Born in Reykjavík Iceland, Emilía began her studies at the National Ballet School of Iceland and completed her education at the Royal Swedish Ballet School in 2004. She danced with Iceland Dance Company from 2004–2012 and with Companía Nacional de Danza (Madríd) from 2012–2016, from 2014 as solo dancer.
She joined GöteborgsOperans Danskompani in 2016.
In 2008 she won the Gríman Awards Best dancer of the year for her part in Kvart by Jo Stomgren.
Emilía Gísladóttir has performed in the following productions:
- Wild Poetry
- Hammer
- Contemporary Dance
- Decadance Gothenburg
- Skid
- Solo Echo
- Carmen
- Autodance
- Max