emma’s work is grounded in authenticity and self-expression. Her choreographic style aims to push the boundaries that define different genres of dance. Her journey from this point on consists of increasing her choreographic repertoire to best represent her artistic voice, as well as continuing to influence young minds within her community to experience the joy that is movement.

Who makes up your art circle?

My art circle is made up of all those who not only support me in my craft but also encourage me to make my artistic voice be heard. These people include my family, work colleagues and students, UL faculty members, and peers who always push me to represent only my most authentic self in all that I do.

How do you expand it?

I like to think that I expand my art circle every chance I get. The arts scene that has been built in Lafayette is so rich in love, camaraderie, and authenticity, so I think it’s impossible not to feel a continuously growing sense of community here. With just the few local events that I’ve participated in, I’ve built connections and friendships that will forever be dear to me, and I’ve experienced firsthand the versatility and uniqueness of the other artists that make this community so well-rounded. Aside from Lafayette, I’ve expanded my circle to include respected artists from all over the country that I’ve been privileged enough to learn from, including Jacob Jonas, Gabriel Speiller, Norbert de la Cruz, and several more.

What value do you see in having a creative community?

Involving yourself with a creative community is a necessity as an artist. A creative community not only gives artists an audience to hear and see what they have to offer, but it also gives rise to a cycle of inspiration and motivation that permeates throughout its members. I know that I, personally, take in a lot of inspiration from seeing the drive and development of other artists in the community over time. Sometimes, even without words, we artists can push each other to delve deep within ourselves and discover what our inner voices are truly trying to say.

How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?

I mostly contribute to my community through the education aspect of my career. As I mentioned in my biography, I take so much joy in molding young minds to think and move as true artists. Knowing the fulfillment that dance brings, nothing makes me happier than seeing a student develop the same passion for dance as I once did. Aside from studio teaching, I have choreographed locally on non-dancers for audiences that were mostly unfamiliar with dance. In teaching movement to non-dancers, they’ve expressed newfound appreciation for the art of dance that has not since been dulled.

Our weekly Art Circle series profiles artists throughout the community and is sponsored in part by Lafayette Visitor Enterprise Fund, managed by Lafayette Travel