Carli is a freshman at Susquehannock High School. She first became a part of the EMC family when she was four years old. Even though she is no longer dancing, she is very appreciative of the life skills that she has learned through dance. At Susquehannock High School, she is the Class of 2027 President, Student Council Representative, and an officer for the school’s French Club. Currently, she is a member of the Girls Varsity Field Hockey Team, Girls Lacrosse Team and plays Club Field Hockey for Hymax Field Hockey Club.
Join us in welcoming another EMC Grad to our Dream Team!
Theresa Falzone started her dance training at EMC at the age of 6.
While she was a student here, Theresa was a member of The Susquehanna Youth Ballet and Company Elite. She also went through the Teacher Training Program under Ciara Miller Driscoll, which allowed her to understand and perform all the roles of the dance classroom- student, assistant, teacher, and choreographer.
Additionally, Theresa performed and assisted with choreography in the Susquehannock Theatre’s musical productions and Concert Choir during her time in high school.
In May 2023, Theresa graduated Magna Cum Laude from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s of Art in Language and Culture, specializing in French, and minoring in Linguistics and Political Science. At Bloomsburg, she participated in the BU Dance Ensemble, was the Secretary of the BU French Club, and was a founder of the newest local sorority, Alpha Theta Kappa in which she created the Diversity and Inclusion Chair position along with serving as a Vice President of Public Relations.
Theresa is so happy to be back at her home studio and hopes to share her knowledge of the linguistic aspect of dance terminology and the main language of ballet, French!
I’m 16 and a junior in high school. I also play tennis for the warriors at susquehannock high school, I am also homeschooled. And in my free time I like to bake, cook and enjoy nature.
I began gymnastics at the age of 3 and continued gymnastics and competing till 7th grade when I stopped to focus on school. I graduated high school from Susquehannock in 2019 and then went to Misericordia university to pursue medical imaging. Due to a major life change of getting diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma my junior year I switched majors to health science. While I was receiving treatment I traveled back and forth from home and school. I graduated from Misericordia university in may of 2023 and have taken on a full time job with wellspan Philhaven where I am a psychiatric technician with the intensive behavioral health services at an after school program. I have been working at EMC in the discovery gym since 2018. I love working in the discovery gym to teach kids about a true passion of mine.
Alli Walker is a senior at Susquehannock High School and has been practicing gymnastics, cheer, theatre, and choir throughout her life. She started in gymnastics at age four, attended EMC, and continued to do gymnastics for several years until her focus changed to cheerleading.
For the last five years, Alli has been involved with cheerleading and is currently a Varsity cheerleader (Point Flyer) at Susky. Additionally, she participated in the Big 33 Cheer program. She also enjoys tumbling, choreography, theatre, and singing in the Company of Praise Youth Choir.
In the past four years she has participated in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Singing in the Rain, and The 2020 Outdoor Showcase at Stewartstown United Methodist Church’s Summer Theatre. Alli is president of her school’s MiniTHON Club, a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish club, and serves as a Junior Leader at Grace Fellowship Church.
Alli enjoys working with children and staying active.
Ava began gymnastics at the age of 9 and practiced for several years before her focus transitioned to soccer. She maintained an interest in gymnastics and used her experience and training under Miss Katie to help her teach in the Discovery Gym.
Ava is thankful for the opportunity to work with so many young students and enjoys playing a part in nurturing their love for AcroGymnastics. Ava is always seeking out new ways to teach valuable lessons that help her students grow technically, artistically and as young humans.
Ava also enjoys theater and running sound for all Susquehannock High School’s productions.
Rachel graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2006 with a BFA in Acting. She also has a teaching certificate from Towson University.
“Miss Rachel” has been a part of the team at EMC Performing Arts Studio since 2010.
She enjoys teaching EMC’s Kreative Kidz dancers, acrobatics, and theatre classes. Rachel visits many of the local schools sharing EMC’s programs with the community. She also is the costume manager at EMC.
Rachel loves working with young people and helping them grow creatively
I am a student at Susquehannock Highschool and will graduate in 2026. I am a lacrosse player for both the SHS team and my club team. I have always enjoyed working with kids at my church and EMC is another great way for me to inspire children!
