Emerge125

What Emerge125 does

EMERGE125 (legal entity EMERGE 125 INC., EIN 13-3096579) is a Black, female-led contemporary dance company and 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at 8 West 126th Street, 3rd Floor in Harlem, New York, with a secondary operating presence in Lake Placid, NY. The company is led by Executive Artistic Director Tiffany Rea-Fisher, who has held the artistic leadership role for 10 years (2016–2026), and Executive Director Juliane Slater. Its core products and services fall into three lines: (1) Creation — original choreography and performance works, including a substantial repertory of named pieces (The Path, Behavioral Synchrony, John Brown Lives, Poly String Theory, Rights of Renaissance, Spirit Celestial, 8'46", Geography of Grace) and dance films; (2) Education — paid and free programming for students ages 14–25, including Master Classes, Movement Classes, Lecture Demonstrations, Repertory Workshops, Choreography Workshops, and Performance Residencies delivered via school partnerships (Stars of Tomorrow Project since 2016, Repertory Company High School since 2021, Trinity School since 2023) and higher-education engagements (NYU, Kent State); and (3) Civic Engagement — most notably the annual Juneteenth March co-founded with James Felton Keith in 2020.

The company distributes work through venue-based performances at NYC cultural institutions (El Museo del Barrio, The Flea Theater, Carnegie Hall, New Victory Theater, Marcus Garvey Park), educational residencies, community events, and virtual/digital channels (Vimeo, YouTube, At Home Performances). Underlying operational technology is the choreography itself plus standard nonprofit SaaS (Zeffy for donations, Squarespace for web, Eventbrite for ticketing); there is no proprietary AI/ML or software product.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit model. Earned-income streams include ticket sales (e.g., $45–$75 general/VIP for fundraisers, with sponsorship tiers up to $500), workshop fees ($495 for a 5-day intensive, $15/class for single classes), gala tickets (Renaissance Gala 2026 at Museum of the City of New York), merchandise (with a 20% member discount), and a recurring monthly Membership program. The largest source of funding is charitable contributions, accepted via Zeffy, Zelle, employer matching gifts, Donor-Advised Funds, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, gifts of appreciated stock or Bitcoin, and planned giving/bequests. There are no funding rounds, no institutional investors, and no parent company. Audience and customer segments are split between youth/student dancers, educational institutions, general arts patrons, theater companies (notably Classical Theatre of Harlem, with a 10+ production collaboration since 2015), and community/activist organizations (notably a 30+ organization coalition in the Harlem Center initiative).

Name

Emerge125

Legal name

EMERGE 125 INC.

Website

https://emerge125.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EMERGE125 is a Black, female-led 501(c)(3) contemporary dance company headquartered in Harlem, New York, producing original choreography, dance education for students ages 14–25, and civic engagement programs including the annual Juneteenth March.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contemporary Dance / Performing Arts

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance) (EDAAAGAD), Dance Competitions & Showcases (Non-Esports) (MPAGADAH), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Contemporary dance performances
• Dance education programs
• Arts education services
• Community dance engagement
• Dance residency programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Program: Monthly membership program providing exclusive benefits including early access to tickets, rehearsal invitations, program recognition, fundraising acknowledgements, and merchandise discounts.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations through Zeffy platform, employer matching gift programs, Donor-Advised Funds, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, gifts of appreciated stock or Bitcoin, and planned giving/bequests.
3. Event Tickets and Workshops: Revenue from ticket sales for performances, workshop fees (Summer Workshop $495/participant), master class fees ($15/class), and gala events.
4. Merchandise Sales: Apparel merchandise sold through the organization's shop with 20% discount for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

EMERGE125 is a Black, female-led contemporary dance company that creates and performs original choreographic works, delivers dance education programs (master classes, workshops, residencies) to students throughout Harlem, the Bronx, and across New York City, and stages civic engagement programming such as the Juneteenth March. It sells tickets to seasonal performances, tuition-based workshops and intensives, and monthly memberships, while sustaining operations through charitable donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

