About Esther
A storyteller at heart, Esther Pauline Farley is a multimedia artist, choreographer, and dancer with a deep passion for storytelling through movement. Born in Downers Grove, Illinois, Esther discovered her love for dance early on and pursued it with unwavering dedication. In 2021, Esther earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance Performance with an emphasis on Jazz Dance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Esther’s artistic journey includes performing works by acclaimed choreographers such as Katlin Bourgeois, Shannon Alvis, Monique Haley, Bradley Shelver, and Gabrielle Lamb. Her choreographic work has garnered significant recognition, including performances at the Detroit Dance Exchange and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Notably, her evening-length production Bodies of Water, which she both produced and directed, premiered at the Greenhouse Theatre Center in Lincoln Park and was met with critical acclaim.
In addition to her choreographic achievements, Esther was a company member with Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre and has freelanced extensively in Chicago. Her solo work Montmartre debuted at the Detroit Dance Exchange and was featured at the Boston Conservatory’s 2019 Winterworks concert, as well as a prestigious gala at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Her piece Transoceanic was also showcased at the Conservatory's 2020 Winterworks concert.
Esther’s creative journey is deeply supported by her family, friends, and the Chicago community. She is the founder of the Bodies of Water Dance Collective, a platform dedicated to innovative dance projects and community engagement. The collective focuses on exploring artistic boundaries and fostering a supportive environment for artists at various stages of their careers.