Emeralds

ANGELINA

Angelina has been dancing for 16 years and has a passion for tap and a lot of love for hip hop. Angelina is currently a dance teacher in the area, She loves working with kids and sharing her love for dance with them! Fun fact, her favorite food is an açaí bowl! 

EDWINA

Edwina is native to the Capital Region and has been dancing for several years. She is trained in ballet, hiphop, jazz, and African dance. Edwina was a competitive collegiate dancer as well as a professional dancer for the AFL league, the NBA and various backup dancer opportunities. She was the inaugural coach for the Albany Empire in 2018 and coaches a local Nationally ranked dance team. 

JILLIAN

Jillian was a competitive dancer throughout middle school and high school. She continued dancing while I went to the state university of New York at Oneonta, where She was a choreographer of the terpsichorean dance company for two semesters and she was on the Oneonta state dance team. In Jillian’s last semester, she became the captain of her TERPS team. Dance has been a huge part of my life ever since I can remember! 

KYLIE

Kylie was raised in Red Hook NY where she began her dance career at the age of 5! Kylie went on to become a collegiate competitive dancer at SUNY Oneonta where she was captain for 3 years! Kylie loves to ski in the winter and her favorite food is sushi! 

SORI

Although she started at a late age, Sori considers herself an experimental and outgoing dancer familiar with various styles of dance like salsa, contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip hop, and breakdancing. Her dance history includes Latin Dance Group, 2006 Treasures Dance team (Albany Conquest), Performing Arts Dance Company, and 2018-19 Albany Empresses (Albany Empire). Sori was also a member of the 2020 Albany Patroons Emerald Hype Squad! 

VAY

Vay started dancing at the age of 7 inspired by her brother who also danced. She has danced on various teams in Albany and she is extremely excited to be apart of the Albany Emeralds. She especially loves how dance creates a sisterhood and has enjoyed watching ours come together.  If she isn’t dancing, Vay is playing basketball, writing poetry or knitting! 

COACH BRITTNEY

Brittney began dancing at the age of 4 and hasn’t stopped moving since. In 2014, she interviewed for a hip hop instructor position at a local studio in Clifton Park and left the interview with a full schedule of classes in all age groups and genres such as, hip hop, contemporary, jazz, technique, and musical theatre. After a short few months, she adopted the role of assistant director of the studio. She went on to receive multiple awards for her dances and choreography and was even invited to The World Dance Pageant to compete her dance against studios from 8 different countries. But that didn’t stop her from performing herself. She then danced with the Albany Empire as an Empress for their two incredible seasons. Brittney was the Head choreographer for the Albany Patroons Emeralds Hype Squad in 2020! 

COACH CLARE

Clare began dancing at age 7. Quickly growing a love for hip hop on her studio competition team. She followed her passion all throughout college at SUNY Plattsburgh, where she eventually became the Head Choreographer for the Hip Hop Dance Team. She also held an executive position as “Social Chair” and was recognized and awarded for being the team’s most outstanding member. Clare danced for the Albany Empresses for two consecutive seasons. Clare danced for the Albany Patroons in 2020 and was the Juniors Hype squad coach!