EMERGE125 is a Black, female-led contemporary dance company based in Harlem, NYC that operates as a unified educational and performance organization. The company offers a portfolio of dance education services including Master Classes, Movement Classes, Lecture Demonstrations, Repertory Workshops, Choreography Workshops, and Performance Residencies for students throughout Harlem, the Bronx, and across New York City. On the performance side, the company presents live dance works, virtual performances, and produces original dance films. The organization is led by Artistic Director Tiffany Rea-Fisher and celebrates 10 years of leadership in 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master Classes Technique-focused dance classes with company members covering ballet, modern, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean styles for students of all ages and experience levels.
• Movement Classes Classes for students of all ages and experience levels exploring mobility, strength, musicality, and artistic expression to build self-confidence.
• Lecture Demonstrations Format in which the Artistic Director or lead Teaching Artist introduces the company, presents 15-20 minute repertory excerpts, followed by 30-40 minute Q&A sessions for audiences and students.
• Repertory Workshops 2-3 day intensive classes in which students learn and explore a variety of EMERGE125's repertory through immersive movement phrases.
• Choreography Workshops Workshops in which company members provide tools for students to create and produce their own choreographic work, including music selection, costumes, and lighting.
• Performance Residencies 1-Day, 3-Day, and Independent Performance Series in which E125 Company Members perform and engage with students during independent events at schools and partner institutions.
• 2025 Summer Workshop Five-day intensive summer workshop for ages 14-23 at intermediate/advanced level, priced at $495/participant, with $15 single-class options.
• Live Performance Season (NYC Season) Annual seasonal live dance performances presented at NYC venues such as El Museo del Barrio, featuring dynamic new works choreographed by Tiffany Rea-Fisher; performance-only tickets are sold for Opening Night and Family Matinee performances.
• Renaissance Gala 2026 Annual signature gala at the Museum of the City of New York featuring an EMERGE125 performance, dinner, and dancing, with table and VIP ticket options.
• Virtual Performances (At Home EMERGE125 Performances) Live-streamed performances allowing global audiences to experience EMERGE125 from home, featuring recorded performances and curated home-based sets.
• Dance Films Original documentary and dance film productions including The Making of a Moment, Rights of Renaissance, Geography of Grace, and 8'46", exploring themes of race, identity, and social justice.
• Monthly Membership Program Recurring monthly membership providing exclusive benefits including early access to tickets, rehearsal invitations, program recognition, fundraising acknowledgements, and a 20% merchandise discount.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17,000+ audience members reached at single summer theater production
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Trinity SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Harlem Renaissance residency beginning in 2023 coordinated by Director of Education Kat Files. Includes choreography from Rights of Renaissance and cultural education programming with 64+ students.
• New York UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Performance as Protest class taught by Executive Artistic Director Tiffany Rea-Fisher focused on Juneteenth Freedom March experience and movement exercises.
• Repertory Company High School for Theatre ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership since 2021 bringing higher-level dance classes to New York City-based students through company instructors. Ongoing spring semester classes teaching choreography and ballet technique.
• Kent State UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20206-week virtual residency sessions at Kent State focusing on ethical practice, leadership, and civil rights activism. Tiffany Rea-Fisher spoke at Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series.
• Stars of Tomorrow ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Free youth development organization collaboration since 2016 bringing free classes in modern dance, contemporary, hip hop, and ballet to NYC students ages 14-25. EMERGE125 teaching artists lead dance and movement classes as part of the program's year-round offerings.
• Classical Theatre of HarlemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20157+ year partnership producing theatrical productions including Macbeth (2016), Three Musketeers (2018, 2019), A Christmas Carol in Harlem (2018, 2019), Antigone, Bacchae, Seize the King, Twelfth Night, MEMNON, and Othello. Tiffany Rea-Fisher serves as choreographer and Associate Director/Movement Director.
• John Brown Lives!coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration including dance film Geography of Grace at John Brown Farm State Historic Site, Juneteenth celebrations in Lake Placid, and movement meditation presentations.
• John Brown Farm State Historic SitecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSite of multiple performances and the Geography of Grace dance film. Location for Juneteenth celebrations and tribute performances honoring abolitionist John Brown.
• Harlem StagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned dance film Rights of Renaissance premiered through Harlem Stage's E-Moves Part 2 program in June 2021, celebrating Black, Queer, Female playwrights.
• Hopkins Center for the Arts at DartmouthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned 8'46 dance and music piece created by Tiffany Rea-Fisher and Daniel Bernard Roumain in response to George Floyd's death, premiered January 2021.
• Chris Brubeck's Band Triple PlaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulticultural and multigenerational collaboration creating EMD Does Brubeck, an evening-length choreographic exploration set to jazz music. Partnership spanning multiple years.
• Daniel Bernard RoumaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on 8'46 piece commissioned by Dartmouth. Known for violin sounds infused with electronic, urban and African-American music influences.
• Kevin KellersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerComposer who created music for multiple works including Tilted Arc, Kinetic Kinship, Spirit Celestial, Identity, and In Absentia.
• Paola HernándezsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFashion designer collaboration for New York Fashion Week 2019 and Spring Collections (2016, 2018) with choreography by Tiffany Rea-Fisher.
• Louis Vuitton/Parsons School of FashionsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerReconstruction 3.0 collaboration for Fashion Week 2013, working with Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Program on narrative-based live performances.
• Alliance of Families for JusticesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization seeking to end mass incarceration through empowerment. Harlem is one of the hardest-hit communities they serve.
• The Public Theater/Public WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTiffany Rea-Fisher choreographed Shakespeare's Pericles for Public Works concert experience at Cathedral of St. John the Divine, August-September 2025.
• National Dance InstitutesecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for Fall for E125 annual fundraiser event, providing space in Harlem for company community engagement.
• Dance Managers CollectivesecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEMERGE125 is a guest of the DMC for APAP showcase appearances, helping facilitate industry showcase bookings.
• International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEMERGE125 participates in annual IABD conference and performance programming. Tiffany Rea-Fisher serves as educator and speaker at IABD events.
• New Victory TheatercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPerformance venue for New Victory Dance 2026: Program C, where EMERGE125 performs work alongside other dance companies in curated kids-focused programming.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Gibney Company: New York-based contemporary dance organization with repertory, residency, and community programs. Comparable mission and scale, more recent institutional expansion.

