5.6.7.EIGHT: Recent Episodes
Aleksandra Efimova
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Serge Laurent, Director of Dance and Cultural Programs at Van Cleef & Arpels. Serge is in charge of implementing Dance Reflections, an international program supporting the art of choreography. Laurent's journey began with a classical education at the École de Louvre, specializing in Art History and Archeology. His career took him from being an Associate Curator at the Fondation Cartier to heading Live Performance Programming at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
In this episode, Serge discusses his role at Van Cleef & Arpels, the historical connection between the Maison and the world of dance, and the importance of supporting dance creation, transmission, and education. He shares insights on the upcoming Dance Reflections festival in New York City, which will feature a diverse range of performances from contemporary dance companies. Serge also reflects on the significance of New York and Paris in the history of dance and the need for contemporary art to challenge and inspire audiences.
Moving Quotes:
"It's very important for me to forget about the notion of taste. I like it; I don't like it. I appreciate it; I like it less. Maybe we should just wonder about what we have seen, and consider the questions that come to our minds. To me, art is beyond the simple matter of taste."
"Believe in yourself, and never give up. Take risks. Also, don't be shy — be creative. I'm very, very attracted to creation. But at the same time, I need to be practical, pragmatic."
"Whatever we do [as artists] is an answer to three values. It's a way to enlighten these values. The first value is creation. The second one is transmission. And the third one is education… If [Van Cleef & Arpels] can support an artist’s training, their creation, and their presentation, we are really covering, you know, the three essential values.”
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:19: Serge explains how Van Cleef & Arpels' relationship with dance began as a source of inspiration for the Maison's creations, such as the ballerina clips and timepieces.
9:42: Laurent discusses the historical connection between Paris and New York in the development of modern and contemporary dance.
14:50: Serge shares his vision for the Dance Reflections program, focusing on the values of creation, transmission, and education.
22:27: Laurent reflects on how Van Cleef & Arpels stays relevant by combining heritage and creativity in their jewelry designs.
27:14: Serge discusses the positive feedback from audiences attending the Dance Reflections festivals and the importance of contemporary art provoking new sensations, impressions, and questions.
30:32: Laurent shares his educational background and career journey, from studying at the École de Louvre to working at the Fondation Cartier and Centre Pompidou.
35:38: Serge outlines his vision for the future of the Dance Reflections program, including supporting dance schools, training, and workshops for amateurs.
39:04: Laurent offers advice for those pursuing their dreams in the arts, emphasizing the need to combine creativity and pragmatism.
Bullet List of Resources –
Serge Laurent
Van Cleef & Arpels
- Company Website
- Dance Reflections Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Steven Melendez, Artistic Director at the New York Theatre Ballet. Steven’s journey with dance began through his current company’s LIFT Program, which teaches dance to homeless or home insecure youth. Steven has since danced as a Soloist and Principal dancer at a collection of ballet companies across three continents. Steven’s story is also explored in the award-winning film LIFT, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022.
Steven’s life was changed because New York Theatre Ballet made the arts more accessible to New York City youth. Now, Steven is on a mission to take that mission even further. On the podcast, Steven retells his incredible transformation story, discusses the importance of diversity in the arts, and explains how making dance more accessible to all people benefits the dancer, the company, and society at large.
Moving Quotes:
"As an industry, we can get back to the root of what dance is. It's an art. Connecting human people with other human people. If we can get more people on stage that represent more diversity within society, I think our art will be stronger. And the industry will be stronger."
"What I call 'relevant art' is why I think being a dance company is not opposite from being a social justice organization. I think you can do both by having [sensitive] conversations in public."
"Through dance, we're all equal. The person who doesn't fall over is the person that practiced. It's not the person whose parents have a lot of money. It's not the person with a fancy house. It's not the person that's white or Spanish or whatever. It's the person that practiced. And I really liked that. It really spoke to me."
"Diversity needs to be a priority. The parts of an organization tasked with considering how to create more diversity in the industry can't be a department down the hall run by one or two people. It needs to be a fundamental element of what the administrative leadership are thinking about all the time."
"There are three ways to take over the world. First, through military might. Second, through owning everything or a critical resource. Or third, by being a good human. By getting people to understand that, fundamentally, you are the same as them... In a way, that's how I think about my work. The product that we create is bigger than the single performance."
"We need to do the work of educating and cultivating new adult dance audiences so that the young people who are involved actually have a future. It prevents dance from being ‘a thing they did one time’ and turns it into an inhabited part of who they are."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:20: Steven speaks to his responsibility as an artistic director in helping define the role of dance in future society.
6:23: Steven discusses the importance of diversity in the arts and how making the arts more accessible for all people is critical.
9:21: Melendez explains the main programs at the New York Theatre Ballet, including the company’s renowned LIFT program and new efforts aimed at young people.
14:42: Melendez discusses the company’s new efforts aimed at new-to-dance adult audiences and the importance of reaching out to this segment.
24:04: Steven describes a new multi-year project, aimed at exploring the dynamics between fathers and sons.
34:40: Steven walks through his dance journey and explains why he continued with dance once his own run with the LIFT program ended.
43:17: Melendez discusses his dreams for the New York Theatre Ballet in the coming years.
Bullet List of Resources –
Steven Melendez
- Personal Website
New York Theatre Ballet
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Kevin Jenkins, Founder and Artistic Director at Ballet Counterpointe. Kevin’s choreography, which Dance Magazine has praised as “riveting,” has been featured at dozens of dance companies, including State Street Ballet, SUNY Purchase, and San Diego Dance Theater. He has also served on faculty at Boston Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School, and several other esteemed institutions.
Early in his dance journey, Kevin knew he had a passion for choreography. So he decided to take the plunge — to follow his passion, even if it didn’t “pan out” in the world’s eyes. Thankfully, Kevin has been successful, but he knows that’s not the story for everyone. Yet, even so, Jenkins believes following one’s passion is worth the risk. On the podcast, Jenkins talks all about passion, but sprinkles in some insight into choreography, social media, and building a business.
Moving Quotes:
"Choreography 'success' is not monetarily based. And while there are more things you can do to make more money at it, I think you still have to be realistic. It has to be about the art. Sometimes the income will follow, and sometimes it won't. And that's okay."
"The downside of interviews with successful artists is that you're hearing from interviews with people that have made it. And for every one person that made it, there are 99 people that didn't make it."
"I only recommend a career as choreographer if you are really really strong and really really ready for lot of hardship. Because it is incredible, but it is like climbing up a hill every day."
"Chasing what other choreographers do is okay to a certain extent. But, at the end of the day, you still have to find your unique voice and how you can do something original. Because that's what is going to make you stand out. That's the best chance you have."
"I'm fascinated by the business side of the arts because I think it is the future of the arts. If we can't pay for the arts, then they will die. So, while I love choreographing, the thing I think about most days is how do we keep this going."
"On social media, you have to believe in what you're putting out there. You have to be as true to your authentic self as you can be. Because, at this point, we can all smell someone who's phony."
"On social media, you have to strike a weird balance where you have to try to put something out there that will do well and, at the same time, not care if it does well and do what you believe in."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:16: Kevin discusses his company — Ballet Counterpointe — and how he grew to love the business side of the arts.
7:15: Kevin discusses the importance of corporate sponsorships and how they could be critical to the future of dance.
9:10: Kevin, a social media maven with six-figure Instagram followers, gives some practical advice on building a social media following.
11:59: Jenkins describes the origins of his company’s name and gives a brief history of his company’s performances.
15:29: Jenkins discusses the joys of working alongside his spouse, who is also a part of Ballet Counterpointe.
18:34: Kevin walks through his dance career, including his late start to the stage and his early affections for choreography.
24:37: Kevin advises aspiring choreographers to follow their passion, even if they don’t achieve much “success” as the world defines it.
29:31: Kevin offers some predictions on the future of the dance industry and how companies will need to adapt.
31:58: Jenkins discusses his aspirations for his own company in the next 3 to 5 years.
33:55: Kevin ends the discussion by encouraging listeners to chase their passions.
Bullet List of Resources –
Kevin Jenkins
Ballet Counterpointe
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Company Website
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Instagram
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Matz Skoog, executive coach at Matz Skoog Coaching. Skoog, a Stockholm native, had an accomplished career in dance at several international companies. Following his career in dance, he became a sought-after tutor, which led to a variety of professional appointments, including Artistic Director of the English National Ballet and Royal New Zealand Ballet. Upon his exit from the stage, Matz founded Matz Skoog Coaching, where he helps others achieve their true professional potential.
As a dancer and Artistic Director, Matz had a passion for helping others fulfill their goals and achieve new heights. Through coaching, he’s now able to do this professionally, on a daily basis. Matz is a wealth of knowledge and challenges his clients to find satisfaction and achieve excellence in their careers. On the podcast, Matz shares invaluable words of advice for anyone that’s looking to maximize their fullest potential.
Moving Quotes:
"Coaching is about 3 questions. What do you want? What do you need to do to get what you want? And what's stopping you from doing what you need to do?"
"Coaching is not therapy... In therapy, you take a person from being dysfunctional to becoming functional. In coaching, you take a person from being functional to becoming excellent."
"The ideal moment to look for a coach is when you are already successful or when things are working well. Because, then, you can take your achievements to another level."
"You don't need to be someone else in order to be successful. You need to do things differently; you don't need to be someone different. And in the act of doing, you become someone else."
"It's important to take a little bit of action, every day. It needs to be conscious — something you choose to do towards a specific objective."
"Once you're a dancer, you're always a dancer — even if you're not actually dancing. You will always be a dancer."
"Many dancers underestimate their intellectual capacities. There are very few successful dancers who are not also intelligent. One way to explore this potential is to express yourself through writing... That way, you can see, on paper, that there's more to you than just legs and feet."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:09: Matz describes his career as an executive coach and how he was drawn to the profession.
4:33: Matz explains how coaching is different than mentorship.
5:38: Skoog discusses the ideal time for an individual to seek out coaching.
7:52: Skoog shares some tips for finding the right executive coach for you.
12:47: Matz shares a helpful tip for anyone who may be looking for a career shift but isn’t even sure where to focus.
15:32: Matz gives some advice for executing on goals.
18:52: Matz walks through his dance career and how he segued into dance leadership and, eventually, executive coaching.
25:58: Skoog discusses some lessons he learned as an artistic director that he uses when coaching dancers into new careers.
28:11: Skoog explains how finding other hobbies and outlets outside of dance can help dancers find alternative career paths.
31:26: Matz shares some of his biggest coaching surprises, including several clients that made full career pivots after their sessions.
