Dancespeak

Welcome to episode 137 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Kara Mack (Welcome 2 America 2, Kendrick Lamar, Africa in America) Let me just say Kara Mack. Is. The. One. I promise you will fall in love with her in this week's episode of the podcast. We go through it all, including: - The beginning of her journey studying African and African diasporic movement - Bringing African diasporic movement and studies to universities - Working with the one and only Fatima Robinson - Being involved in casting and choreography for "Coming 2 America 2" - Creating for Kendrick Lamar - Everything else under the sun. This episode is like a cup of tea for the heart, mind, and soul. Be sure to share with your friends, follow us on IG, rate, review, and check out our library of 137 (and growing) episodes!

Here we are! Episode 136 with are three-peat Teresa Espinosa has arrived. I finally got to indulge and ask for juicy tidbits from dancing on the legendary Velvet Rope Tour. Then we talked about navigating through a pandemic with a world-famous studio that is between homes (and how it's still going) and... high-performance coaching. This episode answers the question: what can life look like after pursuing dance professionally? Episode 136 of Dancespeak Podcast is LIVE on iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcasts!

Welcome to episode 135 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Jonte' (Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Tamar Braxton, and more). We talk about everything from auditioning for years without results and then booking Janet Jackson's infamous Super Bowl performance to being a celebrity in Japan! We also cover topics including what it looks like to put your foot down and chase your dreams, navigating homophobia, and tips on taking classes above your level. Jonte' brings such a raw and unique voice, and I PROMISE you don't want to miss out! Subscribe, share, care, and don't be afraid to express your flare.

Welcome to Episode 134 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Noel Bajandas. Noel is a dancer and choreographer with decades in the industry and credits that include the upcoming movie “In The Heights”, LA LA Land, Circue Du Soleil’s Delirium, Madonna and Toni Braxton. This is the most perfect time for Noel's episode to be released as his story is inspiring, fun, and he keeps it REAL. Noel shares about how he started his professional career in dance at the age of 18 with little formal training. The genres that Noel has spanned are numerous and we get to the core of how he has managed to jump into the variety of projects that he has. This episode dives into one of our foundational styles of episode: the journey of the dancer from humble beginnings to great successes... what works, and how to get there. Listen, subscribe, share, and enjoy!

Welcome to episode 133 of the DanceSpeak podcast. In this unprecedented year, one of the major guiding factors I've experienced is having our guests share how they have been navigating Covid times. After nearly a year of physically distanced interviews from around the country (and Paris too), I have been bursting with information to share, because there are some major things in common that our thriving guests have. This episode distills this year into 6 major lessons and key ways to navigate this time. While opening up about my own journey as a solopreneur, multi-passionate business owner, and dance teacher-student-choregrapher-podcaster, I refer to lessons that our recent guests have taught us and deliver them with the intention of inspiring actionable steps and clarity for what we can do when so much has been limited. Some of the topics include boosting your work from home, navigating the often triggering social media landscape, and managing burnout. This episode as a whole speaks to how one can make the mo

Welcome to episode 132 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Marissa T. Schaeffer (Licensed Physical Therapist and NCSA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist). Marissa has worked with dancers from Broadway to ballet serving companies such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, José Limón Dance Company, and Doug Varone. She has also written and contributed to dance articles in Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher Magazine, and Dance Studio Life. Marissa and I talk about her journey from a conservatory dancer who was on a professional track to her becoming a personal trainer and eventually a physical therapist. Of course, I just had to ask about her experience giving cross-training and treatments for Ailey dancers. Marissa shares about her approach when working with dancers, gives tips on how to stay dance-ready while at home (when many of us, well at least, I have become more... couch-ified... is that a word?). We talk about what to do if you need a PT from home, go on a few fun tangents, and learn about what Maris

Welcome to episode 131 of the DanceSpeak Podcast with Laure Courtellemont (Neyo, Major Lazor, SYTYCD and more). Laure means so many things to us, the podcast. She is the story of having passion beyond fear, of having a dream that takes her across the ocean from Paris to the US, of being pulled into her career of dance by an inexplicable force. Our interview takes place remotely as we are hunkered down by the pandemic. From here, Laure shares about traveling back to France for a longer than expected period of time (don't worry LA, she'll be back soon) and the realizations that have come to her during the quarantine. Laure opens up about her journey with dancehall, as a student who became a world-renowned teacher, and how she navigated proving herself and persevering through resistance... and internet shade. We talk about France's relationship to social justice, how Laure's passion took her to places she never expected, and so... much... more. Listen, enjoy, subscribe, and share! To listen to the full KM panel

For Mature Audiences Only! If you are familiar with us at all, you probably know we are all for sharing unfiltered and enlivening conversations with our audience. Episode 130 of DanceSpeak delivers an interview with Alicia and Erwan, the relationship coaches of Erwan Davon Teachings, who work with singles and couples to create soulful and sexy relationships. Nothing is off guard here. We get into topics including navigating being in the same industry as your partner, bumping into exes, what an extended orgasm is, who pays for the date, how to build a healthy power dynamic with your partner, do's and don'ts if you go into business with your significant other, gaging someone else's interest, questions around pornagrpahy consumption and more! Enjoy, share, subscribe, rate, review, and... enjoy some more.

