The Musical Experience
Dates and Time: Tuesdays, 7:30–8:45 PM
See the enrollment portal for class availability and pricing
Ages: 7 and up
The Musical Experience invites students to step into the thrilling world of Broadway Classics, inspired by the iconic energy, storytelling, and movement of West Side Story. This program offers comprehensive musical theater training within a supportive structure that honors balance for both students and families.
Rooted in the strength of EMC’s performing arts studio, students are challenged, supported, and inspired both on stage and off. Training includes vocal group work, Broadway inspired choreography, acting and storytelling, theater dance, and audition preparation. Students also explore the behind the scenes elements that bring musical theater productions to life.
A highlight of this experience is a special performance opportunity. Students enrolled in The Musical Experience will perform a West Side Story medley at the Fall Tour, giving them the chance to take the stage and share their work with the EMC community, friends, and family. This performance extends learning beyond the studio and provides valuable real world stage experience in a celebratory and supportive setting.
The Musical Experience emphasizes collaboration, student voice, and leadership, encouraging students to help shape the creative process while building confidence, ownership, and expressive skills. With clear communication, organized scheduling, and high quality performance opportunities, this program is designed to help students grow artistically while feeling supported every step of the way.
Through the lens of West Side Story, students learn how music, movement, and emotion come together to tell powerful stories, just as they do on a Broadway stage.
Email [email protected] if you have questions.
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.
