The Decision to Dance Podcast

This episode wraps up Season 1 of The Decision to Dance Podcast by reviewing 14 key insights from guest conversations throughout the season. More episodes coming soon! Watch this episode on Youtube! Follow Us: The Decision to Dance Podcast Instagram Priscilla's Instagram Priscilla's TikTok Music By: Augusto Diniz

Priscilla interviews Naomi Chan, a 28-year-old psychiatric nurse practitioner from San Francisco who began dancing in college eight years ago. Naomi shares her journey from joining a cultural dance group at Vanderbilt University to becoming part of the vibrant Bay Area dance community, where she now competes with the hip hop team, Pursuit of Passion. She discusses balancing her demanding career wi...

In this episode of the Decision to Dance Podcast, Priscilla Piper shares her transformative perspective on failure and how it has shaped her as a dancer. She describes viewing her accumulated failures which now empowers her rather than defeats her. She encourages dancers to be proud of their struggles and hardships, as these experiences ultimately make them stronger, more intentional performers. ...

This podcast episode features Lynley Mackay, a 63-year-old lawyer from Sydney, Australia, who discovered dance in her late 40's. Overcoming the challenges of starting dance for the first time, she persisted and became completely addicted once she experienced the magic of choreography and music becoming one. Lynley emphasizes that dance has become her "soul food" and is a mental health practice, wh...

Priscilla discusses why she embraces being the worst dancer in the room, emphasizing that her love for dance and the learning process outweighs the discomfort of being less skilled than other dancers. She challenges listeners to examine whether their self-worth is too dependent on external validation in comparison to other dancers. Priscilla encourages dancers to view being the least experienced p...

Priscilla interviews Elena Auclaire, a 23-year-old teacher from Northern Virginia who shares her dance journey from childhood ballet through adult open-style classes. Elena shares her experience on navigating finding community in Virginia's dance scene through careful research and consistent showing up. She offers candid insights about being a beginner, dealing with self-doubt, and maintaining a d...

This podcast episode explores why taking a break from dance can be valuable for growth and mental clarity. Priscilla shares her personal experience of stepping back from consistent dance training when she found herself losing sight of her decision to dance. By intentionally reducing her time in class, she was able to break negative thought patterns, rebuild self-confidence, eliminate unhealthy com...

Priscilla Piper interviews Annabell Patt, a Berlin-based orchestra manager who balances a demanding career with her passion for dance and music. Annabell shares her journey from childhood carnival dancing in Cologne, Germany to discovering commercial jazz and hip hop, while also pursuing classical music training. She discusses the challenges of maintaining artistic pursuits while traveling with an...

Priscilla shares 10 reasons why she loves dance, from being a life-long learner to being a part of a community. Watch this episode on Youtube! People Mentioned: Shirley Goodman - The Dancing Nana Follow Us: The Decision to Dance Podcast Instagram Priscilla's Instagram Priscilla's TikTok Music By: Augusto Diniz

Priscilla interviews Jen Meehan, a Philadelphia-based business development professional and dance fitness instructor. Jen shares her journey from starting dance at age 3, through the peaks and valleys of competitive dance, to finding empowerment and community in the world of dance fitness. The conversation explores the impact of supportive mentors, the importance of resilience, and the value of cr...

Priscilla reflects on her journey as a podcaster and dancer as we wrap up 2025. Drawing inspiration from watching the Eras Tour Docuseries, Priscilla discusses the challenges of self-doubt and the importance of perseverance. Priscilla emphasizes the need to overcome adversity, eliminating complacency, and "getting comfortable with the uncomfortable" as she prepares for the new year. This episode e...

Priscilla Piper interviews Paula Ayotte, a professional dancer and actor who returned to dance professionally at age 57. Paula shares how she started dancing at the discos in the late '70s, which turned into the beginnings of her professional dance career (consisting of dancing in Disney parades and performing as a Las Vegas showgirl). She provides details on her journey through various careers, i...