Brian Myrick recently re-entered the world of children’s musicals after a nearly 30 year hiatus. Like many college music majors, Brian left the formal world of music to begin a career in Information Technology, but has never left music behind. He has served as an accompanist for several area churches, music teacher to his own children, and technical consultant for church worship services. Brian is no stranger to EMC, and is known for always making himself available to drop off food for hungry dancers, fix an errant computer, and occasionally dance with a daughter on stage, all despite owning his own company, Interversant. Brian feels very privileged to get to work with such a tremendously talented group of young people that pretend to laugh at his Dad jokes and follow along with his crazy warm up antics.
Mandy has been a part of the dance world for as long as she can remember as a student, performer, teacher, dance mom, and costumer.
As a youth, she studied ballet, tap, jazz and modern on the Eastern Shore of MD and Delaware before moving back to the Northern Baltimore County area and studying in a pre-professional ballet training program at the Carroll County Dance Center with Sandra Woods.
Additionally, she has studied with the South Carolina Summer Dance Institute at the University of South Carolina, the Washington School of Ballet, and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.
She has performed various roles in the Nutcracker, Coppelia, La Bayadere, and Swan Lake with youth ballet companies and the former Maryland Ballet.
Mandy is a passionate advocate for arts education and also enjoys serving as Costume Mistress for the Susquehanna Youth Ballet and Program Sponsor for EMC’s Junior Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts.
She is very excited to be directing the Kreative Kidz Program at EMC Performing Arts Studio again this year!
Sydney’s journey at EMC began in 2010 in the “Dancing for Fun” program. She quickly moved her way up the levels and began to grow her passion for dance. She now has landed a spot in the Pearl/Diamond group, along with other additional classes. Along with her intense dancing, Sydney has been an assistant teacher in the Kreative Kidz program since 2017, but in 2021, she was promoted to a student teacher position. She loves to share her passion with kids and help them learn to love the art of dance.
Brianna “Breezy” Copp has been dancing at EMC Performing Arts Studio since the age of 4. She has been assisting in the already Kreative Kids program since 2016. Seeing how dancing can help her express herself and bring her joy, Brianna has loved helping dancers find their love to continue down the road of dance. As she goes on teaching her students, she hopes that it will inspire them to be the best dancer they can become.
Dakota has been dancing at EMC Performing Arts Studio since 2012. She started as a DF 1 and is now in Company Elite. Dakota trains in ballet, jazz, modern, tap and more. She has been a member of the Kreative Kids program since 2017. Dakota is now a student teacher for CMR and BTB. She aspires for all her students to learn a love for dance and become the best that they can possibly be.
Reagan is a student teacher at EMC, and has been in the teacher training program since 2016. In 2009 she started dancing, and has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and more! Starting in CMR classes, Reagan has worked her way through the levels and is now a member of Company Elite. She is also a member of the National Honors Society for Dance Arts. Reagan teaches our Showstoppers, CMR, and BTB classes. Above all, Reagan hopes that she can share her love of dance with her students.
Emma started in the teacher training program in 2017 and has been student teaching since 2020. Being trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and several other styles, her dance journey started in 2009 when she first came to EMC. Her love for dance grew over the years and has led her to join the National Honors Society for Dance Arts and Company Elite. Emma teaches the Dance Foundations tap classes and regularly substitutes for other DF disciplines. It is her hope that her students have a fun and exciting time in her classes.
Jaime has been part of the EMC Team since 2010 and her role has grown into many different branches of EMC. She enjoys working with EMC’s Administration as well as teaching the young musicians of EMC.
Jaime has her Bachelor’s degree from IUP (Indiana University of PA) in Business Marketing and before joining EMC, she had been working in Human Resources for 10 years.
She lives at home with her husband, Kerry and two beautiful children, Van & Wyn. Jaime loves being outdoors, watching and playing sports and being active. Running, swimming, skiing, playing volleyball and playing with her kids are some things she always enjoys.
Jaime truly enjoys working at EMC and watching the students grow into wonderful young adults and finding their way in the world. She believes that with hard work, dedication and patience anything is possible.
Tim grew up in a household that embraced a love for music. He grew up listening to everything from classic rock, to pop, to country music.
Born and raised in small town in Michigan, Tim went studied music from 6th grade through his high school years. He played multiple instruments and participated in the percussion group. This is where is love for playing the drums started: playing the bass drum, quads, and snare drum during marching season.
Tim received his first drum set on Christmas when he was 15, and it made his love for drums intensify. Playing in hard rock/metal bands in high school and in classic rock, blues rock bands later in his life, has taught him to appreciate all genres of music.
