In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts

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 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

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 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

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 EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

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

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 EMC Performing Arts Studio on Instagram In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

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 In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts on Facebook Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

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

In today’s episode, Robin chats with Deborah Engerman about how dance training has helped her students grow into the very best versions of themselves. DEBORAH ENGERMAN Returning to the United States after touring Europe as Ballet Mistress with "Rock The Ballet," Deborah Engerman took on the role of Director of Maryland Classical Dance Academy, along with teaching at Charm City Ballet, Dance Conservatory of Maryland, and Susquehanna Dance Center. She trained early in life with the Baltimore Ballet under Wendy Robinson in the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) tradition, passing her graded exams. Her classical studies also include training with Petrus Bosman, David Keener, and Christine Hennessy. Later, while pursuing her BA in International Policy at Dickinson College, she continued her study of classical ballet with the teachers of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Her dance training also includes Vaganova Technique, French Methodology, and the Dance Education Program at Towson University. Mrs. Engerman has staged ballets to include the Nutcracker and Swan Lake, Act II. Dancers trained by Mrs. Engerman have earned professional contracts and danced with Universal Ballet, ABT, Complexions, The Washington Ballet, The Vienna Opera Ballet, the Boston Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Inc, Texture Ballet, Hubbard Street, and on Broadway. She has also been a coach to dancers succeeding at numerous international ballet competitions, such as The Prix de Lausanne, the Varna IBC, and The Youth America Grand Prix. Her student, Adrienne Canterna, took the Junior Gold Medal at the 1998 Jackson USA International Ballet Competition. In August 2023, Mrs. Engerman published her first book, Let’s Talk About Fifth: Teaching Ballet in the Twenty-First Century. Find it Here. She is currently happy to continue training dancers in MD and PA while living with her husband and two dogs in South Central PA. House Keeping Segment Notes: Our EMC housekeeping segment finishes at 18:50 and the episode with Robin and Deborah will begin then. We talk about and recap the Rockette Masterclass, Production for our Holiday Celebration, the upcoming Photo Shoot, and good news for the Pullo (and EMC). 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 Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

Get to know EMC Performing Arts Studio’s preschool dance program director, Britt Mergler, and listen in as we talk about the advantages of a student teacher training program in local studios. Our EMC housekeeping segment finishes at 16:53 and the episode with Robin and Britt will begin then. 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 Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here

It’s our very first episode! Woo-hoo! Join us as Robin chats with Kathy and Jaime, her left and right hand Team Members who truly make the world go around at our performing arts studio. Jaime and Kathy chat about their roles at EMC and how much they love working in a place where we contribute to and witness the growth of young performers every single day! We also discuss our greater mission as performing arts educators and what it’s really all about! Our EMC housekeeping segment finishes at 28:30 and the episode with Robin, Kathy, and Jaime will begin then. 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 Interested in Classes at EMC? Learn More About Us Here