The Acrobatic Arts Podcast

What does it actually take to go from a golden buzzer moment to the America's Got Talent finale? Jill Ford is back and this time she is giving us everything the cameras didn't show. From rehearsing in hotel hallways to four days of prep for the finale, from managing 22 kids and nine dogs on a live stage to keeping it all together when the dog trainer blew out her knee minutes before the final perf...

She auditioned for Cirque du Soleil for seven years before getting the call. Now she's the one deciding who makes the cut. Dance Casting Specialist and Talent Scout Marqui Kumavat reveals what actually catches her eye in an audition room, why technique alone won't get you hired, and the business side of a dance career most young performers never learn. Plus, your shot at a backstage experience wit...

By popular demand, this one's back. Sandra Elliott, Acrobatic Arts Principal and the eye behind our syllabus, joins Loren to answer a question every dance teacher needs to ask: are your dancers developing evenly on both sides? One sided training doesn't stay small. It builds into twisted bridges, unstable landings, and injuries that follow a dancer for life. Sandra breaks down how it happens and w...

Drew Burgess is back, and this time he's diving into handstand walking, the skill he says tells him everything about a dancer the first time he sees them attempt it. He breaks down progressions for every level, starting as early as a plank, and shares the hand squeezing trick that gets dancers to stack their hips like a rocket. There's also a studio wide challenge idea to keep every class pushing...

By popular demand, we're bringing back one of our favorite conversations. Katie Schaar has danced and choreographed for Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, the Grammys, the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and world tours for P!nk, Katy Perry, and Taylor Swift. She's also the co-creator of Sugarfoot Therapy and founder of MOTI Physiotherapy in LA. In this episode, Katie shares how she bui...

Since launching Acrobatic Arts in Japan in 2022, Ai Notohara has been quietly doing something remarkable. In this update episode, Ai shares how the program is now running inside a Tokyo elementary school in partnership with Japan's Ministry of Education, why she teaches acro in English, and what it meant to bring her students to Canada to compete for the very first time. A great listen for anyone...

When a student freezes on a skill they've done a hundred times, what do you do? Dr. Leisha Strachan, sports psychologist and dance teacher, joins us to talk about the mental side of skill development, from breaking through blocks to managing performance anxiety. She covers practical tools like affirmations, breathing techniques, thought stopping, simulated practice, and imagery scripts that teache...

Jill Ford has been part of the Acrobatic Arts family from the very beginning. As a Course Conductor and owner of Supernova Acro Studio in Edmonton, she has spent years building something truly special. And then it happened. Jill, her daughters Zoe and Jada, and their entire Supernova crew took the stage on America's Got Talent as the Acro Canine Crew and Terry Crews ran straight to that golden buz...

Physiotherapist Tim Buckley returns in this Spotlight Series episode to break down the most common dance injuries, how to spot the difference between normal soreness and actual injury, and why consistent training matters more than you think. From ankle sprains to shoulder issues, he explains what shows up most in different disciplines and shares prevention strategies that go beyond just "warm up b...

What makes a back tuck clean? When is a dancer really ready? And why does the technique matter more than just getting over? Leah Holliday returns to break down two of acro's most sought-after skills: the back tuck and back layout. This conversation goes beyond the mechanics. We talk about the mental blocks that stop progress, the drills teachers skip (and shouldn't), the spotting mistakes that com...

Paul Malek has built a lot of things. A pre-professional dance training centre. A production company. A media company. A 180-seat theatre. A movement for fair dancer pay that went global. And through all of it, one question has driven him: what does it actually take to create sustainable artists in a world that keeps changing? In this Spotlight Series episode, Loren sits down with Paul Malek, Dire...

Two hypermobile dancers. Similar bodies, similar training. One builds a 20-year career. The other is in chronic pain by 16. What's the difference? That's the question Dr. Linda Bluestein is back to answer in Episode 134. A physician specializing in hypermobility and connective tissue disorders, Dr. Bluestein returns for her annual May conversation during EDS and Hypermobility Awareness Month, and...

Physiotherapist Erika Mayall answers three questions teachers ask all the time: why dancers struggle with square hip splits, what a well-designed mobility program actually needs to include, and how the nervous system can quietly limit range of motion even when muscle length isn't the problem. Science-based, practical, and worth sharing with your whole team. About Erika Erika Mayall Physiotherapist...