Bullet List of Resources –
Matz Skoog Coaching
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Website
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LinkedIn
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Instagram
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YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Jeffrey Cirio, an internationally recognized ballet dancer who is currently dancing as Principal at Boston Ballet. Jeffrey also is co-founder and Artistic Director of his own company, Cirio Collective. Jeffrey has danced for American Ballet Theatre and the English National Ballet as Principal and Lead Principal, respectively. Jeffrey holds medals from competitions held across three different continents. His list of accolades is truly remarkable.
Jeffrey’s run as a professional dancer began at Boston Ballet. By his own account, he was living a dream and could have stayed with Boston forever. However, Jeffrey, who is a firm believer in expanding your horizons, decided to venture first to New York City then to Europe, picking up awards along the way. Now, he’s back in Boston, having come full circle, and claims that his world travels and new experiences built his character and made him a better dancer and human. On the podcast, Cirio recaps his incredible journey and speaks to the importance of venturing beyond your comfort zone.
Moving Quotes:
"Try every day to go 100 percent at what you do. And aspire to do new things — to step out of the boundaries of your comfort zone. Be willing to be in the discomfort for a little bit because discomfort creates character and endurance."
"The amount of exposure that I had to different companies — especially European companies and contemporary companies — was impactful for me... It's hard to say that I haven't been impacted by all of my travels."
"With any profession, you often have a love-hate relationship. There's always a love for what you do. There are always things you hate about it. And that's normal. And you'd be lying if you said you don't have a love-hate relationship with any work you do. There always have to be the pros and cons of anything."
"My parents always told me that, if I wanted to do something, I could do it. But I'd have to do it at 100 percent every day."
"Mentorship is a two-way street; it's a conversation between two people... It's a community, which means having people help each other through the good and the bad."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:35: Jeffrey discusses his company, Cirio Collective, including how it began and where he’d like to see the company move.
7:52: Jeffrey explains how his dance career started at Boston Ballet, took him around the world, and brought him back to Boston, full circle.
12:51: Cirio shares some takeaways from his world travels that have shaped him most into who he is now.
16:25: Cirio retells the story of how he came to be in dance and when he knew that ballet was going to be his livelihood.
19:58: Jeffrey discusses the thought process behind going directly from high school into a dance profession and how he convinced his parents to let him pursue this career.
21:55: Jeffrey explains how he managed time while apprenticing for a dance company during the day and finishing high school at night.
24:49: Cirio digs deep into the impact that mentors have had on his life and how he’s been strategic in choosing which mentors to take.
30:11: Jeffrey gets practical and shares some traveling tips for performers on the road.
32:44: Cirio, who has an affinity for ice baths, discusses their benefits and why he’s incorporated this practice into his normal routine.
35:14: Jeffrey discusses what’s next for him as a performer, artistic director, and entrepreneur.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jeffrey Cirio
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Instagram
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LinkedIn
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Wikipedia
Cirio Collective
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Company Website
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YouTube
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Instagram
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Kristin Draucker, a veteran dancer and choreographer who is currently performing with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. As a long-time New York City resident, she has danced with a variety of well-known companies in the area. Draucker began creating original works in 2014 and has shown her choreography both nationally and internationally at various companies and festivals. In 2017, she joined Paul Taylor Dance Company, where she currently performs.
Kristin’s story is a compelling tale of obstacles and perseverance. From the start, Kristin’s road into the dance world was nontraditional; she took her first dance lessons at age 15. As if this late start didn’t hold its own challenges, Kristin’s journey to eventually joining her dream company — Paul Taylor Dance Company — was a process that took ten long years, with three rejections and one final success. Kristin’s grit and drive is an inspiration, and, on the podcast, Kristin shares some rich perspective on the nature of rejection, the value of perseverance, and the love of dance.
Moving Quotes:
"There was never another option [than dance]. It was the only thing I wanted to do. It's pure pleasure — even when it hurts, it's pure pleasure. It was all worth it. And it still is, every day. There's nothing else I'm interested in doing.”
"If you open yourself up to many different forms of art, your worldview and artistry widens."
"All teachers aren't the same. All teachers can be wonderful, but they may not speak to you the way that you need something given... Being particular about who guides you is important as a young dancer."
"Rejection is rough. But sometimes I think you just know within yourself that you have a story to tell."
"One of the most important things you can do as a dancer is to find people that you trust. Teachers you trust. Choreographers you trust. They're going to be the people who are going to shape you."
"I was good at school, but I was so bored at school. Sitting at a desk is not a thing I want to do. Being at a computer is not a thing I want to do. Being in the theater was something I actually wanted to be a part of."
"Rejection is not a rejection of you as not being a good artist. It's a rejection, in that you were not the right person at that moment. And that doesn't mean you won't be the right person in the future."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:58: Kristin explains why and how the dance company she’s with — Paul Taylor Dance Company — doesn’t have rankings within the company.
4:51: Kristin walks through her journey of choosing Paul Taylor Dance Company, which involved fair amounts of rejection and perseverance.
7:41: Draucker shares some rich perspective on handling rejection in dance.
10:54: Draucker shares some practical tips for dancers on dealing with the physical toll of touring.
14:11: Kristin discusses her original choreography work and why she’s decided to put that work temporarily on hold.
18:29: Kristin walks through her dance journey and highlights inflection points where she knew dance was going to be her life’s chosen path.
24:33: Draucker explains how she overcame her many obstacles on her journey to professional dance.
31:10: Kristin discusses her joy at being able to perform live again, post-pandemic.
34:07: In closing, Kristin shares two pieces of advice for any dancers looking to broaden their skillset.
Bullet List of Resources –
Kristin Draucker
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Instagram
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LinkedIn
Paul Taylor Dance Company
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Company Website
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YouTube
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Facebook
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Instagram
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Julianna Rubio Slager, Artistic Director at Ballet 5:8. Slager, who is originally from Michigan, studied under many renown global dance experts and teachers. Upon moving to Chicago, Slager had the opportunity to work as a freelance artist, teacher, and choreographer in the Greater Chicago area. Eventually, she co-founded Ballet 5:8 in 2012. Ballet 5:8 just had its 10th anniversary and has grown immensely. It now has a professional company of 20 dancers and a school of over 400 dancers of all ages. Ballet 5:8 also has a touring company that tours 32 weeks every year.
Julianna’s hope is that her leadership and creative work at Ballet 5:8 will pave the way for other women and minorities in professional ballet — a mission that she is achieving! However, Julianna would be the first to admit that she can’t “do it all” and that the key to good leadership is delegation — finding your “zone of genius” and delegating your weak spots out to others who are strong in those areas. On the podcast, Julianna talks all things Ballet 5:8 and shares some great leadership tips on admitting weakness and equipping others to take over where you’re weak.
Moving Quotes:
"For me, the biggest thing I learned about running a business is realizing what I'm gifted in. And, honestly, what I'm not. Because I'm not good at everything."
"Creativity is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration."
"Take small steps every day. Sometimes we overestimate what we can do in one day. And we underestimate what we can do in one year."
"As women leaders, we all feel sometimes like we're talked down to by people who may not feel that, as a woman, we're not capable of running an organization at this high of a level. But you have to always stay true to your inner voice and know who you are. And, very kindly, move past those people... Because they are not your people."
[On diversity in dance] "When you understand that you have a different perspective and you come from a different cultural background than the people around you, it allows you to share that part of you in such a special way through dance."
"If you're going to go into dance as a career, you don't want to do it with any sort of hesitancy or fear. If you do that, you can't put your full self into the auditioning process. Auditioning is brutal."
"You have a long life. You don't just have to pick one career... You just can't do it all at the same time."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:22: Julianna gives a high-level overview of Ballet 5:8, including all of their unique endeavors.
4:45: Julianna discusses how Ballet 5:8 continues to perform at an extremely high-level, even while their programs are so far reaching.
6:20: Julianna shares some advice for current or aspiring studio owners, including some words on the value of delegation and finding your “zone of genius.”
8:15: Slager discusses her studio’s deep relationships with other players in the Chicago arts scene.
11:15: Slager, who is herself a seasoned choreographer, gives some rich tips for anyone looking to choreograph — including some great tips for anyone in a creative slump.
14:43: Julianna takes some time to discuss her own dance journey and how she came to fully appreciate her cultural heritage.
20:23: Julianna gives some advice for any dancers weighing out the decision of whether to pursue higher education or dance full-time.
26:02: Slager explains her work in empowering women and underrepresented minorities through her work at Ballet 5:8.
30:17: Julianna casts some vision for the future of her studio.
32:55: Julianna shares some final advice around keeping a healthy perspective and playing the long game.
Bullet List of Resources –
Julianna Rubio Slager
Ballet 5:8
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Company Website
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YouTube
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Facebook
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Twitter
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Instagram
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TikTok
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Joseph Morrissey, Director of Dance at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Prior to this role, he served in a similar role with the Hong Kong Ballet. As a professional dancer, he danced with the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich and the Boston Ballet II. He’s a seasoned choreographer and also has instructed for various dance companies, including the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company. He also currently serves on the juries for the Youth America Grand Prix, the International Baltic Ballet Competition, and the Japan Grand Prix.
Joseph’s resume is impressive, but above all else, Joseph is a leader — a calling that he considers a privilege. And one of the things that Joseph most tries to do in his work at Interlochen is to use arts to impart leadership skills to his students. On the podcast, Joseph talks all things Interlochen but deep dives on what makes for good leaders, the challenges and joys of leadership, and how he’s raising up the next generation of arts leaders.
Moving Quotes:
"It's a privilege for me to lead. Thankfully, that calling aligns with what my 'job' is."
"There's no one way [to arts leadership] ... Recognizing that truth makes for a better leadership style."
"I always encourage dancers to think 'outside the box' of just the career as a performer ... There really is no 'one way street' to the ultimate destination of how dance will be a part of one's life."
"Making tough decisions is not always fun. But it's important that there's always something in hindsight or something to look forward to."
"When doing a capital campaign or if you're looking to build a structure, think of the bigger picture and dream big. And inevitably it will happen."
"Sometimes, we learn a lot of 'do's,' but we also learn a lot of the 'don’ts' ... It's the combination of those learning lessons that make for a fun and competent leader."
"That's what makes [Interlocken] even more remarkable. Even in the midst of a pandemic, we still built this fabulous building. We still have high enrollment. We still have garnered excitement and interest in the program overall. I marvel at that."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:32: Joseph gives some information about Interlochen, including any new or existing programs the school offers.
6:30: Joseph explains why he believes his school has undergone such drastic growth over the past few years.
9:10: Joseph, who just completed a building campaign, shares some advice on convincing authority figures that certain efforts are worth the investment.
