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Dance is one of Jenna’s biggest passions. She started in gymnastics when she was 5, and that’s where she found her love for movement. At 10, she took her first dance class as a Ruby-level dancer, and she instantly knew it was something special. After graduating from Hotshots at 13, she was invited to join Company, and now she’s part of the Platinum Ensemble. Jenna loves performing, learning new styles, and pushing herself to be the best dancer she can be.
Ally is a student at Susquehannock High School and will graduate in 2028. She plays lacrosse and field hockey for my school and is also a part of Unified club and Multicultural club. In my free time, I enjoy camping at the beach, reading, and spending time with my family.
Molly grew up dancing in numerous productions, including playing Wendy in Harford Dance Theatre’s “Peter Pan”, Aurora in the Danse Macabre’s “Screaming Beauty”, and Belle in Charm City Ballet’s “A Christmas Carol.
Molly received her Bachelor in Fine Arts degree from Towson University for “Dance Performance and Choreography” in May of 2019. She has choreographed numerous works over the years. Her duet “Accidental Bond” performed at the Peabody Dance Festival in 2020. She began her teaching career at Churchville Rec. during their 2016-2017 season, and later taught at Havre De Grace Dancers, and White Marsh Ballet Academy.
Molly is currently an instructor at Forest Hill Dance. In 2023, Molly directed her first of many shows “Jessi’s Story” through Pirouette Productions alongside her colleague, Alexa Hewitt. She is looking forward to continuing her experience as director for Pirouette Productions 2024 show “Rapunzel”.
When not in the studio, Molly enjoys going to church, exercising, and caring for her daughter, Kelsey.
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.
Britt began dancing at the age of 3 and made EMC her dance home as a young teenager. While she trained in all styles of dance, her true love has always been ballet.
During her years at EMC, she was a student teacher, a member of the Senior Ensemble and a principal dancer in the Susquehanna Youth Ballet.
Her leadership training began under Ciara Driscoll as an assistant in the Kreative Kidz Program, 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 2024, Britt returned to EMC to continue her training as a dance educator, and also step into the role of Kreative Kidz Director and teacher. She is well loved by students, parents and her co-workers, and always brings a positive energy to every project, and every room!
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 weekly enrollments in New Freedom, PA.
As a founding member of DSO Connect, Robin has been generous in sharing her knowledge and experience with studio owners around the country through this online community and her podcast.
In 2024, Robin jumped back into the podcast world with In the Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts, where she chats with industry experts parents, students, educators and more to discuss the many ways in which the performing arts help to nurture and guide our young people into becoming amazing adults.
In the next chapter, Robin hopes to continue to grow the EMC Performing Arts Studio community while also traveling and spending time with her sons, grandchildren and husband wherever their RV may take them.
Samantha is a student at Hereford High School and will be graduating in 2026. She is a member of her school’s National Honor Society (NHS) and Science National Honor Society (SNHS).
Samantha is an athlete on her school’s Track and Field team, and enjoys sprinting and pole vaulting. She likes to cook, do DIY crafts and loves taking care of animals.
Samantha has enjoyed gymnastics since she was young, and cant wait to teach the kids at EMC to love it too.
Gracie Miller is a dedicated student, and athlete set to graduate in 2026. She plans to continue her education at York College to become a midwife. In her free time, Gracie enjoys the beach, spending time with her family and friends, and cherishing moments with her dog, Tater.
Mr. Richards began his ballet training in 1991 at the University of Oklahoma under the tutelage of Mary-Margaret Holt, Dennis Poole, and Stephen Jenkins, where, in 1993, he was awarded the Yvonne Chouteau Award for Outstanding Ballet Dancer.
Mr. Richards went on to dance professionally with Ballet Oklahoma, Nevada Ballet Theater as a soloist, and Ohio Ballet. He also guested for multiple companies, including Ballet Arkansas, Norman Ballet, Cleveland-San Jose Ballet, and Ft. Worth-Dallas Ballet.
Upon retiring, Mr. Richards attended Southern Methodist University, obtaining a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree in Choreographic Theory and Practice.
Following graduation in 2001, he taught all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth area before being named Chair of the Community College of Baltimore County dance department in 2005. Under his guidance, the program received national accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Dance, the first community college to ever do so. It was named by Dancer Magazine in 2008 as one of the nation’s top 3 community college dance programs.
Upon leaving CCBC in 2010, Mr. Richards taught at Interlochen Academy of the Arts in Michigan for a year and a half as Guest Artist in Residence before moving to Seattle and teaching all over the Puget Sound.
