Emiko Nakagawa
Tap dance artist
Height: 5’5”, Eyes: Dark Brown, Hair: Brown
Emiko Nakagawa (she/her) is a professional tap dance artist currently based in NYC. Her early training in Jazz, Tap, and Street Style began at IVY Art Square led by Miyoko Tsuta and SEIYU. Since the young age of 8 she was mentored by Yukiko “Smilie” Misumi, a prominent tap dance educator in Tokyo, Japan. Emiko studied at Smilie’s internationally-known school, ARTN TAPDANCE STUDIO, and received superb training that focused on tap dance history, foundations, and master routines.
Through Smilie’s mentorship, Emiko was offered countless opportunities to further develop her tap dance education. In 2014, she was a member of the 8th class of the Japan Tap Dance Scholarship Program. In 2015, 2016, and 2020, she appeared in the production of “Legends of Tap” by the ARTN Company. She performed on the stage at The Big Apple Tap Festival. Additionally, she traveled overseas every year and studied with American artists such as Dianne Walker, Michelle Dorrance, Derick Grant, and Jared Grimes. As Emiko went on to further develop her tap artistry, she started performing in major venues across the world. In recent years, she has been active in the media, collaborating with tap sounds in commercials and appearing as dancers in distributed dramas.
Emiko has had success at many international tap dance festivals, especially as an improviser. She was a winner of the Cutting Contest Woodshed Experience in 2019 and won a cutting contest at LA Tap Fest. In the tap dance contest “KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL” that she participated in from the Kids category in 2009, she won six prizes and was the champion in 2017.
In 2021, Emiko enrolled at Broadway Dance Center in New York City as an ITP (Independent Training Program) student and continued for 18 months, eventually being awarded Outstanding Student in 2022.
She is one of the NY Tap Ensemble directed by Derick K Grant, and performed as a member through his mentorship.
She was also selected as one of 24 members of The School at Jacob’s Pillow 23’ Tap dance Performance Ensemble.
After graduated, Emiko is also currently helping as an Interpreter for program students from Japan. As a tap dance educator, she has taught all ages and levels for over 6 years and is currently teaching at Broadway Dance Center.
Stage
2023
- Judge Showcase at REIGN OR SHINE XV led by Eric Delgado (New York, U.S.)
- Solo Performance at CUPA Dance Showcase (New York, U.S.)
- Solo Performance at Sakura Spring Party (New York, U.S.)
- The show of NY Tap Ensemble Show directed by Derick Grant (New York, U.S.)
- Guest Performance at Japan fes in Brooklyn and Chelsea (New York, U.S.)
2022
- Tap Dance Show for Bronx Arts (New York, U.S.)
- Guest performance at JL Music & Dance Studio 10 Anniversary (New York, U.S.)
- CARNIVAL (New York, U.S.)
- Solo performance at X’mas Party 2022 Japan→NYC (New York, U.S.)
2021
- K-pop Festival Solo performance (New York, U.S.)
- CARNIVAL (New York, U.S.)
- Solo performance at Douglaston Winter Festival (New York, U.S.)
- K-pop Festival Solo performance (New York, U.S.)
2020
- Legends of Tap “LOVE, SHARE & RESPECT” The Show of ARTN Company (Tokyo, Japan)
- Tokyo International Tap Festival (Tokyo, Japan)
- Tap dance Live ~Hideaki Anada with Friends~ (Tokyo, Japan)
2019
- Tokyo International Tap Festival (Tokyo, Japan)
2018
- Participation in “Sound of Wood ~Ki no ne” (Chiba, Japan)
- National Tap Day (Tokyo, Japan)
- Tokyo International Tap Festival (Tokyo, Japan)
- SDGs Business Events Beyond Showcase “Shinwa” (Tokyo, Japan)
- 30 STEPS MONOLOGUE (Tokyo, Japan)
- Solo performance at KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL (Kanagawa, Japan)
2017
- National Tap Day (Tokyo, Japan)
- JTSP (Japan Tapdance Scholarship Program) Thanks Live (Tokyo, Japan)
- The Big Apple Tap Festival (NY, U.S.)
- GTR Presents ~Hypnotism~ (Kanagawa, Japan)
2016
- Tokyo International Tap Festival (Tokyo, Japan)
- Legends of Tap -Passing on- The Show of ARTN Company (Shizuoka, Japan)
2015
- Legends of Tap ”FOOTPRINTS” The Show of ARTN Company (Tokyo, Japan)
- JUBA of Chicago Tap Festival (Chicago, U.S.)
2012
- Back dancer of Miliyah Kato in London to supported and celebrated London Olympic (London, UK)
2006
- NHK back dancer of Yoshimi Tendo (Japanese Enka singer) (Tokyo, Japan)
- NHK Kouhaku Utagassen as one of the dancers (Tokyo, Japan)
Festival Scholarship
2019
- Participated in Woodshed Experience as a scholarship student (Denver, U.S.)
- Participated in LA TAP FEST as a scholarship student (LA, U.S.)
2014
- Participated in Chicago Tap Festival as a scholarship student (Chicago, U.S.)
Commercial / Film
2020
- Appeared A delivery drama ”SPEC Saga” (Tokyo, Japan)
2018
- Participated in the commercial film for Tokyo Shoe Commerce LTD (Tokyo, Japan)
Awards and Honors
2023
- Tap Dance Performance Ensemble at Jacob’s Pillow
2022
- Broadway Dance Center New York City Outstanding Student
2019
- Champion − Cutting Contest at Woodshed Experience in Denver
- Champion − Cutting Contest at LA Tap Festival in LA
2017
- Champion − 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 Prize − 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
2009
- 3rd Place − Kids Solo Contest at KAWASAKI TAP FESTIVAL