Emma Gladstone, a widely-accomplished English dancer who has influenced the dance world through her pioneering leadership in prestigious events like the Dance Umbrella festival, has passed away at 63.
Emma Gladstone, The Dance World's 'Pioneering and Highly Respected Leader'
According to a statement from London's dance festival last Wednesday, Jan. 24, Gladstone died in the presence of her loving family on Jan. 22 following a short illness.
Of the now-passed dancer, the festival wrote: " A pioneering and highly respected leader in the dance world across the globe, Emma was Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Dance Umbrella from 2013 to 2021."
Founded in 1978, the famed festival gained a resurgence in following, which comprised audiences across all age groups, under Gladstone's direction. Of note is her varied year-long program that not only included London's major Venus but also its smaller and more niche art spaces.
In many ways, Gladstone was "prancing" along the lines of innovation when it comes to dance, especially because she was able to plan and facilitate a first performance in the UK's Alexandra Palace Ice Rink from the Canadian ice-skating group Le Patin Libre back in 2014.
The influential dance icon was also a great advocate for inclusivity in terms of disability arts, family-friendly dance offerings, and exposure of the UK audience to international performances.
In addition, she also dedicated her time to commissioning rare shows from acclaimed talent Jérôme Bellike, while also initiating collaborations in her home country and abroad.
Freddie Opoku-Addaiem, who succeeded her as an Art Director at Dance Umbrella, told The Guardian that Gladstone's key capability was her willingness to "share tools, impart lived experiences, and dive into the deep end to reach the desired goal with care."
As she had facilitated many joint initiatives across the dance industry, many companies within have come out with their tributes in light of Gladstone's passing.
One such organization is the Akram Khan Company, which wrote in a post to X (formerly Twitter): "Akram has lost a dear friend who had supported his artistic journey for so many years. An immense loss for the dance community."
Alleyne Dance, another company expressing their tribute to Gladstone, also posted to X, writing, "We cannot say thank you enough to Emma Gladstone. She was a shiny star who reached out to inspire and uplift so many lives."
"Your legacy will live on through the growing stars you have touched," it added, attaching a video of a performance featuring a dancer with disability.