13:54: Morrissey explains how he equips his current dance students to become future leaders.
19:43: Morrissey discusses the importance of mentorship and how it often pays to be proactive in identifying students to mentor.
22:31: Joseph shares some wise words for any dancers that are currently planning out their futures.
27:30: Joseph explains the importance of stepping outside of the stage performance “box” and experiencing the arts from different angles and roles.
31:12: Joseph, who is a renown choreographer, reflects on his biggest takeaways over his illustrious choreography career.
36:13: Morrissey discusses the most challenging thing he must do as Interlochen’s director.
40:00: Joseph looks to the future and discusses what’s next for Interlochen.
Bullet List of Resources –
Joseph Morrissey
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Bio on Interlochen site
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“Meet your Faculty” video
Interlochen Center for the Arts
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Company Website
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YouTube
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Facebook
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Twitter
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Instagram
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Jess Spinner, entrepreneur and holistic health coach at The Whole Dancer. Jess holds a bachelor’s degree from Butler University in Dance and Arts Administration. Upon graduation, she danced with the Louisville Ballet and did some professional work as a freelancer in Boston. Now, Jess’s life mission is to support dancers in finding a personal balance in their approach to food and their bodies.
As a former professional dancer that struggled with body image issues, Jess knows the physical, mental, and emotional grind of dance. And, now looking back, Jess firmly believes that if she put more focus on taking care of herself off the dance floor, she’d have been an even better performer on the dance floor. On the podcast, Jess explains how she’s now helping other dancers see that truth and discusses the joy she finds in seeing lives changed and dreams renewed.
Moving Quotes:
"When dancers say to me, 'It feels like you're reading my mind,' it's because I've been in exactly that place. You're in the studio or elsewhere and all you can think about is the size of your thighs or how much skinnier the girl next to you is."
"I'm a firm believe that, wherever life takes you, there's something to be learned or gained."
"I've had a number of dancers now say to me, 'I think I would have quit dancing if I hadn't worked with you.' This was my journey too. You can get into such a negative headspace... It gets you to a place where it's no longer fun."
"So much of my dance journey from the time I was quite young became negative and hyperfocused on my body. To now be able to help dancers see a different path is hugely rewarding."
"In starting my business, from the beginning, I was steadfast. This is what I am going to do. I'm going to make it work. I'm going to make it work for myself. And then I refused to give up."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:15: Jess describes her company — The Whole Dancer — and the types of services that it offers.
5:55: Jess discussed “the whole you” — the idea of holistic dancer health that is the foundation of her company.
8:02: Spinner gives some advice for anyone looking to explore life beyond the dance floor who may be feeling guilty for spending free time away from practice.
9:26: Jess shares what she would consider to be a “client success story” for anyone who has gone through her program.
13:00: Spinner explains why she decided to become an entrepreneur and is honest about challenges she’s encountered along the way.
16:19: Spinner recounts some times where, as an entrepreneur, she was tempted to give up but explains how she managed to persevere.
20:24: Jess explains her decision to work with a business coach and how to find one to work with your unique situation.
24:50: Spinner describes where she hopes to see her company in 5 years.
26:58: Jess walks through her dance career and how her own body image issues equipped her to help other dancers along their journeys.
31:17: As she recounts her own dance journey, Spinner shares some sage advice for dancers who are actively pursuing their dreams.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jess Spinner
The Whole Dancer
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Company Website
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YouTube
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Facebook
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Twitter
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Instagram
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Liz Bayley, a seasoned professional dancer whose interest in sports injuries birthed a career as a physiotherapist for some of the world’s top shows. Liz was a professional dancer for 15 years, performing all over the world. Liz went on to work as a physiotherapist in the West End on shows such as Hamilton, Wicked, The Wizard of Oz, Singing in the Rain, Shrek, Matilda, and Jersey Boys. Liz holds a master’s degree in physiotherapy from King’s College and, now, serves as the physio for The Lion King. She also owns her own private practice. Liz Bayley loves dance and dancers. In fact, on the podcast, she expresses love for both the artists and the artform multiple times. However, in her own career, her love for dance was inhibited by her experience with lingering injuries. Now, Liz is in the business of elevating others’ love for the craft by teaching them to take care of their bodies. On the podcast, Liz discusses her current endeavors and shares some extremely practical advice on how to prime your body to do the hard work of dance.
Moving Quotes:
”What I liked about physical therapy was that it was still helping people. But rather than the mental health, it was the physical health. And as it turns out, there’s lots of psychology in physiotherapy. So my [psychology degree] does really complement my final career choice really beautifully.”
”Dancers are known for being fit and healthy. And, in general, they are compared to the average office worker. But for what they do, they’re probably not as fit as they should be.”
”Dancers must supplement their dance training with cardiovascular work — high intensity training … Try to think more like a sports person. What do they do for their training? They tend to do agility work. High intensity cardiovascular work. Strength training in the gym.”
”There’s a lack of education, generally, around what it takes to really be strong enough to be a performer.”
”One of the best things about working with dancers? I adore the people. They’ve got lovely energy. They’re very empathic and emotional. They tend to be very kind and very funny, which I love.”
”I’m not at all afraid of change. I’ve never worried about making a decision and it potentially being the wrong one. Because I always feel like you can change it.”
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:19: Liz discusses why she pivoted from a 15 year career in dance into physiotherapy.
5:22: Liz explains what her current career as a physiotherapist looks like, including her run as a physiotherapist on multiple Broadway productions in London.
7:21: Bayley explains why some dancers get injured more often than others.
11:40: Liz shares some advice for dancers on how to better avoid injuries, including some pre-show exercises and practices.
15:40: Bayley explains how dancers can avoid getting bulky through weightlifting.
18:50: Liz discusses how her professional career would be different if she were to do it again, knowing what she knows now.
22:35: Liz describes the importance of mental health in athletes but, specifically, for dancers and performers.
24:45: Bayley explains her rationale behind some key decisions she made as a dancer.
29:16: Bayley looks ahead in her career and discusses her excitement as she moves into more of a teaching role.
31:22: Liz encourages dancers to love what they do even more by taking care of their bodies.
Bullet List of Resources –
Liz Bayley
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LinkedIn
-
Instagram
-
Twitter
Liz Bayley Physiotherapy
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews David Leventhal, Program Director at Dance for PD — a part of the Mark Morris Dance Group. Through the program — which is on its 20th year — David teaches dance classes for people living with Parkinson’s disease and trains other teaching artists to do the same. What started as a humble six-person dance class has now grown to serve 300 communities across 30 different countries. David has received numerous humanitarian awards for his work and has contributed to several books and peer-reviewed studies on dance and Parkinson’s Disease.
David is a true believer in the healing power of dance and is proactively teaching others to also believe. There’s a reason why his course has exploded over the past 20 years — the effect of dance on those with Parkinson’s Disease is simply too great to deny. On the podcast, David gives a brief history of Dance for PD and explains why he believes music and movement has a profound impact on all people — but especially on those with Parkinson’s.
Moving Quotes:
”It’s that combination of the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional — together, inseparable — that makes dance such a powerful tool to maintain wellbeing and quality of life for everybody. But, particularly, for people with Parkinson’s.”
“Dance and dancers have a significant role in maintaining and improving quality of life among our older neighbors — and, in our case, among people with Parkinson’s.”
”In our classes, we’re not there to teach a therapy session. We’re not there to talk about Parkinson’s. We’re there to address movement as dancers. And it’s helpful for people with Parkinson’s to think about movement the way that dancers do.”
”Music is like a red carpet that rolls out in front of you. Dance and music together are a red carpet that provides a roadmap for people with Parkinson’s to move.”
”Keep your eyes open for opportunities that interest you.”
”Follow your passions. Multiple passions. Sometimes dancers get trapped in that one passion. As much as you love dance and are committed to it, keep thinking about other things that interest you… Keep nurturing those other passions while you’re still dancing.”
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:49: David discusses the joy of leading a program that’s going on its 20th year and the role of dance in helping those with Parkinson’s Disease.
5:19: David gives a brief history of his program and details what’s involved.
10:19: Leventhal explains the events that led to his company growing from a small 6-person class to a global network.
14:03: David describes the three distinct groups of people that have been integral to the program’s growth.
18:30: Leventhal gives his theories on why music and movement are uniquely effective versus traditional therapy methods.
25:56: David describes how his Dance for PD courses are both similar and different from country-to-country.
31:25: Leventhal, who holds a nontraditional career in dance, gives some advice for anyone pursuing a career in dance that’s away from the stage.
37:12: David discusses the future for Dance for PD and how he’d like the company to become more accessible in many different ways.
Bullet List of Resources –
David Leventhal
Dance for PD
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Company Website
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Twitter
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Facebook
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Margeaux McCarthy, Owner of the Dance Xchange App, LLC. Margeaux is a former professional hip hop dancer with credits in commercials for some of the world’s biggest brands. After she retired from the stage, McCarthy became a real estate sales advisor by day and a dance instructor by night. With a love for resale apps such as eBay, McCarthy saw a need to create a platform like Dance Xchange — a resell app for dancewear, created for dancers by dancers. For driven individuals like Margeaux, a career pivot is a relatively common occurrence — always looking for the next new challenge. Being willing to take that risk, with the hope of reward — whether intrinsic, external, or both. But this doesn’t make a career pivot any less difficult. On the podcast, Margeaux discusses what drove her to take the plunge as a tech entrepreneur, shares advice she wishes she’d have known when she set out, gives some know-how on building an app and engaging with developers, and so much more.
Moving Quotes:
"If I could give my younger self advice, I'd say, 'Keep going.' You have that idea. Just keep going with it."
"[When starting a business,] you know that it's all going to pay off one day. You have your business plan. You have your structure. You just have to keep following through. And it will eventually pay off. It's just a matter of seeing that in the future."
"In my head I had always said, 'Somebody else is going to do [this idea] if you don't.' Everybody has an idea, so someone else is thinking this also. Whether or not you put your foot to the pedal — that's up to you."
"You learn better when you learn it yourself. You fall harder, but you get back up faster."
"It's so important to reach out to people who have gone before. Get a mentor. I personally did not have a mentor, and if I did, I feel like I would have been much better off."
"It's good to have [a mentor] who can remind you to do things locally and not on such a big scale... If you are good to your inner circle, they will be good to you."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:00 Margeaux describes her digital dancewear marketplace platform — Dance Xchange — and explains how she ended up pursuing this idea while in real estate.
8:39 Margeaux describes how Dance Xchange is going so far and discusses her ultimate vision for the platform.
10:05 McCarthy outlines her journey as an entrepreneur in the tech space, having no background in tech prior to this experience.
