The Dance Podcast

From his 13 years in the dance and entertainment industry Clint recognised an absolute need for dance studio owners to become entrepreneurs and not simply technicians. He went on to create DSOA, the first online business school for dance studio owners. This online training course sees studio owners from across the globe engage in the program to transform their passion into a highly profitable busi...

He is back! As the most interviewed and only interviewer on the podcast! This week Calen and Lauren are all about the Teachers as Calen and Lauren open up some of their processes, approaches, and fails. Calen talks about the distinction between Contemporary and Lyrical, how he provides a space for play and where failing as a teacher is necessary. He also speaks to a flip in his leadership style th...

Mentorship. Canada vs US. Female empowerment. Money. Magical mixes of motivation.  We cover it all with this incredible man. Jay T Schramek has a twenty year teaching career spanning Canada's most prestigious post-secondary arts institutions and dozens of dance studios. A graduate of Ryerson University's dance program and a former Mr. Dance of Canada, he has been a faculty member at the Randolph A...

Leslie is the founder of Youth Protection Advocates in Dance" (YPAD)  whose Mission is to build empowered dance communities through education and activism. We talk about Self & Identity, Social Media Literacy and Mental Health tools, curriculum and workshops for Dnacers. Leslie also shares her journey beholding shame resiliency and what propelled her into the advocacy of emotion, physical and sexu...

Choreographer Marinda Davis has a journey to share — not only about her company, marInspired, her work on 'Dancing With the Stars' and 'World of Dance' — but also about her personal health issues. Marinda danced professionally with Sting, 98 Degrees, & was a founding & principal dancer for Anthony Morigerato's, AMDP, NY. Choreographing for the world's top studios & known as an inspiring,  life cha...

When did you feel like you "made it"? That was a question asked to the world-class faculty in a Q&A this weekend at a convention. Lauren shares their answers and what she knows about the process and unpacking of "making it" in this industry. 

It's been a journey - from an outstanding performer & educator to exceptional talent as an Artistic Director, Sandi Croft has carved a path of diversity, curiosity, and love of the dance world. We talk about auditioning for Cats 6 times and what resilience looks, feels and sounds like in the industry, we talk about the 4 Agreements book and walks us through her AD interview process and how she tra...

Jess Spinner is a former professional ballet dancer turned Health Coach and founder of The Whole Dancer. She supports dancers in reaching their body goals through one on one coaching and her online course, The Dancers' Best Body Program.  Dancers from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, and aspiring dancers from around the world have participated in individual coaching an...

We have a dancing doctor, Dr. Tina Wang. Can you dance and go to med school? What is Performing Arts Medicine? Dr. Wang shares how you can bring dance and science together for a beautiful career.  Tina Wang practices a unique blend of Functional Medicine & Regenerative Medicine at Tupelo Pointe. Her focus is not just about treating musculoskeletal ailments but also meeting the functional, nutritio...

Anxiety. Finding your artistic voice. Stripping labels and connecting with humanity. We cover a broad  spectrum with Juel D Lane.  Juel  is an American dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch." With elite training from Tri-Cities High School and the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, Lane earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the University of North Carolina School...

Marjorie Goodson is breaking physical and creative boundaries with her luxurious, avant-garde coffee table book simply titled, MG. She is the daughter of Mark Goodson, the most popular game show creator and producer in the history of TV (Family Feud, The Price is Right, Match Game, To Tell The Truth, Beat the Clock) Marjorie  is a proud and active supporter of The Actors Fund's Career Transition f...

After 15 years of experience in the dance world, Galit has worked as Assistant Choreographer for Prince, danced in numerous music videos, including Pharrell Williams' "Happy", has been featured in two dance publications, and currently works as a dance instructor and conditioning specialist in Los Angeles and around the country. She is the creator and host of Dance Speak podcast, a podcast dedicate...

Mandy  Yip is the creator of the Acrobatic Arts Certification Program and Syllabus, and considered an expert in the art of AcroDance. She currently manages the Acrobatic Arts program through thousands of dance studios following the curriculum throughout Canada, USA, Australia the UK and 13 other countries.    As the past owner of a highly successful dance studio, she understands the demands for an...

You might have seen him on Laurieann Gibson's show "Beyond The Spotlight" or as a dancer for Laurieann on "The Four".  King Chris has taken his technical background and transitioned into the LA commercial world. He heard a lot of "advice" and tried to fit in, but Chris shares his biggest lessons learned and what he wants the next generation of dancers to know. 

Sarah has been a highly motivated performer, choreographer, and teacher with over twenty-five years training in many disciplines. She is passionate about expanding her knowledge in the world of theatre and dance. For the past 10 years she has taught for the Travelling Stage to further arts education in the school system. She is the co-founder of Canada's first and only Agency for Dance Educators:...

Emmy-winning choreographer Mia Michaels—best known as a mentor and judge on So You Think You Can Dance—didn't get where she is today by following the rules. As she puts it: "I didn't have a choice to blend in. I was too weird. Thank God."    That's why Michaels wrote A Unicorn in a World of Donkeys: A Guide to Life for All the Exceptional, Excellent Misfits Out There. As her body developed, it was...

We are talking Body with Anna Vollmar. Anna's passion for body awareness and biomechanics led her to study at the respected Kane School of Core Integration where she is fully certified in mat and equipment Pilates, and will now be a Teacher Trainer for the school.  Her training is specialized with information in anatomy, biomechanics, touch therapy, and experience with all populations of people in...

Chris Hale chats about his love for Ballet and the Body and getting to see the body in a new way will help every discipline of dance! 

Seats have swapped and Lauren is in the interview chair as Calen asks about her journey and why the Golden Threads are so close to her heart.

Get to know Calen Kurka and why he loves his class Contemporary Mechanics. He gives you a sneak peek for what to expect in his classes and why it is so close to his heart!

Kicking-off our Dance Teacher reTREAT mini-series, Kim McSwain is set to inspire us all  Sept 1 & 2nd  in Vancouver. For more than 20 years, her positive and encouraging teaching style has inspired students across the country to chase their dreams on stage and off as they learn to dance from the inside out! Having studied, taught, and performed extensively, Kim's training and technical expertise s...

Episode 100 with Stacey Tookey! Can this get any better?! We talk NYC, Authenticity, Most Powerful moments on and off stage and knowing your worth  (artistically and financially) with Emmy-nominated choreographer Stacey Tookey. She  is a multitalented, Canadian-born director, choreographer and dancer who has worked with legendary musical artists such as Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Justin Timberlake...

If it doesn't exist- you can create it. You can create your job. You can create your community. You can create the spaces that will hold all of your favourite people and deepest passions. Lauren shares how & why she continues to create new work and new opportunities. PLUS! An amazing special announcement not to be missed!

If you have a Big Dream, a Goal, or feel a pull to try something, this episode is for you. Big Dreams often meet Big Resistance, so Lauren talks about what you need to know and dissects some tips and tools to help you go for it and get after it!  

She has a beautiful blend of Dance Experience, Academia and Entrepreneurialism and we cover it all. From the struggle of placing Dance as both a Sport and an Art, to to Performance Psychology, to Dance Program Development - Sarah shares her thoughts and experiences over the years.    Sarah Calvert studied Contemporary Dance at Simon Fraser University and where she also received a second Bachelors...