During his free time, Tim enjoys making drums, and has been building his granddaughter a drum set.
As a teacher, Tim believes that students must find the fun in playing music, while learning the fundamentals.
Hannah was born and raised in Central Maryland with a family with a love of music. Music has always been her passion, and now she is lucky enough to make music her career. She is a graduate of The Catholic University of America with a degree in music education, focusing on Vocal Music. She has been singing since she could talk and has had formal and informal training in both voice and piano as well as informal training on guitar and ukulele. Hannah has enjoyed participating in musical theatre in high school and college and is currently the vocal coach for her school’s musicals, working on shows such as Shrek Jr. and the The Wiz. She currently works in Baltimore County Public Schools as a middle school choral teacher. Her goal for each student is for them to develop a love for music, an appreciation for all types and styles, and the vocal training and development to help them succeed in music, wherever is may lead them.
Nicholas Umezawa grew up studying at EMC Performing Arts Studio since the age of 3. As the son of the Director, he had access to all that the studio had to offer, including dance, art and gymnastics…but his true calling was in the Music Academy.
Nicholas began studying the guitar at age 8 under Ren Williams and continued with Curt Sipe, James McGarvey, Seth Kibel, Ethan Walker, Mark Kraus and Allison Hutchison.
After graduating from Susquehannock High School in 2015, Nicholas received a scholarship to Pace University in Manhattan, then transferred to City Tech where he earned a degree in Entertainment Technology.
Today, Nicholas has returned to his hometown to raise his family and teach the next generation of guitar students at EMC. He is also the Technical Director for events and productions here at the studio.
Nick hopes to share his love of music with his students and has an easy-going demeanor that makes him especially popular with pre-teen and teenaged musicians.
Katie’s highly successful acrobatics program at EMC Performing Arts Studio was established in 2008. Katie has used her background as a national champion gymnast and child development educator to craft a unique program that cultivates your child’s potential.
Katie was a gymnastics participant for 13 years including several national championships, training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and a Member of the NCAA Division I Women’s Gymnastics Team.
Following her gymnastics career, Katie obtained a degree in Child Development, Safety Certification, and has worked continuously in the field of Child Development since 2000.
Some highlights of Katie’s career are coaching many state champions, starting a preschool program, and developing cutting edge cognitive and physical therapy programs for special needs children.
Katie credits gymnastics as offering a great source of fun, self-esteem, and teamwork in all children. She is looking forward to emphasizing those ideals while working with you and your child to reach your goals.
Britt began dancing at the age of 3 and continued until her Junior year of high school. She trained in all styles of dance, yet her true love is ballet.
She was a student at EMC from 2004-2007 and during those years she was a student teacher, a member of the Senior Ensemble and a Principle in SYB. She started off as an assistant for Kreative Kidz where she learned the skills to run a fun and inspiring class while building a strong foundation of basic skills and movement in her students. Bringing out the confidence in her students and revealing the joy and freedom dance brings is the basis for every class she teaches. Britt believes dance can and should be enjoyed by everyone.
In 2008 Britt shifted her focus to horseback riding. She attributes her showmanship and equitation skills in the show ring to her foundation in dance and the years spent performing and training at EMC.
In 2010 Britt graduated from the Baltimore School of Massage, giving her a deep understanding of how the body moves and works and she incorporates that knowledge and training into her teaching.
Santina has been working with EMC since 2020, as part of our marketing team, under her personal brand, and supports schools/studios and dance, fitness, wellness, and child-related brands, businesses, and professionals, as a Biz Bestie by providing remote support. She aims to capture and spotlight the culture and vibe behind the BizMate’s she works with.
Originally born and raised in Australia, now living in Seattle, Santina has been a part of the dance world in many facets throughout her career. From managing a performing arts company to coaching national Hip Hop Champions, performing and touring to choreographing and teaching, owning her own studio to working with creatives and shifting the marketing game.
She has worked with artists such as Tony Czar, Andre Fuentes, Nappy Tabs, Wade Robson, and more.
Santina believes that dance should be accessible to all bodies, and under her personal brand, works to provide a safe, inclusive, diverse, empowering, and confidence building space, for women with chronic pain/illness, to enjoy dance and movement through her dance program, Bare Bones Boogie. She also is a content mentor for creatives and thrives in everything she does.
