Rising Leaders
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General Information | Listen to the Podcast | Student Teacher Training Program | Mini Intensive/Teacher Training Workshop | Lunch with a Leader | Pathways Meetings | Customer Service | Community Service | Dream Team Training Retreat | NHSDA | College Prep Seminar
General Information
Rising Leaders at EMC Performing Arts Studio is a youth leadership program designed for children ages 10-18 who have a passion for the performing arts, enjoy working with children, and want to make an impact in their community.
Through interactive workshops, community service, part time employment, and one-on-one coaching, our young people develop character, work ethic and real-life leadership skills under the guidance of performing arts professionals right here in Southern York County.
Rising Leaders is offered exclusively at EMC Performing Arts Studio and is FREE of charge for enrolled students.
Here’s how you and your child/teen can get involved:
Most of these programs will be offered FREE OF CHARGE for currently enrolled EMC students or part-time teenaged employees of EMC. In some cases, in interview or application may be necessary.
Complete this form if your child (ages 10 and up) is interested in being considered (or reconsidered) for a position in this program starting in Summer 2025.
Listen to the Podcast
Listen to the Podcast
In the Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts is a new podcast about how performing arts training can have an incredible impact on our young people.
We’re diving deep into the transformative world of performing arts education. Each week, we’ll chat with industry experts—from seasoned educators to acclaimed artists—who are passionate about nurturing responsible young leaders through the power of performing arts training.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or aspiring artist, you’ll discover actionable insights and inspiring stories that highlight how the arts can shape character, boost confidence, and cultivate leadership skills.
Together, we’ll explore innovative techniques, share valuable resources, and celebrate the incredible impact of the arts in developing the leaders of tomorrow.
Please listen, like, subscribe, share…all the things!
Student Teacher Training Program
Formerly known as the “Leadership Program” our Student Teacher Training Program develops home-grown teachers, providing them with a valuable skill that they will carry with them beyond graduating from EMC.
If you are currently involved in this program, then you are already a part of Rising Leaders. Now under the direction of Miss Robin, stay tuned for in-person opportunities for coaching and growth.
Miss Robin and the EMC Team will be observing the Rising Leaders in action, conferencing one-on-one or in small groups and guiding our young leaders to success.
Mini Intensive / Teacher Training Workshop
Of course, the core of our program is Teacher Training. Rising Leaders will have the opportunity to attend a Teacher Training Workshop and then put their skills to the test in the Mini Dance Intensive. This is where Rising Leaders receive hands on training in the dance studio, learning to plan lessons, manage students, create appropriate choreography and more. Rising Leaders who complete this summer training may be assigned to a class in the new season, either as a Student Teacher, Student Teacher in Training, Assistant, or Assistant in Training.
A similar program will be developed in the Discovery Gym and the Black Box Theater.
Reserve Sat May 3, 2025 at 10:00 am for an orientation meeting for those interested in the Teacher Training Workshop.
Stay tuned for instructions on how to participate as the year unfolds.
Lunch with a Leader
A series of opportunities for our Rising Leaders to have lunch on Saturdays with Miss Robin or another EMC Team Member will be offered throughout the year.
This is a no-fuss chance for our young people to check-in and get-to-know their teachers and directors in a casual and conversational setting.
Stay tuned for instructions on how to participate as the year unfolds.
Pathways Meetings
Currently enrolled students and parents may schedule a 30-minute Zoom call or in-person meeting with Miss Robin at any time throughout the year to discuss the student’s goals and to strategize a plan for success.
Stay tuned for instructions on how to participate as the year unfolds.
Young Employee Training
At EMC, we hire young people as hostesses to work at the front desk, interact with customers, manage the common spaces, and keep things running smoothly outside the classroom. If your teen is looking for a part-time job (even if they are NOT an enrolled EMC student, please reach out!)
Email [email protected] to start a conversation
Community Service
Giving back to our community is important. At EMC we strive to teach our Rising Leaders the joys of helping others when a need arises. If you have a cause that is dear to your heart, and you wish to enlist the help of our Rising Leaders (under your guidance) please reach out.
Email [email protected] to start a conversation
Dream Team Training Retreat Brunch
In August, Rising Leaders are invited to attend an exclusive brunch at The Creek House with Miss Robin and a guest speaker, as a part of our Dream Team Training Retreat.
Stay tuned for instructions on how to participate as the year unfolds
National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA)
Establishing an NHSDA chapter at EMC is one very important way that we help advance the field of dance education. Celebrating the artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievements of exceptional dance students helps to create honor and prestige within our field and improve our image to those outside the field, and offers benefits for students, institutions, and the field at large.
Benefits of the NHSDA:
· Recognition of students’ artistic merit, academic achievement, and leadership throughout their educational experience (Junior High – Collegiate).
· Certificates at each level of induction, opportunity to receive the gold Honor Pin and wear the blue and white Honor Cord and/or Medallion at graduation.
· Mentorship from Chapter Sponsor and networking with peers.
· Leadership and development opportunities within their NHSDA Chapter, as they can assist the Chapter Sponsor with Chapter administration, record keeping, fundraising, and event planning.
Stay tuned for instructions on how to participate as the year unfolds
College Prep Seminar
Dance Is NOT a Dead-End with Laura Ward-Moran
When considering college for your Junior or Senior dancers, remember that there are many potential career paths that students can take that are dance adjacent. Dance Education, Dance Therapy. Dance History are just a few. Laura Ward-Moran will be presenting on the different pathways available to dancers in college that extend beyond the studio and stage. In addition to discussing Performance and Choreography as a major, she will share information about other Dance Majors such as Dance Science, Dance History, Dance Education, and Arts Administration to provide a comprehensive understanding of how your dance education can lead to a successful college career and beyond.
Summer Seminar Series with Elisabeth Simmons
Elisabeth Simmons, EMC’s Tap Director, holds a Masters of Education degree in Educational Leadership and will lead the seminars. For our students who are in high school and starting to consider their possible trajectories post-EMC, we will offer educational seminars that help boost a student’s resume/portfolio when they are considering applying to colleges and/or scholarships. Having studied anatomy/physiology, kinesiology, history, and resume/portfolio development reflect well when students are being reviewed or interviewed as applicants.
The seminar content would be differentiated for students depending on their age/year of high school. For example: freshmen are learning dance history, sophomores are learning the sciences, juniors are preparing their resumes…. The seminars would then be added as part of their résumé/portfolio for when they start applying to colleges or scholarships or internships.
How to Write a Standout College Essay with Andrew Freeburger
Andrew Freeburger is an EMC Dad and high school teacher at Carver Center for Arts and Technology. He will be offering a 90-minute workshop to EMC Juniors and Seniors, providing guidance and support as they write their college essays. Also provided will be a series of individual follow-ups until the essay is complete.
Because our students’ time is so limited, we will offer these seminars in the summer and compress them into manageable and convenient bite-sized chunks, possibly incorporated into our Summer Dance Intensive.
Stay tuned for instructions on how to participate as the year unfolds.
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!
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.
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.
Emily Runkle
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.
