In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts

Robin Snyder-Wiencek
  • 1.0 (7)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Semimonthly

We’re diving deep into the transformative world of performing arts education. Twice a month, we chat with industry experts — from seasoned educators to acclaimed artists — who are passionate about nurturing responsible young leaders through the power of performing arts training. Twice a month we share a ‘What’s Happening At EMC’ segment so that you can hear all the amazingness going on as well as stay in the loop.. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or aspiring artist, you’ll discover actionable insights and inspiring stories that highlight how the arts can shape character, boost confidence, and cultivate leadership skills. Together, we’ll explore innovative techniques, share valuable resources, and celebrate the incredible impact of the arts in developing the leaders of tomorrow. Get ready to shine a light on the incredible journey of raising leaders in the performing arts!

  1. 2d ago

    Ep 68: Beyond the Stage: Building a Sustainable Dance Career with Ian Howe

    In this episode, Ian Howe shares his dynamic journey through the dance industry, from competitive dancer to cruise ship performer, and ultimately to studio owner and educator. He offers valuable insight into the wide range of career paths available to dancers beyond high school, emphasizing the importance of resilience, adaptability, and long-term vision. Ian opens up about the realities of performing on cruise ships, the transition from artist to entrepreneur, and the ongoing challenge of balancing creative passion with business responsibilities. He also reflects on the impact of COVID-19 on performing arts professionals and the growing need for mental resilience in an ever-changing industry. This conversation is a must-listen for dancers, educators, and studio owners alike who are looking to build not just a career, but a fulfilling, flexible lifestyle in the performing arts. Connect With Ian  Instagram Let’s Connect on Socials: EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Instagram Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

  2. Jul 7

    Ep 67 - Why We Don't Compete and Why Our Dancers Thrive

    Robin and Santina go head-to-head with dance's most polarizing topic! They chat about why EMC has spent 35 years intentionally staying out of the competition circuit and how that choice hasn't cost their dancers a thing. Robin traces it back to her own training at the Baltimore School for the Arts and a marketing decision in early-2000s Pennsylvania, then dives into the real cost of "teaching to the tricks" like lopsided technique, inconsistent judging panels with no governing body, and studios chasing trophies instead of artistry. Santina adds her own competition-world experience from Australia, and together they unpack how EMC fills the calendar (and the adrenaline) with productions, company trips, and mentorship instead of scores, proving the process can matter more than the podium. This one's for every family trying to figure out which world is actually right for their dancer! Get Your Brick and Support the Podcast: For $10 off your brick and to give $10 to the podcast, click HERE.  Let’s Connect on Socials: EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Instagram

  3. Jun 30

    Ep 66: Flipping the Script with Will Tijerina: When a Veteran, an Actor, and a UPS Driver Turn Dance Studio Owner

    Will Tijerina had no dance background when he became co-owner of Dance 360 Orlando. What he did have: military discipline, corporate logistics experience, and a belief that performing arts build leaders. Robin met Will at a certified coaches training through More Than Just Great Dancing and this conversation picks up right where that left off. On this show, we talk a lot about how performing arts training prepares students for the world. This time, we flip the script and explore how the world prepared Will for the performing arts. They dig into what it really takes to grow a studio, why you have to stop putting out every fire yourself, and how the lessons we teach on the stage show up everywhere else in life. If you've ever told a nervous student that their butterflies are just rocket fuel waiting to launch… this episode is for you! Let’s Connect on Socials: EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Instagram Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

  4. Jun 23

    Ep 65: The EMC Way (Part 2)

    In Part 2, Robin picks up the story in Pennsylvania; the historic hardware store she knew was hers the second she walked in, the nail-biting negotiation her dad told her not to get emotionally invested in (spoiler: she did), and the husband who renovated 20,000 square feet room by room. Two decades later, she's running EMC from Florida and somehow more inspired than ever. This one's for every family who's ever wondered what this place is actually made of. Get Your Brick and Support the Podcast: For $10 off your brick and to give $10 to the podcast, click HERE.  Let’s Connect on Socials: EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Instagram

  5. Jun 16

    Ep 64: From First Solo to Full Circle: Meghann Potter's Journey Through Dance, Injury, and Coming Home