14:37 Margeaux discusses her biggest challenge and her biggest surprise throughout the entire process with Dance Xchange.
17:09 McCarthy explains the demographic that she’s generally targeting with Dance Xchange and discusses the nuances of marketing to these two distinct audiences.
20:29 McCarthy gives some important advice to her younger self.
23:54 Margeaux speaks to the importance of having a mentor, especially when navigating a new or unfamiliar space.
26:41 McCarthy discusses the Dance Xchange Scholarship Fund — a nonprofit effort she’s launching in association with Dance Xchange.
29:05 Margeaux describes a second project she’s been recently working on that combines her love for dance with her experience in real estate.
Bullet List of Resources –
Margeaux McCarthy
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Instagram
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YouTube
-
LinkedIn
Dance Xchange
-
Company Website
-
Instagram
-
Facebook
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Alisa Finney, Principal at The Gay Wightman School of Ballet, Artistic Director at The Melbourne Ballet Company, and a mentor through the Dance Studio Owners Association (DSOA). Alisa has also crafted a 13-level classical ballet system of training that is widely used by thousands of dancers across the globe. Through the pandemic, Alisa’s reach has grown exponentially, as she has heavily used Zoom to expand the size of her dance classes. Alisa is one who wears many hats, but at the end of the day, her passion is for the artform of ballet. And Alisa understands that the future of the artform is in the hands of studio owners, who are training the next generation of ballet dancers. In turn, Alisa invests large amounts of time and energy in developing studio owners so that they’re well-equipped to be mentors, teachers, role models, and entrepreneurs. On the podcast, hear about all of Alisa’s work and lessons learned in her own business growth.
Moving Quotes:
"I'm very passionate about the art form of ballet, and now that I have a little bit of experience behind me and am a bit older, I'm just really passionate about giving back to the industry and sharing what I've learned... It fills my cup to help people."
[On mentorship] "It's a hard job running a studio. And we wear 50 different hats, always. Trying to be everything to everyone. So it's important to have someone that we can go to that can support us. That can answer our questions and celebrate our wins and hold us accountable."
"The way you do anything is the way you do everything."
"As the studio owner, you need to be clear on things like: what is your mission? What are the core values of your studio? It's great to hash those things out with your team."
"I really like my goals to be big and quite scary. I think they should give you butterflies in your tummy. And then work backwards to figure out how you're going to make it happen."
[During the pandemic,] “I worked with a mindset coach once a week. I think that was a huge reason that I was able to stay so positive and be super positive with my team."
"If you're a business owner, you need to know your 'why.' What are your goals? What do you want to achieve financially?"
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:22: Alisa discusses how the pandemic actually caused her studio to grow exponentially.
7:48: Alisa explains how a positive mindset separates herself from many other studio owners and drove to her overwhelming success during the pandemic.
14:06: Alisa describes her passion for the artform of ballet and why she now finds joy sharing her knowledge with others.
16:09: Finney explains one of the most important things that a studio owner can do.
18:26: Finney describes her work with the Dance Studio Owner Association (DSOA).
20:45: Finney, who has worked with many global studio owners, discusses the one obstacle that she often sees inhibiting dance studio owners’ success.
23:43: Alisa explains the importance of small businesses having clear and impactful mission statements.
27:30: Alisa describes her process when prioritizing tasks and setting goals.
28:12: Alisa discusses one tangible way that mentorship has impacted her life.
32:31: Finney, who works with a wide variety of international dance studios, discusses some unique differences between dance studio cultures country-to-country.
Bullet List of Resources –
Alisa Finney
The Gay Wightman School of Ballet
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Company Website
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Instagram
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Facebook
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Angela Martindale, a female entrepreneur, public speaker, lifestyle expert, and influencer who is known globally for her fitness training techniques and methods, her inspirational public speaking, her lifestyle coaching, and her work with charitable organizations. Angela has been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX affiliates and has worked with many A-list celebrities, Olympic athletes, and business moguls as their personal trainer and nutritionist. Core to Angela’s inspirational message is the idea of self-love. In fact, Angela believes that the one thing that separates those who win from those who fold is a healthy self-talk — a belief in yourself. A belief that you are enough. Angela, who was bullied as a child, learned very early that a healthy self-esteem can not only pull you out of the pit but can also set you on a path to success. On the podcast, Angela tells her inspiring story and discusses how her successful career has been paved with healthy, positive affirmations.
Moving Quotes:
"Self-talk is very important. Everything starts with 'I am.' 'I am Angela Martindale. I am beautiful. I am successful.' Those two words — 'I am' — are the two most important words you can say to yourself. And it radiates out into the universe."
"When starting a business, be authentic. Be true to yourself... It has to be about what you're about. And every single person has that niche. That something that they love."
"The mind and a healthy self-talk separates Olympic athletes from regular athletes."
"I always tell my young dancers — the less processed foods that you can consume, the better... This body requires fuel. Really good, top-level fuel every day."
"When starting a business, don't overextend yourself. With money. With time. With energy. Keep very steady — slow and steady. Businesses take time. People don't become famous overnight."
"If you want to succeed as an entrepreneur, latch onto a mentor. Get someone who can help you through those first processes or marketing thoughts and ideas. Hire someone. Ask someone in your sphere of influence. Because you can't do business alone."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:42: Angela discusses her current role and shares some advice on staying in shape.
8:05: Angela, a serial entrepreneur who has launched multiple successful brands, retells the origin stories of some of her brands.
12:00: Angela gives some advice for entrepreneurs looking to identify niche markets for their products.
13:32: Martindale, who was bullied as a young person, discusses how she was able to overcome negativity and lead a life of success.
17:40: Martindale shares some advice for small businesses on taking strategic plans and putting them into action.
21:55: Angela discusses the value of mentors and the importance of acting fast and avoiding procrastination.
24:14: Angela unveils the single characteristic that separates entrepreneurs who succeed from those who fold.
27:14: Martindale, who has established several product-based businesses, explains the common starting points for getting those businesses off the ground.
30:49: Martindale discusses the incredible power of vision boards and writing down goals and aspirations.
39:23: Angela shares what’s next for her in her incredible life and career.
Bullet List of Resources –
Angela Martindale
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I Am Angela Martindale website
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Facebook
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LinkedIn
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Tony Bordonaro and Ingrid Kapteyn, Co-Artistic Directors at Welcome to Campfire — an experiential dance platform that merges dance and theater to immerse performers and audiences into incredible dystopian settings. Tony and Ingrid first met while performing in Sleep No More NYC in 2013. After a run of the show in Shanghai, the two went on to develop four evening-length immersive dance experiences that have spanned New York City and Shanghai. The company’s name is derived from its first danceplay, titled CAMPFIRE.
Tony and Ingrid are addicted to the thrill of acting on an idea — of feeling an instinct, getting into a room, and putting skin on the bones. After all, their entire dance company started as an idea inspired by the raw reality of Shanghai — a novel idea that took an artform traditionally defined by a stage and dropped it into a nontraditional setting, effectively shattering the mythological “fourth wall.” On the podcast, Tony and Ingrid retell the Welcome to Campfire origin story and hope it inspires others to act on ideas and push the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
Moving Quotes:
"Dancers can wear so many hats. And, as a dancer, when you have an idea, the idea tells you what to do. They key is to show up, go into the room, and do the work of making and dancing and doing. And everything else follows."
"[With Welcome to Campfire], people can expect to have an experience that's up close. An experience that definitely feels like they're an active participant... We invite audience members to be in the world with us. To experience that intimacy, one-on-one."
"With our most recent piece, we've asked, 'Have we bitten off more than we can chew?' And we've just had to trust in the work we were doing. I like to call it 'following charm.' To think, 'This is what feels right. This is what feels good. Let's go in this direction.' And, since COVID, we've learned to constantly redirect if things aren't working."
"When you don't know, you can listen to your body. It will tell you."
"When you're performing is the time in life that you can be the most present. Because you can't think about anything else. You can only do what you're doing."
"Something that happens so often when I see auditions that are successful is that it's the people who are the best at being themselves that travel far… Mindfulness is a tool to use in uncovering what it is that you do that no one else can do.”
"Young dancers especially need to figure out a way to connect and take care of their spirits and their minds, as well as their physical bodies. So that they can deal with all of this craziness that comes with life as an artist."
“Dance has been a ticket to the world.”
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:16: Tony and Ingrid describe their dance company — Welcome to Campfire — and how their name came to be.
5:32: The two explain how Shanghai served as an inspiration for their first piece that was choreographed inside of a post-apocalyptic, abandoned office building.
7:10: Welcome to Campfire, which started in Shanghai, has since moved back to Manhattan. Tony and Ingrid tell audiences what they can expect from its shows.
10:06: Tony and Ingrid discuss their newest project, Subject.
12:41: The duo each discuss their own individual journeys in dance.
18:19: Tony and Ingrid share some advice on how to stand out during auditions, and Tony gives a peak at his audition-day routine.
22:07: Ingrid explains how her choreography has historically come to life and how acting on ideas is key to making art.
25:38: The two discuss how COVID taught them some valuable lessons about flexibility and creativity.
31:07: Ingrid and Tony elaborate on their definitions of “success” and what a success for Welcome to Campfire would look like in five years.
34:40: Tony and Ingrid give some parting advice for any aspiring dancers who are listening to the podcast.
Bullet List of Resources –
Tony Bordonaro
- Personal Website
- YouTube
Ingrid Kapteyn
Welcome to Campfire
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Joanna Wozniak, Senior Consultant at HBR Consulting and former ballerina with the Joffrey Ballet. Joanna, whose run with the Joffrey started as a seasonal artist in 2001, went on to enjoy a two-decades-long career with the esteemed Chicago dance company. In 2009, Point Magazine named one of her performances as one of their “12 favorite performances of 2009,” and she can also be seen as a dancer in the feature film Save the Last Dance.
Outside of dance, Wozniak holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in business analytics from the University of Chicago — two of the world’s top universities. Having held accomplished careers both on and off the stage, Joanna holds a unique perspective on the value of the “Plan B” and how to navigate the pursuit of education, while juggling the responsibilities of professional dance. On the podcast, Joanna discusses all of this and more as she recounts her journey from the ballet to the board room.
Moving Quotes:
"Having additional passions and drives and not becoming siloed in dance is extremely critical... All of these things are only going to inspire you to be a better dancer."
"Don't dump a lot of money into education for an area that you don't actually want to go into... And I don't think a person is the same at 20 as they are at 35. You must be in line with what it is you're passionate about."
"Going to school while dancing is a huge transition... Your first few years in a company, you may just want to wait and adapt before going to school... Education today is a lot more fluid and flexible, with online and distance learning options."
