Supporting a Child's Emotional World With Creativity - Theresa Smith-Levin of Central FL Vocal Arts
Fri Dec 19 2025
In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Middleton chats with Theresa Smith-Levin, founder of Central Florida Vocal Arts, about how music and the arts can play a powerful role in children's health and development. Theresa shares her "overnight nonprofit founder" story, explains how CFVA expands access to arts education for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity, and discusses how creative expression builds confidence, resilience, empathy, and emotional well-being. The conversation also offers practical insight into how families and schools can normalize creativity and help children find and use their voice.
WATCH EPISODE: https://youtu.be/SIf9gR1Hy0s
Learn More: https://centralfloridavocalarts.org
Key takeaways from this episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nvmozFJQ-r1T_fbiZbhIzJx5uG64Ms2M/view?usp=drive_link
Send us a Question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1W39w6aJj5Y4C_RDzzRsnmt7JGs1ZHI3FzBikkobPkjs
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:16 Meet Teresa: Her Background and Journey
01:53 Founding a Nonprofit Overnight
03:31 Identifying Needs in the Arts Community
05:41 Central Florida Vocal Arts Today
07:01 Breakdown of Programs and Accessibility
10:24 Impact and Expansion
12:12 Barriers to Access in the Arts
14:22 Societal Undervaluing of the Arts
16:18 The Role of Arts in Mental Health
18:56 Fostering Creativity at Home and School
21:40 Avoiding Inhibition and Criticism in Artistic Expression
23:19 Arts, Free Play, and Education Policy
27:00 Celebrating Diversity in Talent and Education
30:05 Arts Access in Different Communities
33:14 Challenges in Implementing Arts in Schools
36:38 Changing Narratives: Making Arts Cool
39:41 Arts as Antidote to Loneliness and Disconnection
42:01 Performing Arts, Vulnerability, and Connection
44:28 Building Resilience Through Stage Experience
48:07 Handling Anxiety and Performance Nerves
51:01 Prescribing Arts to Foster Growth in Kids
53:52 The Arts Against Conformity
55:08 Reasons for Hope and the Power of Arts
56:02 Supporting Central Florida Vocal Arts
57:04 Rapid Fire – Teresa's Favorites & Opinions
59:30 Closing Thoughts and Thanks
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In this episode of Caring Well, Dr. Middleton chats with Theresa Smith-Levin, founder of Central Florida Vocal Arts, about how music and the arts can play a powerful role in children's health and development. Theresa shares her "overnight nonprofit founder" story, explains how CFVA expands access to arts education for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity, and discusses how creative expression builds confidence, resilience, empathy, and emotional well-being. The conversation also offers practical insight into how families and schools can normalize creativity and help children find and use their voice. WATCH EPISODE: https://youtu.be/SIf9gR1Hy0s Learn More: https://centralfloridavocalarts.org Key takeaways from this episode: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nvmozFJQ-r1T_fbiZbhIzJx5uG64Ms2M/view?usp=drive_link Send us a Question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1W39w6aJj5Y4C_RDzzRsnmt7JGs1ZHI3FzBikkobPkjs TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:16 Meet Teresa: Her Background and Journey 01:53 Founding a Nonprofit Overnight 03:31 Identifying Needs in the Arts Community 05:41 Central Florida Vocal Arts Today 07:01 Breakdown of Programs and Accessibility 10:24 Impact and Expansion 12:12 Barriers to Access in the Arts 14:22 Societal Undervaluing of the Arts 16:18 The Role of Arts in Mental Health 18:56 Fostering Creativity at Home and School 21:40 Avoiding Inhibition and Criticism in Artistic Expression 23:19 Arts, Free Play, and Education Policy 27:00 Celebrating Diversity in Talent and Education 30:05 Arts Access in Different Communities 33:14 Challenges in Implementing Arts in Schools 36:38 Changing Narratives: Making Arts Cool 39:41 Arts as Antidote to Loneliness and Disconnection 42:01 Performing Arts, Vulnerability, and Connection 44:28 Building Resilience Through Stage Experience 48:07 Handling Anxiety and Performance Nerves 51:01 Prescribing Arts to Foster Growth in Kids 53:52 The Arts Against Conformity 55:08 Reasons for Hope and the Power of Arts 56:02 Supporting Central Florida Vocal Arts 57:04 Rapid Fire – Teresa's Favorites & Opinions 59:30 Closing Thoughts and Thanks --- FOLLOW ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/middleton_pediatrics ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/middletonpediatrics ➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@middletonpeds ➡️ https://x.com/middletonpeds