Emma Von Enck, NYCB Principal — On Promotion, Nerves, and Real Success | Pushing Over the Box

Emma Von Enck, NYCB Principal — On Promotion, Nerves, and Real Success | Pushing Over the Box

From Pushing Over the Box by Jasmine Jain

May 20, 2026 · 34 min · Episode 15

About this episode

Emma Von Enck shares her journey from quitting ballet to becoming a principal dancer at New York City Ballet.

Emma Von Enck quit ballet when she was 12. She wanted to try acting. She hated it. She begged her mom to put her back in. A few years later, she was standing in the wings at New York City Ballet, still in her Rubies costume, being told she'd just been promoted to principal. In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Emma Von Enck — principal dancer at New York City Ballet, Fordham University graduate, and two-time Princess Grace Award nominee. They talk about the long road to SAB, what nobody tells you about being a soloist, the moment she found out she was a principal (mid-show, in costume, her dad waiting backstage), how she handles pre-show nerves, and what she wishes her 13-year-old self had known about trying hard. TIMESTAMPS: [11:46] The Night She Found Out She Was a Principal [19:07] How Emma Manages Pre-Show Nerves [28:53] What She's Learned About Real Success ABOUT THE GUEST: Emma Von Enck is a principal dancer at New York City Ballet. A graduate of Fordham University, she is a two-time Princess Grace Award nominee and the 2016 recipient of the Mae L. Wien Award. She is known for her speed, clarity, and vivacious presence on stage. ABOUT PUSHING…

People in this episode

Host: Jasmine Jain

Guest: Emma Von Enck

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New York City Ballet, Fordham University, Princess Grace Award, Mae L. Wien Award

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