DanceSpeak

In episode 226, host Galit Friedlander and guest Link (dancer, educator, and one of the most respected voices on hip-hop and house culture) discuss what it means to truly understand hip-hop and house, not just as dance styles, but as cultures shaped by people, places, music, and community. Link shares stories from the clubs that influenced generations of dancers, the mentors who shaped his perspec...

Aisha Francis has built a career as a performer, choreographer, teacher, and one of the dance industry's most respected heels educators. In this conversation, she shares the unexpected story of how she ended up helping Beyoncé learn to dance in heels, along with the lessons she's learned from decades of working in the industry. We discuss confidence as a trainable skill, the physical and psycholog...

In episode 225, Kara Tatelbaum (author of Putting My Heels Down, critically acclaimed choreographer, renowned Pilates teacher, and dance educator) shares an honest look at what it means to continue building a meaningful life in dance when things don’t go according to plan. This conversation explores how dancers can navigate rejection, injury, burnout, financial reality, and evolving identity witho...

Archie Burnett is a foundational voice in New York’s dance and club culture (House of Ninja, Check Your Body at the Door and world-renowned teacher) - someone who's lived through and contributed to the environments that shaped social dance as we know it today. In this episode, we get into the realities of the club scene, the impact of policy and tragedy on nightlife, and how dancers adapted when e...

In episode 223 host Galit Friedlander and guest May Or (professional dancer with touring and commercial credits and a doctorate in psychology) discuss what it took for May to complete her PhD while working as a dancer, the pressure and perfectionism many dancers experience, and how social media has changed the way dancers are seen in the industry. They also talk about May’s experience growing up a...

This week on DanceSpeak, I sit down with Brian 'Footwork' Green, a master teacher and influential figure in street and club dance culture whose impact spans generations. Recorded live in August 2025, this episode captures Brian’s unfiltered thoughts on musicality, lineage, and what often gets misunderstood about street dance. We explore competition versus convention culture, the realities of the d...

In episode 221, host Galit Friedlander and guest Kim Holmes (widely respected director, choreographer, dance educator) explore the roots of house and hip-hop culture through lived experience, mentorship, and time spent inside New York City’s party and club scenes before these styles became widely visible. Kim shares her journey into dance, discovering house at a young age, and learning directly wi...

In episode 220, host Galit Friedlander and guest Chad Geiger (dance agent at The Movement Talent Agency) pull back the curtain on what representation really looks like from the agency side and what dancers often misunderstand about it. We talk about essential pieces of a sustainable dance career: communication, contracts, headshots and resumes that actually serve you, and how your choices off the...

In this episode, Galit sits down with creator and educator Jason Pickett for a real conversation about the shifts happening in today’s dance world. Jason shares his path from Utah’s freestyle community to building a career outside the traditional LA route, and the mindset behind choosing what actually feels right. They dig into the responsibilities of teachers and influencers online, the short-sig...

In episode 218, host Galit Friedlander and guest Ben “BTEK” Chung (Kinjaz co-founder, Jabbawockeez, America's Best Dance Crew, and entrepreneur/consultant) dig into what happens when you refuse to take the conventional route. Ben shares how he went from production work at MTV to dancing full-time, creating his own lane instead of following someone else’s path. We talk about best communication prac...

In episode 217, host Galit Friedlander and guest Ana Rokafella Garcia (legendary b-girl, co-founder of Full Circle Productions, choreographer, filmmaker, and adjunct professor at The New School), dive into the history, evolution, and impact of hip-hop. From growing up in New York City during the fires, crack epidemic, and AIDS crisis to discovering her voice in cyphers and clubs, Rokafella shares...

In episode 216, host Galit Friedlander and returning guest Liana Blackburn (Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, Cirque Du Soleil, and more), explore the evolution from performer to guide and what it means to lead from embodiment, worthiness, and creative sovereignty. Now a somatic practitioner and sought-after teacher, Liana shares how she helps passionate c...

*Disclaimer: The audio quality in this episode is unfortunately below our standards but we felt that the content was too valuable not to share it* In episode 215, host Galit Friedlander and guest Stephanie Scull (dancer for Pharrell, Usher, America’s Got Talent and founder of her own successful styling/costuming brand) get into the real-talk intersection of dance, identity, and personal style. Ste...

