A Triple Threat Taking Center Stage: The Dynamic Career of Emily Kristen Morris
- Emma Bijelić
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
What happens when an incredibly talented actress harnesses the power of social media to build a vibrant community while simultaneously dedicating herself to the art of vocal instruction? The answer is Emily Kristen Morris, a true triple threat whose career exemplifies the modern artist.
From captivating audiences in leading roles in musical theatre to sharing invaluable insights on vocal technique with a vast online following and nurturing aspiring singers through her EKM Vocal Studio, Emily seamlessly integrates her diverse passions into a dynamic and inspiring professional life. A seasoned performer known for her vocal prowess and compelling stage presence, Emily has also carved out a significant digital footprint, amassing over 1.8 million followers on TikTok and over 200,000 on Instagram, making her a relatable and massively influential figure in the performing arts world.
Emily’s deep connection with the performing arts is rooted early in her childhood. Her journey began at the age of 11 when she participated in her first musical, Footloose, with a children's theater company. This experience ignited a fervent passion, leading her to eagerly immerse herself in vocal studies around the age of 12 with Richard Nickol. Alongside voice lessons, she also pursued acting and dance classes, demonstrating an early commitment to a well-rounded performing arts education. Growing up in the San Francisco area, Emily actively engaged in school productions and later transitioned to semi-professional theater, laying the foundation for her future career. Her unwavering dedication led her to the prestigious Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM), where she honed her skills and earned her BFA in musical theater. Regarding her vocal training, Emily recalled,
“I started voice lessons at 12…and acting lessons, dance classes, and was doing all of that along with doing shows at school.”
Reflecting on the pivotal moment of graduating and moving to New York City, Emily vividly recalls the experience of the BFA class showcase for agents and casting directors, describing it as being “set loose into the wild of New York City to start auditioning.” She fondly remembers the strong sense of camaraderie and mutual support among her classmates at CCM.
“We still talk to this day, I invited every single one of them to my wedding. We still have a group chat. These are my people through and through.”
While acknowledging that San Francisco doesn’t have a plethora of regional houses doing musical theater in the Bay Area, Emily recognized that she still had access to quality training and felt very lucky to grow up in a city in regards to arts exposure. Her decision to pursue a career in musical theater solidified early on, driven by a genuine love for the art form.
“I think I knew really early. I did my first musical and was like--yeah, I'm doing this.”
A celebrated stage performer, Emily has graced the world of musical theatre in a variety of demanding roles, including the iconic Elphaba in Wicked’s Broadway National Tour, and Elsa in Frozen.
Her experience as an Elphaba standby was, in her own words, “totally crazy,” a unique position requiring constant vigilance and readiness to step into the lead role without the routine of regular performances. She noted that standing by is specifically hard due to its unique challenges. Despite this, Emily deeply cherished her time with Wicked.
“I really, really, really loved that role. I love that show. I love the music. I love the story. I was really lucky to get to do it.”
She also hopes that she may someday return to the role. In contrast, playing Elsa in Frozen at Paramount Theatre, located in Aurora, Illinois, proved to be a “genuinely soul-fulfilling and wonderful” experience, particularly because of the heartwarming interactions with young audience members. Emily shared how seeing the children in their Elsa get-ups and witnessing families experience musical theater for the first time melted her heart.
When asked about her approach to embodying such diverse characters, Emily highlights the foundational training received during her BFA program,
“It's the rehearsing, the text work, the bodywork, the voice lessons, and the acting coaching.”
She also underscores the crucial role of vocal cross-training in maintaining the flexibility required for varied repertoire, explaining that while performing as Elphaba, she would concurrently work on “Rodgers and Hammerstein” and “high soprano stuff” so that she could “offset all that heavy high-octane belting.”
Emily also touched upon audience reactions, recalling the impact of online feedback on her performances as Elphaba, noting how people expressed their love for her renditions of “The Wizard and I” and especially “Defying Gravity.” Reflecting on her personal connection to the character of Elphaba, Emily shared that her experience with a visible scar from thyroid cancer at a young age created an immediate connection to Elphaba's skin deformity.
“I understand what it is to have something just showing on your body that you can't hide from the world that makes you different.”
Check out a recording of Emily performing “Defying Gravity” here!
She described her portrayal of Elphaba as “heart forward,” and someone deeply affected by old wounds, ultimately evolving into an activist driven by a strong sense of justice, a trait Emily personally identifies with. While Elphaba was the most challenging, Emily found playing Elsa very rewarding due to the sheer joy of the experience and the connection with young audiences.
