The Mix: A Fusion Dance Podcast

Welcome back to another episode of The Fusion Dance Podcast! Today, we’re going on a little journey - halfway across the world, actually. In this episode, Trang shares her unforgettable adventure through the Middle East and what it revealed about connection, culture, and the way we move with one another through dance. You’ll hear about : The unexpected challenge of finding partner and social dance...

We’re taking you behind the scenes of our recent trip to the San Francisco and Oakland fusion dance weekender — City In Motion . We’re talking all about the highlights and lowlights from our experience, what made the Bay Area scene stand out, and how it compares to what we’re building right here in LA. You’ll hear our honest thoughts on: The vibe and style differences between LA and the Bay — is t...

Today, we’re diving with Meredith Levine into one of the most often overlooked aspects of partner dancing: stillness .  We’re exploring how less can truly be more on the dance floor, and how presence, breath, and energy exchange can transform a simple step into a meaningful body conversation. You’ll also hear about the Six Dance Love Languages - that helps explain why certain dance partners just c...

Hey friend, this episode is a deeply personal one. We’re talking about grief, growth, and how to keep your joy alive on the dance floor - even when life throws challenges your way. In this episode, we talk about: Trang shares her reflection on her recent experience grief and depression , exploring the impact of losing someone in the dance community, a dance partner moving away, and what it taught...

In this episode, we’re diving into the heart of our dance Practicas (or, as one attendee called it, a “dance practice jam session”) and what we’ve been learning about ourselves, our partners, and our community through them. So often, dancers tie their self-worth to how they’re perceived on the floor — the number of times they’re asked to dance, compliments they receive, or how “good” their last da...

Hey friend, Today's episode is *not* lighthearted. It’s not a “fun” topic. But it’s one we cannot afford to keep sweeping under the rug. Today, we’re having a real talk about unsafe people in the dance scene — how abuse of power shows up, why character matters, and what we as a community can do about it. Because here’s the truth: We’re not here to please everyone. We’re here to protect our peo...

Today’s episode is a sneak peak into something we’ve been building behind the scenes that’s going to seriously elevate your dancing — Fusion University’s Dance Rubric — and why our Practicas (dance practice jam) are becoming a favorite space for learning, experimenting, and actually feeling the growth in your dance. Here’s the thing: You can’t improve what you can’t measure. If we’re going to defi...

In this honest episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to launch something like Fusion University. We’re talking about the behind-the-scenes challenges, the moments that made us question everything, the heartfelt feedback that lifted us, and the unexpected the not so pretty parts that comes with being “an entity” versus just yourself. (Yup — people treat you differently. W...

Have you ever had an experience that shifted your perspective on something you love? That’s exactly what happened when Trang traveled up to the Bay Area and jumped into the fusion dance scene up north. In this episode, we’re dishing the details from Trang’s trip, the moment of being in the space where Kalann first fell in love with fusion, and the eye-opening realizations about what makes a scene...

Fusion University (FU!) is created in LA, but shaped by dancers, music, and movement from across the globe. Our roots are local. Our rhythm is global. Our community is alive. Ever wondered what it takes to build a vibrant dance school from the ground up? In today’s episode, we’re talking about…. Fusion University (FU!)—a brand-new home for fusion dance here in LA!. You’ll hear about the vision, ch...

Let’s face it—every dancer has experienced it. Whether it’s hitting a plateau in your growth, navigating tricky moments on the dance floor, or chasing the magic of “the perfect dance,” today’s episode is for you. We’re diving into the mental, emotional, and creative sides of dance to help you find your rhythm and embrace the flow of your journey, both on and off the dance floor. Here’s what we cov...

Today’s episode dives deep into the fusion dance world, touching on the inner and outer conflicts we face as dancers. Whether it’s self-comparison, miscommunication, or navigating feedback, we’re unpacking it all with real-life experiences, tangible tips, and some mindset shifts. We’ll hear from Kalann, who shares how he overcame self-deprecation and self-worth issues and the mental blocks that us...

In this episode, we're diving deep into the lessons, realizations, and aha moments we had after attending Red Rose Fusion (Part 2) —a weekend packed with dances, amazing connections, and some insights to personal growth. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to experience a fusion dance event or how dancing can be a mirror for self-discovery, this is the episode for you. We’re breaking down e...