Isabella began dancing at the age of 5. She shortly switched to EMC Performing Arts Studio at the age of 8. Growing up at EMC, Bella trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and several different styles of Modern dance. When she turned 15, she began training in the student teacher program. After 2 years of student assisting, Bella became the DF Tap teacher. All while excelling at EMC, Bella joined the Hereford Dance Company at Hereford High School.
Her sophomore year, she was awarded top choreographer at the Maryland Dance Alliance. Her Junior year, she became the president of the Junior Company and an officer for the National Dance Honor Society. Bella’s senior year of high school she was Captain of HHS Dance Company.
After graduating in 2020, Bella was accepted into the prestigious Shenandoah University Dance Program with several scholarships and awards. Working towards her BFA in dance for a year, she found herself back home with her family not only at home but at EMC. Bella is thrilled to be back on the Teaching team and training in the Admin team at EMC. She is so excited to see what her future holds!
Rachel began dancing at the age of three and grew up right here at EMC!
In her fifteen years at EMC, she danced as a member of the Repertory Ensemble, Company Elite, and the Susquehanna Youth Ballet. Outside of EMC she received training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Joffrey Ballet School at their summer intensives.
In 2014, she became a part of EMC’s student teacher training program, serving as an instructor for Kreative Kidz and Dance Foundations students up until her graduation in 2019. Rachel attended the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. While at Pitt, she had the opportunity to take classes as part of Pitt’s dance minor program as well as perform and choreograph for the Pitt Dance Ensemble.
Rachel has returned to Baltimore to work as a registered nurse at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and she is thrilled to be back on EMC’s teaching team!
She has experienced first-hand the benefits dance can have on all aspects of one’s life, and she cannot wait share her lifelong love for dance with the next generation of EMC dancers!
A Baltimore native, Maria was fortunate to dance with the Maryland Ballet, the Donetsk Ballet, and with such renowned professionals as Sylvester Campbell, Norma Pera, and Stephanie Powell. She has taught and choreographed for The Russian Ballet Academy, DEX, The Kirov, and many private studios up and down the east coast. Former students have been in the top twelve of YAGP, IBC, and World Ballet Competition as well as began international and National careers all over the United States. She is happy to be teaching as a part of the EMC team.
LaTeisha Melvin, known as “Toosh” (Baltimore, MD) began her formal dance training at the Baltimore School for the Arts under the direction of Norma Pera and later attended Virginia Commonwealth University, receiving her B.F.A. in Dance and Choreography.
Further training includes The American Academy of Ballet in Purchase NY, Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore MD , American Dance Festival in Durham NC. and the Houston Metropolitan Dance Theatre in Houston TX in which she attend on scholarship.
In 2011, LaTeisha received a gold medal for “Dance and Choreography” at the NAACP Act-So competition, and in 2017 LaTeisha was inducted into the “So You Think You Can Dance” Excel in Motion honor society as well as being awarded a partial scholarship and 6 honorable mentions. In 2018 she appeared on the FOX tv show SYTYCD season 15 as a gold ticket recipient and TOP 70 contestant in LA. Later in 2019, she competed at the infamous Apollo Theatre Amateur night competition in New York where she placed 4th. LaTeisha commutes as a freelancer, teaching and choreographing at various studios, universities while still performing with companies from the DMV area.
She has worked as guest artist and artist in residence at Georgetown University and Coppin State University and has presented work at the Baltimore theatre project, Youth America grand prix, Lincoln Theatre and more.
Amanda Cummings Amanda discovered her love for dance around the age of 13 when her mom enrolled her in a local dance program. She enjoyed learning and growing in dance alongside many friends.
Her teaching path began at 17 when she began working with kids at Aberdeen Dance School in Maryland. She remained an instructor at Aberdeen Dance School until she married in 2000. For a few years after that, Amanda focused on college, work, and growing a family.
When her family moved to Stewartstown, PA in 2009 her search for a dance studio for her daughter led her to EMC Performing Arts Studio. It wasn’t long after that the teaching bug bit her again when Robin invited her to teach fitness classes. From there, Amanda trained to teach in both the Kreative Kidz program as well as the Technique program.
Her proudest achievement is building the tap program into something truly special. Her proudest mom moments are having her two children learn and grow in the Dance and Music programs at EMC.