Welcome to episode 129 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Tiffany Mellard (Hamilton, Chicago, West Side Story). What got me super geeked about Tiffany is that while I'm trying to navigate not eating all of the cookies in the jar during Covid, Tiffany, who was in Hamilton prior to everything shutting down, is obtaining a Master's degree from Harvard. Not that this is a comparison game... no, not that! It's just jaw-dropping, inspiring, and gets my daydreams going. While the first thing we talk about is High School (shout out to La Guardia/ LAG Arts), because um, we had class together in H.S. and just now reconnected... wait run-on sentence... while we start off fun and light, the conversation starts diving into a deeper arena as Tiffany shares about her passion for bringing dance to the community, the injury that first hindered and then ultimately gave her career a major boost, tokenism in dance (a must-listen), getting onto Hamilton, what it was like when Covid hit, and her journey to Harvard where she is current

Welcome to episode 128 of the DanceSpeak podcast with dancer/choreographer/author Jamal Josef (Beyonce, Kirk Franklin, author of "Black Boys Dance Too"). I was sorely mistaken thinking that this episode would be around writing a book. Just a few minutes in and Jamal started speaking candidly on one of the major taboo topics in our world: men being sexually harassed. Needless to say, the ice was broken as Jamal began sharing about his journey from a work-study at the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio to choreographing for Beyonce at her acclaimed 2018 Coachella performance. We talk about pitfalls in the industry (like the ones that are often not brought up... at all), protecting yourself as a dancer/choreographer, and stepping 101. By the time we make our way to the final leg of the interview it is beyond clear that "Black Boys Dance Too" poured out of Jamal as a way to build new possibilities and normalizing diversity in dance. An overarching theme that my ears perked up to is all of the ways in which Jamal has cr

Welcome to episode 127 of the DanceSpeak podcast with dancer, choreographer, and activist, Emily Chamberlain. Emily first caught our eye with her call-to-action-for-voting choreography piece for the Civic Life Project. It is the perfect example of one of the tools we have at our belt as artists to be HEARD. Whether you are already registered to vote, or not there yet, this episode is for YOU. Okay, so the episode... we get... political! Yikes! We haven't before, but it's time to vote and so we explore some of the issues that are impacting the dance world RIGHT NOW. One of our favorite aspects of this episode is that we dive into why and how the dance community can be powerful in making real change. Enough with this blurb... this episode is poignant, short, and sweet (like your host). Please listen, share, subscribe, let us know your thoughts, and... VOTE!

Welcome to Episode 126 of DanceSpeak with Leslie Scott, the founder of Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD). Leslie Scott has held long-term teaching positions at the famed Millennium Dance Complex and Edge PAC in Los Angeles while also having years as a professional dancer under her belt. What we focus on in this episode is Leslie's pivot into advocating for the youth and addressing sexual abuse in the dance world while she was still in the industry. What had her go into a direction where she met immediate disapproval? Leslie speaks on her clarity and how she moved forward in the face of backlash. We then go into a conversation around the controversial Netflix featured film: 'Cuties.' In case this does not ring any bells, Cuties is a film that has received tons of flack for its provocative posters and dance scenes which have underage dancers front and center. While holding space for the gambit on thoughts on this, Leslie helps us unpack the conversation around this film existing in the first place and

Welcome to episode 125 of DanceSpeak with Ezama L'oi (P-Valley on STARZ, Usher, Ne-Yo). Ezama's story takes us through her introduction to dance, becoming a professional dancer, and how she got into pole. Ezama's multifaceted career journey shows us how much is possible when you stay true to yourself and follow your visions. Ezama speaks to us as the resident poleography trainer and stunt double for the show P-Valley on Starz. She shares about how she became a part of the show, what it's like on set, working with Jamaica and Katori Hall, and insights as to what makes the show click so well. We quickly learn that there is nothing typical about Ezama or her journey. She grew up in a handful of places across the U.S., is a fan of pole dancing in sweatpants and grandpa socks, runs her own businesses, and embraces her tomboy side in the most unapologetic way. Ezama opens up about racism in Mississippi, her life-changing trips to Africa, and so so much more. Listen, enjoy, share, learn, subscribe!