    What happens when a little girl who fell in love with the stage grows up to become one of your most beloved teachers? In this episode, Robin sits down with Meghann Potter, EMC alumna, solidcore coach, and current Team member at EMC Performing Arts Studio, for a candid, laugh-filled conversation about what it really means to grow up in the dance world. Meghann takes us from her earliest days at a competitive studio in Glen Burnie, MD to training at EMC with Robin, to earning a BFA at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, to chasing her dreams in the studios of New York City. She opens up about the pivotal ACL injury that stopped her mid-aerial and how instead of shattering her dream, it quietly shifted it. This episode is a beautiful reminder that your path in the performing arts rarely looks the way you planned and that's often a very good thing. Whether you're a dance parent, a studio kid, or someone who lived this life, you'll hear yourself in Meghann's story. Let’s Connect on Socials: EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Instagram Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

  6. Jun 9

    Ep 63: The EMC Way (Part 1)

    Before there was EMC, there was a girl who didn't dream of performing… she dreamed of teaching. This week, Robin tells us everything: the training that changed her, the rainy morning that stuck with her, the poor choices she made, and the vision that kept her going all the way to opening her own studio at 22. The EMC Way didn't come from a brochure. It came from this. Part 2 coming next! Get Your Brick and Support the Podcast: For $10 off your brick and to give $10 to the podcast, click HERE.  Let’s Connect on Socials: EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Instagram

  7. Jun 2

    Ep 62 - Building an Inclusive Dance Studio: Scholarships, Special Needs Programs & Student Leadership with Anna Rose

    In this episode of In the Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts, Robin Snyder-Wiencek down with dance educator Anna Rose, founder of Dreamer's Dance Company in Dunedin, Florida, to talk about what it really looks like to build a studio where every student can belong. Anna shares her journey from early training (including seasons where finances were tight) to teaching in public schools, and ultimately growing Dreamer's Dance Company from an after-school program into a thriving studio serving around 380 students. A major focus of the conversation is Dreamer's scholarship model, including the Susan Rose Bonanno Memorial Fund, which supports dancers with financial need through a thoughtful application process and a culture of dignity and fairness. Anna breaks down how the fund is sustained through fundraising events, recital ticket sales, and community contributions, and how work-study opportunities help students build ownership, responsibility, and leadership. We also dive into accessibility for dancers with special needs; how Anna integrates many students into mainstream classes and how her dedicated special needs program is staffed and supported (including trained teachers and student assistants). Along the way, Anna shares practical strategies for parent communication, building a respectful studio culture, and developing student leaders who care for the community around them. You’ll also hear a few personal moments, like the story of Anna getting married at her studio recital, and what she’s building next with her new initiative, Dance Studio Audit, designed to support other studio owners with real, human mentorship. Find Dreamers Dance Co: Search Dreamers Dance Co on Facebook or Instagram. Let’s Connect on Socials: EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Instagram Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

  8. May 26

    Ep 61 - Inside EMC: Production Season

    This week, the conversation between Robin and Santina, touches on the things that are happening at EMC. Join us as we chat all things Production Rehearsals, from what they are to how they differ from regular rehearsals, the types of rehearsals that happen during these two weeks and why each matters, why this is where real growth happens for performers, physical prep for performers and their families, mental prep and what to expect emotionally during this stretch, how parents can coach without fixing, how performers should receive notes and corrections, recognizing the difference between normal exhaustion and genuine burnout, reminding your performer how far they've come, and action items for every family including volunteer ways to get more involved. Get Your Brick and Support the Podcast: For $10 off your brick and to give $10 to the podcast, click HERE.  Let’s Connect on Socials: EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Instagram

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About

We’re diving deep into the transformative world of performing arts education. Twice a month, we chat with industry experts — from seasoned educators to acclaimed artists — who are passionate about nurturing responsible young leaders through the power of performing arts training. Twice a month we share a ‘What’s Happening At EMC’ segment so that you can hear all the amazingness going on as well as stay in the loop.. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or aspiring artist, you’ll discover actionable insights and inspiring stories that highlight how the arts can shape character, boost confidence, and cultivate leadership skills. Together, we’ll explore innovative techniques, share valuable resources, and celebrate the incredible impact of the arts in developing the leaders of tomorrow. Get ready to shine a light on the incredible journey of raising leaders in the performing arts!

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