Amplify the Arts

Shelby is approximately 8,000 beautiful things wrapped into one. She's an artist, a singer, a songwriter, a storyteller, a nonprofit founder AND president, she's currently Miss Sunrise Side and placed in the top 12 at Miss Michigan 2019... I could go on. After receiving the life-altering news that she was positive for Huntington's Disease, she made the decision to be a champion--not a victim--of the disease, and has become a prominent voice of encouragement. She's raised thousands of dollars for research and to aid families who are fighting HD, and has written songs that have become the anthems and safe places for those struggling. And she's done it all with the most graceful smile and a beautiful heart.

Keep in touch with Shelby:
Instagram: @shelby_lentz, @championsforHD
Her work on Spotify: Shelby Lentz
Youtube: Shelby Lentz

And of course, keep up with us on Instagram @amplifythearts!

If you’re anything like me, when you think of art, food might not be the first thing that you think of. I don't remember the last time I thought very hard about the food I was eating, the creative thought process and design behind my food, or sitting down to take the time to intentionally enjoy it. 
That's why I loved getting to sit down and learn from my good friend, Madison Sharpe, a graduate of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute who is incredibly passionate about ALL of those things. We chatted about the Americanized go-go-go way of eating (and living), Ratatouille: The Tik Tok Musical, and of course, our shared love of all things Disney. 

Keep up with Madison on her personal Instagram @maddysharpe18, and her chef-stagram (Did I just coin that term? Maybe) @chefmadisonsharpe. And of course, keep up with us @amplifythearts!

Diving into the good, the bad, and the ugly of the world of dance with my good friend, Emma Seidel, was SUCH a treat. From addressing the hyper-sexualization of young girls in the cutthroat field of competitive dance, to finding her sense of identity after a big injury left her almost unable to dance, to how she empowers young girls as a dance teacher by creating a space for girls to 'just be'- Emma is truly a passionate, driven firecracker of an artist, and I know she's going to keep doing such amazing things in the future. 

Be sure to connect with us on Instagram at @amplifythearts, and you can keep up with Emma at @emmaseidel! 

Not all of us are singers, dancers, or actors. We're not all going to perform on big stages for thousands, or have our art hang in the most grandiose of galleries.

But for those who are in the arts, we all had a teacher that made it possible for us.

And for hundreds of middle school students at Meridian Junior High over the last several years, that teacher has been none other than my own mom! She's so much of the reason I'm a passionate arts advocate, she's helped instill the empathy and love of teaching in me, and she's constantly working to create arts opportunities for students who wouldn't have them otherwise.

Be sure to connect with us on Instagram at @amplifythearts, and you can keep up with my momma at @kdudinetz. 

Acting literally requires you to walk a mile in someone else's shoes - something each of us could definitely improve on!

Between having a well-rounded background in theatre, years of pageant experience, and serving as an advocate for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, today's guest, Erica Kennedy, is no stranger to the stage--or to serving and loving those around her wholeheartedly. She credits much of her empathy for others and her desire to make sure those she meets are taken care of to her arts background, and I loved getting to dive into this further with her (as well as discuss her striking similarity to Sutton Foster!).

Be sure to connect with us on Instagram at @amplifythearts, and you can keep up with Erica at @Erica_Kennedy34.

Hello hello!
Welcome to the very first episode of Amplify the Arts!
The arts have played such an influential role in my life, so much so that they essentially ARE my life. Press play to hear more about who I am, what I do, and why Amplify the Arts came to be!
Be sure to connect with us on our Instagram, @amplifythearts, and subscribe so you never miss an episode!