Emma-Jane McHenry

Audio Describer

Based in Glasgow, Scotland, Emma-Jane has worked all over the UK and internationally. As a dance specialist Emma-Jane is committed to providing opportunities and experiences to blind and partially sighted audiences; turning the beauty and dynamism of movement into words.

Emma-Jane has been developing her practise for over 10 years.  She trained in dance at Bretton Hall College at the University of Leeds obtaining a BA (hons) in Dance. The training at Bretton Hall opened up a world of movement that was creative and collaborative with a foundation in contemporary dance, improvisation and choreography. This background filters into her practice constantly as a describer of movement.

It was through Scottish Ballet (the first dance company in Europe to describe dance) and her role as an Education Officer, that Audio Description was first introduced to her. During this time Emma-Jane obtained training from ADA (Audio Description Association Scotland) and shadowed the London based Audio Description providers Vocal Eyes.

For the past 10 years Emma-Jane has been working on many projects and creative processes and has had the privilege of describing to all ages of visually impaired audiences both in traditional theatres and alternative performance spaces; each collaboration providing the opportunity to develop new skills and approaches.

Collaborators and clients during this time include and continue to include: Scottish Ballet, Edinburgh International Festival, Claire Cunningham, Caroline Bowditch, Jo Bannon, Unlimited Festival , Marc Brew, Luke Pell, Janice Parker, Pyongchang Winter Cultural Olympiad programme, Lost Dog Dance and Joan Clevillè.

She is currently working with the Edinburgh International Festival as their lead dance describer after 12 years of collaboration, creating scripts for Akram Khan’s Xenos and The End of Eddy.