teaching

Emma is a dance educator and mentor, currently on faculty in the Ballet and Contemporary Dance Conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts, under the direction of Paige Amicon, and at California School of the Arts San Gabriel Valley under the direction of Bridget McNally.

Past teaching credits include the Seattle Festival of Dance + Improvisation, Cornish College of the Arts, Loyola Marymount University, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, The School at Spectrum Dance Theater and Bainbridge Dance Center, among others.

Pedagogical influences include Release Technique, Contemporary Floorwork, Gaga, Countertechnique and Improvisation. Her teaching philosophy is inspired by rigor, specificity, release, joy, research, exchange and acceptance.

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choreographic commissions

“Fantasia” (excerpts) 2024

presented by California School of the Arts, San Gabriel Valley

choreography by Emma Lawes

directed by Erika Bandy, rehearsal director Austin Crumley

danced by students in CSArts’ Ballet and Contemporary Dance Conservatory

music by J.S. Bach, performed by CSArts’ Instrumental Music Conservatory

“Echoes” 2025

presented by California School of the Arts, San Gabriel Valley

choreography by Emma Lawes

danced by students in CSArts’ Ballet and Contemporary Dance Conservatory

music by Caleb Arredondo