Pint-Sized Powerhouse

Emily Jewel Hoder is an 8-year-old with a grand plan.

And, with her determination, there’s no doubt we’ll see her achieve her dreams – and then some.

The Parkland resident has already made her mark. She has won several national dance competitions, starred in “Annie” (alongside Sally Struthers) at The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton and will play the role of Amaryllis in The Wick’s “Music Man” with Tony Award-winning actor John Tartaglia in December.  

The talented third-grader spent part of the summer starring in “Annie” at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in North Carolina. 

“Emily earned this role after a difficult eight-hour audition, competing against incredible actresses who train at NC Theatre,” says Emily’s mother, Caroline. “When Emily auditions, she is full of energetic confidence that just comes alive onstage. She’s a natural performer and dedicates hours and hours to memorizing lines, practicing choreography, and is just a consummate professional onstage.” 

She may be young, but Emily has already amassed several awards, including the Believe National overall winner for her solo jazz-acro dance in 2018 and Dance Educators of America – Miss Sunshine Award and First Place Overall in 2019. (And, at 7, she was the youngest to perform at the Boca Black Box.)

Her days are jam-packed with jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical and acro dance lessons; rehearsing choreography; and memorizing lines – along with school and other activities.

“My favorite things to do are to hang out with my friends, dance, sing and act,” says Emily. “I see myself as being a performer, singing and dancing, and my dream is to someday be on Broadway.”