Emily Aiken

Emily (Emi) Aiken is originally from Hudson, North Carolina. They hold a BFA in dance and a MFA in Choreography from UNCGreensboro studying dance, writing, pedagogy, and performance art. Emi additionally holds a Certificate in Counseling from NC State University, a Certificate in Integrative Health Coaching from Duke University, and is a final stage trainee of Kinetic Awareness- a mindful movement technique developed by Elaine Summers of Judson Dance Theater. Emi has performed nationally and internationally for COMPANY by Justin Tornow (Durham, NC), Valerie Green Dance Entropy (Queens, New York), Thea Little ( Brooklyn, New York), and was a core collective member of Collapss- Collective of Happy Sounds (Greensboro, NC). Emi is a member of the Royal House of LaBeija, the first national and international vogue house.

Emi has taught and performed creative dance, jazz, contemporary, gymnastics and movement technique for 17 years in studios, public schools, and conferences in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Poland, and Bolivia. Emi is a lifelong student of Luigi and Francis of Luigi’s Jazz Center NYC, and is heavily influenced by the specificity, calmness, and emotion of Luigi’s teaching style. Additionally, Emi practices liberatory and hierarchically-aware leadership, seeing teaching and coaching as a responsibility toward equitable and thoughtful facilitation. Emi believes that children and young adults are creative and capable at their core, having the ability to understand their bodies in space, how to exist peacefully with others, and how to implement practice toward personal and collective goals.

Emi obtained their introductory certificate in Bronze level foundations through Briora Ballroom in the Spring of 2025, and looks forward to translating the coordination, movement, and social mannerisms in developmentally appropriate ways to children of all ages.