Emma Portner is a Canadian dancer and choreographer who gained fame with her viral dance film ‘Dancing in the Dark’. She started her career with Leeming DanceWorks and the National Ballet of Canada before transitioning to contemporary dance. After training at Canterbury High School and The Ailey School in New York City, Emma’s career took off as she collaborated with various dance groups. Her breakthrough came with the viral video ‘Dancing in the Dark’ with Matt Luck, leading to numerous offers and accolades. She was named Young Choreographer of the Year by the American Dance Awards and went on to choreograph Justin Bieber’s world tour. Emma also works as a faculty for renowned dance institutions and currently manages her own company, Emma Portner and Artists.
Quick Facts
- Canadian Celebrities Born In November Age: 29 Years, 29 Year Old Females
- Family: Spouse/Ex-: Ellen Page (m. 2018)
- Lesbians
- Contemporary Dancers
- City: Ottawa, Canada
- Education: Canterbury High School
Emma Portner’s Career
Emma Portner started dancing at the age of three and became a part of Leeming DanceWorks. She also trained at The National Ballet of Canada before deciding to pursue a specialized arts program at Canterbury High School. Despite her ballet training, Emma shifted her focus to contemporary movements. After graduating from Canterbury, she moved to New York City in 2013 to train at The Ailey School. In 2014, she participated in the improv program, RUBBERBANDance, which was a pivotal moment in her career.
Breakthrough and Collaboration with Justin Bieber
Emma’s breakthrough came after she met dancer Matt Luck in 2012. They choreographed and performed in the dance film “Dancing in the Dark,” which went viral and gained millions of viewers. This helped her gain recognition in the industry and she was awarded the Young Choreographer of the Year title by the American Dance Awards. Parris Goebel noticed Emma’s unique moves in the video and invited her to collaborate on Justin Bieber’s project titled “PURPOSE: The Movement.” Emma choreographed and featured in the album’s track “Life Is Worth Living,” which gained over 50 million views on YouTube. This success led to Emma choreographing sections of Bieber’s Purpose World Tour.
Popularity and Collaborations
Emma’s popularity has soared in recent years, partly due to her collaborations with her wife Ellen Page. Their duets, often sensual and intense, have attracted many new users to Emma’s Instagram page. Emma has over 218k followers on Instagram and is among the most followed choreographers globally. She has also choreographed for the Netflix show “Tales of City,” a new show for New York City Ballet, and a dance video with Maggie Rogers. Emma recently founded her own dance company called Emma Portner and Artists.
Family & Personal Life
Emma Portner was born on November 26, 1994, in Ottawa, Canada. She married actress Ellen Page in January 2018 and they live together in New York City. Ellen first noticed Emma on her Instagram page and was immediately impressed by her dancing abilities. In her spare time, Emma enjoys hiking, coloring, and watching hockey.
Trivia
Some of Emma Portner’s favorite artists include Robyn, Sarah Silverman, Miranda July, Chella Man, and Wade Robson.