Irish Step Dancer Emma Burke Seeks to Educate Young Atlanta Artists About Irish Culture – WABE

The Atlanta dance scene is vibrant and eclectic, and we’re honored to spotlight some of the many local dancers who amaze us with their moves in our ongoing “Speaking of Dance” series.

This edition highlights Atlanta-based Irish dancer and Atlanta Irish Dance instructor Emma Burke. Irish step dancing is the only style of dance in which a person does not use their arms when performing. Burke said: “It’s so amazing to watch because you have these individuals with their upper bodies, shoulders tucked back, neck extended, arms stuck at their sides, and yet their legs are kicking foot towards the sky and they jump through. the air.”

Burke was born in Dublin, Ireland, and has been dancing since she was 10 years old. Her family moved to Atlanta in the 1980s, and she continued to make the city her home for her children. “As a dancer, I want to educate the community about Irish dance and Ireland. We teach (my dancers) Gaelic at Atlanta Irish Dance. We explain the history of dance, so our dancers not only learn how to dance, but they know why we dance,” Burke said.

More information about Atlanta Irish Dancing is available here.