ABOUT US
Charlie Roberts
Charlie started performing on stages at the age of five. With little opportunity for traditional training, Charlie took every chance available to him to learn new styles of dance from musical theater and summer workshops to show choirs and dance recitals. Before leaving for college he had created a reputation for himself as he began choreographing for the local high school musical programs as well as show choirs, winning awards at competitions all over the West Coast.
As a student at Brigham Young University, Charlie signed up for every dance class available including tap, folk dance, jazz, and ballroom. Charlie quickly prepared for and auditioned for the ballroom dance program where he eventually was placed on the touring company. His participation with the company allowed him to tour all over the U.S. as well as England, Germany, Switzerland, and China. As a member of the team, Charlie was featured in the documentary “Full Circle” about the company’s tour to China as well as on several Chinese news stations.
Emily Roberts
Emily began taking dance lessons from the moment she could walk. Everything from ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and even folk dancing was simply another opportunity for this shy young girl to move out of her comfort zone. Around the time Emily turned 12, the TV show Dancing With the Stars was becoming more popular. As soon as she saw the cast on their live tour, she knew that’s what she wanted to do. Emily looked up a local studio where she could start taking private dance lessons and started right away.
As a Pro-Am student, Emily competed in International Ballroom and Latin as well as the American Rhythm and Smooth styles. She soon began applying for colleges and was told about the program at Brigham Young University. She quickly applied and was given a dance scholarship as well as placement on one of the teams. Emily quickly progressed through the program eventually making it to the touring company. She was able to perform in venues all over the United States as well as England, Scotland and Wales.
Our Story
Charlie and Emily met at Brigham Young University in 2012 where they were both members of the BYU Ballroom Dance Company. Their teaching experience began as instructors for the university’s International and American style classes.
After seeing their success at teachers, Charlie and Emily were asked by the BYU faculty to teach at the Youth Ballroom Camp (2014, 2015) as well as direct one of the youth teams in the BYU Youth Ballroom Dance Program (2014, 2015). As directors and choreographers, they prepared their teams for showcases and competitions in both international ballroom and latin styles. While living in Utah, Charlie and Emily also enjoyed coaching, choreographing and judging for high school programs. Before leaving Utah, Charlie and Emily were asked to help with a dance production involving nearly 5,000 youth dancers.
Charlie and Emily are both members of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance as well as the National Dance Council of America. Collectively, Charlie and Emily have won four U.S. National Ballroom Formation titles (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015), two British Formation Titles (2013, 2016), and two World Amateur Smooth Championships (2014, 2015).
