Emma Portner

Emma Portner
Name	Emma Portner
Birth date	1994
Birth place	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Occupation	Dancer, choreographer, director
Years active	2011–present

Emma Portner is a Canadian contemporary dancer, choreographer, and director known for her inventive choreography, viral performances, and work across concert, television, and commercial media. Portner has collaborated with prominent recording artists, theatre companies, and dance institutions while developing a distinct movement vocabulary informed by contemporary, jazz, and experimental traditions. Her work has been featured in international festivals, digital platforms, and mainstream productions.

Early life and education

Portner was born in Ottawa, Ontario, and raised in a family active in local arts communities including connections to the Ottawa Music Festival and Carleton University arts programs. She trained in studio programs associated with regional institutions such as the National Ballet School of Canada and studied under instructors who had affiliations with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company, and the Royal Ballet School. During her teenage years she attended intensive summer sessions linked to the Juilliard School, the American Dance Festival, and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and later furthered her studies through workshops at the New York University campus and private mentorships from choreographers connected to the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company.

Career

Portner's professional career began with viral digital performances that attracted attention from performing arts organizations such as Sadler's Wells, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and The Kennedy Center. She has choreographed for pop artists associated with labels including Republic Records, Columbia Records, and Interscope Records, and has collaborated with producers with ties to MTV, Vevo, and YouTube Music. Her collaborative network includes artists and companies like FKA twigs, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Troye Sivan, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Sia and institutions such as New York City Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater alumni projects.

Choreography and style

Portner's choreographic language synthesizes elements derived from contemporary dance lineages tied to Pina Bausch, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham while incorporating vernacular movements linked to street styles popularized in scenes around Los Angeles and New York City. Her movement aesthetics reflect influences from choreographers like Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, and Akram Khan, and frequently explores themes similar to works presented at the Venice Biennale, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Performa. She often stages pieces that navigate personal narrative frameworks comparable to those found in choreography by William Forsythe and Trisha Brown.

Notable works and performances

Portner's notable projects include stage pieces and filmed dances presented at venues and festivals such as BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), the South by Southwest festival, and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival where she worked with mainstream artists. She has created evening-length works and shorter pieces that toured through circuits including the Kennedy Center, Sadler's Wells, and regional theaters connected to the Broadway League and independent producing houses. Portner's choreography has been included in programs alongside companies like Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Mikhail Baryshnikov-associated projects.

Film, television and commercial projects

Portner has choreographed and appeared in music videos and televised performances associated with networks and platforms including NBC, CBS, Netflix, HBO, and Apple Music. Her commercial work has involved brands represented in campaigns with agencies tied to Wieden+Kennedy, Droga5, and BBDO, and she has contributed movement direction to film productions linked to independent studios as well as mainstream distributors such as A24 and Universal Pictures. Portner's screen collaborations have included creatives from the worlds of fashion and film associated with houses like Prada, Gucci, and publications such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar.

Awards and recognition

Portner has received critical recognition from arts organizations and media outlets including features in The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Globe and Mail, and has been profiled by cultural platforms like NPR, Billboard, and Rolling Stone. Her choreography has been shortlisted for honors presented by festivals and institutions that include the Bessie Awards, Dance Umbrella, and selection panels connected to the Prix Benois de la Danse. She has been invited to residency programs at centers such as Montalvo Arts Center, The Yard and artist development initiatives affiliated with Arts Council England and Canadian arts funding bodies.

Personal life

Portner lived and worked primarily in New York City and Los Angeles as hubs for contemporary performance, collaborating with artists across the music industry and dance communities. She has engaged in mentorship and teaching through workshops hosted by organizations like Steps on Broadway, Peridance Capezio Center, and university dance departments at institutions such as University of Southern California and Columbia University. Portner's public profile has included interviews and discussions in forums connected to LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and arts advocacy networks such as GLAAD and Dance/NYC.

Category:Canadian dancers Category:Contemporary dance choreographers