Dance Uncorked Podcast

This powerhouse duo holds a special place in my heart, and I can look forward to lots of laughter when I am with sisters, Karla Pacheco and Ashley Alcantara. I’ve had the privilege of teaching both of them and being an instructor alongside Karla for most of my time at Spotlight Dance Center in Orlando, Florida. This conversation allowed us to reflect back and really appreciate how Spotlight was mo...

Episode 5 is rich in thought-provoking, emotional, and honest content because I am joined by the one and only, Kendrick White! Kendrick’s lens is unique because his dance education and teaching career has been anything but “traditional.” Accompanied by a beautiful Pink Cava from Parés Balta in Spain, we discuss the following dance superpowers: A multi-dimensional definition of “confidence”; includ...

Episode 4 features past dance student turned international professional opera singer, Teresa Perrotta! I’m so thrilled that we could find time in between Teresa’s busy schedule to chat and enjoy a big glass of Bordeaux. Teresa holds an undergraduate degree, Master’s Degree, and Post-Master’s Degree in Opera - spending a total of 8 years studying opera in a higher education setting! Prior to focusi...

In Episode 3, I’m joined by past student and mentee, Lisa B Levin! “Lisa B” was one of my first students at Spotlight Dance Center and most of the episode is spent reflecting on so many happy memories. Lisa holds a deep connection to Spotlight Dance Center, and considers the owners, Peter and Margaret, myself, and so many others part of her chosen family. She is currently Vice President of her fam...

Episode 2 is full of some very rich content thanks to my guests and past students, Jenna and Serena; sisters that were present for most of my teaching career at Spotlight Dance Center in Orlando, Florida. Living in 3 different states made it challenging for us to decide on a single wine to share. So, we each agreed to find a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir to enjoy and I pulled out the Wooden Shoe Vi...

The start of Season 3 couldn't have been better, thanks to my former student and episode 1 guest, Donae Fourth! I met Donae when she was teenager while on faculty at Spotlight Dance Center in Orlando, Florida. She is as lovely now as she was back then with incredible intellect, elegance, and charm. Throughout the conversation, Donae reflects on a variety of dance super powers that have helped...

It is a new year, and I'm looking forward to an exciting Season 3! I will be returning to the conversation on dance superpowers in the workplace. But this time, I will be hearing from past students that I've had the honor of teaching as they grew from children into young adults at Spotlight Dance Center in Orlando, Florida. This is a really special season for me; allowing me to reconnect w...

In the final episode of a short season 2, I am joined by fellow Company Movimiento core members, Mariah Melson and Jana Mezsaros to discuss some important dance superpowers that have brought success in their current careers. Mariah is the owner of a local resale clothing business, The Clothes Horse (my favorite shopping destination, hands down) and Jana works for the City of Eugene in the Cultural...

Kyra Bannister - friend and fellow local dance artist joins me in episode 5 to discuss her top three dance superpowers that have served her in the workplace. Originally from Florida, but spent most of her early years in San Fransisco, Kyra’s dance background spans from musical theatre to Limón and Horton modern dance techniques. She identifies the following dance superpowers that have served her i...

In Episode 4, I’m joined by Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner, Artistic Director of Company Movimiento . She also happens to be a close friend and dance mentor who continuously provides opportunity for fellow artists, observers and dance enthusiasts alike. In this episode, Cynthia dives deep into her dance history and how that led her to starting her own modern and jazz dance company in Eugene, Oregon five...

In Episode 3, I'm joined by local dance artist, company director, and choreographer, Nate Boozer. Nate has been in the Eugene/Springfield dance scene for almost 2 decades dancing throughout the community and directing Work! Dance Company for a solid 15-year run. Throughout his dance career, Nate has worked in many industries outside of dance, including his present endeavors working full time a...

In Episode 2, I'm joined by my friend and past colleague, Bryant Henderson Shea. Bryant and I met in Grad School, and we graduated from the University of Oregon with MFAs in 2017. Bryant is a great dancer and choreographer in addition to a fantastic dance educator both in the private sector and higher education. Throughout his dance career, Bryant has worked in many industries outside of dance, in...

Welcome back to Dance Uncorked Podcast Season 2! After a long break from recording, I’m back with a fantastic season of episodes. Season 2 is all about exploring how past dance training, experiences, and professional careers impact your current career(s) that may or may not be dance related. I’m excited to kick off a great second season with the first episode! In this episode, I share 3 “dance sup...

In this episode, I am joined by Jess Hoffman and Jimee Alzahrani, co-founders of Oregon-based dance company, Roselynn Dance . We spent time together dancing our way through the dance program at the University of Oregon and reunite during this episode to talk about their dance company and upcoming dance concert, The Process Project. Accompanied by Silvan Ridge’s 2017 Pinot Noir, we discuss and expl...

I am joined by one of my oldest and best friends, Brittney Coates, in an episode that covers the controversial, yet important nuances of the relationships between the body (image) and dance. Growing up dancing together in highly competitive studios, we encountered tensions between body image expectations and pressures to look a certain way on stage and even, in the classroom. Brittney expands on t...

Episode 4 features a dear friend, fellow dance educator and brilliant dance artist, Allison Eversoll . Over a glass of Cooper & Thief ’s Red Wine Blend , we recall a phone conversation that spiraled into a podcast-worthy episode. In the dance industry - specifically, higher education dance - employment can often be a difficult journey as the job pool is small, selective, and lengthy in process...

In this episode, I am joined by an old friend and dance artist, Stephanie Williams, who is lighting up Orlando, FL with her efforts to use dance and the arts in general, to serve the community. As CEO and Director of The Center for the Arts , Stephanie has created accessible programming that fuses the arts with mental health and wellness in order to help young people find confidence and expressive...

Dance artist and educator, David Gabriel joins DU Podcast for a 2-part episode special. In part 1, David reviews his dance history, and how he journeyed into teaching Afro-Latin dance. Most notably, he uncovers how he managed to “break the genre” of Afro-Latin dance into private sector dance studio training in Orlando, FL as a regular multi-leveled class for students. He has found success amidst c...

Dance artist and educator, David Gabriel joins us for a 2-part episode special. In part 2, we dive deep into a heavier conversation that is rooted in a single question that I ask: “It’s an interesting time for dance instructors, especially dance instructors of color. With the magnification of the BLM Movement this past year, what have you experienced in the last 6 months?” This 30 minute part 2 ep...

Meet dance artist, Sophia Burke, who joins me over a glass of Bogle Vineyards Merlot! Together, we discuss what it’s like right now living in New York City as a Radio City Rockette…. without performing this season in the historic Christmas Spectacular Show at Radio City Music Hall. We chat about other entertainment venues and companies that have gone “dark” because of challenges presented by COVID...

Just a clip to introduce myself, the podcast, and my mission. Thank you for tuning in. I look forward to our journey together.