In the family Eme Vujovic Everyone loves dancing, her older sister dances, she took salsa and Cuban dance classes with her father... So it's no surprise that ten-year-old "Ema Emoza", as her Instagram nickname is, also loves dancing and has been winning medals from numerous competitions for several years. Since the beginning of this year alone, she has won 12 gold medals and one silver and one bronze.
Her parents, Vesko i Sofija, they say that it all started earlier, that Ema reacted to music with movement from birth:
"With her whole being. Even as a child, she always joined the street dance animators, the groups...".
Ema Vujović is ten years old, a student at the “Drago Milović” Elementary School in Tivat. She started dance classes at the age of five, when her older sister also enrolled at the “Diamond” dance school, where Ema now also performs group choreographies.
"I met a lot of friends there, I liked it, so I continued dancing. I went to salsa and Cuban dance classes with my dad at the 'Somos Cubanos' dance school, as well as Afro-house," she tells "Vijesti".
Cuban dances are still among her favorites today:
"I love hip hop, street dance, Cuban and Afro dances the most. I find it all fun to try," says Ema.
Emoza is an active girl - in addition to regular elementary school, she also attends music school, plays the clarinet. When she prepares for competitions, she trains almost every day, for several hours. Then, she says, she practices to different music, and at the same time has fitness training.
When she is at competitions, she also attends dance workshops that are organized at that time, because, she says, she doesn't have the opportunity to do much of that in Montenegro:
"We're missing a lot of that. I'm always trying to learn some new moves," she says, adding that all the activities - in regular and music school, training... - aren't difficult for her, because "it's all different."
In five years of dancing, Ema has already won numerous competitions. When talking about the most important ones, she singles out the World Cup in Germany, in October last year, where she won third place.
"That remains my fondest memory."
She adds that all competitions in Montenegro are important to her, because that's when she meets friends from other cities and clubs.
"We hang out and have a good time, and I'm happy if I win. I've won the Montenegrin Cup twice," says Ema and continues about other successes, competitions in Strumica, Skopje, Lazarevac, Sarajevo, Banja Luka... - from where she brought back numerous gold medals.
Applause and support are always welcome.
The support of the school community also means a lot to her:
"My friends are always happy when I win and cheer for me. I get a big round of applause when I come home from a competition."
Emma's parents also confirm that she has the full support of her teachers, both in elementary and music school:
"They always wish her good luck in competitions and she gets compliments for her success. She is never absent from school more than necessary, and Ema really tries to make up for everything she misses."
Ema's parents are trying their best to ensure that everything is on time, and that all activities, not only Ema's, but also those of every family member, are coordinated.
"Everything is possible if there is help in terms of transportation, packing meals, adding equipment, and above all - coordinating appointments."
They say that Ema is very disciplined, that she is aware that, in addition to dance training, she needs to work on her strength and exercise so that she can perform everything she wants.
"She accepted that strength and creativity go hand in hand."
As parents, they also teach her that victories are not always the most important thing.
"If she doesn't shine at a competition, we remind her that it doesn't mean she's a bad dancer, but that she's on the right track and just needs to keep improving. However, having fun is always more important to her than placing, which we as parents always point out to her."
They emphasize that it is important for a child to maintain a balance between discipline and play.
"When she is happy and fulfilled, a child can achieve anything. For Emi, dance is a kind of play, and that is why it is possible for her to dedicate herself to it to that extent. She approaches everything she does through play, with enjoyment."
Financial support challenge
For them, the biggest challenge is actually how to financially support a child who is seriously into dancing, because they need to provide money for travel, participation in competitions and dance workshops, find an adequate space for training, and dance instructors of different dance styles, who, they say, would help Ema enrich and develop both her technique and personal expression.
"Ema's dance future certainly has great potential, but the path to top results is demanding and financially very challenging. The costs of seminars, workshops, travel, accommodation and registration fees are high throughout the year. The Municipality of Tivat and the Tourist Organization have provided some assistance, for which we are grateful, but it is not enough to cover all the needs for continued development."
For the results achieved, Emma was also supported last year by the Royal Capital of Cetinje.
Ema Vujović won 10 gold medals in 2025 alone, while since the beginning of this year she has already won 12 gold, one silver and one bronze medal.
"She has several more important competitions ahead of her, as well as the World Championships in October, in Poland, where she will compete in three disciplines. All of this requires enormous energy and perseverance, which Ema undoubtedly has," say her parents, adding that they will give their best, but that wider support would be important to them.
"Ema has great potential, it's up to us to enable that potential to develop, whether in Montenegro or somewhere else. What's especially nice is that Ema already sees herself as a future dance instructor, which shows how much she loves and takes this path seriously."
Dancing comes naturally to her.
When talking about Ema and what sets her apart from other young dancers, her coach Aleksandra Tučević says that it is, above all, her feeling for music and the natural energy she has on stage.
"It's not just the technique, but the way she experiences dance, you can see that she enjoys it and that it's something that comes naturally to her. In addition, she is hardworking and dedicated, which is very important at this age," she says.
She also explains that children start dancing at the age of four or five, with competitions a little later, when they gain a foundation and confidence on stage, and that for Ema it came naturally:
"She went through all the stages, from the first training sessions to going on stage, step by step."
Discipline is also developed through dance.
Dance, says Tučević, is of enormous importance for the development of children, not only physically, but also psychologically.
"It develops discipline, self-confidence, a sense of teamwork and responsibility. Through dance, children learn how to express themselves, but also how to function in a group, which is very important later in life," he explains.
He adds that, in addition to dance training, dancers also need additional activities, such as stretching, fitness training, or even other sports.
"All of this contributes to better body control and injury prevention. Of course, it's important to find a balance and not overexert children."
As she said, the instructors try to approach each child individually.
"To develop their strengths, but also work on where there is room for improvement. Support, a good atmosphere and trust are key. When it comes to success in competitions, continuity, work and mental stability are crucial. It is not enough just to know the choreography, but also to go on stage with confidence and belief in yourself. Our goal is not just to create good dancers, but happy and self-confident children," says Tučević.
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