Ep 50 - Trash the Trophies: What Dance Competition Gets Wrong and What to Do Instead with Chasta Hamilton
From In The Spotlight: Raising Leaders in the Performing Arts by Robin Snyder-Wiencek
March 10, 2026 · 45 min · Episode 50
About this episode
Chasta Hamilton discusses the shortcomings of dance competitions and the importance of building confidence and leadership in young dancers.
In this episode, Robin sits down with arts entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker Chasta Hamilton, founder and CEO of Stage Door Dance Productions, and founder of the nonprofit Girls Geared for Greatness. Chasta shares how the performing arts became a stabilizing force after she lost both parents as a child, and how that experience shaped her mission to build dancers who are not only technically strong, but confident, resilient, and prepared to lead. Robin and Chasta dig into big industry questions, including: Why Chasta wrote Trash the Trophies and what competition culture can get wrong How studio owners and parents can rethink “success” in dance Building leadership programs for teens and creating stronger studio communities What parents should know about private equity and growing consolidation in the dance world This is a conversation about values, courage, and the kind of training that prepares young performers for the stage and for life. About Chasta: Orphaned as a child, Chasta found comfort in the creativity, play, and catharsis of the performing arts. This led to a life as an arts entrepreneur where she believes that everyone has the power to reach their fullest…
People in this episode
Host: Robin Snyder-Wiencek
Guest: Chasta Hamilton
Topics covered
- dance competition
- performing arts
- leadership
- success in dance
- studio community
Keywords
- dance competition
- leadership
- performing arts
- success
- studio community
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Stage Door Dance Productions, Girls Geared for Greatness
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- Ep 60: From Studio Brat to Nashville Stage: Brendan Wiencek on Growing Up in the Arts and Making a Life in Music · May 19, 2026 · 39 min
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