Education: Bachelor of Art in Dance Performance and Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, UNC Charlotte (2020)
Hometown: Naples, FL
Emma Castronovo began dancing when she was three years old, and fell in love with it then. She continued dancing through college, and she is still dancing to this day as a dance instructor at Naples Dance Arts studio in Naples, Florida.
Recently, Emma began classes at Arcadia University to get her doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. This will open many doors for her to grow in her understanding of the body and help others physcially heal, especially dancers. Since graduating she was also able to plan a wedding to her highschool sweetheart in the summer of '22.
When asked about how the education she received at UNC Charlotte prepared her, Emma said, "My education at UNCC helped prepare me successfully for where I am today. The exercise science program helped with my knowledge in physical therapy and my dance professor, Delia Neil, helped my passion of physical therapy grow immensely." Neil is known for encouraging her dancers to know their own body and dance safely.
She also spoke about several fond memories from her four years here. Emma performed in many of the dance department's concerts, but said the solo she performed, choreographed by chair of the Dance Department Gretchen Alterowitz, was her favorite. She also joined the Alpha Chi Omega sorority early on in her college career and was very active in all of their events. Emma then mentioned how much she enjoyed being a part of the student-run organization Range of Motion (ROM). She performed with this ensemble every semester, choreographed often, and gained valuable leadership skills.
Her advice for current students is, "Enjoy every second of it! Connect with professors. They want to see you succeed and will help you achieve success."