In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts

Ep 33 - Inside EMC: Celebrating One Year and Kicking Off Production Season

Join us this week for our Inside EMC segment where we chat:

• Celebrating the Podcasts 1 Year Anniversary

• Costume Parade: What it is and why it’s important

• Holiday Celebration Production Kick-Off

• Production Rehearsals

• How to stop mindlessly scrolling using Brick

Get Your Brick and Support the Podcast:

For $10 off your brick and to give $10 to the podcast, click HERE. 

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Ep 32 - It’s Never Too Late to Take the Stage: Julie Roda on Rediscovering Her Creative Voice

In this episode, Robin Snyder-Wiencek interviews Julie, The Musical Experience director at EMC Performing Arts Studio.

They discuss Julie's journey into the theater world, her experiences in college, the evolution of auditions, and the importance of preparation and mentorship.

Julie shares her insights on the challenges of staying focused in New York, the value of diverse roles in performing arts, and her reflections on her journey beyond Broadway. The conversation highlights the significance of passion, resilience, and the various paths within the performing arts.

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 31 - Inside EMC: Tickets, Tutus, and What's the Pointe?

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

• Ticket Pre-Sale and what to expect
• Holiday Celebration Hub
• Ballet & Tap Basics in the Holiday Celebration
• Tutu Under The Tree and how to join us for this special gift of dance
• Free Form Friday Recap for What’s the Pointe?
• How to stop mindlessly scrolling using Brick

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

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Ep 30 - Hobby on Purpose: Choosing Joy in the Arts (Without “Going Pro”) with Kendall Ludwig

Robin reconnects with longtime friend Kendall Ludwig — Baltimore-born designer, founder of Curly Red, and creator of Jitterbug, an adult-first dance studio in Oakland, MD.

Kendall traces a life steeped in musicals, early stage fright, and a pivotal decision to keep dance a joyful constant rather than a career mandate. She shares how moving to a small town revealed a gap for adult classes, why she launched a low-pressure, seasonal class-pack model, and what actually fills (and doesn’t) in a rural market — hello, packed Sunday-night tap and sold-out swing workshops.

Robin and Kendall swap stories on parenting while building businesses, the restorative power of creative breaks, and preparing kids for lives they’re excited to live.

If you’ve ever thought “I’ve always wanted to take a dance class,” this episode is your nudge to try — before you talk yourself out of it.

Let’s Connect on Socials:

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 29 - Inside EMC: Crazy Buns, Socks, and Haunted Fun

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

• Free Form Friday Reminders

• Crazy Bun & Mis-Matched Sock Week

• Haunted Halloween House

• Soccer is Winding Down, Join us at EMC

Let’s Connect on Socials:

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Ep 28 - From Dancer to Digital: How Santina Turned Performing Art Skills into a Remote Career with Santina Rigano-Lesch

Robin sits down with longtime collaborator and co-host Santina Rigano-Lesch to trace an unexpected path: from shy “studio kid” in Adelaide to Au Pair in the U.S., to studio owner, and ultimately to a remote career supporting arts businesses.

They unpack how multi-genre training builds adaptable leaders, why resilience matters more than perfection, and what happens when success arrives before feedback skills.

Santina shares the decision to close her studio in 2020, the reinvention that followed, and her new “studio without walls” model bringing dance directly to communities in need.

If you’re a parent, educator, or arts leader wondering how performing-arts strengths translate beyond the stage, this conversation is an encouraging, practical roadmap.

About Santina Rigano-Lesch

Hi, I’m Santina — dancer, choreographer, and founder of Basic B Boogie (aka BBB). I believe movement heals, community matters, and your story deserves to be seen.

I’m also the owner of Boom Studios, a mobile dance program serving the Greater Northwest. Fun, funky, and non-competitive, Boom brings classes straight to schools, community spaces, and events across Federal Way and beyond.

From leading trauma-informed dance experiences to helping dance studios and movement pros level up their marketing, I bring culture, creativity, and a whole lot of vibe. Alongside teaching, I work as a stage manager, guest instructor, and choreographer, creating spaces where people feel empowered to move, grow, and connect — on the dance floor and beyond.

Contact Info:

Connect on Instagram 

Check Out Her Website

Email: creative@santinarigano.com

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 27 - Inside EMC: Festivals, Fridays, and Fresh Openings

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

• Shrewsbury Fireman’s Fest
• Class Mom Meeting
• Free Form Friday
• Class Openings

Let’s Connect on Socials:

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Ep 26 - The Rockstar Ballet Method and the Incredible Impact That Dance Can Make On Boys with Christian Richards

On today’s episode, Robin sits down with Christian Richards of Rockstar Ballet, to talk about how he got started in the ballet world, the many benefits of dance for boys/men, and the intricacies of partner work in dance.

Let’s Connect on Socials:

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 25 - Inside EMC: From Festivals to Fall Rehearsals

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

• New Freedom Fest

• Halloween Rehearsal

• Class Openings

• Cirque

• Elementary Contemporary & AcroDance

• Open Gym

• Dress Code

Let’s Connect on Socials:

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Ep 24 - Scare School & the Stage with Jim Schopf of Field of Screams

What do haunted houses, rock and roll, and creative leadership have in common?
Everything — if you’re talking about Field of Screams.

This week on In the Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts, I sat down with Jim Schopf, founder of America’s #1 haunted attraction. But this isn’t just about thrills and chills—it’s about a powerful community of young people finding purpose and identity through performance.

We talk:
🩸 Scare School and theatrical training
🎭 Volunteer culture and creative expression
🔥 The leadership lessons hidden behind the masks

If you care about helping kids grow through the arts, you don’t want to miss this one.

About Jim:

Jim Schopf is the co-founder and driving force behind Field of Screams, one of the most acclaimed haunted attractions in the country, located in Mountville, Pennsylvania. With a passion for horror, theatrical production, and immersive storytelling, Jim has spent over three decades transforming a family farm into a Halloween destination that draws thrill-seekers from across the nation. Alongside his brother Gene, Jim launched Field of Screams in 1993, blending professional-grade sets, special effects, and live actors to create a terrifyingly fun experience.

A hands-on leader, Jim is often found working on new haunt designs, brainstorming with his team, or interacting with guests to ensure every experience is unforgettable. His dedication to quality, innovation, and community engagement has cemented his legacy as a pioneer in experiential entertainment and agritourism. Jim continues to inspire future generations through hard work, passion, and a love for all things spooky.

Contact Info:

Facebook - Field of Screams | Mountville PA

Instagram - @‌fieldofscreams

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