In 2012 he became the founding Artistic Director of INCEPTION Dance Theater, the first company-in-residence at the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. Mr. Richards served as the Acting Executive Director for Virginia Ballet Company and School, School Coordinator for Seber Method Academy in DC, and faculty at the Academy of Russian Ballet in Herndon, Virginia.
He currently teaches ballet and coaches at The Moving Company in Timonium and E-Street Dance Academy in Edgewood. Mr. Richards resides in northern Baltimore City with his wonderful wife, Mary Jo, and three kitties.
Alli Walker is a dedicated AcroGymnastics coach and aspiring Occupational Therapist, currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Health Sciences and Spanish, along with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy at Elizabethtown College, graduating in 2027. Her passion for movement began at age four with gymnastics at EMC, expanding into cheerleading, dance, theater, and choir.
In high school Alli shifted her focus to cheerleading, where she was a Varsity team member at Susquehannock High School for five years and participated in the Big 33 Cheer program. Her artistic flair also led her to perform in musicals such as Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Singin’ in the Rain, and the 2020 Outdoor Showcase at Stewartstown United Methodist Church’s Summer Theatre.
Since 2021 Alli has loved teaching AcroGymnastics at the Discovery Gym, where she combines her love for working with children and helping them grow. Certified in Mat Pilates, she also enjoys coaching group fitness classes, helping others connect mind and body through movement.
Additionally, Alli’s passion for graphic design and content creation shines through in her administrative role, where she creates engaging and visually captivating material. Her diverse skills and enthusiasm make her a dynamic presence in the gymnastics community.
Bio Coming Soon!
Bio Coming Soon!
Caiylin is a student at Susquehannock High School and will graduate in 2026. She has been playing lacrosse for three years for her school team and club team.
Caiylin loves working with kids and seeing them grow during their time at EMC.
Meghann Potter started dancing at the age of 3 in Baltimore, MD where she competed and won regional and national dance titles. She also studied dance technique at EMC Performing Arts Studio in preparation for the Baltimore School for the Arts. Upon graduation, Meghann attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she received her BFA in Jazz Dance.
After college, Meghann moved to New York City to pursue her dance career and ended up finding a studio she fell in love with! She taught at the Downtown Dance Factory for 10 years and acted as head of their Leaps and Turns Program.
Meghann is thrilled to return to her home studio and help grow the next generation of EMC dancers!
A Baltimore native, Maria Cotto was fortunate to dance with the Maryland Ballet, the Donetsk Ballet, and with such renowned professionals as Sylvester Campbell, Norma Pera, and Stephanie Powell while attending Baltimore School for the Arts.
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.
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!
Elisabeth is a “home grown” EMC Dancer. She began her journey with EMC in the Technique Program in 2003 and graduated in 2010. Throughout these early EMC years, Elisabeth took on assisting roles, which led to her leading and instructing her own classes by 2006.
Elisabeth continued teaching with EMC through her undergraduate college years, eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Millersville University in 2014.
After graduation, Elisabeth began her teaching career in public education and earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership. With her return to the Shrewsbury/New Freedom area, Elisabeth is returning to EMC ready to share her love of dance (with a focus on tap) with the EMC family.
In 2008, Julie Roda graduated with a Bachelor’s in Musical Theatre from Point Park University located in Pittsburgh, PA. At the conservatory she studied all theatrical disciplines. While in Pittsburgh, she performed at the University and locally. After University, Julie moved to New York City and pursued her dream. Favorite roles include Kathy from The Last Five Years, Little Edie from Grey Gardens and Madame Raquin from Thou Shalt Not. Most recently, Julie was seen in CATS! at The Belmont Theater as Grizabella. Julie is a versatile singer/actor that brings a lot of power and passion to the roles she plays. Her passion for theater and performance is contagious and she loves to see those she works with grow in skill and confidence. Julie is thrilled to be at EMC and looks forward to working with beginner and advanced students as they prep for auditions and refine their acting and vocal skills.
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.
Erica Bull is an award-winning dancer, choreographer, adjudicator and educator based in Baltimore, MD. In 2021, Erica graduated Cum Laude from Goucher College with her BA in Dance, Honors in Dance. During her time at Goucher, Erica was Goucher Dance Council’s NDEO Representative as a Collegiate Member of NHSDA. Her accolades include the Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship (2017), the Dance Gala Scholarship (2020), and The Ruth Baird Thompson ’31 Award (2021).
