In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts

Robin sits down with fellow performing arts mom Kim Treloar to talk honestly about what it’s like to raise children in the spotlight.

From Broadway auditions and national anthems to rejection, resilience, and redefining success, Kim shares her sons’ very different journeys through theater and music.

Together, they explore the courage it takes to pursue the arts, the tight-knit community that forms among families, and the powerful realization that the skills gained through performing arts matter, even when the path takes an unexpected turn.

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This week we reflect on the magic of The Holiday Celebration, a performance that brought our community together through music, movement, and meaning.

From the dedication shown in rehearsals to the joy felt on stage, this episode is about honoring the heart behind the performance and the dancers who made it shine.

As the lights come down and the season begins to slow, we take a moment to celebrate creativity, growth, and the shared experience of bringing art to life during the holidays.

This episode is both a thank-you and a reflection, a reminder of why we gather, perform, and celebrate together.

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In this episode, Robin Snyder-Wiencek engages in a deep conversation with Denise Carr, a passionate dance educator and esthetician.

Denise shares her journey from a young dancer to a teacher, discussing the importance of training, the challenges of transitioning from student to teacher, and the impact of different teaching methodologies.

They explore the significance of college dance programs, the value of a dance degree, and the personal choices that shape a dance career.

Denise also talks about her experience with the Horton technique and her journey into the esthetics field, highlighting the balance between her teaching and business endeavors.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of diverse dance experiences and the role of teachers in shaping young dancers' lives.

About Denise:

Denise started dancing at the age of 4 and has continued to dance through high school and college. She graduated in May 2017, receiving her BFA in dance performance from Towson University. Denise trained with many different teachers and choreographers including Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Runqiao Du, Vincent Thomas, and Catherine Horta-Hayden. During her time at Towson she performed with the Towson University Dance Company and performed excerpts choreographed by Runqiao Du, Darrell Moltrie, and Kim Bailey.

Since graduating, she has taught at many different dance programs and studios in the Maryland and Southern PA area for over 10 years. While she loves teaching, Denise also enjoys choreographing. She has choreographed for various different productions by Harford Dance Theater and the John Carroll Ballet Academy. She has choreographed routines for different competitive studios in the Maryland area as well.

Denise's passion is educating and inspiring her students and seeing them progress and grow into smart and healthy artists. While Denise is currently teaching and choreographing, she also undergoing a Ailey Horton Teaching Certification and will be graduating in May 2026 from the Ailey School in NYC.

Connect with Denise on Instagram @deenise_nicole

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

• Holiday Celebration and supporting your local dancers while making this show your annual family tradition
• Free Form Friday on December 19th and the Dancer Photo Shoot with Meghann Bulls plus free Poms classes with Alli Walker
• Rockstar Ballet Masterclass on Dec 29th, which will be a lovely way to get your body moving while on break, with Christian Richards

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

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In this conversation, Robin Snyder-Wiencek & Norma Pera, discuss the multifaceted nature of dance education, emphasizing the importance of setting students up for success, the art of teaching, and the life lessons learned through dance.

They highlight the significance of performance experience, the role of structure in dance classes, and the necessity of fostering resilience and independence in students.

The conversation also touches on the emotional challenges faced by teenagers and the empowering nature of dance as a form of self-expression and personal growth.

About Norma:

Norma Pera began teaching at the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) when it opened in 1979 and assumed leadership of the Dance Department in 1992 following the retirement of renowned classical dancer Sylvester Campbell.

Her dance training began at the age of three in a children’s ballet class at Carnegie Hall, and continued from age seven in the studio of Martha Manners on Long Island, NY. Norma went on to perform with the ballet company at Radio City Music Hall, Rudolf Nureyev and Friends, and the Maryland Ballet. She trained extensively under Elena Tchernichova and later taught ballet classes at both Carnegie Hall and in Baltimore.

Campbell, her colleague at the Maryland Ballet, recruited her to join him at the then newly established BSA. At the time, many students had no prior ballet training, and Norma embraced the challenge of designing a curriculum that taught not only ballet technique but also its history and traditions.

As Dance Department Head, she expanded the curriculum to include men’s classes, pas de deux, and men’s and women’s variations classes. Under her leadership, BSA became one of the few high schools in the nation granted permission to perform works by the legendary choreographer George Balanchine.

Dancers trained under Ms. Pera have gone on to perform with esteemed companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Béjart Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Kidd Pivot, Lines Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Sacramento Ballet, and the Washington Ballet.

Beyond the world of dance, BSA alumni under her guidance have also found success in a wide range of fields. They have worked with organizations such as DreamWorks Animation, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, and the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs, and have become doctors, social workers, and dance studio owners, among many other professions.

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

• Production Rehearsals

• All Things Holiday Celebration Hub

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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In this engaging conversation, Robin Snyder-Wiencek speaks with Samantha Jo Harvey about her journey in the performing arts, from her early influences and training in dance to her experiences as a Rockette.

They discuss the challenges and triumphs of pursuing a career in dance, the transition to coaching and entrepreneurship, and the balance of motherhood with a thriving career.

Samantha emphasizes the importance of authenticity, self-acceptance, and the lessons learned along the way, inspiring future generations of dancers to follow their passions.

About Samantha: 

Sam is a former pro dancer + fitness expert turned podcast host, coach, and guide for ambitious women who refuse to be put in a box. She’s a multidimensional mama showing the world that you can hold it all: the baby and the business, the softness and the fire, the money and the magic.

During her 10-yr Rockette career she was chosen for prestigious performance opportunities like JLO on SNL, Pitbull on America’s Got Talent, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Wendy Williams Show, the Today Show and more. Other credits include Nike Master Trainer, Ted 2, MAC, Toyota, Beachbody’s 21 Day Fix, Denise Austin + more.

After a decade kicking eye-high with the Radio City Rockettes, initiating a divorce, and building two multiple 6-figure businesses, Sam became a mindset ninja and champion of women living unapologetically full out. Her work is an invitation to every woman to stop shrinking, take up space, and write her own rules—because having it all isn’t just a dream, it’s a way of being.

Sam’s clients have left jobs to travel the world, walked away from unfulfilling relationships, built empires from side hustles, and reignited intimacy in their partnerships—all while prioritizing their own body, mind, spirit, and joy.

She’s trained on mindset + energetics across the US and internationally, and when she’s not dropping truth bombs on the Full Out podcast, you’ll find her in ballet class, sipping her favorite greens drink or soaking up snuggles with her son.

To work with Sam, email sam@samanthajoharvey.com or connect with her on Instagram

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Listen to the Full Out Podcast

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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. 

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 Facebook

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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.

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 Facebook

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Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

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

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