Emma started performing in theatres in northern England before heading off to New York to train at Broadway dance centre. She came to Hong Kong in the late-1980’s and became a resident dancer with ‘The Fly Girls’ for MTV and also performed in many concerts with Boys To Men, Whitney Houston and Elton John amongst others. She worked on a variety of youth arts projects as choreographer and workshop leader including West Side Story, Grease, Little Shop of Horrors, Bugsy Malone and other contemporary works. She has also choreographed the opening ceremonies for the HK Rugby 7’s with cast of hundreds. In 1997, together with her friend Lisa, she set up Creative Production Group (CPG Concepts) which has choreographed and conceptualised many events including the openings of the Andy Warhol art exhibitions throughout Asia, entertainment for F1 in Singapore, the opening of the Marina Bay Sands Singapore, and the largest flashmob in Asia (almost 400 people) at the Venetian Macao. Emma regularly choreographs the showgirl shows that perform at the Xanadu lounge at the Sands Macau. She choreographed the Leona Lewis concert for BMW in the birds nest stadium, Beijing, and also recently a Katie Perry event. She is currently working on a project with the film director Zhang Yimou, to be performed in the theatre at the National Centre for Performing Arts, Beijing, and at Edinburgh Arts Festival this summer. Emma also runs a youth programme and dance academy in Macau – The Macau Glee club which has done shows for a performance with Yao Ming, half-time pitch entertainment at the HK Rugby Sevens, Macau Arts Festival, St Patrick’s Parade, Venetian Carnival, Macau Mardi Gras and many more shows at the Sands Theatre.
– What’s your idea of a perfect day?
Just being with my three children, husband and our dog Betsy. A walk along the coast together, a sea breeze, some nice views, back home for great food and a good family movie .
If you could go back in time to any event in history, what would it be?
My grandparents wedding! I miss them and it would be amazing to see them again when they were young and to be in the era of the 1920’s.
What’s your favorite book?
I like such a wide variety of books but The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien is so imaginative. I thoroughly enjoyed My Family and Other Animals, an autobiography by British Naturalist, Gerald Durrell about the years he lived in Corfu in the 1930’s as a child with his family.
And your favorite singer/ band?
Ed Sheeran at the moment. His lyrics are poetic and so on point, it’s so easy to relate to his songs. I love every genre of music from blues, jazz, classical, rock, RnB. I love salsa, tango, Irish, African and the list goes on and on.
Who is your hero?
I know great people in Macau and all over the world who volunteer their time to help others in need. I have good friends involved in Environmental activism but if we are to name a famous person – Leonardo Dicaprio is very devoted to raising environmental awareness. Bob Geldof and very one involved in Live Aid. Nurses , Teachers, Doctors – they are all heroes. Madonna – I don’t know about hero, but she’s an inspiration!
– What can always cheer you up when you are having a bad day?
My children, without a doubt. Or teaching a dance class to my children and their friends at Macau Glee Club. When you have to focus your mind on younger beings its always a positive outcome.
– If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sunday Roast. I don’t even need the meat, just a huge variety of vegetables, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, parsnips, peas, gravy, Yorkshire pudding. There’s my British tradition coming out!
If you could retire tomorrow what would you do?
I would go to Cuba and salsa everyday, then Argentina and do Argentinean Tango. Then I’d go to Moscow and watch a performance of the Bolshoi Ballet. Then take an African Safari, teach some classes, choreograph a few shows and learn languages. I really admire people who are fluent in more than one language, and that’s most people in Macau!
– What’s your favourite season or festival?
Christmas. I love cold weather, snowy wintery scenes, the log fires, the coziness of indoors compared to the fresh icy air outdoors (obviously it’s not like that here). The loving, giving and warm atmosphere is great .
– What’s your favourite place in Macau?
The Coloane trails. There’s a short 4km trail where I take Betsy along the cliffs. You can hear the waves on the rocks and the vegetation is lush.
