ABOUT EMMA
Emma Trickett is the principal teacher at Miss Emma's Dancing. Her passion for movement began with a childhood full of music and gymnastics, and she fell in love with performance at 5 years old after being cast as a dancing sunflower in a school show! With a life full of movement training, Emma has dedicated 28 years to Ballroom & Latin dancing. Throughout her dance career, Emma has been inspired by incredible teachers, exploring many aspects of dance and enjoying a mix of social dancing, performance opportunities, and competition. She loves movement, as there is always more to learn and experience.
Emma earned her first dance-teaching qualification from the International Dance Teachers' Association (IDTA) in 2005. She has taught a diverse range of students, from complete beginners to beginner competitors and those preparing for auditions, in a variety of learning environments. She developed a particular interest in how multisensory cues can enhance the perception of rhythm, primarily through meaningful experiences with deaf students. To fund further professional dance training, Emma established a successful tandem business, The Moving Body Clinic. This rewarding work complemented her dance teaching by deepening her understanding of movement disorders.
As a passionate and experienced dance professional, Emma is dedicated to continuous professional development and enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills with others.
Emma’s professional Dance & Gymnastics qualifications
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD): Registered Teacher
International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA): Professional Teacher of Dance (Ballroom)
International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA): Professional Teacher of Dance (Latin-American)
The Guild of Professional Teachers of Dance, Movement to Music and Dramatic Arts: Member
Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies (LIMS, New York): Laban/Bartenieff residencies (Edinburgh)
British Gymnastics: Intermediate Level Primary Teachers Award
Welcome Host
Enhanced DBS (every 3 years) / current PPL PRS music licences
Continuing professional development with the RAD, IDTA and British Gymnastics
Further training
2012: Emma completed an inspiring dance residency led by Peggy Hackney, an internationally recognised dance educator known for her work in Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis as the Director of Dance & Laban at NYU and UC Berkeley in the USA. Focusing on movement signatures and the relationship to breath, body and spatial phrasing offered a vital perspective on non-verbal communication.
2012: Emma furthered her movement training at the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies (New York), attending their partner site in Edinburgh. She fell in love with Edinburgh and found the Laban and Bartenieff residencies to be essential to her development as a dancer. Eager to continue her studies, she remains dedicated to exploring the skills she has learned.
2013-2016: Emma received additional professional training from Chris Green, a distinguished IDTA Fellow & Examiner. She is deeply grateful to Chris for sharing her exceptional expertise during this time. Emma looks forward to further opportunities to study with Chris as the depth of her knowledge, technique and attention to detail are truly incredible.
Miss Emma’s Dancing opened in February 2014
Emma relocated to rural Wiltshire from Southampton in late 2013 and opened Miss Emma’s Dancing early the following year. She is incredibly proud of the friendly, local dance community she has established over the years, and she would like to thank her students for their support.
Student Support & Achievements
Emma takes great joy in watching her students progress and is dedicated to their development. She has choreographed showcases for masquerade balls and vintage events, providing her students with opportunities to build confidence through performance. Additionally, Emma has trained dancers for participation in the prestigious Vienna Opera Ball and organised a trip for students to experience dancing at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
From 2014 to 2020, Emma taught dance and gymnastics in local primary schools. She found particular fulfilment in guiding her students during performances at the Wyvern Theatre for the Wiltshire Dance Festival in 2019 and 2020, which attracted audiences of over 600 each time. She performed on stage with her students to support those who were more nervous. Emma also successfully led a primary school gymnastics team to first place at both the 2019 and 2020 Wiltshire Schools Gymnastics Competitions within their local cluster - a fantastic achievement!
Community Contributions
Beyond her regular classes, Emma has organised dance initiatives to support local causes and charities, including Oak & Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre, HarFest, Heart Rhythm Charity, Fibromyalgia UK, and the purchase of specialist gymnastics equipment for St. Joseph's Primary School. Emma runs a non-profit dancewear shop to support The Littlest Lives Rescue, Help-a-Hedgehog Hospital, and Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital. She has donated her time and skills by choreographing for community theatre productions, training Young Farmers for dance competition, and acting as a dance host for local events. She has taught BTEC students at BDC Theatre College (the formal and social dances of wartime England), and has led dance workshops for international students at Stonar School.
2020 - present day
Miss Emma’s Dancing successfully weathered COVID-19, but Emma underwent multiple brain surgeries in 2022. A complex recovery process has provided her with comprehensive insight and a first-hand understanding of the profound challenges posed by health setbacks, significant reductions in physical capacity, limited independent mobility, and the extensive processes required to try to regain basic daily functions. For their continued care, Emma would like to thank Malmesbury Primary Care Centre, Southmead Hospital, Royal United Hospital Bath, Swindon Hospital, Bristol Royal Infirmary, St Michael’s Hospital, Sulis Hospital, Spire Bristol Hospital, NHS Physiotherapy & Neuro-Physiotherapy, CK Clinic Physiotherapy, Tetbury Chiropractic, the Dance Professionals Fund/Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund, and The Hospital Saturday Fund.
Special thanks go to her friend Haydyn for his daily care and support, to Haydyn and Alethea for their outstanding commitment to keeping our lovely dance community together throughout this time (view their Line Dancing classes), to Carole for being such a good friend, and to her little cat for keeping her company throughout everything.
Like many who experience a life-changing event, Emma now finds joy in the simple things. She loves spending time with her rescue animals (her fur-family) and delving into dance history and music theory.
Emma would also like to mention Fred & Beryl Coates for their initial encouragement of her dance career, sports coach Mr Austin for his confidence in her abilities, and Tracie Gooch for the lovely example of what a caring dance community could be.