"The past couple of years have been such a critical time for many people in the arts and in dance to reflect on what they're doing with their lives and where they're going. And what types of possibilities are open. It's a natural leverage that COVID has had on us."
"There are some characteristics that we, as dancers, carry as people. And that would be your drive and ambition. Your tenacity. Your willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve and accomplish your goals. Lots of people would love their employees to have these skills."
"Dance is not about the individual at all. It's all about the team and everyone who is collaborating with you. There is so much more going on than what is seen on stage."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:41: Joanna starts the conversation by retelling some highlights from her accomplished dance career.
5:46: Joanna describes some skills attained through dance that have elevated her career as a consultant.
8:36: Wozniak explains how dance taught her to be a good team player — a skill she uses daily in her consulting career.
10:39: Joanna recounts some of her most memorable moments as a professional ballerina.
12:09: Wozniak briefly retells the story of being called upon to dance in the feature film Save the Last Dance.
13:30: Joanna – who received degrees from some of the world’s top universities – discusses her decision to pursue higher education and the challenges of juggling school and dance.
18:03: Joanna gives some incredible practical advice around finding which degree is right for you when pursuing higher education.
21:55: Joanna reflects on the biggest surprises of the corporate world, after transitioning from the extremely active dance world.
26:20: Wozniak shares some tips on when to pursue more education while professionally dancing.
29:29: Joanna gives some advice for parents, encouraging their children to pursue their dance passions while also pushing for a “Plan B.”
Bullet List of Resources –
Joanna Wozniak
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Elisabeth Motley, an award-winning, Brooklyn-based choreographer, scholar, and teacher, who is using her platform to make dance accessible to all. Motley — who holds a BFA from the Juilliard School and an MFA from Goddard College — has focused her work on neurodivergence, crip theory, and disability as choreographic sites. Elisabeth also currently teaches choreography at a New York City-based university, while pursuing her Ph.D. at a UK-based university.
Elisabeth’s work has garnered vast amounts of praise — her work has won several awards and been featured in numerous dance and arts festivals. Elisabeth has focused her life on harnessing the inherent creativity in disability and bringing it to the stage. And her own story is just as inspiring as her world-changing work. On the podcast, Motley walks through her entire journey of peaks and valleys and helps audiences gain a new way of thinking about disability and the arts.
Moving Quotes:
"The world has been ready to embrace difference for a long time. People are thinking about the beauty of difference, and it's becoming more a part of our cultural discussion."
"First thought, best thought... Trust your instincts. Follow your intuition. Follow your passion and your desire."
"What is the inherent creativity that is a part of adversity? That is a part of challenge? Because it's there. And it's definitely there in the disabled community."
"Being told 'no' is not an invitation to stop.”
"I'm hoping to impart new knowledge into the field of disability studies. I'm hoping to offer new models and procedures for creativity. But I'm not attempting to measure anything, specifically because measurement systems within the medical community can be really damaging for disabled people." "The dance field is not a straight upward trajectory. There are so many ups and downs. It's been helpful to think about how I'm charting my own unique path — my own unique journey."
"I've always believed that there's a meaning behind my experiences... There's been a sense of 'I need to make meaning of this situation' ... There's always been this mantra for me that I need to make my own meaning — to figure out how this is going to help me survive this disability. And integrating challenges and adversity into my life became important as well. How is this a part of who I am, rather than pushing it away."
"I don't like to think about Plan B. But, rather, multiplicity. I asked myself, 'How can I know a lot? How can I get lots of options?'"
"I think internships are really wonderful. Because you build community with people you wouldn't anticipate building community with. Which broadens your career potential, really."
"The dance field is not a straight upward trajectory. There are so many ups and downs. It's been helpful to think about how I'm charting my own unique path — my own unique journey."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:21: Elisabeth discusses the PhD that she is pursuing and her research on disability and neurodivergence in dance.
4:55: Elisabeth explains how disability is an enabler of creativity and how her research is offering a new way of thinking about disability in the arts.
9:37: Motley shares her optimism at the broader acceptance of disability and difference in today’s culture and society.
11:38: Motley walks through her dance career and educational choices and shares some advice on finding your own way.
15:51: Elisabeth, whose story is one of resilience, shares her thought process through all her journey’s ups and downs.
21:41: Elisabeth discusses her decisions to pursue different types of degrees and internships and describes the value of diversifying skills.
25:53: Motley explains what she is most proud of.
27:32: Motley gives a sneak peak of some upcoming projects and what’s next in her journey.
28:56: Elisabeth shares some sage advice that she constantly tells her students.
Bullet List of Resources –
Elisabeth Motley
- Personal Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Flor Aracama and Nico Busso of DuoRings. Flor and Nico’s unique creation — DuoRings. — is a unique aerial rings duo which combines gymnastics athleticism and performance and, since 2016, has been regularly featured on tour with Cirque de Soleil. After spending a decade together on the Argentinian national gymnastics team, Flor and Nico got married and kickstarted their acrobatics duo. When not on tour or in residency with Cirque, Flor and Nico live in Rome, Italy.
Cirque du Soleil is one of the greatest arts achievements of the last century, and, this week, listeners get the unique treat of hearing how a pair of Cirque cast members landed their role and what the troupe is like behind-the-scenes. On the podcast, hear Flor and Nico’s story of getting DuoRings off the ground (literally!), gain insight into the critical role of discipline in the performing arts, and discover how a pair of accomplished artists physically and mentally prepare before taking to the skies.
Moving Quotes:
"To develop as an artist, the first thing is just playing. Go to the park. Just start without competition. That's really how we learned to love what we do."
"Perseverance, determination, and hard work are the keys to achieving the goals and dreams that you set for yourself... Impossible is nothing. If you're passionate about something, you can get whatever you want in life."
"When auditioning, you must have an objective. 'Okay, I want to do that. I want to get that thing. I have an inspiration to do it.' That's the first part... Second, don't copy anybody. You are yourself. Move to your strengths."
"At some point, our performance career will finish. This is why it's important to take care of your body. If you take care of your body, you can grow and continue living."
"Every artist is different, and every artist knows what they need to give the best performance. You must be aware of everything you need to be 100 percent on the stage."
"You must never lose your character until you are in your dressing room."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:34: Flor and Nico retell how they ended up together as an act and how their act made it to Cirque du Soleil.
8:17: Flor and Nico explain what audiences can expect from their DuoRings performance.
10:36: DuoRings shares some advice for performers preparing for auditions.
13:24: Nico discusses why he decided to branch out and pursue an alternate career in physical therapy and how being a dancer helps his physical therapy career (and vice versa).
16:45: Flor and Nico give a sneak peek at what it’s like on the inside of Cirque du Soleil.
20:20: Flor and Nico discuss the importance of discipline in the creative world and how they, personally, must be disciplined as they perform.
22:59: DuoRings shares several tips on physically and mentally preparing for rehearsals and performances.
31:31: Flor discusses what’s next for DuoRings and where audiences can expect to see them next.
33:24: Flor and Nico give some advice to anyone looking to get off the ground with a career in the arts.
Bullet List of Resources –
Flor Aracama
Nico Busso
DuoRings
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Nico Kolokythas, Founder of strengthmotionmind and Strength and Conditioning Coach at the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Nico has an extensive two-decades-long background in elite sports, focusing predominately on judo, netball, basketball, football, taekwondo, and tennis. Nico eventually completed a PhD in injuries and the adolescent ballet dancer through the Elmhurst Ballet School in the UK. He now leads strengthmotionmind — a group focused on educating dancers and dance instructors on strength training and injury prevention.
Nico carries a unique perspective, having pivoted his research career from athletics to dance. Upon entering the arts, Nico was shocked by the lack of injury prevention research in dance — something that receives heavy investment in the sports world. Nico has since made curbing that trend his North Star. On the podcast, Nico discusses the work he’s doing to forward the conversation about injury prevention in dance and gives some practical advice on makimg that goal a reality.
Moving Quotes:
"In sports, injury prevention was at the top of the list. Whereas, in dance, it felt like it was injury management."
"There's not enough evidence that the common workouts used on top of dance training has any effect on injury prevention. We need to move the intensity of the training a little bit higher to have an injury prevention effect. Low intensity training will give minimal change to the body."
"We know physical strength training can actually improve confidence. So, in a way, when we educate young dancers, we are improving their self-confidence and self-esteem."
"I am constantly getting feedback on what works and what doesn't. Because thinking you know what works and thinking that you're not going to make mistakes is probably your biggest mistake."
"You have to know your audience. There's different language you will use in front of researchers, and there's different language you'll use in front of dance teachers or dancers themselves."
"If you're a dancer that wants to help dancers, you already have a foot in the door. Because you know the discipline. You know the industry."
"One of the things we should be thinking when talking about youth dance development is that we want to be active for life. Therefore, giving the right tools at an early age, we have more chances for them to actually be active for life."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:31: Nico describes his company — strengthmotionmind — and the work he’s doing in educating both dancers and dance practitioners.
6:23: Nico, who founded his process on the idea of feedback and iteration, discusses the importance of receiving feedback and acting on that feedback.
9:15: Kolokythas gives more information on his strength and conditioning classes.
11:53: Nico discusses the lack of injury prevention information in dance and the actions he’s taking to curb that trend.
19:13: Kolokythas, who has extensive experience in sports research, explains some lessons learned in athletics that he’s carrying over to dance.
22:34: Nico explains why he believes injuries are so prevalent in dance and how dancers and dance instructors can move from injury management to injury prevention.
31:31: Nico discusses how dancers and non-dancers can prepare their bodies for decades-long active lifestyles.
37:00: Kolokythas gives some advice to any dancers looking to enter the field of dance research.
39:18: Nico explains what’s next for him and how he’s planning to extend the reach of his valuable research.
Bullet List of Resources –
Nico Kolokythas
strengthmotionmind
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Alexandra Damiani, Artistic Director at BJM-Les Ballets Jazz De Montréal. Alexandra was classically trained in dance in and around her home country of France. After winning the jeune ballet d’Aquitaine de Bordeaux competition in France, she received a scholarship to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the US and has since danced at a variety of companies — including the company where she is now Artistic Director. Alexandra also has experience in the music and film industries, including an appearance in the acclaimed film Black Swan. For Alexandra, some of her most formative years as an artist — and as a human — were her years in New York City. Upon landing in the United States, this city filled her with awe and curiosity around all areas of the arts and helped rid her of any anxiety and fear as a citizen in a foreign land. On the podcast, Alexandra discusses the modern dance industry and walks through her entire career but, most notably, shares why the “Big Apple” holds a special place in her heart.
