About Me
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
Emma is committed to teaching and working with the upcoming generation of dancers to encourage their love of ballet while creating a healthy, accepting, and open environment and relationship with the art. Emma prioritizes communication and connection, and they hope to spread their love of dance to everyone they teach.
Emma’s choreographic drive has been developed through a combination of the studies and discussions they conducted during their time in college, as well as personal discovery during creation periods. Emma feels compelled by an examination of aesthetics and philosophy of art, and they believe the incorporation of these elements into the daily and overarching elements of ballet could continued growth and study into the art. They are motivated by how storytelling can encourage extensive discussion and reflection within an audience beyond the performance experience.
CHOREOGRAPHYEmma returned to Chicago in 2021 and began rekindling their interest in choreography. Their experience began in high school at their hometown studio in Michigan. In the Fall of 2021, they were given the opportunity to choreograph for Ballet Chicago’s DanceVision show, which features all new choreography. This exciting opportunity opened Emma’s eyes to the world of ballet choreography, and they have been pursuing it ever since.
Emma was invited back to choreograph for DanceVision for a second year in Fall 2022. Most recently, they were commissioned to create a piece for Neville Dance Theatre through their “Chance to Choreograph” program. Emma is eager to branch out to new spaces and continue to create innovative and exciting works for groups around the country.
Photos clockwise from top left: la isla, An Exchange of Two, You Are Welcome Here, An Exchange of Two; courtesy of Emma Kapteyn