DanceSpeak

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 br...

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...

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...

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 f...

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 t...

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 reall...

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 (#WeLoveFoo...

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...

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...

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,...

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 prominen...

Welcome to episode 117 of DanceSpeak, oh how timely this is! On July 14, Doctors for Dancers put together a panel of medical professionals to answer burning questions around returning to dance as safely as possible during Covid-19. The Panel Consists of Host: Galit (durrr) - Co-Host: Matty Googs (10 years old and he has a podcast on IG) - Dr. Iafrate, DO - Dr. Bluestein, MD - Dr. Meier, MD - Mr. H...

Welcome to episode 116 of DanceSpeak with Chrybaby Cozie. Whether you are an avid follower of the Lite Feet movement or need to Google it real quick, this episode gets into Chry's journey as he shares about growing up in Harlem, the trajectory of Lite Feet as it gained notoriety, and his personal relationship with dance. We also cover the intersection of sports culture and dance, how Chry got his...

Episode 115 of the DanceSpeak and we are here with a recording from the KreavitMndz Dance Complex international women's day panel. You read it in the title: Parris Goebel, Laure Courtellemont, Cat Rendic, Kiira Harper, Larke Hasstedt, Eden Shabtai (Episode 13) and Sienna Lyons (Episode 45) sit down as open books in front of a live audience (pre-social distancing days) to discuss their experiences...

Episode 114 of DanceSpeak is here. Hold on tight to those jazz slippers as we whisk you away to the origins of jazz dance. Not the ballet-based lyrical, not the thrash thrash to the Britney Spears, but the roots... the lesser known story. You might have met Moncell on episode 103 as I interviewed him more broadly on his background as a professor of dance who's been on faculty at some of the top un...

We are surely starting off the year with a bang! Credits include a plethora of high-end work, including dancing with artists such as Chris Brown, Pharrell, Justin Bieber, Ciara, and so many more. She's a dancer's dancer, intellectual AF, and humble foreal foreal. We had to do this as a two-parter as the content of our conversation was so rich and works through so many years of life. Part 1 covers...

Episode 113 - Lindsay Ducos (Chris Brown, P.Diddy, Beyonce, and more) is the second installment in a two-parter packed with knowledge, experience, things that might make you blush, and lessons that can be applied to any field. Lindsay keeps it authentic as we talk about getting grown in the dance world (aka the transition from the 20s to the 30s), the box that women can be put into with profession...

Nicole the Pole (episode 105 guest and dancer for Cardi B., Bruno Mars, Snoop Dogg, and more...) and I sat down to share with you some real-time soulful conversations that put us both on the spot with the how we work through what can feel like the 'messier' side of life. We created this one for you as the year was coming to its end and we wanted to give you (1) our truths of where we have struggle...

Kassy Francis, Texas West, Alexis Avila. Here are three dynamic dancers who have worked in the entertainment industry and also choose to give back using their artistry and leadership. We get into the depth of the WHY, as these women sit with me after a long-day of putting on an event for their organization Dream Complex. We start by discussing Instagram feeds, authenticity in movement, community d...

Welcome to episode 109 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Taylor Thomas. Credits include Justin Timberlake, Pharell, Snoop Dogg, and more... way more. Taylor sits down and opens the door to her experiences in the dance world as she discusses her 3 biggest breakthrough career moments so far, and one of the most heart-wrenching industry experiences that many go through but most don't discuss. It becomes...

I've been regularly running into Brittny Sugarman for the decade that we have both been in Los Angeles. I always knew Brittny was a 'booker' as she's worked on films such as Pitch Perfect 3, Ghostbusters, Footloose, and Nickelodeon's Fresh Beat Band to name a few. What really caught my eye with Brittny (besides her unreal fulloutness and plié in second) was when I learned that in addition to being...

In 2015 my career was building the momentum I had worked so hard for. Opportunities seemed to be flowing when I received one of the hardest pieces of information to digest. I learned I was sick with Lymes' disease; a condition that can be chronic and that the medical industry still has much to learn about. It was one of my biggest fears to be 'knocked out' from my dance career. At the same time I...

With all of the topics that we covered, I really struggled to settle on a title for this episode. Flii Stylz is the man who has auditioned the people who dancers currently audition for. He spent years as the choreographer and creative director behind Chris Brown. He came to Los Angeles decades ago as a member of Housin Authority (who's members also include Rich N Tone Taluega). With credits that i...

Welcome to episode 105 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Nicole 'The Pole' Williams! Also known as Nicole 'The Soul Coach' Williams. Yup, not only is she is a renowned pole dancer who you may have seen dancing for Cardi B, Rihanna, Miguel, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris and more, but she is also a certified life coach that will make you feel like you are listening to a TED talk. Of the many topics we explore,...

Welcome to episode 104 of the DanceSpeak podcast as we celebrate pride month with a powerhouse group discussion around being a queer female in the dance world. The group is comprised of Jasmine Rafael, Amy Morgan, Alyssa Stamp, and curated by your host, Galit Friedlander. Topics that are brought to the table include coming out of the closet, actions that can be more harmful than supportive, bringi...