In performing arts education, there are some students who love the spotlight, and others who just love to be there, participating, without the pressure and responsibility of being the lead role. Samuel Auguste was one of the latter.

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Not all of my guests craved the spotlight. Some were very happy behind-the-scenes, putting their production talents to good use in quieter ways. Matthew Hochberg, class of 1998, spent his senior year assimilating back into public school life through Thespian Troupe 721. There, he leaned on the safe community as he figured out what would inspire his future.

A running theme on this podcast is the non-linear path to now. Whether for a change of heart or change of circumstance, the road people take often diverge multiple times from the one they set out upon. Sometimes, you have a few guardian angels to help lead the way. From teen mom to LPN to NP, Esskee Nance-Doucet has climbed mountainous terrain in order to smell the sweet, clean air of success. Tune in for her story.

Tina Vasquez is the owner and CEO of Emerging Equity, a consulting firm that focuses on cultural transformation in institutions and systems. Tune in to hear how this powerhouse entrepreneur, mom, and dancing queen used the lessons from the studio to tap into her creativity, intuition, and find her voice.

Welcome to season four!

Welcome to the final episode of season three of "Changed for the Better!" I can't think of a better person to have join me for this momentous occasion.

Read the blog at staceytirro.com

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MUSIC written and performed by: Brianna Knight

GRAPHIC design: Michael DelPup

Joseph "Royalty" Wallace, once a pulsing ball of energy, has focused his creativity and discipline to become a successful man in finance and entrepreneurship. Trustco Bank manager by day, owner of House of Kings, LLC after hours, and always a family man.

Read the blog at staceytirro.com

Watch the full episode on YouTube

MUSIC written and performed by: Brianna Knight

GRAPHIC design: Michael DelPup

Bria Manning is someone who sees what she wants and she gets it. Back in high school, she poured her energy into the Spring Valley community as a class officer, cheerleader, and active Thespian and dancer. Now entrenched in her quarter-century status, she is finding ways to balance the requirements of adulting with her need for community, creativity and dancing.

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Read the Blog about Bria

MUSIC: Brianna Knight

GRAPHIC: Michael DelPup

Episode 37 features Rushane Dunn, the first alum to be profiled from the class of 2019!

Rushane is a delightful person who always makes me smile. Always ambitious and high-achieving, he is now finishing his senior year at Brown University. We talked about his dual passions for STEM and performing arts, being at the precipice of his adulthood and his impending journey into medicine. Learn how his time in the studio and on the stage in high school propelled him to become a leader in college, and how it helped to shape the outstanding person he is today.

Click to read about Rushane on the blog!

MUSIC: Brianna Knight

GRAPHIC: Michael DelPup

In part two of Episode 36, Nathalie Alcime (class of 2007) and I talk about how her time in the dance studio helped to give her more confidence in her own skin when it came to dance performance. As her confidence grew, she learned how to walk proudly in her experience, even when she made mistakes. Learning to fail forward became the key to her standing up to the looming imposter syndrome that often gets in the way of our success.

Graphic: Michael DelPup

©Stacey Tirro 2023