Moving Quotes:
"Suddenly every conditioning I had, every expectation, every demand I was putting on my own body to be a dancer — all of that just exploded. In a moment, suddenly everything was possible. That was New York, for me."
"For the arts, the pandemic is a crucible. This is how we get clearer and stronger. And we can show what we're made of, in a way. There are huge opportunities, if we don't let fear paralyze us."
"Voice lessons and theater and, really, anything will add to your dance resumé. I think, more and more, choreographers want to have dancers who can really offer something."
"You can't be a contemporary dance company and not be a mirror of the society you are a part of."
"I feel very grateful that I have a voice and a platform so that I can be an example for my daughter — for my young dancers — and contribute in that way. At the same time, I don't have all the answers [for achieving female equality in dance leadership]. But we're at the start of a very long journey."
"Ultimately, leading this company is not about me. It's about me with the team, at the service of this dance company from Montreal. From Quebec. From Canada. And I like that challenge — that it will be a balancing act between just the right amount of history and innovation... It's a dance."
"For me, dance has no borders."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:50: Alexandra, who previously danced for BJM-Les Ballets De Montréal, discusses what it’s like to come back and now serve as artistic director.
3:57: Alexandra shares some lessons learned in her time as a performer that she hopes to implement as artistic director.
6:42: Damiani explains how she hopes to bring her own personality to her artistic direction, while maintaining the rich culture of BJM-Les Ballets De Montréal.
10:08: Damiani predicts her biggest challenge as she takes the reigns as artistic director.
14:02: Alexandra describes her excitement to be a woman in dance leadership, at this pivotal time when that male-centric culture is beginning to change.
18:37: Damiani, who has appeared in feature films like Black Swan, discusses her involvement in the music and film industry.
22:54: Alexandra retells stories from her life-changing years in New York City and how that time period came to define her as a dancer and as a person.
31:38: Alexandra imparts some advice to aspiring dancers who are hoping to succeed in the industry.
Bullet List of Resources –
Alexandra Damiani
- Company Website
BJM-Les Ballets Jazz De Montréal
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Julie Cartwright, President at P.volve. P.volve is an omnichannel fitness brand featuring a global on-demand platform, a growing line of patented equipment, and several franchise studios in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Since its founding in 2018, P.volve has grown from a few employees to over 75 employees — and counting. Julie, herself, is a graduate of Ohio University and held a variety of executive-level marketing positions before becoming president at her current company.
When Julie stepped away from her comfortable corporate job and shifted towards entrepreneurship, she knew that her life was going to permanently change. But, at the end of the day, she knew she was making the right choice. Why? Passion. Because of an overwhelming love of what health and fitness. And because of an addiction to entrepreneurship and building something from scratch. On the podcast, Julie recounts her entire journey through this crazy world of entrepreneurship and discusses why she decided to trade in a successful corporate career and never look back.
Moving Quotes:
"I think the risk of entrepreneurship is significant for everyone. But I knew I wanted this... You have to think about your happiness and what you want, but you also have to believe in yourself."
"I'm addicted to the continued evolution of learning and growing."
"Believe in yourself. And don't take 'no' for an answer. If you see it and you believe it, I genuinely believe you can make it happen... If you believe in something, go after it. And I think you'll surprise yourself."
"People are more focused on their holistic health than ever before... We've had so many conversations with members about not just looking good but feeling good."
"It's so powerful to hear other women's stories about building their businesses. There are so many similarities between all of our stories... Through hearing all of the stories, I'm more in love with female leaders than ever before. Because they're just so resilient. I'm in awe."
"When starting a business, you have to have a real gut instinct around the things that you know are going to be most meaningful to prove your business out. But you have to stay extremely scrappy. And listen to the customer."
"As people are trying to take a leap of faith, it's so important to have conversations. Because you never know where they will lead."
"I think it's extremely rewarding to hire and recruit talent. To bring them to our 'why' ... A lot of people do jobs without knowing the impact that they have on people's lives... It's been exciting to allow some of my team to see their impacts."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:07: Julie explains the core components of her company, P.volve.
11:24: Julie discusses what trends she’s seeing in the fitness industry as a whole and how these trends bode well for the work she’s doing with P.volve.
14:50: Cartwright walks through her career evolution, from a high-ranking employee at a large entertainment corporation to spearheading a nimble startup.
20:31: Cartwright describes the starkest differences between her previous corporate job and her current position at a startup.
26:39: Julie discusses what is, in her opinion, the most difficult part of being an entrepreneur.
29:23: Julie describes the most rewarding component of being an entrepreneur.
31:28: Cartwright rehashes her company’s first steps when starting P.volve.
35:58: Julie discusses the benefit of starting a company, alongside one or multiple business partners.
38:36: Cartwright, whose company has experienced massive growth since its start in 2018, explains how her company has been able to scale so quickly.
42:38: Julie discusses what’s next for her company and leaves listeners with some valuable advice on pursuing their dreams.
Bullet List of Resources –
Julie Cartwright
P.volve
- Company Website
- YouTube
Chief
- Organization Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Dr. Chloe Angyal, an accomplished journalist and published author. Most recently, Chloe released Turning Pointe: How the New Generation of Dancers is Saving Ballet from Itself. Her book focuses on the future of ballet and reckons with all the forces that endanger its future — whether that be racism, sexism, elitism, or many others. Dr. Angyal holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a doctorate from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
Some of Chloe’s earliest ballet journalism centered around the bullying of young boys who participated in the artform. Yet, after writing the piece, Chloe felt there was so much more to be said. And there was indeed more to be said — an entire 300-page book’s worth. On the podcast, Chloe discusses her book, which outlines the historical issues plaguing ballet but speaks optimistically to how dance’s next generation is righting many of the wrongs and making ballet a more equitable environment for everyone.
Moving Quotes:
"When most people think about a ballet dancer, they think about a woman who is white who has long flowing hair. She is slender and effortlessly feminine... But the fact that that's most people's first thought is an obstacle that everyone else has to overcome."
"Sometimes it takes having an outsider to reflect your underlying assumptions [about ballet] back to you for you to realize, 'Yikes. There's a real problem here.'"
"One thing that I think a lot of people that leave ballet go through is a very solitary, piece-by-piece reflection on [what they went through] and realizing, slowly, that it was wrong, and it hurt them... I want my book to accelerate that process for people and to build a sense of community."
"Long after they stopped taking ballet classes, you have women who are walking around, thinking about how they failed to meet that ideal. Which is so glamorous and beautiful but also monastic and "nun-like," considering how isolated and exclusive professional ballet seems to be. Everyone has a ballet story, and a lot of them are not good."
"The cost of the prejudice [against bigger bodies in ballet] is stress fractures and mental illness and short careers and dancers with pre-osteoporosis. The cost of the prejudice among both artistic directors ticketholders like me is just too high. And it's unacceptable.”
"Resist the urge to do what ballet often teaches you to do. Which is to explain why something has to be the way it is. And instead say, 'But what if it didn't?' Let's assume it can be something different. What does that something different look like?"
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:14: Chloe explains the premise behind her book — Turning Pointe: How the New Generation of Dancers is Saving Ballet from Itself — and what prompted her to write it.
10:29: Chloe discusses some possible solutions to the systemic issues inside of ballet.
12:36: Chloe explains her theory behind why there are so many men in ballet leadership when there are so few boys in ballet and offers a solution to the issue.
16:37: Angyal describes two surprises that she discovered while researching for her book.
24:30: Angyal discusses how ballet’s status quo creates a toxic environment, especially when it comes to female body image and body care.
30:00: Chloe shares her journey that’s led to her successful career, as a non-dancer involved the dance industry.
32:37: Angyal discusses her education and reveals the unique topic that was the focus of her doctoral thesis.
36:47: Chloe encourages listeners to resist the status quo and define a more just and equitable future for ballet.
Bullet List of Resources –
Chloe Angyal
- Personal Website
Turning Pointe: How the New Generation of Dancers is Saving Ballet from Itself
- Book Website
- On Amazon
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Erin Pride, Founder and CEO at Dancepreneur Academy and host of The Dance Boss Podcast. Erin holds a BFA in dance from Montclair State University and a master’s in dance education from New York University. Her company helps dance professionals launch and scale online dance businesses. Erin is also the host of the Dance Boss Podcast, where she gives tips and strategies on building online businesses on a weekly basis.
Erin spends her days coaching others on the ins and outs of business building; however, Erin would be the first to tell you that knowledge minus action equals nothing. Only those entrepreneurs who are willing to act on their learning will flourish. On the podcast, Erin impresses upon listeners the extreme importance of having coaches and mentors but admits that advice can only go so far. Change is reserved for those who take action.
Moving Quotes:
"Just start. If you don't implement, it doesn't matter. We have an expiration date... I don't want to wait for anything because we never know when our time is going to end here on this earth."
"Dancers need an entrepreneurial mindset. And if you don't want to pursue dance, I don't want anyone to feel like they can't stay in the dance community. There are tons of opportunities that can also bring you money."
"The first step in my process is helping my clients understand the value of focusing on one thing. And the second step is helping them identify those old stories and mindset blocks that make them thing they have to do everything at once."
"When it comes to hiring a coach, I truly believe that paying people to support you is important. Money is circular. Once you start giving it out, you'll start receiving it."
"When the pandemic hit, I found that there were two types of people. One, the type of person that had to move online. And two, the type of person that was stuck in the house and realized that there was more that they wanted to do with the gifts that they’d been granted."
"So many times, we get stuck wondering if we're making the 'right choice.' But I have learned, as I reflect on my journey, that every single choice has been a part of the puzzle to get me here. Whether on a small scale or a big scale... So take some pressure off of your shoulders about making the 'right choice.'"
"I was so apprehensive about getting a coach before I got a coach. But once I got a coach, it's something that I'm always going to have in my life. Not only for business strategy, but also for the mindset support."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:57: Erin shares information on her business, which coaches dance professionals on establishing their own online businesses.
9:11: Erin shares an important tip on managing money that she learned from personal experience.
11:57: Erin walks through her process in helping others discover the businesses that they want to build and setting up the framework to build those businesses.
15:07: Pride shares some tips on building a unique brand and standing out on social media.
20:30: Pride shares a couple of inspirational success stories of her own clients.
23:43: Erin, who is also a podcast host, describes her podcast and what she finds most challenging and rewarding.
27:23: Erin encourages listeners to not worry about making the “right choice” and to trust that every decision is just setting you up for your ultimate destination.
30:50: Pride describes a dream that she hopes to eventually accomplish in her life.
34:18: Pride discusses what she believes is the entrepreneur’s greatest challenge.
38:20: Erin shares some final advice for anyone looking to achieve a goal.
