The E*I*E Project brings genuine human connection to Elders through ballet and conversation.
Summer 2026 Tour: Human Connection Through Ballet in Senior Living Communities
Support my 2026 Summer Senior Living Community ballet tour from DC to Denver and Beyond—bringing live ballet, breath, movement and meaningful human connection while honoring my late mother’s legacy.
MY PASSION, MY MISSION My name is Emily Ricca and I’m a professional ballerina. I love to dance with all my heart and soul and even more to share it through authentic connection with others.
(To read more about this important work, visit EmilyRicca.com)
❤️ Near the ending of the "Dying Swan," performed at a Missouri Senior Living 💃🏽
PROFESSIONAL BALLET = BEAUTIFUL ILLUSION SENIOR LIVING PERFORMANCES = NO ILLUSION, DEEPER HUMAN CONNECTION
🎭 This is me performing with the Florida Grand Opera in "Turandot," by Puccini. 🎭
For the last 5 years I’ve been traveling to Senior Living Communities across America while performing diverse excerpts from classical ballets to more contemporary dances. In addition, I am honored to create even more intimate moments of connection by involving close knit Senior Living viewers as I lead them in engaging seated breathing exercises with a ballet twist.
With generous support from donors like you, here are a few of the cities I've been able to reach--touching thousands of residents, staff and visitors:
Miami, Fort Lauderdale & Southeast Florida
Tulsa, St. Louis, Omaha & Denver
Sioux Falls & Rapid City (SD),
Whitefish, Billings & Bozeman (MT)
Dallas, Scottsdale & Phoenix
New York City & Washington, D.C.
Salt Lake City...Coming Soon in June, 2026!
🙏🏽 Isaiah and Me with a lovely group of residents at a Miami-area Senior Living 🙏🏽
THE SUMMER 2026 TOUR My 2026 Summer Tour begins on June 14 with Senior Living performances in Washington DC--then moving west to a week in Denver, another week in Salt Lake City, and then back to Missouri for approximately three weeks of dancing for Senior Living communities across several cities there, including St. Louis and Springfield.
The Campaign for my SUMMER 2026 TOUR will intentionally begin in the month of May--a special time as it is the two year anniversary of my mom Jane's passing. As many of you can relate, a mother is so influential in a daughter’s growth and achievement. I will always remember my mom as my biggest fan as she always supported me and encouraged me to go for my dreams. She has truly shaped my life more powerfully than any other person. This Campaign and Summer 2026 Tour is dedicated to Jane Escolas--my dear mom--featured in the picture, below.
🙏🏽 ❤️ My Dear Mom, Jane ❤️ 🙏🏽
HOW YOUR GIFT SUPPORTS THIS WORK
Every donation helps me to continue and expand this work — bringing ballet and human connection to more elders, especially in communities that might never experience this without your help.
Transportation (plane flights, ground transportation between Senior Communities, etc)
Dancer compensation
Collaboration with additional dancers and their compensation
Other essential costs of bringing ballet, breath, movement and human connection to more people across the USA this SUMMER, 2026!
💃🏽 I am grateful for meaningful connections with lovely people like this! 💃🏽
A FEW PARTING THOUGHTS Human connection through live art is so important for society and for a people to flourish and evolve. This has been proven time and again throughout history. It is precious to feel and connect deeply through dance, while also sharing in breathing, movement, and relating to these dear generations through meaningful conversation. In this age of AI and technology it’s so important to not lose what makes us human. Let’s protect that and keep live arts flourishing!
Please be a part of this amazing journey to protect and continue bringing live arts through human connection to our dear elders. Thank you for helping me!
❤️ Nothing quite like human connection through dance and the arts! 💃🏽
Rewards
A Friend of the Arts
Donate $25.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
A simple, heartfelt way to support this work and help bring moments of connection to life.
Donors at this level will receive:
A personalized thank you email message from Emily.
The Supporter
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
A meaningful step in helping bring this work to Senior Living communities in need.
Donors at this level will receive:
A personalized thank you email message from Emily
Shoutout on Instagram
The Encourager
Donate $150.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Helping carry even more dance and connection into Senior Living communities Nationwide.
Donors at this level will receive:
An autographed picture of Emily (sent via email)
The Connection Builder
Donate $300.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Supporting even deeper moments of live ballet, movement and connection.
Donors at this level will receive:
20-minute virtual breath and gentle movement session (group Zoom)
The Community Partner
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Helping bring even more meaningful experiences directly to senior communities.
Donors at this level will receive:
40-minute breath and gentle movement session (group Zoom)
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