In episode 214, host Galit Friedlander and guest Kwasi Ohene-Adu (dancer, technologist, and founder/CEO of Groovetime) get into a conversation that’s part dance history, part tech-forward vision, and fully rooted in the reality of what dancers are navigating today. From street performing and coding his own programs in college to building a platform that connects dance trends, AI, and digital owner...

In episode 213, host Galit Friedlander and guest, Gerran Reese (Beyoncé, Kaytranda, Dancing With the Stars, Nike, Monsters of Hip-Hop), deconstruct the topic of virality in the dance world, Gerran’s journey from a young working dancer in PDX to becoming a sought-after teacher in LA/globally, and the deeper work of staying true to yourself in an industry that doesn’t always make it easy. Follow Gal...

In episode 212, host Galit Friedlander welcomes beloved ballet educator and coach Lisa Ebeyer (Jackson Ballet, Snow White, and LA’s go-to ballet whisperer for commercial dancers) for a no-holds-barred convo on dancing through every season of life—without apology. Join Galit and Lisa as they talk about ditching perfectionism, keeping your body strong without surgery, and why “every age is a transit...

In episode 211 host Galit Friedlander and guest, powerhouse performer and educator Rob Bynes (Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour, Super Bowl LV, Bad Bunny and more), dive into what really fuels longevity in the dance industry. From getting scouted before he even had a headshot to performing on some of the biggest stages in the world, Rob shares the mindset shifts, self-talk tools, and career pivots that h...

In episode 210, host Galit Friedlander sits down with Miller Daurey, a breakout dance star who left the industry at 19 and made his return three decades later. Join Galit and Miller as they get real about what it’s like to step away from dance, the fears that kept him from coming back, and what’s changed after 30 years. They dive into how class culture has evolved, the highs and lows of re-enterin...

In episode 209, host Galit Friedlander sits down with Nika Kljun (credits include Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Justin Bieber, Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Jason DeRulo, Paula Abdul, Donna Summer, FIFA World Cup and more) to discuss her journey from a young dancer in Slovenia to performing on the world’s biggest stages—and her evolution into teaching and coaching on the convention circuit and beyond. Join Galit and...

In episode 208, host Galit Friedlander sits down with choreographer and educator Phil Wright (Disney's Fam Jam, Lil Nas X, Cardi B) to discuss leaning into your authenticity, navigating the challenges of working with young performers, and harnessing a relentless hustle to build your brand. Join Galit and Phil as they dive into real talk about overcoming insecurities, the power of cold-calling stud...

Originally uploaded on May 13th of 2019, Our guest for episode 101 is none other than one of the most undeniable forces in today's dance world: Phil Wright. Phil has made a name for himself as a social media maven who graces our pages with high-energy dance classes and most recently has been named the choreographer for MC Hammer's upcoming tour. This episode is so rich with gems and stories that w...

In episode 207, host Galit Friedlander sits down with Olga Sokolova (international dancer, movement specialist, and creative who’s worked with Pharrell, Cartier, and Google Watch) to discuss the intersection of dance, healing, and personal expression. Join Galit and Olga as they dive into traditions of various Eastern training methods, the impact of commercial dance expectations, and the journey t...

In episode 206, host Galit Friedlander speaks with Dr. Chelsea Pierotti, PhD in Sports Psychology and mental performance coach, to unpack how to cultivate mental toughness, the science behind confidence, and strategies for overcoming self-doubt in dance. Join Galit and Dr. Pierotti as they explore how to combat negative self-talk, tips for staying focused during high-pressure moments, and ways dan...

In episode 205, host Galit Friedlander sits down with Juwaan Walker (Ciara, Lil Uzi, Travis Scott, BET Awards) to discuss the roots of Jersey Club and its connection to Hip-Hop, as well as his journey from street battles to the commercial dance world. Join Galit and Juwaan as they explore the history of Jersey Club dance/music, how Juwaan booked his first dance audition on the spot, and the challe...

In episode 204, Galit Friedlander sits down with Lilian Manansala (Emmy-nominated choreographer, choreographer to multiple Disney shows, and Business Insider journalist) for an honest conversation about building a career that blends multiple passions. Lilian shares how she’s carved out her place in both the dance world and the media industry, offering invaluable advice for dancers and choreographe...