About Me

Artist Statement

“Sound first – movement after finding my voice .”

I have always been drawn to the sound and movement of tap dance. Each sound is intentional and each movement is a choice, together forming a language that allows me to express what words cannot. I thrive in this balance between structure and freedom. Where rhythm demands precision and accountability, and movement invites interpretation, nuance, and individuality. Within this tension, I find clarity, curiosity, and space to explore my own voice as an artist.

 

My work as a choreographer is grounded in musicality, approaching it as if I am another instrument. I view choreography as a collaboration with the music, the dancers, and the audience. Watching dancers embody and bring life to a vision that once lived only in my head is one of the most rewarding parts of my practice.

 

My relationship to tap dance is rooted in listening. Over time, I have come to experience tap not only as music and movement, but as a living piece of history. As a tap dancer, I carry a sense of responsibility to the tap masters who paved the way. To understand how their lives, their struggles, and their resilience are embedded in the art form. Engaging with archival footage and seeking mentorship from descendants of the masters continues to connect me to the lineage. The tap community has always made me feel seen and supported, offering a sense of belonging that can be hard to find elsewhere. Festivals, in particular, feel like home—places where dancers from around the world gather to share, learn, and connect. These spaces have shaped not only my artistry, but my values, and these values guide everything I do.

Biography

Emma Ritchie is a Calgary-based tap dancer, choreographer, and educator. She began training and competing in multiple styles of dance at the age of three before focusing on rhythm tap at fourteen. An alumna of the Tri-Tone Rhythm Ensemble, Emma trained with the company for eight years under Tasha Lawson, developing a strong artistic foundation and a deep connection to the rhythm tap community.

Since attending her first tap festival at age twelve, Emma has studied with leading artists across North America and Europe, training at festivals in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, New York, Seattle, San Antonio, Orange County, and Wilhelmshaven. She furthered her education internationally through the Professional Training Program for Tap Dancers at the Luthier School of Music and Dance in Barcelona, graduating with a certificate in June 2021. During this nine-month program, she collaborated with Rubén Sánchez to create a solo work and performed as a principal dancer with Naranja Dance Project in the premiere of Recapitulation.

Emma’s performance credits include principal roles in Play It Forward with Lawson Percussive Dance Arts at the National Music Centre, Phonetically Speaking with TapPhonics at the Grand Theatre, and Paying the Dues with Jordan Lemiere’s 89 Hours Tap Project, presented as a full-length production in Calgary and Vancouver. A career highlight includes collaborating with Canadian beatbox champion Peter Pot to create an original set for the Calgary Public Library Foundation’s LIT Gala.

 

In addition to performing, Emma has choreographed award-winning competitive works at studios across Calgary and Cochrane. She led the tap program at Snap Dance Studios, contributing to their recognition as Top Tap Studio at the 2023 WRDAA competition. Through Lawson Percussive Dance Arts, she has created professional company choreography presented at Container Park, Dance YYC, and the National Music Centre for International Tap Day. Currently teaching and choreographing throughout the city, Emma is committed to developing the next generation of tap dancers.

CV

Performances

Paying the Dues

— Principal Dancer

89 Hours Tap Project (Jordan Lemiere)

  • Full-length productions in Calgary & Vancouver
  • Featured at International Tap Day (Calgary)
  • Orange County Tap Festival

LIT Gala

— Featured Performer

Calgary Public Library Foundation

Collaborative work with Canadian Beatbox Champion Peter Pot

Phonetically Speaking

— Ensemble Dancer

TapPhonics (Lisa LaTouche), Grand Theatre

Play It Forward

— Ensemble Dancer

Lawson Percussive Dance Arts, National Music Centre

Recapitulation

— Principal Dancer

Naranja Dance Project, Almeria Teatre, Barcelona

Choreography

2019-Present

— Competitive Choreography

Created award-winning tap works for studios across Calgary and Cochrane

Snap Dance Studios

— Lead Tap Instructor & Choreographer

  • Developed and led tap program
  • Choreography for Winter Production “The Nutcracker”

Lawson Percussive Dance Arts

— Company Choreography

Professional work presented at:

  • Container Park
  • Dance YYC
  • National Music Centre (International Tap Day)

Teaching & Education

Calgary Board of Education

— Education Assistant

Literacy support and inclusive education

International Tap Day

— Guest Teacher, Workshop leader

Regional STAR Fest

— Workshop leader

The Movement Studio

— Guest Teacher, Guest Evaluator, Workshop Leader

Bern, Switzerland

Tritone

— Instructor, choreographer

Studios

Snap Dance Studios

— Lead Tap Instructor, Choreography, Winter

Premiere Dance Academy

— Guest Teacher, Summer Intensive, guest choreographer

Infinite Dance Creations

— Guest Teacher, guest choreographer, workshops

Prestige

— Guest Teacher

Crossings Dance

— Adult tap classes, choreography

Strive Dance Academy

— Guest Teacher