Erin Sandy: "There's No Hurdle I Won't Overcome"

We are thrilled to feature Erin Sandy, a dynamic actress, dancer, singer, and choreographer  whose unique artistic perspective was forged across global borders. Born and raised in the United Arab Emirates to Belgian and South African parents, she grew up immersed in a vibrant tapestry of cultures—an experience that deeply influences her creative work. Now based in New York City, Erin is actively shaping her career as a professional performer. Today, we connect with Erin to discuss her professional trajectory, highlight her upcoming creative endeavors, and examine her dedication to the evolution of her craft. 

Did you always know you wanted to become an artist and why did you choose New York? 

It was always my biggest dream—the one I didn’t even admit to myself. If I could pick my absolute dream job, this is what I always wanted to do. Then, when I was sixteen and working professionally in Belgium, I just had a moment of, 'Why not try?'. My love for singing, acting, and dance naturally led me to musical theater. So, that’s when I decided to move to New York.  When I got accepted to AMDA, I took it as a definitive sign that this was the path for me. I knew that if I was going to dedicate myself to training, I had to do it at the very source so I could absorb every ounce of knowledge possible. 

You’ve lived in and navigated multiple countries throughout your life. How has absorbing these different cultures, languages, and environments shaped the unique creative voice you bring to the stage today? 

I grew up surrounded by an incredible range of multicultural artistic influences. I think that this is why I love being in New York City this much—because it feels like a continuation of that. I got to experience a very traditional Arabic culture and see performers showcasing traditional dances from that region. Then, moving to Belgium introduced me to the classical world, where I danced with a ballet company, Company V, and performed in a touring opera, Carmen directed by Frank Van Laecke . Being surrounded by all these different types of art early on truly shaped me. I have taken everything I learned from those chapters with me to New York, where I now get to explore more contemporary work and musical theater. 

Living and working in New York City is a dream for so many, but the real magic is often in the community you build. What has it been like to collaborate with other artists here, and has it pushed your work in new directions?

It has been the absolute best experience meeting people here. I train at Steps on Broadway amongst other working professionals, Broadway performers, etc. I have also had the opportunity to work with Dante Vargas, a multiple grammy award winning musician, with whom I also have upcoming projects that I am excited about. It raised the bar; it made me reflect on the type of art I want to bring to this world. 

What have you been working on lately, and what is currently fueling your creative fire? 

I recently wrapped a music video as the head choreographer for singer-songwriter Pia Paez’s new single, Get Me Tired. I am also performing this Saturday, July 18th, at the ArtBeat Dance Festival in Somerville, featured in a piece by Julianne Ceretta. Moreover, In the following years I will be co-creating with Cobblestone Entertainment to develop a series of dance short films inspired by the Four Seasons, where I will be choreographing and starring. The artistic concept explores the four seasons and nature's elements, and how they influence dance and movement. These films will premiere both nationally and internationally; for the film festivals, we will mainly focus on Belgium and the US (California), but we are open to more that hasn't been set in stone too much as of yet. 

If you could go back to the version of you who first arrived in the city, what is the most important lesson you’ve learned through your journey? 

Something I learned is that you can always level up even more. There’s always something more to learn. I try to consistently keep up with my training. Being here provides one of the highest levels of training you can get, and I love watching shows to stay inspired. I would tell myself to enjoy every second, soak up everything as much as you can. You are about to grow and learn so much. So many chapters of your life will feel like they’ve flown by. 

How would you describe your experience living in New York City as an immigrant artist? How is New York different from all the places you’ve been before?

It is the first place where I’ve lived as an adult, and this is where I feel like I’ve grown into myself as an artist. The challenges are worth it because there’s such a determination behind everything I do; there is no hurdle that I won’t overcome to stay here. I grew up watching so many movies of people moving to New York to pursue their dreams, and it’s so rewarding that now I’m living mine.

What dream are you chasing next?

Broadway of course is a huge dream. I will keep on working towards it until I get there.  I would love to be a part of Moulin Rouge, the dance numbers are amazing and dancing is such a great part of my identity. And staying in New York, I feel like home here.