In her career, Erica has performed in works choreographed by Taylor Wickham, Mark Caserta, Christopher K. Morgan, Stephanie Powell, Daniel Burkholder, Rick Southerland, Stephanie Pizzo, Amanda Woodson, Eddie Stockton, and Tamara Thomas. Erica has taken opportunities to train under the Joffrey Ballet School’s Summer Jazz/Contemporary Intensive (2019 – Pre-Professional Scholarship) and Eisenhower Dance Detroit (2021). In 2022, Erica became a company member for NITROGENthecompany in New York (Taylor Wickham). For 2 years, she received many opportunities, including a live performance under Christopher Kessenich (Sybarite Productions – Gramercy Theater). Performance credits consist of NewDANCEFest (2021), LOVEisLOVE Choreographer’s Showcase (2022), Flair Dance Festival (2022), among others.
In composition, Erica has been a resident choreographer for various private and public dance programs, including Notre Dame Preparatory High School’s Upper Level Dance Company. Choreographically, Erica’s work has been accepted into NewDANCEFest, Goucher College Fall Virtual Dance Film Festival, Broadway Dance Center AIM Invitational, Ascending Choreographer’s Festival, among others. Her studio pieces have been recognized regionally and nationally, receiving multiple Choreography/Entertainment Awards, Adjudication Placements and National Team Invitations. Outside of studios, Erica continues to train students privately (concert and competitive) as a coach.
As an instructor, Erica has trained competitive and concert-level dancers in the DMV and PA areas for over 8 years. Her competitive dancers have received scholarships, collegiate training invitations, and convention assistant positions. Her dancers have gone onto pursuing careers on collegiate-level dance teams and BFA/BA programs in Dance/Composition/Education. Outside of dance, Erica has been a certified Intermediate Level Barre Instructor, under Neighborhood Barre, since 2022. The same year, she was offered an adjudication contract with On Point National Dance Competition. She continues to travel across the country to provide instruction and constructive feedback to future generations.
During her professional career, Erica was accepted into Tufts University – Boston’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program in 2023. With an opportunity she could not refuse, she halted her dance career to inspire future dancers of the many ways to continue education and branch out. She is set to graduate in August 2025. Although busy in her career, Erica has always believed in becoming a leader and providing opportunities for others. She continues to mentor NHSDA Junior and Secondary Chapters as well as becoming a Graduate Student Leadership Mentor within Tufts University – Boston’s DPT Program.
Sammi is a student at Susquehannock High School and graduates in 2026. She has been playing lacrosse and doing gymnastics for a very long time. She loves working with kids and watching them grow! Sammi is happy to be a part of the EMC Team where she can share her love for gymnastics and help her students excel.
Sagan graduated from Susquehannock High School. in 2024 where she was a member of the varsity swim team, as well as the varsity and club powerlifting teams. Sagan is currently attending Westchester University, pursuing a kinesiology degree and continuing her powerlifting career at the college level.
EMC is fortunate to have Sagan around the studio when she is home on break from college.
Michaela Adjei-Kordei is a senior Vocal Performance major at York College of PA.
Professional experience includes private teaching since 2021 from her home studio and acting as Choir Director at Yorkshire UMC Church.
She has been singing since the young age of 10 years old and has performed in shows at DreamWrights Center for Community Arts and Belmont Theatre.
Her main goal for her students is that they grow in their love for a wide variety of music while developing their technique, artistry and musicianship.
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.
Caroline is a member of EMC’s Titanium Dance Ensemble and the Pearl Technique Level. She is also a Student Teacher within EMC’s Leadership Program.
Caroline is a ninth grader at Hereford High School where she will dance as part of their Company dance program. Caroline is a member of both the National Junior Honor Society and the National Junior Honor Society of Dance.
Caroline loves to perform and shines on stage and also share her passion for dance with our young students!
Akyla began dancing in July 2014 with at EMC in the Creative Movement and Rhythm class. She continued to progress, joining the Dance Company as a Showstopper in 2016. Her passion for ballet continued to expand as she became a member of the Susquehanna Youth Ballet in 2019. Akyla is currently a member of the Titanium Ensemble, Pearl Technique Level, SYB3, and Adagio Partnering programs. Her favorite type of dance is Contemporary.
Akyla is a member of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) and Academics (NJHS). She has attended various leadership programs including EMC’s Rising Leaders and Jr. National Youth Leaders Conference in 2022. She is active in her church Youth Group, Student Council, and Susquehannock High School’s Dance Team.
