

Emma Diehl
B.A. in Cognitive Science, Minor in Data Science
University of Virginia
BalletMet
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Emma began her dance training at age 8 in her hometown of Leesburg, VA, immersing herself in all different styles before dedicating herself to ballet at age 14. Throughout high school, she pursued pre-professional training at the Washington School of Ballet and other local studios in northern Virginia. A year after high school, she danced full-time at BalletMet as a trainee. She attended summer intensive programs at Boston Ballet, Ellison Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre in New York.
In 2020, following the COVID-19 shutdown, Emma decided to step away from professional ballet training and pursue higher education. She began taking classes at her local community college before transferring to the University of Virginia, where she pursued a B.A. in Cognitive Science and a minor in Data Science. Alongside her studies, Emma excelled as a research assistant with UVA’s Educational Neuroscience Lab, interned with the U.S. Department of Education, and founded and directed a UVA chapter of the national nonprofit Ballet & Books. Her academic and extracurricular excellence earned her membership in The Raven Society, UVA’s oldest and most prestigious honorary society. Throughout her academic pursuits, Emma nurtured her
enduring passion for dance as a member of UVA’s Rhapsody Ballet Ensemble.
Upon her graduation in May 2024, Emma will begin a career in data analytics and federal government consulting with Accenture Federal Services in Arlington, VA. Her love for dance remains, as she continuously seeks opportunities to train and perform. Emma is thrilled to join Second Act and support others in their own journeys beyond the world of dance.