Emma José ’28 is a four-time Irish Dancing World Championship medalist hailing from New York City. José, who started dancing at age 3 and competing at age 8, has stayed on top of training and competitions while balancing her academics at Colgate. With an interest in environmental science, she is conducting on-campus research with Professor Paul Harnik this summer, exploring the functional responses to warming seas and how rising temperatures affect marine ecosystems. At press time, she was also preparing to attend the national championships in Washington, D.C., in July. Here’s more from her interview with Colgate Magazine:
How did you become involved in Irish dancing?
The documentary Jig inspired me from a young age. I’d watch it at least two or three times a week as a child. One of the main stars was Filipino and Irish like me, and I knew I wanted to qualify for the worlds like her.
After COVID, when I switched dance schools, I ended up going to the school that was featured in the documentary. At that point, I had never qualified for the worlds or achieved a lot of my childhood dreams. Now, being top five in the nation twice, being top five at the regionals three times, and placing in every single world championship I’ve been to — it’s pretty incredible. To realize that in the past five years, I’ve accomplished everything I have ever dreamed of and more is amazing. The best part — what carries me through — is still my love of Irish dance.
What does competing at a championship look like?
Typically at a major competition, there are three rounds. In the first round, you perform a rhythmic routine in hard shoes. You are being judged on timing and pace. Three people perform different choreographies at the same time. The second dance is in soft shoes, which are like ballet slippers. This routine is more lyrical and highlights the grace of Irish Dance. Two people perform at a time. Usually the top 50% are called back for the final round. This dance is in hard shoes and is performed alone.
At my most recent world championship, I woke up at 3:45 a.m. for makeup and got my wig done at around 4:30 a.m. My first dance was at 8 a.m., my second was at 11:30 a.m., and my last dance was at 5 p.m. It was a long day that required a lot of pacing and some power naps here and there.
How do you manage your time on campus?
I train five to six days a week for an hour or two, and usually that takes place either really early in the morning or really late at night, depending on when I can fit it in. On top of that, I do outside cross-training, walks, and runs.
It’s difficult at times, but the people I have here are a great support system. My professors have been really helpful. I went to Scotland in October for a competition, and Ireland [twice this year]. I had to miss a few classes, but my teachers have been really willing to help me catch up on work. They have made it seem like this is an opportunity I can do in addition to my academics. I’m really grateful for that. [Also] my next-door neighbor used to be an Irish dancer, and she’s a good friend of mine. [She’s] really helped in the moments when everything’s overwhelming.
What do you want people to know about Irish dancing?
It may seem silly with the costumes or with the lack of arm use, but every single Irish dancer, no matter what level, works really hard to be where they are.
How do people generally react when they learn that you are an Irish dancer?
People are a little starstruck when I show them the shiny costume and the tall wig I wear at competitions. Also, it’s pretty cool to say that I’m an Irish dancer because it’s definitely a niche passion.