Ofelia began gymnastics with EMC at the age of 3 joining the “3 Way Split Club” later that year. After a brief time away from gymnastics classes, she returned to EMC as both a gymnast and dancer. She quickly advanced to a member of EMC’s performing Acro gymnastics team “Hot Shots” for 4 years. Ofelia continued to join the Press Handstand, and 35-foot Hand Stand Walk Clubs before graduating from EMC’s Gymnastics program. She continues her gymnastics training in a competitive setting.
One of Ofelia’s proudest achievements was a wall sit for 17 minutes and 21 seconds before she had to stop to go to gymnastics class.
Ofelia loves working with young children. She enjoys bonding with them as individuals and sharing her passion for gymnastics. Outside of EMC, she plays the Bells with her school band, is active in her church youth group, a member of 4H, and a competitive gymnast.
Jillian is a student at Susquehannock High School and will graduate in 2026. She is a lacrosse player for both the SHS team and a club team. Jillian enjoys working with children at her church and EMC. She loves encouraging and inspiring our young performers and is looking forward to greeting you the next time you are at EMC.
Lydia plays tennis for the Warriors at Susquahannock High School and has a background in ballet. Lydia is homeschooled, and in her free time she loves baking, cooking and exploring nature. Lydia enjoys working with the Discovery Gym students, helping each one of them build confidence and skills in a fun environment!
Alexa began gymnastics at the age of 3 and continued for several years. She graduatel from Susquehannock High School in 2019 and went on to Misericordia University to pursue medical imaging.
After being diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in her junior year, she switched majors to health science. While receiving treatment she traveled back and forth from home and school.
Alexa graduated from Misericordia university in May of 2023 and has taken on a full time job with Wellspan Philhaven where she is a psychiatric technician with the intensive behavioral health services at an after school program.
Alexa has been working at EMC in the Discovery Gym since 2018. Teaching children and watching them shine in the glow of their successes is a true passion for Alexa.
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 and also assists with the technical aspects of EMC’s The Musical Experience.
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.
Rhiannon began studying at EMC when she was just 18 months old in Tumble Bugs then Creative Movement & Rhythm. She quickly moved through the levels, following her heart to life full of dance!
Rhiannon has been a part of many wonderful opportunities through EMC and is trained in multiple genres of dance. Her favorite is tap.
Rhiannon has been part of the EMC Leadership Program since she was just 9 years old. She really enjoys the art of teaching kids how to dance because it’s something that’s so special to her heart.
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.
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
Maddie has tried a little bit of everything at EMC before she landed on Dance and Musical Theater. She was previously a guitar student in our Music Academy and also a Hot Shot in the Discovery Gym.
Maddie started training in the leadership training program in 2021, and is stepping into the role of a tap and jazz teacher in our Dance Foundations program after training extensively in all levels of the Kreative Kidz program. She cites Miss Rachel and graduate student Emma Cummings as two of her biggest leadership inspirations.
Maddie is member of the Platinum Ensemble and the Sapphire Technique Level.
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, grandpa to 2 grand-kiddos, and cat-dad to 2 felines that he adores. Also, he is married to Miss Robin, the hardest job of all.
Sydney’s journey at EMC began in 2010 in the “Dancin’ for Fun” program. She quickly moved her way up the levels and began to grow her passion for dance. Sydney currently holds a position in the Diamond Level of the Dance Technique Program, Company Elite, and Contemporary class.
In addition to her intense dance training schedule, Sydney has been a part of EMC’s Leadership Program since 2017. Currently Sydney teaches Dance Foundations Ballet, Contemporary and AcroDance.
She loves to share her passion with kids and help them learn to love the art of dance.
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!
LaTeisha Melvin 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.
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 EMC, her heart never left, and she is so happy to be back (even though it’s virtually)!
Fun fact, Ashley is EMC’s Office Manager Miss Kathy’s daughter!
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 30 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, 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.
Santina has been working with EMC since 2020, as part of our marketing team, and supports studios/schools and entertainment creatives, as a Biz Bestie by providing remote support. She aims to capture and spotlight the culture and vibe behind the BizMates 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, from performing and touring to choreographing and teaching, from 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 trauma & chronic illness, to enjoy dance and movement through her dance program and app. She is also is a content mentor for creatives, a dance instructor in local WA studios, and thrives in everything she does.
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.
Jaime joined EMC in 2010 and is responsible for keeping on top of all the HR needs of our very vibrant and dynamic Team.
Jaime holds a 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 her favorites.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.