Direct peers

• Complexions Contemporary Ballet: New York-based contemporary dance company with mixed-genre repertory and a touring apparatus. Comparable in scale and production model, broader genre reach than EMERGE125.
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Iconic New York-based African American contemporary dance company with a strong education and community-engagement arm (Ailey School, AileyCamp). Most direct peer in mission, demographic, and Harlem/NYC footprint.
• Urban Bush Women: Brooklyn-based dance company rooted in Black women's voices and civic engagement, with strong education and community-activation programs. Highly comparable values, programming mix, and audience profile.
• A.I.M. (Abraham.In.Motion): Kyle Abraham's New York-based contemporary dance company that blends dance-theater, social themes, and education. Comparable scale, contemporary vocabulary, and partnership-driven production model.
• Camille A. Brown & Dancers: Black, female-led contemporary dance company with comparable repertory scale, theater collaborations, and education programming. Closely comparable in artistic voice and organizational stage.

Broad incumbents

• Paul Taylor Dance Company: Established NYC modern dance company with a large repertory and education/outreach programming. Overlaps in education programming and NYC performance circuit, significantly larger scale.
• Mark Morris Dance Group: Major NYC contemporary dance organization with strong education programs (Dance for PD, school partnerships) and a substantial repertory. Overlaps in programming and audience, larger scale.
• Ballet Hispánico: Larger, established NYC-based dance organization with a robust education division (Ballet Hispánico School of Dance) and community programs. Comparable education and community footprint at a larger scale.

Regional players

• National Dance Institute: NYC-based dance education organization (named as an EMERGE125 partner/host venue). Comparable education mission and NYC footprint, focused on in-school programs rather than professional performance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/emerge125
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/emerge125
• Instagraminstagram.com/emerge125
• TikToktiktok.com/@emerge125
• Xx.com/emerge125

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Emerge125