Amanda attributes her success in teaching and dance to EMC Performing Arts Studio. Her experiences at EMC have taught her about more than just teaching. She has been able to grow in creativity with her choreography and also in backstage production skills.
Amanda really enjoys the many aspects of production that go into putting on a successful performance. You will find her teaching all levels of Technique tap and occasional KK classes as well as working diligently alongside the directors and instructors to develop the Dance Technique Program. Amanda also choreographs for the Repertory Ensemble and Company Elite dancers.
Brooke is a “Home-Grown” EMC dancer, who graduated with honors from Towson University where she received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography in Spring of 2019.
Brooke began working with EMC as a dance instructor in 2015 and has become one of our strongest and most dedicated core teachers.
She has a true passion for working with her students helping them build a strong basis of technique, finding their creativity and exploring the endless possibilities that dancing provides.
This year, Brooke will continue taking on all kinds of new responsibilities at the studio, including coordinating the Dance Technique Program and assuring that the experience our students receive is top-notch and serves each dancer well.
Rebecca Dunphy is from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania where she began her dancing at EMC Performing Arts Studio. Here she trained extensively in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, contemporary, and hip hop under notable teachers such as Michelle White Cummings of Ballet West, Ashley Spears of Joffrey Ballet, and Carrie Millikin Euker of Milwaukee Ballet.
Rebecca was a member of The Susquehanna Youth Ballet and Company Elite during her years at EMC.
Her training continued at Mercyhurst University where she performed with The Mercyhurst Dancers, Mercyhurst University Dance Team, and Liturgical Dance Ensemble. In addition to classical works, she was selected to work with contemporary guest artists including Catherine Meredith, Gina Patterson, and Jeffrey Rockland. In May 2021, Rebecca graduated Summa Cum Laude from Mercyhurst University with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and Criminal Justice, with a concentration in pre-law studies. She also holds a Master’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration.
In 2022, Rebecca began her professional dance career with Ballet Embody where she has performed roles such as The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Maryland Nutcracker and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
She continues to work in the criminal justice system while teaching and performing throughout the local area.
Photo is credited to Mark Santillano
Kathy has been part of the EMC Team since 2006 and she is the “friendly face” of EMC that our families have grown to know and love. She enjoys interacting with our students in her role as Office Manager and she loves her job!Fun facts: Miss Kathy has a cosmetology teaching license and worked as a barber for many years. She also has a CDL and has worked as a school bus driver.
Currently, she shares a home with her husband, Monte, and spends her free time riding on the back of a Harley Davidson, kayaking and enjoying sightseeing adventures most weekends.
Kathy has three grown children and five grandchildren that she spends time with as much as possible. Her oldest daughter Ashley was one of EMC’s first dancers in PA and is now running the EMC Spirit Shop on Facebook.
Kathy makes it a point to always attend our Holiday Celebration and Spring Concert at the Pullo Center and loves seeing the students grow from year to year.
Suzanne graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in Graphic Design/Communication. She has worked as an art director and creative director in the Advertising industry for over 25 years and is currently the Director of Design and Production for a national urology company.
Suzanne has been a part of the EMC Performing Arts Studio team since 2010. Her daughter attended EMC Performing Arts Studio from the age of 8, recently graduated from EMC in 2021 and is currently pursuing her career in Musical Theater.
Suzanne lives in York County with her husband and two children. She enjoys Pilates, hiking, bicycling, gardening, cooking, watching her son’s soccer games, and recently enjoys repurposing items.
Walter Wiencek, affectionately known around the studio as “Mr. Wally” is an unsung hero at EMC. He works mostly during the day, when the building is quiet and he is responsible for keeping our space in tip-top shape.
In a building that is over 130 years old, there is always something that needs attention, and we are thankful to have “Mr. Wally” keeping up with all the things.
Walter is also responsible for load-in and load out at EMC performances, makes a mean pulled pork for the Video Premier, cooks and serves delicious food at Team planning meetings and practically single-handedly renovated the entire 19,000 square foot building that EMC currently calls home.
Fun fact: in his younger years, Mr. Wally has been known to step in and act as a surrogate “Dad” in our Adagio Partnering classes when one dad had two daughters and couldn’t dance with them both.
Mr. Wally’s shining moment comes in December each year, when he appears as Santa in our Holiday Celebration at the Pullo Center. This is a job he claims he won’t ever give up. He even performed through the pain in the months before his double knee replacement. Now that’s commitment!
