DANCE +

It’s the start of the new year! As we motivate, our to-do lists start to pile on and on and on. BUT, what if you only had 2 things on your to do list? Show and prove. Show Notes: Listen to ep. #120 w/ Shaun Evaristo Shaun and Dana Performing “Sure Thing” at the House Of Blues : (def. Watch the whole thing, but the duo starts around 1:30 For more DANA   For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY...

What do you do every day? Every hour? Every minute? We all like to think we know how we spend ALL of our time, but what if instead of spending 1 hour you were spending $1,ooo? What if you were given $24k a day to spend with no roll over to the next day? Spending that 1 hour at the gym might not look so bad. Come with me as I reflect on what I do daily and how I’m looking to spend my $24k in 2023....

As 2022 comes to a close I invited WTMM Executive Assistant and Editor Riley Higgins on to reflect on all our best moments, biggest wins, and top 10 listened to episodes! Come and reminisce on our 3rd podcast season and enjoy this conversation with Riley Higgins.   Anything you want to hear in the 4th season? DM us on instagram!   Show Notes:   ONE MONTH FREE OF WTMMCOMM: Sign up here All Merch is...

It’s a Words That Move Me tradition! All of my guests from 2022 will answer the same question.. What is the tool you use the most often? Want to know who’s talking? Follow along with our guide below! I would also love to hear from you. What is the tool you use the most often? Enjoy this conversation with all my guests from 2022.    12:11 Liana Blackburn 13:34 Cat Rendic 14:09 Poppin’ Pete 15:40 Mi...

Today I have the incredible Ayesha Orange on the podcast to continue the conversation on the difference between Associate Choreographers and Assistant Choreographers. Ayesha has been an Associate/Assistant on Euphoria and Dear White People, and for artists like Rihanna, The Weeknd, and Kesha. I could keep listing her credits but they wouldn’t fit on this page. We dig into why she likes this role a...

What does an Associate Choreographer do? What does an Assistant Choreographer do? What’s the difference? Is there one? I am so lucky to have the great Jeff Mortensen on the pod to answer these questions! From his work as an associate on Disney’s Descendent franchise to Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Jeff is more than qualified to dive deep into the world of an associate/assistant choreographer. Pl...

You brought the Qs, I’ve got the A’s!   Here’s what you’ll learn in this week’s episode: What dancers aren’t taking advantage of that could book them more work Where I think you need to live to do what we do The (long) list of music videos I wish I was in and why My favorite gig How I deal with perfectionism and jealousy Two great resources for burnout How hard it was for me to get my first gig Wh...

If you know me, you know that #voice is extremely important to me… And not just MY voice, but the voice of artists as a whole. That’s why I am extremely excited to introduce you to this week’s guest Mindy Pack. MINDY. DOES. VOCAL HEALTH! In this episode we talk about all of the ways you can hurt and HEAL your voice. We dig into the importance of having a great team and what makes a great coach. We...

Introducing: Grey Maybe w/ Jillian Schmitz + some special announcements! Show Notes:   Head over to Grey Maybe for Jillian’s full episode Join us for WTMM Live: An in person coaching event Dec 3rd & 4th  Donate to the Words That Move Me Community WTMM Membership: Join Here    Follow us on IG & Tiktok   View Full Episode Transcript

This week I am digging into working for free (or for a seriously discounted rate, or… #exposure).  We’ve probably all done it, or encouraged someone else to do it or discouraged someone else from doing it, so let’s untangle this messy subject. In this episode, I dig into the IF, WHEN, AND WHY you might work for free, but I am not going to give you any answers about whether or not you should. I’m g...

In this week’s episode, Imania and I talk about how family based community organizations prepared her for the industry — and the difference between being pushed and supported into greatness.  We also have a refreshing and IMPORTANT talk about the state of the entertainment industry and even the teaching industry with regards to African diasporic movement.  I do very much feel like a beginner in th...

This week, we’re talking about a few of the ways audition burnout can happen at different career stages, and then we dig in on how to tell the difference between stress, burnout and good old fashioned FEAR! We’ll also talk about how to avoid burnout by managing your stress and addressing your fears…   Show Notes: Start your membership with Sugarfoot Therapy  Listen to all the episodes about “Fear”...