Bullet List of Resources –
Erin Pride
- Personal Website
Dancepreneur Academy
- Company Website
The Dance Boss Podcast
- Podcast Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Sonja McCord, Chief Executive Officer at The Sonja McCord X. Sonja — who is based in New York City — has had opportunities to perform with a myriad of top dance companies and boasts 15+ years of agency and in-house marketing experience. Now, Sonja combines both careers at her company, where she coaches dancers to amplify their brand, monetize their art, increase visibility, and put their best foot forward from a marketing perspective.
Sonja, whose path to her current destination has been far from linear, is a firm believer in having the right mindset when pursuing goals. And, to Sonja, a key component of pursuing dreams is a willingness to say “yes” to whatever the universe throws at you, all to reach the perfect finish line. On the podcast, Sonja talks about the importance of saying “yes,” while sprinkling in some extremely valuable tips on marketing yourself well, choosing the right field of study, and so much more.
Moving Quotes:
"Saying 'yes' to yourself allows you to really focus 100 percent without guilt and shame. And that mindset shift alone can make or break a dancer."
"I empower my students to go 100 percent. I always ask my students, 'What if you said "yes" to your career and to giving 100 percent to your goals? Where do you think you'd be a year from now?' It's really a lightbulb moment for dancers. It's exciting to see them transform over six weeks, once they allow themselves to say 'yes.'"
"If a casting director or artistic director or choreographer landed on your Instagram page, what information would they need to know about you in order to book you as a dancer?"
"Your Instagram bio is really important. You'd be surprised how many dancers don't put 'dancer' or 'artist' in their bio. When someone comes to your page, they need to know right away what you do and what you're trying to do."
"The thing that I loved the most about dancing was that feeling of being on stage and being free and not having a single bit of fear in my heart. Just being able to go out there and give it my best and shine. I hope I'm able to carry that through for the rest of my life."
"When it comes to dancers, whether you're in class, in auditions, or in rehearsals, the only person you're competing with is yourself. That's getting better and better at your craft. That's being focused. That's being the best version of yourself."
"Visualization comes back to identifying moments in your life that changed the trajectory of your life and seeing how you responded to it."
"When you expand your horizons and start learning other fields, it actually makes you appreciate dance all the more."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:31: Sonja describes The Sonja McCord X and its work empowering dancers and building brands.
6:25: Sonja explains the power of saying “yes” — to embracing every opportunity and being willing to truly pursue one’s dreams.
8:01: McCord discusses the role that visualization plays in achieving one’s goals and gives her own definition of visualization.
10:58: McCord describes an upcoming workshop that revolves around building an online brand.
14:02: Sonja, a seasoned marketer, gives a couple of tips for dancers on building a solid online presence and marketing yourself well.
20:29: Sonja, who received a major in finance, explains how she came to choose a degree so seemingly unrelated to her current calling.
22:21: Sonja shares some tips on how dancers should be investing in themselves, both in terms of money and time.
25:17: McCord, who has danced at a variety of high profile dance companies, discusses how each of these companies taught her important career skills.
27:56: McCord shares some valuable lessons that she learned while participating in pageants.
30:19: Sonja gives some advice for any students who are weighing the pros and cons of foregoing university to pursue dance versus studying dance at university.
Bullet List of Resources –
Sonja McCord
The Sonja McCord X
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Billy Siegenfeld, Founder of Jump Rhythm, creator of the Standing Down Straight technique, and a myriad of other things — playwright, choreographer, music arranger, performer, director, professor, and much more. Billy received his undergraduate degree from Brown University and a graduate degree in jazz studies from New York University. As a professor at Northwestern University, Billy is a Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence in the Department of Theatre.
Jump Rhythm is a multiple-Emmy Award winning performance and teaching company that is a manifestation of Billy’s Standing Down Straight technique. This form teaches its performers to utilize “primal human behavior,” which taps into the mental and physical energy of the performers and teaches performers to not fight against gravity while dancing. On the podcast, Billy lays out his technique in full and explains in detail how his form can benefit people from all walks of life — not just dancers.
Moving Quotes:
"Primal human behavior is the behavior coming from the inside of us, unedited. It is our energy — our physical and emotional energies... So much of our art is created by these energies."
"One of the hardest things in the world is letting the body let go. We're all under pressure. My technique is just telling our bodies to slow down."
"When we're too much in the grip of having to 'make it' and succeed, what's more needed is just figuring out how to slow that down a little bit."
"The real question you have to answer when making a piece of art is this: how do you make it as truthful as possible, so that somebody who is absorbing it feels, 'Ah, me too — I feel that too'?"
"For every class you take, give yourself the time to not go to a class. Make some time into 'nothing time.' Don't be doing something all the time... Not doing is as important as doing."
"Art functions as a catalyst for a person becoming more aware of themselves and also becoming more aware of the other people they're dealing with."
"Relaxation is the crying need of our age... Let's figure out how to use relaxation as an active tool when doing our work."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:50: Billy discusses the concept of “primal human behavior” and how tapping into this idea makes art more real for both audiences and performers.
9:58: Billy explains how dance uniquely helps release pent up emotions inside of dancers.
14:00: Siegenfeld discusses the concepts inside of his essay Standing Down Straight and how these concepts are taught inside of his workshops.
21:14: Siegenfeld explains how his technique is helpful for people of all walks of life — especially general populations who spend their days looking down at their phones.
23:33: Siegenfeld describes how his technique is particularly valuable for older populations.
25:40: Billy provides some more information on another of his essays, which traces the history of swing dance and how it’s a metaphor for democracy.
29:39: Billy, who is also a playwright, describes the premise of his play, What Do You Want to Be When You Give Up.
36:31: Siegenfeld describes the classes he teaches at Northwestern University and explains how rest and relaxation are desperately needed in the modern era.
43:36: Billy shares some expert advice for anybody starting their careers in the dance industry.
Bullet List of Resources –
Billy Siegenfeld
- On Northwestern University website
Jump Rhythm
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Clare Guss-West — a published author, choreographer, teacher, Committee Chair at the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, and Co-Founder and Director of the Dance & Creative Wellness Foundation. Clare’s resume is extensive and varied, but most of her work seeks to apply scientific research into professional, vocational, and inclusive dance practice.
Supported by her Eastern movement practice, she provides mindful attention and focused strategies that harness the mind, energy, and effort to empower dancers. These practices allow dancers to optimize their own physical and mental performance. Clare travels the world, sharing her ideas with some of the world’s top ballet companies and performers. On the podcast, Clare dives into her ideas and shares some practical ways that we all can apply mindful techniques to make our daily performance stronger — both on and off the stage.
Moving Quotes:
"I'm going to look at aspects of the movement that would be ideal — that I'd have a great verticality, that I'd fly in my split jump. We need to focus in on those things and not focus on trying to adjust bits of our bodies. And that's when we get measurable differences."
"Affirmations are based on the same principle [as setting external focus]. You have an idea that's bigger than you, and you can imagine it. Then it becomes a roadmap for you or for your life where you can relax a little bit. That roadmap guides and facilitates the realization of our goal."
"If you come to mind training very late, it's like learning a new language. We have to start using less effort. It's less effort, actually. But more focus."
"I was convinced that working with the power of the mind would have enormous benefits for dancers today."
"The more complex the skill you're attempting, the more effect you're going to have from introducing specific attentional strategies to what you do."
"Dance as a lifelong tool for wellbeing is an area of huge growth at the moment. Particularly because there are so many chronic diseases and problems that conventional medicine doesn't know how to address."
"When we guide our attention in a particular way, the benefits of doing that are physical and mental."
"If you are very lucky and have a great intuitive teacher, you have someone who talks about breath, energy, and focus. But for most of us, that's not taught at all."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:25: Clare explains the beginnings of her interest in applying Eastern mindfulness principles to dance and movement.
8:47: Clare discusses the modern science that reinforces these millennia-old Eastern principles.
12:33: Guss-West describes the measurable differences that are observed in athletes and performers who apply these mind practices to their art.
19:49: Guss-West discusses visualization and how visualization fits into the Eastern idea of setting an external focus.
27:30: Clare explains the origins of her book and what she’s seeking to accomplish in sharing her learnings and practices with others.
33:34: Guss-West describes her dance therapy work and explains precisely how dance and movement provide incredible health benefits.
40:44: Clare discusses her work across multiple organizations, all serving as platforms to share knowledge around mindfulness and movement.
Bullet List of Resources –
Clare Guss-West
- Personal Website
Dance & Creative Wellness Foundation
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Betsy McBride, Co-founder and Director of Marketing at Rezonance Athletics — a sustainable athletic wear line that she started alongside her fiancé. In addition to her career as an entrepreneur, McBride is a performer with the American Ballet Theater (ABT). This incredible combination of careers has landed her on the cover of Pointe Magazine and has garnered her multiple dance-related accolades. In addition to all of this, McBride is a fully certified teacher through the ABT National Training Curriculum.
Betsy’s story is a story of resilience and grit. As if a full-time dance career wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Betsy decided to build a business from scratch and, now, spends her days shifting mindsets from dancer to entrepreneur. On the podcast, Betsy is honest about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship but speaks to her love of dance and motion as the foundation for both of her incredible careers.
Moving Quotes:
"The whole business-building process has been a learning experience. Every time we do something, we learn as we go."
"Learn as much as you can. Be as versatile as you can. Never put yourself in a box and say, 'I'm just doing classical ballet.' Because I don't think any classical ballet companies do that anymore."
"If you feel like you don't want to get complacent and you want to push yourself artistically and work with different people, it's important to push yourself to branch out."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:25: Betsy walks through her journey as a dancer and reflects on her first time dancing in person post-pandemic.
5:47: Betsy discusses any anxieties or hesitations during her move to New York City as a young dancer.
7:43: McBride shares some advice for dancers as they transition from one company to another.
13:28: McBride shifts gears to her entrepreneurial endeavors and explains the birth of her sustainable apparel line.
17:56: Betsy reflects on the biggest challenges of her entrepreneurial journey thus far.
20:07: Betsy, who works as both a full time dancer and business owner, discusses the challenges of shifting mindsets from one job to the other.
22:22: Betsy speaks to trends that she is currently seeing inside of the dance world and discusses the value of versatility.
27:47: McBride shares some tips for any dancers as they prepare for auditions or performances.
29:16: McBride retells an on-stage failure and how she managed to overcome that mishap.
31:39: Betsy discusses what’s next for her, both personally and professionally, and shares some last bits of advice for listeners.
