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Emily Rayburn

Founder & President

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Emily Rayburn, originally from Edwardsville, IL, received her B.F.A. from Western Michigan University in May 2015. While at Western, Emily performed works by Ohad Naharin, Loie Fuller, and worked with artists such as Gabrielle Lamb, Lauren Thompson Hall, Monique Haley, Jackie Nowicki, KT Nelson, and faculty member Carolyn Pavlik in their processes of creating original works. While in school, her choreography premiered in several Winter Gala Concerts, Orchesis Concerts, and her solo, Corey’s Promise, was accepted and performed at the 2014 regional American College Dance Association conference. She also received the Shawn Coyle Hunnicutt Scholarship for Excellence in Choreography. Emily was awarded a grant by The Ramon Zupko Enrichment Fund to produce an original ballet, “Who Killed Mr. Mason?”.  She was named the WMU Department of Dance 2015 Presidential Scholar. After graduating, Emily moved to Chicago where she danced as a free-lance artist. In November 2017, Emily incorporated Hot Crowd. Since the company's inception, Emily's choreography has been performed in over fifteen dance festivals throughout the midwest and east coast. Hot Crowd has successfully created three evening-length productions showcasing the company's uniquely playful aesthetic. Emily continuously works to push the boundaries of Hot Crowd and find new means of success.