“I feel incredibly inspired by people who’ve decided that Albuquerque is their place.”
Meet Elyse Fahey, a dynamic choreographer and dancer whose movement-based storytelling is reshaping Albuquerque’s arts scene.
Rooted in a lifelong passion for creativity, Elyse’s work blends contemporary dance, theater, and improvisation to create performances that are as fleeting as they are unforgettable. Fueled by a deep belief that inspiration comes from staying open and present, she builds richly layered pieces that invite audiences to experience dance in new and intimate ways. Elyse’s fearless approach to risk-taking and her commitment to making work in Albuquerque reflect a vibrant spirit that’s helping to define the city’s evolving cultural landscape.
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A life in motion
From leaping over plastic alligators on a carpeted floor to festivals in Germany and France, dancer and choreographer Elyse Fahey has never stopped moving. Her first steps into the art world were practically toddler-sized—taking classes by age three, raised in a house where music, theater, and creativity flowed freely. It wasn’t a decision to become an artist; it was simply who she was. “Without sounding overly dramatic,” Elyse laughs, “I think I was born an artist, and I’m fortunate to have had that nurtured from the beginning.”
That early freedom to explore multiple styles still shows up in her choreography today. Elyse resists being boxed into one genre, instead weaving a wide spectrum of movement into her work. “Versatility is really important to me,” she says. “I don’t ever want to get put in one dance box.”
Finding Rhythm in ABQ
Maintaining a rigorous dance practice takes serious commitment—and sometimes a bit of improvisation. For Elyse, that might mean inventing her own classes, or even taking a beginner’s level class. “I feel better when I’m dancing more,” she says. “It’s important physically, but it’s also really important creatively.”
Her process is organic, sparked by movement itself, or a surprising piece of music that casts an image in her mind. She describes this inspiration as something she catches rather than controls: “I don’t necessarily believe that they’re my ideas. I just think that if I’m doing my work of staying open and I happen to catch a really good idea, it’s then my responsibility to kind of see it through.”
Elyse’s work is rich in emotion and visual storytelling—sculptural, sensory, and atmospheric. One piece recently featured a bathtub and a character styled like a Greco-Roman statue, brought to life with help from lighting design. “Dance doesn’t really exist unless you see it,” she says. “As soon as it’s witnessed, it’s gone.”
Rather than delivering a clear-cut message, Elyse aims to create an emotional experience. “I believe art should be a refuge,” she explains. “Even if it’s just an hour that someone spends with me, I hope they get to take a break from the constant turnings of the world.” Her goal is a kind of emotional resonance that sticks—even if the audience can’t quite explain why.
“I spent too many years waiting for permission to be good enough. Once I got really clear on that, a lot of things started to change.”
Learning to Leap
Elyse’s journey has been deeply shaped by the people and place that raised her, training with an unusually strong roster of teachers here in Albuquerque. “I don’t know how they ended up here,” she says with a smile. “But I’ve been incredibly lucky.”
Today, she’s part of a growing community that’s choosing to stay and create in the 505. “I think Albuquerque’s arts scene is robust. And I think it’s unique,” Elyse says. She’s especially inspired by artists who aren’t measuring their success against big coastal cities, but instead are focused on doing their best work here.
It’s a perspective Elyse has embraced in her own career: stop waiting, start doing. Whether she’s crafting serious choreography or finding unexpected humor onstage, she leads with conviction—and encourages others to do the same. “We don’t have enough time,” she says. “If this is something you want to do, go all in.”
Find upcoming performances featuring Elyse on ABQToDo.
Art Every Day Of The Week
When you start to look, you’ll see art everywhere in Albuquerque. Use this calendar to find an arts and culture event near you. Take a friend, bring your kids, or go on your own. Become a part of the arts and culture community in Albuquerque. You’ll be glad you did.
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