Meet Emily

Emily Barker

Musical Theater Teacher + Performance Assistant

Theater has been a part of Emily’s life since she was 6 years old. She loves how it provides a way to step into someone else’s shoes and experience life from a different perspective. Emily performs and stage manages at local theaters in the Nashville area. She has been involved in shows like Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Once Upon a Mattress, Mamma Mia, and Sister Act. While Emily adores theater, she is equally passionate about empowering people to become their best selves. Emily is a Vanderbilt grad who studied Special Education and Child Studies, and she is the Research Program Coordinator of Career Exploration for Next Steps at Vanderbilt, a college program for students with disabilities. She helps students find their passions and explore different career paths. She is grateful to combine her passion for the arts and the disability community at MOVE. She started with MOVE as a class buddy and is so honored to be able to teach dancers about theater! Emily also stage manages all of MOVE’s performances to ensure the dancers shine on stage. She hopes dancers fall in love with theater and find more empowerment and joy through performing.