In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts

Ep 13 - The Journey of a Musical Theater Performer with Caroline Younger

Listen in as Robin and Caroline chat about her journey in the performing arts, which may be of particular interest to parents and students of Musical Theater. Caroline talks about dance as a healing modality, the current landscape of the arts world, and how she has successfully created and implemented a Musical Theater program in studios from Colorado to North Carolina.

About Caroline:

Caroline Younger-Liadakis is an actress, choreographer and teaching artist. She has also written three plays that were produced in NYC and is currently working on a new piece of fiction.

She founded WABI theatre and dance in Denver, CO in 2015 which is  a dance and musical theatre program specifically curated for singer/actors ages 12-18, that need formal dance training to strengthen their third skill set for Musical Theatre. Included in the WABI curriculum is also a College Prep program and workshops in NYC. Caroline successfully mentored students in achieving BFA, MT acceptances at many of the top colleges in the country.

As a performer she has been cast on Broadway, toured nationally and internationally, done several TV commercials and is represented by Productions Plus for Voice Overs.

As a teacher she has taught at Wagner College, Marymount College and many studios throughout New York, New Jersey and up and down the east Coast. The WABI theatre and dance program ran in Denver for ten years and also did a three month intensive in Brevard, North Carolina. In 2019 she won the Colorado Bobby G award for Outstanding Choreography for her work on Thoroughly Modern Millie in Denver.

Caroline believes in the power of movement and self expression as a healing modality. Her classes are upbeat, fun and non competitive while also instilling discipline and a reverence for the arts.

C.B. Younger-Liadakis

Teaching Artist, Choreographer

Director, WABI Performing Arts Conservatory, LLC

www.wabitheatre-dance.rocks

917 405 4969

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 12 - Guiding Grace: When Mom is Also the Teacher with Meghan Bulls

In this episode, we dive into the unique challenges and joys of parenting a child in the TV industry. Join us as we explore the highs and lows of auditions, the pressures of the spotlight, and the delicate balance of supporting a budding star while being a dance teacher to your own child. Tune in for insights, personal stories, and tips on navigating this exciting yet demanding journey!

Meghan pursued her passion for dance at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she earned a degree in Dance Education. She holds certification in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet, having completed grades 1-6 and earning her teaching certification for grade 1.

Since 2012, Meghan has been teaching and directing a dance program in Baltimore County Public Schools, where she has played a pivotal role in shaping dance education. Her dedication to the field led her to contribute to the development of the BCPS dance curriculum, ensuring high-quality instruction for future generations.

In addition to her dance education, Meghan earned a Master’s degree in Special Education from Goucher College, expanding her expertise in inclusive teaching practices. Her dedication to education and accessibility ensures that dance remains a transformative and enriching experience for all students, regardless of ability. In 2018, she was nominated for BCPS Teacher of the Year, further acknowledging her dedication to education and her impact on the lives of her students.

Meghan’s career also includes notable recognition outside of teaching. During her time at UMBC, she served as the captain of the dance team, further honing her leadership and choreographic skills. She was a member finalist for the NBA Washington Wizards Dance Team and can be seen dancing in the film Step Up 2: The Streets, directed by Jon M. Chu. She later became the coach of the Bay Area Shuckers dance team, a local minor league basketball team, where she choreographed performances and mentored dancers at a professional level. Meghan has been involved in dance since she was two years old, training and competing at a dance studio in Columbia, MD.

What's Happening At EMC Notes:

Our What's Happening at EMC segment finishes at 21:45 and the episode with Robin and Meghan will begin then.

We talk about all things auditions! Like what to expect at our Dance Company Auditions and why auditions are important.

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 11 - Doing the Work in Every Class, Cheering for Friends and Showing Empathy, and Pathways Meetings

Join us this week for our What's Happening at EMC segment where we chat:

• Doing the Work in Every Class
  
  
• Cheering for Friends and Showing Empathy
  
  
• Pathways Meetings

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 10 - Helping Young Performers to Become Internally Driven in Their Dance Training, with Maria Cotto

Listen in as Robin chats with Maria Cotto, dancer, teacher, choreographer, mom and more!

We talk about the performing arts and how it has impacted both our lives. We reminisce about dancing at Baltimore School for the Arts and what lessons we learned there…and how the arts has influenced our parenting. Maria also shares about helping her students become internally driven as opposed to externally driven.

What's Happening At EMC Notes:

Our What's Happening at EMC segment finishes at 17:25 and the episode with Robin and Maria will begin then.

We talk about doing the work in class every week, pathways meetings (what they are for and how to use them), and cheering for your friends and showing empathy. 