One mark of a master is that other masters look to them for expertise and support.  In this episode, I talk to movement analyst, Gary Tacon, about how Martin Scorcese looked to him when he needed Robert De Niro, Al Pachino, and Joe Peschi to look 40 years younger on camera for The Irishman. We discuss how he came to be a movement analyst, how he operates on set, we dig in on one of Gary’s most val...

This is one for the books! Yup! The one and only Kevin Maher and I are getting nostalgic, a little bit catty, and a lotta bit deep this week. We dig into managing difficult personalities on set, we dish out some seriously cringeworthy industry horror stories, and we talk about knowing when to quit… Which, for Kevin, is almost never. Please enjoy this conversation with Kevin Maher.   Show Notes: Co...

Asiel Hardison joins me on the podcast today! We’re talking about how a black boy from the southside of Chicago and how he found himself on world tours with Lady Gaga, in super bowl commercials, and choreographing Vegas residencies. Asiel also gives some great insight on instincts and what makes one “good” or “bad”. Please enjoy this conversation with Asiel Hardison.    Show Notes: Find Asiel on I...

Picture this: you are submitted for one of your dream jobs, you tell a friend about the potential job, and they tell you, “don’t get too excited it might not work out.” Well I’m here to tell you that the correlation between excitement and disappointed is not mutually exclusive. You might think it’s a FACT that the more excited you are about something, the more it hurts when it doesn’t work out the...

A little bonus Words That Move Me episode with the wonderful Brian Shutters, director, designer, and much much more. Brian comes on the pod to talk about being a multi hyphenate person and how/when he chooses to include others in the conversation. We also talk about Ben Rector’s new video Brian directed “Wonderful World” OUT TODAY! Go check that out and enjoy this conversation with Brian Shutters....

Summer is coming to a close and I am taking some time to reflect on what that means. Follow along with me as I dig into what I’m taking with me as we leap into fall and what I’m leaving behind. Show Notes: Watch 8 Counts: The Words That Movie For more DANA For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY  To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER To shop for GOODIES &amp...

This week we have returning guest Kara Mack , back for round two! She’s going to tell you all about her latest venture (that you can 100% benefit from no matter where you live or how you dance)… Yes, we’re talking about the first ever online hub for African diasporic music and DANCE. As if that wasn’t enough, we go deep on purpose, influence and (of course) instagram! Show Notes Join the Bopsidy L...

Fashion icon and writer of “Fear and Clothing: Unbuckling American Style”, Cintra Wilson, joins me on the pod today.  Cintra is constantly making statements both as a writer and fashion connoisseur, and you’ll get to hear a few of those fabulous statements on style, fashion, femininity, counter culture, and more on the pod today.  You’ll learn about the life and work of Cintra as well as where “hi...

Today we wrap up audition august with the man, the myth, the legend himself… Brian Friedman. Brian joins me on the pod today with over 30+ years of experience of auditioning, both in front of the table and behind it. You’ll find out how to bring YOU to every audition and the difference between, self confidence, arrogance, and over-confidence. Please enjoy this conversation with Brian Friedman.   S...

Today we are talking to Jillian Schmitz: burlesque icon, incredible teacher, and wonderful guest. We dig into relationships… relationships to our bodies as dancers, relationships to money as artists, and our relationship with dance. Dig in with us and enjoy this conversation with Jillian Schmitz.    Show Notes: Sign Up for our Free Coaching Call Read Jillian’s feature in ShoutOutLA Listen to Ep. #...

Mimi Cave, director, writer, art director, and overall lovely human being joins me on this week’s podcast. You may know her as the director of the film Fresh, or as the director of a certain rather important Seaweed Sisters video…. but I know her as a great friend and artist. Enjoy this conversation with Mimi Cave. Show Notes: Learn more about Mimi  Find Mimi on Instagram  Watch Vance Joy’s “I’m W...

Step Up, Encanto, Aladdin, Hairspray, Footloose… I would name all of Jamal’s choreography credits but you’d be here for awhile! I am so honored to have the great Jamal Sims on the podcast today. Although he has all of these credits, he is so much more than them. This episode truly had me smiling from ear to ear, so if you’re looking for a good time (and looking to learn a thing or two along the wa...

Let’s talk auditions! When you are a dancer in the commercial industry, auditions are a part of the lifestyle. As an auditioner of many many years… I’m here to tell you the three things you need to do for your next audition/interview!   Show Notes: For more DANA For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY  To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER To shop for GOODIE...