Priscilla shares her insight and preferences regarding dance classes, emphasizing the importance of intentional class duration, warm-ups, and cool-downs. She discusses her love for across-the-floor and receiving direct feedback from teachers. Priscilla shares her opinion on how teachers should handle and approach filming in dance classes. This is a great episode for anyone that teaches dance class...

In this episode, Priscilla speaks with Cyd Mag-aso, a registered NICU nurse from Queens, NY, about her inspiring journey as a dancer. Cyd shares her beginnings in dance, which was heavily influenced by her family and Filipino culture. From "dancing her way out of her mother's womb" to officially taking ballet classes in 5th grade, Cyd demonstrated her dedication and passion early on in life throug...

Priscilla shares her personal journey of overcoming challenges with retaining choreography after returning to dance. She discusses how feelings of stress and unfamiliarity caused her to blank on choreo during classes. However, through the use of specific tools from Galen Hooks' "How to Retain Choreography" classes, Priscilla was able to improve her choreography retention, regain confidence, and ga...

In this episode, Christine De Sanctis shares how she began as a young dancer taking ballet and ballroom classes in the UK. Shortly after moving to the San Diego, Christine made the decision to stop dancing, but rediscovered her passion after attending a "mommy and me" class years later. Christine shares the evolution of her dance journey, from taking hip hop cardio classes to now participating in...

Priscilla shares her story of how she began dancing at 3-years-old and why she quit at age 19. More importantly, she explains how incorporating her master's education in social work paired with the experience of returning to dance allowed her to heal from a 10-year-long eating disorder. She discusses how practicing the works of cognitive behavioral therapy in day-to-day life can help reshape autom...

In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Decision to Dance Podcast, we welcome Tiffany Mae Porter, a 32-year-old Cafe Lead based in Los Angeles. Tiffany shares the journey of getting started as a young dancer in Abu Dhabi, UAE when her friend's mom offered ballet classes in their living room. Tiffany shares her experience of immigrating to San Diego and making the decision to immerse herself...

Priscilla discusses the value of remaining a beginner in different styles from what you have advanced in as a dancer. She shares her light bulb moment that occurred where she decided to always take beginner level classes. She shares insight on how taking these classes can benefit dancers by challenging their bodies and minds, providing new perspectives, fostering humility, and enhancing teaching s...

Host, Priscilla Piper, interviews Shelby Hastings, a dancer based in Philadelphia who also trains in circus skills. They discuss Shelby's journey into dance after watching a dance performance at 10-years-old. Shelby shares her experiences with various styles of dance, what led her to consistently freestyling, and how she has overcome physical injuries and self-criticism. Shelby also shares valuabl...

In this episode, Priscilla discusses the importance of gaining perspective as a dancer. She reflects on her journey, including the challenges of quitting and returning to dance, and emphasizes the value of community and support. Priscilla encourages listeners to acknowledge their experiences and the growth that comes from overcoming obstacles, while also intentionally seeking out the perspectives...

In this episode, Priscilla Piper interviews Eric Rivera, a professional dancer and fitness trainer based in Los Angeles. Watching Dancing with the Stars as a kid gave Eric a glimpse of what it was like to be a dancer. After watching dance class videos on Youtube and gaining the support of friends, Eric began dancing consistently in his early 20's in Nashville, TN. They talk about what led Eric to...

In this conversation, Priscilla explores the complexities of comparison in the dance community, discussing how it can be both a natural instinct and a challenge. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, gratitude, and value of learning from others while navigating the pressures of filming in class. Priscilla encourages dancers to shift their perspective towards empowerment and growth, high...

Charmaine Williams is a dancer and technology director based in Dallas, TX. In this conversation, we learn the challenges Charmaine faced growing up, including experiencing homelessness, which led her to become an advocate for the most vulnerable populations. We also discover how Charmaine began as a dancer and what led her back to the arts after becoming a mom and prioritizing family. Priscilla a...

Priscilla discusses how she came across The Galen Hooks Method intensives & how incorporating Galen's "Captain" mindset helped Priscilla to gain self-confidence & a sense of leadership outside of dance. Priscilla shares the various digital and in-person resources available from The Galen Hooks Method and provides recommendations on what to sign up for next. Watch this episode here! Resources Discu...