Lincoln native dances Cher Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Nebraska dancer goes from online workshops in her basement to performing with Cher at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Three years ago, at the height of the pandemic, a young dancer named Emma Heiliger reached out to one of Cher's backup dancers for advice on breaking into the industry. She was participating in online dance workshops from her parent's basement in Lincoln at the time.

Fast forward to Thanksgiving, and Emma Heiliger found herself performing alongside Cher and the woman she had messaged back in 2020. This was a dream come true for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate, who had moved to Los Angeles in 2021 to pursue her dance career. Her biggest performance to date was being part of Cher's team during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Prior to the parade, Emma Heiliger had made an appearance in Jung Kook's "3D" music video featuring Jack Harlow. However, her mom, Susie Heiliger, stated that the Thanksgiving performance was the pinnacle of her daughter's career so far.

Emma Heiliger only found out about the parade performance in late October, and she had just a few rehearsals in LA before the big day. This is typical in the professional dance world, where preparation time is often limited.

Emma Heiliger's passion for dance started at the age of 3 when her mother signed her up for classes at True Dance and Company in Lincoln. Her natural talent and stage presence were evident from a young age, and she began competing with her dance studio at the age of 7.

Watching her daughter perform on TV with the family on Thanksgiving was an emotional moment for Susie Heiliger. She reflected on Emma's journey and the hard work and persistence it took to reach this level of success.

Both Emma and Susie Heiliger have always been fans of Cher, so this experience has been surreal for them. Emma is now traveling internationally with Cher and the other dancers to promote the legendary singer's new Christmas album. They are currently in Germany and will soon be heading to London.

Next up for Emma Heiliger is a featured performance in Cher's broadcast for the Rockefeller Center's Christmas tree lighting. It's been a whirlwind experience for her, but she's loving every minute of it.

Susie Heiliger expressed her gratitude for her daughter's opportunity to dance with such a legendary figure and emphasized that Emma is truly living her dream.

This journey from a young dancer in Lincoln to performing with Cher on a global stage is a testament to Emma Heiliger's talent, hard work, and determination. It's a reminder that dreams can come true with persistence and dedication.

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