Anything But Routine

How do you know if a dancer is truly in the right class or level? In this episode, Ali and Sharaia unpack the purpose behind placements, why age and ability don't always tell the whole story, and how real growth often happens when dancers are challenged rather than comfortable. Whether you're a parent, coach, or dancer, you'll gain a fresh perspective on placements, leadership, resi...

In this episode, Cindy sits down with Alaina Rupe —high school drill team coach, professional dancer, choreographer, mother, and sales leader based in Utah. With more than a decade of coaching experience, Alaina leads one of Utah’s top high school dance teams and has helped shape the next generation of dancers in the state. Alaina shares how she began her dance journey, the experiences that led he...

Cindy and Ali sit down with Kristin Biwan as she prepares to enter her 16th season as head coach of the Edina Dance Team. A former captain of the University of Minnesota's National and World Champion Dance Team and two-time MADT AAA Head Coach of the Year, Kristin shares how she landed the Edina head coaching position right out of college and built a lasting career in the sport.  The conversa...

Cindy and Ali answer questions from the Dance Coaches and Teachers Unite Facebook group, exploring how to teach kids that caring is cool, build confidence through choreography, and encourage teachers to take creative risks, try new ideas, and embrace failure as part of growth. Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up t...

Cindy and Ali sit down to talk directly to parents about what it really means to support your athlete. They discuss the impact of pressure, what coaches and dancers experience behind the scenes, and offer thoughtful tips on how parents can better support their athlete’s growth and success. Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything danc...

Ever wonder what goes into a Together We Dance competition? Cindy and Joel pull back the curtain and get real about the chaos, commitment, and growth behind the scenes. From juggling a packed event schedule to preparing for the high-stakes Nationals stage, this episode is all about the hustle that makes it happen. Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Every...

In this episode, Cindy and Ali break down everything you need to know about the ReliaQuest Bowl Tour. From soaking up the sun at Clearwater Beach to the magic of Disney, they share what makes this trip unforgettable. And of course, they dive into the highlight of it all — performing live at Raymond James Stadium during the ReliaQuest Bowl Game Halftime Show. Curious what the experience is really l...

Cindy and Ali sit down with Lindsay Danielson and Travis Cahill for a real-deal conversation about the dance world—what’s amazing, what’s tough, and everything in between. They get into what makes dance different from other sports, share thoughts on college nationals, and break down how different coaching styles can shape a team. Plus: it’s officially high school competition season, so you know th...

Cindy and Ali discuss how to level up your team through accountability, confidence, and higher standards—plus simple coaching shifts that help dancers take ownership and grow fast. If you want stronger rehearsals, sharper performances, and dancers who take ownership, this episode is for you! Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything da...

In this episode, Cindy and Ali share practical ways coaches can guide dancers toward healthier, more mindful social media habits. They discuss how what you share online represents you and your team—and why that matters for dancers and coaches alike. Tune in for simple boundaries, mindset tips, and a positive approach to using social media as a tool for confidence, connection, and team culture. Wel...

Cindy sits down with KKIN to share the story behind the Brainerd Kixters — from how it all started to the powerhouse program it is today. She talks about makes the Kixters “click” on and off the floor. Tune in as Cindy dives into the culture that keeps dancers coming back, the standards they hold themselves to, and a candid look at where the team is at right now and where it’s headed next. Listen...

Cindy and Ali share practical ways to get the most out of the leaders and captains—through trust, communication, and clear expectations. They highlight the impact of spending intentional time with your leaders outside of practice, and how those small moments can completely turn your team around and become the turning point in your dance season. Welcome to Anything But Routine Presented by Just For...

Cindy and Ali continue the conversation on navigating parents and dancers with entitlement in Part 2, diving even deeper into real-world scenarios, boundary-setting, and keeping your team culture strong while parents still feel heard. Welcome to Anything But Routine Presented by Just For Kix. This Podcast covers Everything & anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subs...

Cindy and Ali dive into one of the toughest parts of coaching: navigating parents and dealing with student and parental entitlement. In this episode, they share real-world strategies, scripts, and mindset shifts to help you set boundaries, protect your culture, and still keep parents feeling heard and respected. Along the way, they answer listener questions and tackle common scenarios coaches face...

Cindy and Ali talk with Kathy Hain-de Jong to uncover how dancers can stand out in the competitive world of college admissions and dance team recruitment. Kathy Hain-de Jong is an educational consultant and president of College in 3-2-1, where she created Dance into College , a program helping dancers navigate college admissions and dance team recruitment. With her background in management consult...

Cindy talks about the "Secure Your Spot" campaign for The National Dance Coaches Conference in Dallas May 14-16, 2026. link to Secure Your Spot for Conference at the lowest price of the year guaranteed - $400. A code will be sent to everyone who secures their spot on November 1, 2025, and that code is good until November 15.   Registration for the Conference opens on November 1 for the g...

Get custom music for your dance team! 🎶 Cindy talks with Nick Olson of Roar Anthems Productions, a business that specializes in creating music for any sporting event, business, or occasion. Nick even created a couple of songs that you may hear at upcoming Just For Kix events like the Together We Dance competitions. Want to hear what Roar Anthem Productions can do for your team? Check out roaranth...

Ready to take your teaching to the next level? In this video, we share dance teaching strategies, goal-setting tips, and coaching advice every instructor can use to inspire their dancers and build stronger programs. Welcome to Anything But Routine Presented by Just For Kix. This Podcast covers Everything & anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button. https...

Cindy and Ali dive into the hot topic of private lessons — what do parents and dancers really need to know? Honest takes, practical advice, and a few surprising truths you won’t want to miss. Welcome to Anything But Routine Presented by Just For Kix. This Podcast covers Everything & anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button. https://www.justforkix.com/an...

In this episode, we explore the power of breaking free from labels and refusing to define yourself by your current circumstances. Discover how laying a strong foundation today can shape the success of future teams, and why consistent hard work is the ultimate game-changer. Whether you’re coaching, leading, or chasing your own goals, these insights will inspire you to think long-term and push beyon...

This episode is all about your questions! Cindy and Ali respond to topics brought up in the Dance Coaches & Teachers Unite Facebook group, sharing strategies, stories, and encouragement for teachers and coaches at every level. Welcome to Anything But Routine Presented by Just For Kix. This Podcast covers Everything & anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscrib...

Straight from the Just For Kix High School Camp — this is a special episode featuring Mandy Yip with Acrobatic Arts. As the founder and CEO of Acrobatic Arts Inc, Mandy Yip responsible for managing the staff and overseeing the delivery of all training programs, as well as the Acrobatic Arts syllabus, which is currently used in over 7500 dance studios across 47 countries. With over 400,000 dancers...

Cindy sits down with Shawn Zachery, Founder/Executive Director of the National HBCU Auxiliary and Dance Directors’ Association to spotlight the program and their mission to uplift dancers and coaches through mentorship, education, and community. Founded in 2022, the association brings together HBCU, high school, and community teams for training, development, and professional opportunities. From na...

This episode takes place at last year’s Summer Camp and Coaches Conference, where Cindy sits down with fellow coaches to dive into the topic of competitive success. Welcome to Anything But Routine Presented by Just For Kix. This Podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button. https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

Life has been go, go, go for Cindy. From the busyness of everyday life to what’s next, here’s a quick catch-up from behind the scenes at Just For Kix. Welcome to Anything But Routine Presented by Just For Kix. This Podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button. https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine