ABOUT
“Harrison’s movement vocabulary
is absolutely captivating, from start to finish, the beauty in the intricate
detail, and full embodiment of theme. There are moments when it is not just
theme that comes through but a perfect sense of being in the moment, drawing
the audience in, something quite rare and at an uncommon level in Harrison.”
“Harrison is a wonderful choreographer, mover, creative thinker and director. She has a wonderful sense of what she is about, and what her work needs to speak to. Harrison creates consistently captivating work, and is a rising star of independent dance art, her gentle but fierce soul shining through in all she does, making it a delight to be an observer of her work. Keep an eye out and do not miss the next instalment.”
- Dance Informa
Emma is dance and theatre performer, choreographer, movement director,
and educator living and working in Sydney, Australia. Her practice is rooted in
contemporary dance and theatre, blending humour with highly physical movement,
and is shaped by her nomadic upbringing across regional Queensland and New
South Wales. Drawing from her working-class and regional upbringing, Emma uses
dance to explore the systems that shape us, questioning and reimagining the
ways we move through the world. Emma seeks to challenge dominant narratives, and
create work that resonates with both personal and collective experiences.
Emma works independently and collaborate with choreographers and directors across Australia and is part of the Artistic Directorate of Dance Makers Collective.
As a choreographer, Emma was commissioned by Campbelltown Arts Centre to create 'High Octane', her first full-length ensemble work, 2025. In 2024 her dance theatre solo work ‘Wolverine’ was commissioned by Sydney Festival 2024 (Olivia Ansell). Emma choreographed and performed ‘Arlington’ by playwright Enda Walsh, and directed by Anna Houston in 2024.
Later this year her new work ‘Top Dog’ will premiere on the Sydney Dance Company pre professional year students.
Emma’s other choreographic works have been presented by Dance Makers Collective Big Dance 2.0, March Dance Festival, Art Month Sydney, Ausdance, Bondi Festival, Crack X Festival, Strut Dance WA, Sydney Fringe Festival, and DirtyFeet Out of the Studio. Emma is a 2025 ATLAS create your dance trails scholar at Impulstanz Festival in Vienna, Austria, mentored by Christopher Matthews.
Performance highlights include Marrugeku’s ‘Cut the Sky’ (dir. Rachael Swain, choreographed by Dalisa Pigram & Serge Aimé Coulibaly), ‘The Lost Boys’ (Little Eggs Collective, dir. Craig Baldwin & Eliza Scott), ‘All in’ (Dance Makers Collective, dir. Miranda Wheen for Sydney Festival 2025) “Cue Lab’ (choreographer Emma Riches) and Tra Mi Dinh’s ‘(UP)HOLDING’.
Emma was the inaugural recipient of the DMC RAPPORT international artist residency in 2022, traveling to South East Dance UK, with sound designer Amy Flannery (Wiradjuri) to develop 'Wolverine'.
Emma has been supported through residencies with March Dance Festival, DirtyFeet, AUSDANCE, Tantrum Youth Arts, and Strut Dance WA.
Emma has extensive experience leading masterclasses and workshops for professional artists, students, and communities, and is passionate about sharing new knowledge and bringing dance to those who may not otherwise have access, particularly in Western Sydney.
Emma regularly lectures and teaches in tertiary institutions and schools across NSW.
Emma works independently and collaborate with choreographers and directors across Australia and is part of the Artistic Directorate of Dance Makers Collective.
As a choreographer, Emma was commissioned by Campbelltown Arts Centre to create 'High Octane', her first full-length ensemble work, 2025. In 2024 her dance theatre solo work ‘Wolverine’ was commissioned by Sydney Festival 2024 (Olivia Ansell). Emma choreographed and performed ‘Arlington’ by playwright Enda Walsh, and directed by Anna Houston in 2024.
Later this year her new work ‘Top Dog’ will premiere on the Sydney Dance Company pre professional year students.
Emma’s other choreographic works have been presented by Dance Makers Collective Big Dance 2.0, March Dance Festival, Art Month Sydney, Ausdance, Bondi Festival, Crack X Festival, Strut Dance WA, Sydney Fringe Festival, and DirtyFeet Out of the Studio. Emma is a 2025 ATLAS create your dance trails scholar at Impulstanz Festival in Vienna, Austria, mentored by Christopher Matthews.
Performance highlights include Marrugeku’s ‘Cut the Sky’ (dir. Rachael Swain, choreographed by Dalisa Pigram & Serge Aimé Coulibaly), ‘The Lost Boys’ (Little Eggs Collective, dir. Craig Baldwin & Eliza Scott), ‘All in’ (Dance Makers Collective, dir. Miranda Wheen for Sydney Festival 2025) “Cue Lab’ (choreographer Emma Riches) and Tra Mi Dinh’s ‘(UP)HOLDING’.
Emma was the inaugural recipient of the DMC RAPPORT international artist residency in 2022, traveling to South East Dance UK, with sound designer Amy Flannery (Wiradjuri) to develop 'Wolverine'.
Emma has been supported through residencies with March Dance Festival, DirtyFeet, AUSDANCE, Tantrum Youth Arts, and Strut Dance WA.
Emma has extensive experience leading masterclasses and workshops for professional artists, students, and communities, and is passionate about sharing new knowledge and bringing dance to those who may not otherwise have access, particularly in Western Sydney.
Emma regularly lectures and teaches in tertiary institutions and schools across NSW.
Images by Nat Cartney.