Emily Yancey is a professional actress and classically trained, multi-genre crossover vocalist performing in plays, musicals, and operas across the Western New York area.

 In the classical music world, Emily performed the title-role in the televised opera SUSANNAH, produced and recorded by WNED-PBS & Buffalo Opera Unlimited, reaching tens of thousands of viewers in their homes with two airings (See Videos Tab).

In the spring of 2025, Emily received her sixth individual Artie Award nomination: Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical for her critically renowned performance as Florence Vassy in CHESS at the Lancaster Opera House. (See Reviews Tab)

Critics, fans, and the artist all agree: this role stands as pinnacle in her career so far.

  Emily was last year honored with her fifth individual Artie nomination: Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play for her performance as Eliza(s) in THE (CURIOUS CASE OF THE) WATSON INTELLIGENCE in her Road Less Traveled Productions debut.  With this recognition, Emily achieved nomination in every individual performance category she is eligible for. 

Prior to this,  she was individually nominated for Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role for her role in DISASTER! (Sister Mary Downy) with MusicalFare Theatre.  She also shares a group Artie Award WIN for Outstanding Ensemble of a Musical in the same hit production. 

In 2020, Emily was honored with her third individual Artie Award nomination:  Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play for her performance in FACTORY FOR MURDERERS (Kate/Mrs. Perlman) with Alleyway Theatre.  

       She was awarded the 2019 Artie Award for Outstanding Ensemble of a Musical alongside her cast-mates in O'Connell and Company's acclaimed all-female production of 1776: THE MUSICAL, a show from which she also garnered her second individual Artie Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Edward Rutledge. 

Emily received her first individual Artie Award Nomination for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical for her work in the world premiere of KILLER RACK: THE FEMINIST HORROR MUSICAL COMEDY (Betty Downer) with Alleyway Theatre.

Other favorite credits include: A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER (Phoebe/Miss Barley), NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (Eileen Evergreen), SPRING AWAKENING (Martha) with MusicalFare Theatre, SHE KILLS MONSTERS (Agnes) with Subversive Theatre, OKLAHOMA! (Laurey), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Hodel), CLUE ON STAGE (Miss Scarlet), THE WIZARD OF OZ (Glinda/Aunt Em) with Lancaster Opera  House, THE MIGHTY MAISIE (Zanna), STUPID FUCKING BIRD (Nina) with American Repertory Theatre, A GREAT WILDERNESS (Janet) with Buffalo United Artists, A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Belle et al, for 8 years), GIRLS WHO WALKED ON GLASS (Katrina) with Alleyway Theatre, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Margaret) with Shakespeare in Delaware Park, and DIE FLEDERMAUS (Adele), THE MAGIC FLUTE (Pamina) with Buffalo Opera Unlimited. 

Emily holds a BA in Music/Vocal Performance and a BS in Biology & Psychology from Canisius University.  She owes her success to the character and work ethic that resulted from growing up on her family's sheep farm, as well as the enormously developmental teachings and friendship of her mentor, Neal Radice. 

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