You heard from their teacher. Now meet the student. Kei Nguyen trained at Vancouver Academy of Dance, attended one of our very first Accelerate conventions in Airdrie, and went on to perform with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. In Episode 132, Kei's here to tell you how it happened and what they want young acro dancers to know about making this a real career. About Kei Nguyen Kei's story began in V...

Ever wonder why certain skills are in the Acrobatic Arts syllabus? In this episode, Sarah walks through two of them -- the cartwheel rebound and the roundoff -- and breaks down not just how to teach them, but why they're there in the first place. Spoiler: the cartwheel rebound isn't a roundoff progression. And understanding that changes how you teach it. About Sarah Reis In her early development S...

What happens when a student leaves your studio and goes on to headline a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas? For Vancouver Academy of Dance founder Anabel Ho, that question has a real answer -- and it traces back to Accelerate 2017. Anabel Ho joins us to talk about what the acro community has meant to her studio, the student whose discipline turned an impossible goal into a standing ovation on a w...

Our Spotlight Series continues with Sarah Davison, Director of Casting and Performance at Feld Entertainment and a leader in performer development across large-scale live productions. In this episode, Sarah shares why self-confidence matters in auditions, how artists can show up authentically, and why planning for career transitions is essential. A valuable listen for teachers supporting dancers t...

Hand balancing is entering a new chapter. In this episode, Meaghan Wegg introduces the Hand Balancing syllabus under Aerial Arts and shares why balance is not a trick or a strength test, but a skill that can be taught safely and progressively. From reducing fear upside down to building confidence through clear structure, this conversation explores how a syllabus changes the way hand balancing is t...

We're launching our Spotlight Series by revisiting the very first episode of the Acrobatic Arts Podcast, featuring Rick Tjia , dancer, choreographer, educator, and freelance casting director. This episode focuses on how teachers can help dancers leave a strong impression at auditions, support them after emotional outcomes, and guide them through video auditions clearly and professionally. Practica...

What's changing in acro and what actually matters most right now? In this episode, Mandy Yip joins Loren and the Acrobatic Arts podcast community to share what she's seeing across studios worldwide as we head into 2026. Mandy talks foundations, safe progressions, shifting student and parent expectations, and why clear curriculum is no longer optional. From time-strapped teachers to dancers craving...

The finale episode of this year's The Acrobatic Arts Podcast features memorable moments from the 2025 line-up. Top take-a-ways in a countdown of the best include clips from Sarah Reis, Joey Vice, Dr. Linda Bluestein, Dr. Leisha Strachan, and Maria Cherniske. Thank you to our listeners, and a huge thank you to ALL our amazing guests this past year! Feel free to also send us your ideas for the topic...

Acrobatic Arts holds a global search every year for young dancer/athletes committed to elevating awareness and appreciation of their respective disciplines, including acro and aerial, as well as baton twirling. Meet the game-changers - our 2025 Ambassadors - in this episode! They're taking their chosen disciplines to new heights with sheer hard work, passion, and dedication. Get ready to be inspir...

From setting his sights on Cirque du Soleil at just ten years old to joining the company at eighteen, Joey Vice has built his career on focus and belief. In this conversation Joey opens up about the mental tools that helped him handle pressure, avoid burnout, and stay grounded on tour. He shares how journaling, visualization, and self-respect became his keys to success and why a strong mindset is...

Sit Back. Block. Fly. The Blueprint for Strong, Confident Back Handsprings. From Broadway Dance Center to Acrobatic Arts, Maria Cherniske has built a career inspiring dancers to move with confidence and joy. A professional performer, gymnastics coach, and Acrobatic Arts Course Conductor, Maria joins Loren to talk all things back handsprings; the progressions, drills, and mindset that help dancers...

Acrobatic Arts faculty favorite Sarah Reis joins host Loren Dermody to talk all things All Things Acro, from her journey as a longtime teacher to creating the mats every studio needs. Hear Sarah's best tips for building an acro program, what to look for and avoid when buying equipment, and why supporting teachers is at the heart of everything she does. About Sarah Reis In her early development Sar...