Emily Critz is an Irish dancer with over 17 years of experience in a variety of Irish and percussive genres. She initially trained as a competitive step dancer until she transitioned to sets, ceílí, and sean-nós (“old style”) styles. Her dance repertoire extends from Ireland to include Quebecois step dance, French waltz clog, and flatfooting which bring a remarkable blend of percussive expression to her dancing.
Emily has performed and choreographed original work for the theatrical show, Dancing at the Crossroads: A Celebration of Anglo-Celtic and African American Dance in the New World. She has also collaborated with bands The Here & Now, Celjun, and The Jig is Up, as well as performed alongside the Grammy-winning group, The Chieftains.
In addition to performing, Emily has taught both Irish step and social dances to all ages for 13 years. She currently teaches traditional sean-nós dance at Ballet Austin and has taught the ceili workshop at O’Flaherty’s for two years. Emily is also a founding member of the Irish Set Dancers of Austin and is the current dance reporter for the Southwest Celtic Music Association.