Who are you?

My name is Emma Portner and I am a Canadian-born dancer, currently living in New York City.

What do you do?

I am a dancer, choreographer and movement director. I release dance within people and create physical narratives for a living. It is my pride and joy to enlighten the general public with the value of dance. I do not discriminate when it comes to body type or training experience. We all use the same tool and I believe that all bodies can access the magic behind movement whether you are a professional, a non-dancer, or anything in between. With this perspective, I am able to work with actors, musicians, brands, and singers all the same. I enjoy cross-collaboration very much.

What are you most proud of from 2018?

I am most proud of overcoming physical illness and branching out into other art forms. I was able to act and screen test for the first time in 2018. I celebrated a year of marriage. I became more aware of my personal and professional boundaries, as I am someone with limitations. I have discovered that I cannot work past x amount of hours, that I cannot have x amount of people watching me work. That I have to eat and function in very specific ways in order to foster the best working environment for me, and that's ok! I am understanding what I need to create the best results as a professional while also taking care of my needs as an individual.

What do you think will be your biggest challenge in 2019?

I can be painfully anxious and shy. I hope to find more moments of internal peace in 2019. Feeling "at home" or "comfortable" is always a challenge but I continue to figure it all out. Shifting my image to MORE than just a choreographer also remains a challenge. I want to be known as someone who is adaptable and can hop between many mediums because I want to do it all. I hope to dance for others, direct, sing, act, learn, and perform. I am more than "the girl from the Justin Bieber video." It has taken me many years to come to that. To really see and understand that I am more than a workhorse for the visions of others. But, that I can also really help the ideas of others come into fruition when it feels right and healthy. Everything in moderation, I guess!

What do you think will be your biggest opportunity in 2019?

Everyday will be an opportunity. Who knows! I can't necessarily publicly state some of the projects I hope to work on this year (yet) but ... some really exciting ideas up my sleeve for sure.

Where can we follow you?

To peer into the most current versions of my work world(s) or artistic endeavors... you can follow me on Instagram: @emmaportner!