Mr. Wally is dad to 5 grown-up kids and 2 cats that he adores. Also, he is married to Miss Robin, the hardest job of all.
I am a senior at Susquehannock High School. At SHS, I am a member of the varsity swim team, and our varsity and club powerlifting teams. I graduate in 2024 and hope to pursue a kinesiology degree and to continue my powerlifting career at the college level!
Ashley Rosario has been with EMC since she was 12 years old, starting dance classes the day EMC opened in New Freedom! She continued dancing and Student Teaching at EMC until she graduated in 2008.
After graduation, she attended classes at Harrisburg Area Community College, before settling in Trenton, NJ. She is now enjoying being a stay-at-home mother to 3 beautiful children. Now that Ashley’s children are all in school, she has taken on the role of being on EMC’s Customer Care Team, helping new families get scheduled for trial classes and guiding them through the registration process.
Ashley says that even when she graduated from school/EMC, her heart never left, and she is so happy to be back (even though it’s virtually)!
Fun fact, Ashley is EMC’s front desk/Office Manager Miss Kathy’s daughter!
Robin began her dance training at a small, local studio in Baltimore at the age of three, where she couldn’t get enough of “dance studio life”.
Later, she was fortunate enough to attend the prestigious Baltimore School for the Arts, where she received a proper dance education and a love for teaching.
Upon graduation from high school, Robin attended college briefly, but the entrepreneurial bug bit hard and she jumped at the chance to open her studio when the opportunity presented itself.
In 1992, at the age of 22, Robin started her studio in a single room studio in Baltimore City. She made many mistakes along the way but with the support of her husband, Walter who joined in and made the dance studio dream his own, the studio soon became a second home to hundreds of children and teens every week.
Today, EMC Performing Arts Studio provides Dance, Music, Theater and AcroGymnastics classes to nearly 1000 enrollments in New Freedom, PA.
Robin resides on 8 acres of country land with her husband, her mother and four cats. Robin’s young adult sons, Nick, Alex and Brendan are never far from home and there is always home cooked dinner and lively conversation in the kitchen.
Her happy place is floating in her pool in the summer months, listening to Frank Sinatra and running her business from the deck.
As a founding member, Robin has been generous in sharing her knowledge and experience with studio owners around the country through DSO Connect and her podcast.
In the next chapter, Robin dreams of seeing her grandchildren grow up in the studio she and her family have built over the past 30+ years.
llayna Silliman has been dancing at EMC for 9 years. She knew from very early on in her training that teaching was her passion.
While other dancers love the thrill of performance, Ilayna has thrived on the technical training, correction, and perfecting her craft. She has been working as an assistant in both the dance studio and the gym for the last 3 years as well as teaching whenever and wherever needed when called upon to do so.
She has a heart for children with disabilities and has begun learning sign language hoping to find opportunities to teach dance to hearing impaired children. She has thoroughly enjoyed the children she has had the privilege of interacting with and is planning to pursue a career in education.
Corinne graduated with honors at The Baptist College of Florida with a Bachelor of Music Education in the Spring of 2022. As a child, she studied music, dance, art, and gymnastics at EMC and is very excited to return to the music academy as an instructor!
She has been teaching piano, voice, guitar, and ukulele for 8 years. Her mission is to help her students grow in their love for music, explore different styles of music, and play their instruments with excellence.
Outside of making/teaching music, she enjoys baking, kayaking, and spending time with family and friends. She is excited to join the EMC family and hopes to share her love of music with her students!
After graduating in 2013, Lyssa began studying at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) as a ballet major in the dance department under the direction of Susan Jaffe.
While at the school, she also studied under Jared Redick, Jennet Zerbe, Laura Martin, Dayna Fox, Mikhail Tchoupakov, Nina Danilova, Fanchon Cordell, Frank Smith, and Susan McCullough.
During her time at UNCSA, Lyssa performed roles in Paquita, Balanchine’s Raymonda Variations, the first regiment of Stars and Stripes, Donizetti Variations, Napoli, La Bayadere, Serenade, Les Sylphides, and as Flower, Snow Corps and Spanish in Ethan Stiefel’s The Nutcracker.
