Meet your Teachers
Emily Murray
Owner & Director
Emily Murray is the Owner and Director of Riverwalk Dance Collective. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a minor in Italian from The University of Alabama, where she studied under renowned faculty including Cornelius Carter, Lawrence Jackson, Sarah M. Berry, Rita Snyder, John Virciglio, and Rebecca Salrzer. During her time at the university, Emily performed with the Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre, and her choreography was selected to be featured in Dance Alabama!
Following graduation, Emily served as the full-time dance teacher at Clyde Erwin Elementary Magnet School from 2023–2025, where she introduced hundreds of students to the joy of dance. Prior to that, she taught through the YMCA New River After-School Program at Clyde Erwin Elementary from 2022–2023.
Emily began dancing at just two years old at the Hanscom Air Force Base Community Center before continuing her training at Brixham Danceworks in South Berwick, Maine under the direction of Nicki Wilford. She has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, modern, contemporary, and additional dance styles.
Emily was selected as a teacher assistant for the Dance Olympus Convention, where she worked alongside nationally recognized educators Sarah Jo Fazio, Billy Griffin, and Angie Sellers. She also received a scholarship to attend the Giordano Jazz Intensive in Chicago, Illinois, one of the country's premier jazz dance training programs.
Her choreography has earned awards at regional dance competitions, reflecting her passion for creating meaningful and engaging work for young dancers.
Emily also holds certifications in Alixa Flexibility, NASM Personal Training, and CPR, allowing her to safely incorporate flexibility training, strength development, and injury prevention into her classes.
As the founder of Riverwalk Dance Collective, Emily is passionate about creating a welcoming, positive environment where every dancer feels encouraged to grow in both confidence and technique. Her goal is to inspire a lifelong love of dance while helping each student reach their fullest potential in a supportive, family-centered studio.