Hey there, friend! If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step out of your local dance scene and immerse yourself in an entirely new fusion dance community, today’s episode is a must-listen. We’re recapping our weekend at Red Rose Fusion in Lancaster, PA—a first-year dance weekender that gave us so much to talk about. Here’s what we’re diving into: • Event Highlights & First Impressions: Fr...

Hey there, friends! Welcome back to the podcast. It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? If it feels like we’ve been on a bit of a hiatus, you’re not wrong. One of us (Trang) has been off on an overseas adventure, and truth be told, we’re looking for more ideas for the podcast.  Tip: If you’ve got topics or guest suggestions you’re dying to hear, slide into our DMs or shoot us an email. We’d love to hear f...

Hey there, friend! If you’ve ever been curious about fusion dance—or maybe you’ve dabbled in it but want to dive deeper—today’s episode is packed with insights, ideas, and inspiration. We’re joined by someone who has been dancing since his teenage years, mastering styles like ballroom, West Coast Swing, and now, fusion. He’s taught and competed across the globe, and today, Ben O’Neal is bringing h...

Have you ever walked into a dance floor (or really, any room) and felt the sting of not being welcomed? That awkward "where do I fit in?" moment? Yeah, us too. In this episode, we’re diving into the heart of why dance cliques form, how they hinder community growth, and simple ways to foster inclusivity. Oh, and we’re also tackling one of the trickiest dance dilemmas: how to say "no" to a dance gra...

Today, we’re diving into a topic that every dancer (yes, even the most passionate ones!) has faced at some point: burnout . Or as some people in the partner dance community like to call it, feeling "swung over." Whether it’s from too many late-night socials, rigorous practices, or even the mental and emotional demands of dance life, burnout is real. And it’s a conversation we need to hav...

Today’s episode is a juicy one, and trust us, you’re going to want to grab your headphones and maybe even your dance partner for this! We’re talking about the world of dating and finding love on the dance floor —whether you’re single, happily partnered, or somewhere in between, this episode is packed with tips, hot takes, and advice from dancers and real-life dance couples. We’re talking about eve...

This week, we’re talking about the power of dance with a heartfelt roundtable discussion featuring two incredible dancers who share their personal journeys and how dance has shaped their mental health and emotional well-being, Dani Bitout and David Sacha. Dance is more than just movement—it’s a way to heal, connect, and express ourselves when words simply fall short. Together, we explore the many...

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the world of social dance with a fun, lighthearted, and totally real look at the “ick” moments and the random convos we dancers have in-between songs or after an event (you know what I’m talking about)! From perceptions of the fusion dance scene to the challenges of connecting with different dance partners, we’re unpacking it all! Here’s a sneak peek of w...

This week, we’re diving into the rollercoaster of emotions and lessons that came up in our dance journey—and let me tell you, it’s been a week. From moments of self-doubt to breakthroughs on and off the dance floor, I’m peeling back the curtain on how everything—dance, personal life, and mindset—bleeds together.   Here’s what we’re talking about in today’s episode:   - Battling negative self-talk...

Have you ever danced the night away until the early hours of the morning and wondered, *“Is this even normal?” If you’ve ever been to a dance convention, you know exactly what we’re talking about. These events are filled with energy, connection, and a magical kind of buzz that keeps you going until 5 a.m.—or later!   In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of late-night dance socials. Tran...

Have you ever walked into a dance social, felt the buzz of the music, and thought, “Wow, this just flows so effortlessly”? Well, in this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain with Jason Fong, Jeannie Lin, and Jordan Watson, three fusion social dance organizers in Los Angeles.  Trust us, what happens behind the scenes is anything but effortless—it’s a labor of love, creativity, and more than a li...

Today, we're diving into the fabulous world of dance conventions with Kalann, who was fresh off an incredible weekend at the High-Fidelity Fusion Dance 3 day weekend event in Seattle. Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughter, learning, and insights that you won’t want to miss! In This Episode, We Discuss: - Kalann’s fun weekend filled with social dances. Even though he didn’t opt in for the works...