Shortly after graduating from UNCSA in 2017 with a BFA in dance, Lyssa began dancing with The Georgia Ballet where she has performed the Prelude variation from Les Sylphides, 2nd Act of Swan Lake, La Fille Mal Gardée, Carmen, Haydn Concerto, as a “friend” in Sleepy Hollow, Iris Hensley’s Fantasy, Daet Rodriguez and Margit Peguero’s O Fortuna,and as Doll, Flower, Snow Corps and Mirliton in The Nutcracker.
Lyssa is proud to be back at her home studio, taking on the role of Artistic Director of the Susquehanna Youth Ballet and Ballet Director at EMC Performing Arts Studio this fall.
Maddie is a senior at Susquehannock High School and started her performing arts journey just last year. Before then, her focus was basketball starting at the age of 5 and playing through her freshman year. After discovering her passion for theater, she began taking vocal lessons at EMC in March of 2021. Maddie was also a member of show choir and theater dance. She has been in both musical productions of Annie Jr. and Aladdin Jr. at EMC. At school, Maddie participated in both band and choir and is looking forward to joining her school’s theater program.
Andrew Erickson was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Erickson has danced as a company member for Madison Ballet, Minnesota Ballet, and Ballet Tucson where he danced principal and soloist roles. He has originated roles for the New York Choreographic Institute of New York City Ballet. He recently created the role of Colin in Le Devin du Village at the Confidencen in Stockholm, Sweden. In September 2018, Erickson made his debut as a choreographer with his staging of Arnold Schoenberg’s Book of the Hanging Gardens in collaboration with Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano.
Mr. Erickson also acted as a ballet master and repetiteur for Madison Ballet. As a singer he has performed in Carnegie Hall and was tenor soloist in Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil featured on WFMT. He has toured extensively in Sweden, Canada, Italy, Scotland, Wales, and England.
Our students are fortunate to have this opportunity to study under such a knowledgeable and dynamic teacher.
Hayden grew up around music, becoming a very versatile performer. His study began at age 6, taking drum lessons with his father James McGarvey. Currently a freshman at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Hayden studies classical percussion with Don Liuzzi of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Robert van Sice, and Eric Millstein. With these teachers, he studies timpani, snare drum, marimba, xylophone, hand drums and multi-percussion. Other disciplines he is learning at Curtis include piano, music theory, music history, ear training, singing and chamber music. While attending Susquehannock High School, Hayden became a very successful percussionist for PMEA honors groups. On top of numerous district and regional festivals, he performed two years in the PMEA state orchestra, as well as one year in the National All-Eastern Wind Ensemble. During High School he performed with the jazz band, pep band, marching band, orchestra, and wind ensemble. Hayden also attended the renowned Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in 2019 where he played as principal percussionist in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to classical percussion, Hayden is well versed in drum set playing, previously studying with his father and Tench Tillman. He currently studies drum set with John Riley of the Manhattan School of Music, and has played in various settings such as jazz combos, jazz big bands, rock bands, duos and recording sessions. Hayden can be heard on Brendan Wiencek’s debut album Endless Bonds, as well as his latest single, Second Base. Hayden is very excited to pass on his knowledge and passion for music to his students at EMC.
Nicole is an honor roll student at Hereford High School. She is captain of her high school’s dance company and is involved in various leadership roles throughout the school. For a majority of her childhood, she was enrolled at dance at EMC, training in a large variety of styles, and trained in gymnastics for 3 years. Now she enjoys spreading her passion for gymnastics and dance to younger students and watching them grow and progress in the classroom.
Emily Runkle
Emily Allred Born and raised in Maryland, Emily Allred began her dance training at a very young age. Training in modern, contemporary, ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, improv, and hip hop, Emily soon realized she wanted to dedicate her life to dance. To continue her training, she went to Virginia Commonwealth University where she received her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. Emily also had a General Business minor and worked as a desk assistant and resident assistant for the University. During her time at VCU, she had the opportunity to dance in works set by guest artists like Helen Simoneau, faculty members, and her peers. As a result of VCU hosting the 2018 American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic South Conference, Emily became a volunteer and was working behind the scenes to help make the conference happen. Emily was also invited to perform a tap piece in an art gallery for RVA on Display in 2017. This past summer, she got the opportunity to perform as a dance extra in a music video for Australian artist, Yanni Burton. Emily is now auditioning for cruise lines, NBA dance teams, and other exciting performance opportunities! She is excited to eventually move to Atlanta where she can fully commit to being a performer. Emily also enjoys teaching on the side so she may shed her knowledge and passion to the younger generations.