Let’s Connect on Socials:

EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook

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In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Instagram

Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 9 - How to Stay in the Loop and Updated with all things EMC, How to Navigate our Socials, and an Exciting Announcement Happening Inside EMC’s Walls

Join us this week for a housekeeping segment where we chat:

• How to stay in the loop with all things EMC

• How to navigate our socials

• An exciting announcement inside the EMC walls

Let’s Connect on Socials:

EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook

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In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Instagram

Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 8 - Real Talk with Former Studio Owner and Musical Theater Director, Brett Bogardus

Robin and Brett get controversial in this episode, so buckle up! Listen in as they discuss performing arts training today in contrast to the training we received ”back in the day”. Get ready to hear the politically incorrect opinions from the traditional and conservative perspective.

What's Happening At EMC Notes:

Our What's Happening at EMC segment finishes at 21:05 and the episode with Robin and Brett will begin then.

We talk about all things summer offerings within our Summer Hub on our website, our new Adult Fitness Class 'MOMentum' starting in March, and share a reminder about our upcoming Open Gym & Imagine That! In My Sparkle Era Mini Event.

Let’s Connect on Socials:

EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 7 - Open Marley Festival Preparations, The Musical Experience Update, Imagine That! Events, and Rockette Visits!

Join us this week for a housekeeping segment where we chat:

• Open Marley Festival and the Preparations Taking Place
• The Musical Experience Updates and What's to Come
• Reminder of our Upcoming Imagine That! Events
• Incorporating Rockette Visits in the Dance Studio

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

Ep 6 - Letting Go of Ego and Working as a Team While Teaching in a Dance Studio Setting with Elisabeth Simmons

Listen in as Robin chats with long-time EMC community member, Elisabeth Simmons.

Once a student at EMC, now a Team Member and EMC parent, Elisabeth has experienced our culture from multiple angles.

The conversation meanders from what the performing arts experience did for Elisabeth as a young person, to where her dance studio training led her, wrapping up in a full circle moment where she is now contributing to curriculum development and stage managing our productions.

House Keeping Segment Notes:

Our EMC housekeeping segment finishes at 23:16 and the episode with Robin and Elisabeth will begin then. 

We talk about our Spring Concert Theme, the return of Erica Bull, our Summer Schedule release and when costume payments are due, the last day to register to Dance as a Performer in the Pullo Spring Concert, welcoming our new Dance Company members, sharing more about our new Showstopper format, and reminders on our upcoming Imagine That! Moana Event and Open Gym. 

Let’s Connect on Socials:

EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 5 - The Process of Making Art and Creative Problem Solving with Jeffrey Gunshol

Robin sits down with long-time friend and dance educator, Jeffrey Gunshol, to discuss how his students have benefitted from performing arts training over the years, and tells tales about how a dance education builds character traits that carry young people confidently into the future.

JEFFREY GUNSHOL

Jeffrey Gunshol has danced with many different artists including, Liz Lerman, Mark Dendy, Melanie Stewart, and Kattie Duck and collaborated with Vincent Cacalano, Adrienne Clancy, Reggie Crump, Stephanie George, and Michaela Cannon. He began dancing at the Baltimore School for the Arts then headed to New York City and attended Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. He pursued his undergraduate degree at Virginia Commonwealth University and after graduation started dancing with Dendy Dance. Following his work with Mark Dendy, he began to teach, choreograph, and dance for Liz Lerman for five years. He moved to Amsterdam to work with Vincent Cacalano. While abroad he was a guest artist with Magpie Music and Dance, created his own work, did long term projects with Danish choreographer Eric Pold, and Dutch choreographer Martin Butler. He received his Masters in Dance from the University of Utah. After leaving Utah he taught at East Carolina University for a year before coming to Tulane. He is a 2004 recipient of the Weiss Presidential Fellowship for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching at Tulane University.

Listen to Jeffrey and Robin chat on the DSO Connect podcast: Preparing Our Students For College Dance Programs 

House Keeping Segment Notes:

Our EMC housekeeping segment finishes at 17:05 and the episode with Robin and Jeffrey will begin then. 

We talk about and New Year Energy at EMC, The Musical Experience changes, our upcoming Imagine That! Events, Open Gym, and the Big Reveal for our Spring Show.

Let’s Connect on Socials:

EMC Performing Arts Studio on Facebook

EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

 

 

Ep 4 - Lights Down, Thoughts Up

Join us this week for a housekeeping segment where we chat:

• Show Recap: Stories (both highs and lows) of EMC Performing Arts' Holiday Celebration
• Sparkle Days: What they are and when they are running
• When Classes Resume

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