Cast of Pagliacci opera production on stage with large Pagliaccio banner, colorful costumes, string lights, and painted sky backdrop, featuring ballet dancer Emily Ricca in blue dress
Ballet dancer Emily Ricca with Pagliacci cast in full clown and Commedia dell'arte costumes posing on stage set with harlequin backdrop and red curtains
Black and white photo of ballet dancer Emily Ricca in a tutu performing a dramatic pas de deux with male partner, both in ornate costumes under stage lighting
Professional Bio

National and International Performance Career

Emily has danced professionally throughout the United States and internationally, performing in Puerto Rico, Chile, and France in roles ranging from corps de ballet to soloist, principal ballerina, and guest artist.

Emily continues to appear regularly in productions with the Florida Grand Opera. Past ballet roles include Pagliacci, The Magic Flute, Die Fledermaus, and Turandot under the direction of Jeffrey Buchman with choreography by Rosa Mercedes.

She has performed in productions ranging from classical ballet to musical theatre, including a principal dancer role in Mary Poppin' It with the Miami-based company Live in Color Hip Hop Dance.

National and International Performance Career

Ballet dancer Emily Ricca performing in Turandot opera, wearing a white flowing costume posed dramatically on a massive dragon stage prop beneath a glowing moon orb
Ballet dancer Emily Ricca performing in Turandot opera, wearing a white flowing costume posed dramatically on a massive dragon stage prop beneath a glowing moon orb

In Paris, Emily served as guest principal ballerina with Ballet Marais, where she also taught masterclasses for advanced ballet students. During this time she worked with legendary Paris Opera Ballet étoile Michael Denard, performing excerpts from classical repertoire including Swan Lake, Giselle, and Raymonda.

Her career has also included collaborations across film and theater, including work with acclaimed film director Harmony Korine, who cast her as a ballerina in one of his films.

Ballet dancer Emily Ricca as Columbina in Pagliacci wearing a flowing blue dress, white theatrical makeup, and pink flower in hair on a dark dramatic stage
Ballet dancer Emily Ricca taking a bow on stage with male partner during curtain call, surrounded by live musicians including cellist, double bassist, and harpist under purple stage lighting with floral projection backdrop
Ballet dancer Emily Ricca and male partner posing in pink and magenta Nutcracker costumes outside theater with FADC The Nutcracker marquee sign
Ballet dancer Emily Ricca smiling on stage wearing a pink sequined tutu and crystal tiara during a solo performance under purple stage lighting

She has performed with companies and organizations including:

  • Ballet de San Juan

  • Florida Dance Theatre 

  • Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami 

  • Albany Berkshire Ballet 

  • Boca Ballet Theatre

  • Stuart Dance

  • Vero Ballet

  • Wellington Dance Theatre

  • Springfield Ballet

  • Key West Ballet

Original Choreography and Artistic Voice

In addition to classical repertoire, Emily creates original choreographic works inspired by literature, history, and sacred narrative.

One notable example is a ballet based on the story of Deborah, the warrior and prophetess described in the Old Testament Book of Judges. Her choreography blends classical ballet technique with narrative storytelling, creating works that invite audiences to encounter dance as both artistic expression and cultural dialogue.

Two ballet dancers in a close embrace on a darkened stage, wearing soft pink costumes
Two ballet dancers in a close embrace on a darkened stage, wearing soft pink costumes

Emily's choreography has also been featured in several performances at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center in Miami, where she has created and presented multiple works for dancers and community audiences.

Emily has also collaborated with choreographers and directors on newly created works, including classical pas de deux created specifically for her and others in theatrical productions.

Teaching, Mentorship, and Cultural Education

Ballet dancer in a black sequined tutu and crown posing on stage with a harpist and a male dancer alongside a concert harp
Ballet teacher Emily Ricca smiling in a joyful selfie surrounded by enthusiastic school children

Education and mentorship have always been central to Emily's work as an artist. She has taught ballet and movement in pre-professional schools, community programs, and cultural institutions in the United States, Puerto Rico, and France.

Her teaching experience includes:

  • Miami City Ballet School – Ballet Instructor

  • Thomas Armour Ballet School – Ballet Instructor

  • African Heritage Cultural Arts Center – Ballet Instructor and Resident Artist

  • Jewish Community Center, Miami Beach – Ballet Instructor

  • 6th Street Dance Studio, Little Havana – Ballet Instructor and Choreographer

Ballet dancer Emily Ricca posing with senior living community resident
Ballet dancer Emily Ricca posing with senior living community resident
Emily Ricca professional ballet dancer performing live ballet at a senior living community

Through these programs she has taught students ranging from young children to adult community dancers, emphasizing classical technique, artistic expression, and appreciation for the cultural history of dance.

She also founded the Romance Project, an international arts education initiative designed to bring live music and dance performances into schools and introduce young audiences to the performing arts.

Her work has also been presented at:

  • Charles Hadley Park

  • Highland Oaks Elementary Cultural Arts Day

  • Salvador Dalí Museum

  • Lake Wales

  • Other universities, museums, and cultural institutions across the United States

Ballet dancer in a white flowing costume performing an expressive dramatic pose beside a massive sculptural dragon set piece in a black and white stage production of Turandot
Ballet dancer in a white flowing costume performing an expressive dramatic pose beside a massive sculptural dragon set piece in a black and white stage production of Turandot

Dance Through Time: A Living History of Ballet

A central component of Emily's work is an eclectic live performance program that demonstrates how dance has evolved throughout history. Each piece is introduced with a brief and engaging explanation, helping audiences understand the historical and artistic context of the movement they are seeing.

Programs may include works spanning several centuries of dance history, from Baroque court dance such as La Folia de Espagñe, through the expressive world of Romantic ballet in works like Giselle, and into beloved classical repertoire including The Dying Swan by Saint-Saëns.

Two ballet dancers performing a dynamic pas de deux on stage, with the female dancer extending her leg in arabesque while being supported by her partner, both in soft pink costumes under warm stage lighting
Two ballet dancers performing a dynamic pas de deux on stage, with the female dancer extending her leg in arabesque while being supported by her partner, both in soft pink costumes under warm stage lighting

Emily also performs contemporary works set to composers such as George Gershwin, alongside original choreography reflecting her own artistic voice.

These performances are often presented in historically inspired costumes, allowing audiences to experience both the movement and visual beauty of ballet's artistic evolution.

Support Emily's work—make a direct contribution via GoFundMe, or a tax-deductible contribution via Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3) public charity that sponsors arts missions like hers.