Emily grew up in Utah, the youngest of six children. She has always been involved in the arts. She began dancing at age three, drawing at age 4, singing and acting at age 8...anything to do with art, she loved! She met Spencer Tyndall, her future husband, while studying ballroom dancing at age 12. When she was 15, she began competing International Standard with Spencer. Two years later they also began competing International Latin. At age 19, Spencer went to Brazil to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While he was gone, Emily earned a position on the Young Ambassadors, an international performing group for Brigham Young University. She traveled across the United States and also to Brazil and Argentina performing a show called, " Broadway Rhythm". She also shot her feature film debut as Trisha in Napoleon Dynamite (2004). Emily and Spencer began dating when he returned from his mission. One year later they were married in the Salt Lake City, LDS Temple. Emily graduated in April, 2005 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration. She currently works for one of Disney's video game developing companies drawing concept art and building 3D models.

Step-sister of Darin Southam .Cousin of Shanna Nussbaum , also credited as Shanna Nussbaum .Graduated from Brigham Young University with a BFA in illustration (2005)