Welcome to episode 124 with actress, singer, dancer, sketch comedian, writer, director, Cinnabon-lova: NaTonia Monét. Stage credits include Westside Story, The Wiz, Tina on BROADDDDWAY. TV includes Ray Donovan and Z: The Beginning of Everything (eowww). NaTonia opens up about her journey as she discovered her dream of Broadway, made the big move from the South to New York City, and how she moved through her fears to make her career happen. We learn about what it's like to go through the winding process of getting on a Broadway show and then an insider perspective on the experience of getting your dream job as Covid shut everything down. This episode leaves you with hope as NaTonia shares about keeping creative during the lockdown and coping in a very beautiful way. Listen, subscribe, and share!

Okay, my title is long here. Episode 123 with India McGee inspires a long title because her voice, her intelligence, her variety in topics shared is a celebration for the ears. Yes, I was hyped to hear about India's experience dancing and acting on Netflix's 'The Get Down' and BET's 'American Soul.' Yes, I was hyped to learn about her experience teaching at a top university (Emory). But what really gets me is India's empowered outlook and confidence in what can seem taboo to talk about. We talk facial hair on women, why binaries can be harmful, even the benefit of letting go of a dream (listen, we LOVE dreams, but this episode will give you another side). India shares with us ways to prepare for roles that take place in a different time, how comedy and improv improved her career, and... babies (yes, babies come up here too). Listen, enjoy, subscribe, and share!

Welcome to episode 122 of DanceSpeak with Dr. Linda Bluestein (we got a docta in the house!). Dr. B is an anesthesiologist who started off as a ballerina and is now working as a specialist with hypermobility. We discuss how to work around the challenges of being bendy, ways to approach strength training for a longer career, Dr. Bluestein's inspiring and fascinating story, and nutrition (#WeLoveFood). Listen, enjoy, subscribe, and share with a frand!

Welcome to episode 121 of the DanceSpeak Podcast with Carlos Neto (Creative Dir. for World of Dance, Broadway Dance Center + Peridance + Alvin Ailey faculty member, Circolombia on Broadway, and more). First off, it was tough choosing which credits to put between those parentheses, because Carlos' intentional work is known by different people depending on the country (e.g. our UK listeners would've appreciated if we put the credit he has from London's West End). Secondly, did we just digress? Our excitement for having Carlos on the podcast has to do with his multi-layered success. Carlos has the story of immigration, not once, but two times in his life. He has worked as a professional in three countries, on two continents, managed to succeed in one of the toughest cities in the world (NYC) AND in one of the most competitive fields: dance. Carlos walks us through his journey, how he discovered dance and the inner workings of how he progressed in his career regardless of geography. Get inspired by Carlos' tips o

Welcome to Episode 120 of the DanceSpeak Podcast with Chloe and Maude Arnold (Syncopated Ladies, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Beyonce, Snoop Dogg, The Chloé and Maud Foundation). These two powerhouse sisters collectively have inspired people around the world as dancers, through directing, choreographing, philanthropy, and the space they hold as women in the often male-dominated tap world (hope the wording here does this justice, I am but a podcaster). Listen to our conversation as we explore what motivates these high achieving women, what has had them succeed, their inspiring views on giving, how to balance it all, well-being before and during the time of Covid-19, founding and being part of a long-time group (and how to maintain longevity), and, well, more! Be sure to subscribe, rate, share, and check out www.chloeandmaudfoundation.org to support and learn about learning tap from the best!

Welcome to episode 119 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Samara "Princess Lockerooo" Cohen. You may have seen her audition on SYTYCD, parading (literally) in NYC, DJing in Thailand, or one of many clips where she CRUSHES it with her waackin performances (and battles... and when she holds events). We go through Samara's journey from training as a vocal major in New York's 'FAME' school (aka LaGuardia, aka, the same high school I went to, whaaa?!) to finding dance and training her way to be the best in her lane. We discuss oh so many things, including: working on a project for Madonna, how to take control of your own career, why Waackin is empowering, how she built her brand (hint: it involves clubbing), and how to hone in on what makes YOU... YOU (my favorite topic, always).

In 2020 we lost Tyrone Proctor as he departed for his eternal dance party. In memory and honor of Tyrone's epic journey and impact on the dance world as we know it, we are re-releasing this interview. Tyrone 'The Bone' Proctor claimed his career on Soul Train after flying from Philly to LA with a declaration that he would make it. This episode of DanceSpeak takes a look at one of the most prominent Soul Train dancers and what happened behind the scenes of this iconic show. Find out how Tyrone defines Waackin and the social climate that influenced the movement and the dancers of the time. Tyrone draws parallels between society, dance, and music in a way that will expand your knowledge and understanding of dance.