In addition to her thriving stage career, Emily has strategically and authentically built a significant presence on social media platforms. She openly shares that she has always enjoyed social media and views content creation as an extension of her business and a way to educate people. Emily often engages in what she calls “batch filming,” dedicating time to create multiple videos on various vocal techniques when inspiration strikes.
While acknowledging the necessity of consistency in posting to build an online following, for Emily, her personal social media page serves as a platform for sharing not only her professional endeavors but also her personal passions and beliefs, including a strong commitment to social justice and political awareness. She believes her online presence is an extension of her authentic self, allowing her to speak out on issues that are important to her, such as voter turnout and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. Emily notes that within the arts community, there is generally a forward-thinking and progressive mindset, making it natural for her to use her platform to address relevant social and political topics, stating,
“Most artists are forward thinking and progressive and wanting to be a part of the change that we want in the world.”
Emily values her right to activism and often advocates for people to go to the polls and get their votes in. Her feelings toward her artistic community are protective and further extends these feelings into admirable action by being open about her progressiveness to contribute to protecting other marginalized voices.
Building upon her commitment to advocacy and the well-being of her community, Emily channels her passion and expertise into another significant aspect of her career: vocal instruction and the nurturing of aspiring singers. This dedication manifested in the creation of her own educational platform.
Driven by a deep love for the voice and a genuine desire to impart her knowledge, Emily established the EKM Vocal Studio in 2019 after obtaining her voice pedagogy certification. Her motivation stemmed from her interactions with aspiring singers who frequently sought her advice on vocal health and audition preparation during her time on the National Broadway Tour of Something Rotten.
“At the stage door, on Instagram, and after every performance, I would get messages and meet people who were asking me all the questions that I guess every actor gets asked, like what's your warm-up and how do you keep your voice healthy for this kind of singing eight shows a week?”
This led her to start coaching, and she very quickly realized she didn’t just want to be a coach, she wanted to be a voice teacher. Recognizing the fundamental difference between excelling as a singer and effectively teaching others, Emily decided to commit to formal training in vocal pedagogy. She sought a program that would provide her with a comprehensive understanding of vocal science and diverse vocal needs, leading her to the Institute for Vocal Advancement. Emily’s teaching philosophy at EKM centers on the principles of connection and balance throughout the entire vocal range.
“At EKM, first and foremost, our goal for every singer we work with is connection and balance. So, connection--meaning there are no gaps or flips or breaks, and you can smoothly transition from the bottom part of your range all the way to the top and back. And then balance means that no part of the voice has to feel more squeezed or more breathy than another part.”
The overarching goal of her teaching is to empower singers to “feel free to express yourself through song in multiple genres without the fear of strain and voice cracks.” Emily firmly believes in the importance of continued education for voice teachers, emphasizing the need to stay updated on the latest vocal science and to tailor their approach to the individual needs of each student, saying,
“I think the minute we stop learning as teachers, we just start relying on old tricks instead of really seeing our students who are in front of us and hearing what they need and being able to facilitate the tools that are going to help them become better singers.”
Emily Kristen Morris stands as a remarkable example of a contemporary artist who excels across multiple demanding fields. Her ability to navigate the rigors of musical theatre, cultivate a meaningful online presence, and dedicate herself to the education of aspiring vocalists with unwavering passion and authenticity is truly inspiring. Whether she is captivating audiences from the stage, sharing her expertise online, or guiding students toward vocal excellence, Emily embodies the dedication, versatility, and spirit of a multifaceted artist making a significant impact on the performing arts landscape.
P.S. Here are some fun facts about Emily Kristen Morris!
Favorite Vocal Exercise: An exercise right on or above the first passaggio because it requires learning how to mix.
Favorite Artist Right Now: Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.
Hobbies: Weightlifting, baking, and hosting dinner parties.
Favorite Color: Green.
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Article by Emma Bijelić
Emma Bijelić is currently a junior at the Mead Witter School of Music, the University of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing a Bachelor’s in Communications and Music Composition with an emphasis in Flute Studies. She studied flute performance under Dr. Conor Nelson for a portion of her undergrad, and now studies composition under the leadership of Dr. Laura Elise Schwendinger. In addition to her work with LunART, Emma enjoys volunteering at animal shelters, crocheting, learning new music, and nerding out about film.
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