Emiko Nakagawa
Tap dance artist
Height: 5’5”, Eyes: Dark Brown, Hair: Brown
Emiko Nakagawa is a Japanese tap dance artist currently based in NYC. She went on to further develop her tap artistry with Yukiko “Smilie” Misumi’s mentorship at the age of 8, and she served as dance captain on various stages, including ARTN Company’s solo “Legends of Tap” series, and “Tokyo International Tap Festival”from 2015 to 2020 in Japan.
Before coming to NY, she achieved international recognition through performing at the show “JUBA!” at Chicago Tap Festival, and the show at Big Apple Tap Festival in NY.
She also has had success at many international tap dance contests. She was a winner of both Woodshed Experience and LA Tap Fest cutting contests in 2019. In the tap dance contest KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL in Japan, she won six prizes until 2016 and was the champion in 2017.
After coming to NY, Emiko was awarded an Outstanding Student at Broadway Dance Center in 2022.
She is an alumnus of The School at Jacob’s Pillow 2023.
She successfully made her first circus appearance which New York Circus Project are the presenting organization in 2025. She works for Caleb Teicher & Company, Dorrance Dance and more.
Her choreographies and performances have been shown at 54 Below, Symphony Space, The Joyce Theater, World of Dance (Headliner), 92NY, Vail Dance Festival and more, and she has a great appreciation for working and performing with amazing artists in U.S.
Stage Performances
- Vail Dance Festival Artist (CO, USA) 2025 / 2024(Scholar in Residence)
- Caleb Teicher & Company “Bzzz” (NY, USA) 2025
- New York Circus Project “LIQUID” (DC, USA) 2025
- World of Dance Headliner (NY, USA) 2025
- Ladies in the Shoe Solo Performance (NY, USA) 2025
- Gold Coast Dance Festival Solo Performance (NY, USA) 2024
- Dorrance Dance “SHIFT.” at The Joyce Theater (NY, USA) 2024
- Orlando Tap Festival Faculty (FL, USA) 2024
- POP SINGS at 54 Below (NY, USA) 2024
- CUPA Dance Showcase (NY, USA) 2024 / 2023
- NY Tap Ensemble Show (NY, USA) 2023
- Legends of Tap “LOVE, SHARE & RESPECT” (Tokyo, Japan) 2020 / 2016 / 2015
- Tokyo International Tap Festival (Tokyo, Japan) 2020 / 2019 / 2017 /2016
- National Tap Day (Tokyo, Japan) 2018 / 2017
- SDGs Business Events Beyond Showcase “Shinwa” (Tokyo, Japan) 2018
- 30 STEPS MONOLOGUE (Tokyo, Japan) 2018
- KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL Solo Performance (Kanagawa, Japan) 2018
- The Big Apple Tap Festival (NY, USA) 2017
- GTR Presents ~Hypnotism~ (Kanagawa, Japan) 2017
- JUBA at Chicago Tap Festival (IL, USA) 2015
Awards and Honors
2023
- Tap Dance Performance Ensemble at Jacob’s Pillow
- Broadway Dance Center New York City Outstanding Student
2019
- 1st Place – Cutting Contest at Woodshed Experience in Denver
- 1st Place – Cutting Contest at LA Tap Festival in LA 2019
2017
- 1st Place – Solo contest at KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL
2016
- 2nd Place − Solo Contest at KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL
2015
- 3rd Place − Solo Contest at KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL
2014
- JTSP (Japan Tapdance Scholarship Program) Representation from Japan
- 2nd Place − Solo Contest at KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL
2013
- 2nd Place − Solo Contest at KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL
2012
- 3rd Place − My Beat Contest produced by Coca-Cola
- 3rd Place − Kids Solo Contest at KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL
Publications
Vail Daily (August 9, 2024)
The Boston Musical Intelligencer (August 3, 2024)
https://www.classical-scene.com/2024/08/03/dorrance-vail/
Lighthouse ロサンゼルス (April, 2024)
https://magazine.us-lighthouse.com/publication/?i=818589&p=19&view=issueViewer