Rachel Thompson Rachel fell in love with ballet the very first time that she saw the Nutcracker on TV. She begged her mother to let her take ballet lessons. Her mother eventually agreed and her grandmother took her to summer ballet camp. Rachel hasn’t stopped dancing since that first day of camp and she doesn’t intend to stop anytime soon! While she was in middle school and high school, she received the opportunity to perform with a student ballet company and to assistant teach – opportunities that she is thankful are also available to EMC students! She went on to earn degrees in Dance and English. Over the course of her training, she has performed in numerous classical, contemporary, and liturgical pieces. Since graduating from college, Rachel has taught and choreographed for dance studios and fitness centers in Maryland and Pennsylvania. At heart, Rachel is a classicist. She teaches classical humanities to high school students and classical ballet to students of all ages. Regarding ballet, Rachel believes that ballet is best understood as a gift – something to be given, received, and shared. And, she loves sharing ballet with EMC students! More than anything else, she hopes that students leave her classes more aware of themselves and their own capacity for graceful, purposeful movement.
Carly Faye After dancing professionally and teaching in NYC for 10 years, Carly Faye has returned to her hometown of Baltimore, MD. She has been training dancers in Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical, Street Jazz, Tap and Ballet for over 15 years. She firmly believes dance is for every BODY, and wants to instill a love of movement in all of her students. She believes in process over product, and hopes all of her students learn to love hard work. Carly Faye has also served as an Adjudicator and Master Teacher with Starquest International, Spotlight Dance Cup, and Impact Dance Adjudicators. Carly Faye, with her sister Hannah Mae, currently co-hosts, “Count Me In: A Dance and Education Podcast” where they discuss dance, education, and so much more. They have in depth conversations with working artists, educators, writers, producers, from all over the world about their experience in dance and education. She finds this platform to be the perfect opportunity to continue to educate herself and others on the dance world, teaching strategies, and the importance of arts education. The podcast has proven to make her a better educator and human.
Lily Eisenklam began dancing at the age of three. She danced at various studios in Maryland before joining EMC’s family in the fall of 2014. She became part of the Repertory Ensemble in 2015. Lily was accepted into the Junior Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts in 2018. Currently, she attends Hereford High School, where she is also a member of their Dance Company. She has trained in many styles of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary and Tap, her favorite. Lily became part of the Kreative Kids Team in the Fall of 2018 as a student teacher. Lily loves watching her students develop and grow their passions for dance.
Music Instructor
Music Instructor – Student Teacher
Music Instructor – Student Teacher
Music Instructor
Allison was born and raised in western Pennsylvania by a family of music makers. Music has always been her passion, and now she is lucky enough to make music her career. She is a graduate of York College of Pennsylvania with a degree in music industry and recording technology and minors in musical theatre and legal studies. She has been singing since she could talk and has had formal and informal training in both voice and piano as well as informal training on guitar. Allison has enjoyed participating in musical theatre in high school and college and studying the techniques in vocal belting. She was the music director of ICCA finalist a cappella group YCP Rhapsody in college where she arranged music and taught a group of around 20 acappella singers. She currently works at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster, PA as the Assistant Box Office Manager and in the marketing department. Her goal for each student is to develop a love for music with proper technical training and a whole lot of fun!
Music Instructor – Student Teacher
Alex began studying drums at the age of 8 under James Gummer, here at EMC. He is a founding member of The Blacks Jacks, and has performed at The Strand, The Pullo Center, Baltimore Sound Stage, the Ottobar, the Recher, Glen Rock Arts and Brew Fest and numerous local events. Playing music with his brothers is an important part of Alex’s daily life and he has grown to appreciate the bond that music can create between people. Alex looks forward to sharing his love of percussion with his new students.
Music Instructor – Drums
James Gummer began playing drums in 1987 and is proud to be part of the original MTV generation. He’s played everything from heavy metal to the music of our ancestors. He’s been fortunate to study with Dr. Bill Watson, Wes Crawford, and Dr. N. Scott Robinson. James teaches privately and is the drum and percussion instructor at The Saint James Academy in Monkton, Maryland and EMC in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. Among his many musical adventures, James has been the resident drummer at the Maryland Renaissance Festival since 1997 and is currently an accompanist for CCBC’s dance department. He is also a Remo Health Rhythms Drum Circle Facilitator and trained directly with The Remo Drum Company. Find him online at jamesgummer.com.