Bullet List of Resources –
Betsy McBride
- Personal Website
Rezonance Athletics
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Andrea Orris, a seasoned gymnast and veteran collegiate gymnastics coach who is now using her experience to teach the “ins and outs” of effective stretching and to advocate for the fair treatment of gymnasts around the country. Orris, a Los Angeles native, competed in Division 1 collegiate gymnastics before turning her attention towards coaching. She is also a fitness model and a flexibility instructor. In fact, her flexibility courses blossomed during the pandemic, due in large part to her expert social media presence.
Andrea is passionate about physical fitness, but she knows that a healthy body is nothing without a strong mind. Andrea has rightly spent her life focusing on both the physical and mental and, as a victim of abuse herself, is setting an example for others on the value of being open and transparent about strengths and struggles. On the podcast, Andrea discusses her own career and her long journey into mental and physical prosperity.
Moving Quotes:
"Are you healthy on the inside? Do you look like what you want to look like? That's all that matters.”
"People have a misconception about flexibility classes. They say, 'Oh, I can't take your class because I'm not flexible.' But that's the entire point. It's fine if you're not flexible. That's actually even better."
"The more we keep talking and sharing our experiences and educating each other, the better chance we have at preventing [abuse] from every happening again."
"I've always been a very private person with what I'm going through emotionally and mentally. Until this year. I post about myself a lot because people want to read about genuine people... I've started being very honest with what I'm thinking and feeling."
"Setting small attainable goals every day is so much more intrinsically rewarding and more motivating than setting unrealistic goals or goals where you're comparing yourself to someone else. Then you get really discouraged and quit altogether."
"If something is in your heart and you're passionate about it and you want to do it, go for it. You have to let go of all of the outside voices."
"To keep up a professional Instagram, you have to keep your engagement up. You need to be posting constantly. You do have to work hard to do it. Producing content takes a lot of work... I try to always have something on my Story."
"My Instagram is now my resume. It used to not be like that."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:20: Andrea walks through her accomplished gymnastics career and how she ended up in Los Angeles as a gymnastics coach.
8:14: Andrea discusses her time as a flexibility instructor and how COVID actually expanded her business.
11:13: Orris explains why she believes flexibility is such a growing trend in 2021.
15:28: Orris explains how her career as a gymnastics coach and flexibility instructor morphed into a modeling career.
19:19: Andrea shares some valuable tips on getting the most out of a professional Instagram account.
24:23: Andrea, who shares about her struggles via her social media accounts, describes the freedom of letting others shoulder your burdens.
27:47: Orris explains how having a positive body image and goal setting can drastically impact a person’s mental state.
37:06: Orris shares some tips on successful visualization during times of meditation.
41:01: Andrea closes her interview by giving some tips for anyone currently embarking on a new career journey.
Bullet List of Resources –
Andrea Orris
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Michelle Seiler Tucker, the Founder and CEO of Seiler Tucker Incorporated. She and her firm have sold over a thousand businesses in nearly every vertical. She has spent two decades in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and holds the title of Mergers and Acquisitions Master Intermediary, as well as being a Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Professional and a Certified Senior Business Analyst. She also, herself, owns multiple businesses.
Michelle is a seasoned M&A professional and, on the podcast, offers nearly an hour of free M&A consulting for anyone who owns a business, is thinking about starting a business, or who is proactively looking to sell their current business. The conversation spans many topics, including a discussion on her latest book Exit Rich, foundational tenets to consider when assessing the “sellability” of a company, the importance of knowing when to emotionally detach and sell a business, and much more.
Moving Quotes:
"A lot of people look at their businesses like their babies. We have to stop doing that... Treat your business like the valuable asset that it is."
"Being in a business is not easy. And trying to sell a business for millions is certainly no easy task. So you have to have a powerful why to keep you motivated and in the game."
"If you don't know where you're going, you end up nowhere... Business owners don't plan to fail; they fail to plan. Unless they have a destination in mind, they're driving around in circles — driving up and down the financial hills."
"It's not what you know that gets you in trouble; it's what you don't know. And you don't know what you don't know... Learn from other people's mistakes, rather than your own."
"To make sure a business is sellable, make sure the business is not centered around you. And make sure all of the data is on paper and not in your head."
"Seventy percent of business owners are going out of business because they stop doing A.I.M. — "'Always Innovate and Market.'"
"I never recommend someone go and start their own business when there are so many existing businesses for sale. It will probably cost you less money to buy an existing business than to start one."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:26: Michelle discusses her newest book Exit Rich, which lays out foundational concepts around when and how to sell a business.
7:10: Michelle explains how entrepreneurs should mentally prepare when building a business that is sellable and how lack of preparation will only lead to failure.
12:06: Seiler Tucker describes the five different types of business buyers.
14:48: Seiler Tucker discusses the importance of knowing the why — the rationale behind choosing to sell your company.
18:56: Michelle begins to discuss the “six P’s,” which are foundational pillars of companies that are primed to sell.
23:23: Michelle spends some time speaking on the most foundational of the six P’s — proprietary — and how this singular pillar can multiply the value of a company.
32:31: Seiler Tucker discusses the value of working with a mergers and acquisitions professional like herself versus trying to go it alone.
36:17: Michelle shares some advice for dance studio owners to make their businesses more attractive to buyers.
43:08: Seiler Tucker discusses the importance of knowing when to exit and how some owners have doomed their businesses by refusing to let go.
49:31: Michelle gives information on the benefits and perks of working alongside her company while undergoing a sale.
Bullet List of Resources –
Michelle Seiler Tucker
Exit Rich book
- Book Website
- On Amazon
Seiler Tucker: The Business Authorities
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Gil Boggs, Artistic Director at Colorado Ballet. Boggs began his career with the Atlanta Ballet before joining American Ballet Theatre, where he served a remarkable 17-year tenure. Boggs has also performed with the Twyla Tharp Dance Company, Baryshnikov and Company, Nureyev and Friends, and has made several guest appearances around the world. Boggs has also presented 15 world premieres and 15 Colorado Ballet premieres by renowned choreographers such as Twyla Tharp and Lar Lubovitch.
From the outset, Gil has been in love the state of Colorado. Having lived and worked in the New York City area for decades, a move to America’s heartland was a welcome change. However, from the outset, Gil had to overcome some serious hurdles — not the least of which was leading the company out of its financial struggle. But, because of some grit and determination, Gil did just that. On the podcast, he tells his whole story, including dancing with some of the world’s brightest and best, being in a single company for 17 years, and more.
Moving Quotes:
"With my staff, we are nurturing dancers. We're not telling them what's wrong and that you have to do this and you have to do that. We are collaborating with these people and getting the best out of them."
"People ask me, 'What does it take to get into a company?' You have to be confident. You have to show confidence in yourself... And find inspiration in what you're doing, and you'll grow quickly."
[On dancing with American Ballet Theatre] "The choreographers that came through. The rep that came in. It was all so inspiring. And I was able to grow as an artist there."
"Over time, I want to see dancers maintain their integrity to the artform. There's a way you go about training yourself, learning a ballet, and performing a ballet. And I'd hate to see people deviate from that form and do it halfway."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:15: Gil discusses his current position as Artistic Director at Colorado Ballet and how he came to join the company.
8:14: Gil explains his earliest moves at the helm of Colorado Ballet and how he turned the company from financial struggle to thriving business, even during a recession.
13:02: Boggs, who took some financial risks early in his time as artistic director, discusses why he decided to “roll the dice” on performing some lesser known works.
14:20: Gil describes some of his earliest hurdles as artistic director and how he overcame.
16:38: Boggs explains why he decided to stay at American Ballet Theatre for so much of his career — a 17-year-long tenure.
20:30: Boggs shares some advice for aspiring dancers that are currently plotting their career paths.
22:59: Gil, who has danced underneath some of the world’s best, describes his experience learning from Mikhael Baryshnikov and Twyla Tharp.
25:17: Boggs shares his perspective on how ballet is changing and why certain aspects of the art must remain intact.
26:33: Gil discusses what’s next for his company and his eagerness to return to the stage once again.
28:51: Gil shares some extremely practical advice for anyone looking to make a career inside of the world of dance.
Bullet List of Resources –
Gil Boggs
- Bio on ColoradoBallet.org
Colorado Ballet
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Jeffrey Edwards, dance professor at The Juilliard School. During his run as a performer, Jeff was a leading dancer for the New York Ballet, the Zurich Ballet, and the Lyon Opera Ballet. Edwards, who holds a degree from Brown University, has taught for conservatories and professional ballet companies around the world and has taught ballet at Harvard, Cornell, Princeton, Yale, and Brown. Additionally, he’s been able to choreograph various works, including the Broadway musical Billy Elliot.
Jeff knows that, for the truly successful, learning never ends. And, if any group has pushed him to be a lifelong learner, it’s been his students. On the podcast, Jeff reflects on the pride he feels as a Juilliard faculty member, the daily challenge of teaching such talented students, his own run as a student being trained by some of the world’s most successful artists, and so much more.
Moving Quotes:
"At Juilliard, you have these very curious young adults who are so talented and so steeped in potential — very hungry for information. It makes me want to remain a perpetual student as well. It's so much about the learning... I'm inspired to be in the room with students who are always learning."
[On teaching dance to non-dance students] "I love the idea of coming up with language that is inclusive and can really inspire a broader public to be excited about what we do."
"The creativity of parenting... I feel like I'm a better parent because of my intense work as an artist — it's informed my parenting in so many ways. And, on the other hand, my experience of parenting translates back to how I am in the studio... I'm really proud of that."
"I would encourage everyone to not be fearful that pursuing [balance in life] is going to take away from what you do well."
"This is how ballet is changing - there's much more room for dialogue than there ever has been."
[When looking for mentors] "Reach out and don't be shy. And ask for help."
"Assumptions can be our enemy in many ways, especially in ballet."
"Put yourself out there and be curious."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:17: Jeffrey discusses his role as dance professor at the esteemed Juilliard School.
4:37: Jeffrey explains how Juilliard provides dance education across a wide array of styles and how his very own students push him to be a better dancer, teacher, and person.
8:28: Edwards explains how, to his surprise, often non-dance students are the once that press him to think more deeply about the art.
11:33: Edwards, who has performed across the world, compares dancing for a top American company versus a top European company.
16:02: Jeffrey describes his time being coached by the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov.
19:23: Edwards shines light on his role models and mentors and shares some advice for anyone looking for mentorship opportunities.
24:08: Jeffrey, who is an extremely accomplished and decorated performer and teacher, discusses what gives him the most pride.
26:26: Jeffrey shares some wisdom on finding balance in life, as many different pursuits try to dominate your attention.
28:03: Jeffrey looks to the future, expressing eagerness to return to the post-pandemic stage.
31:07: Edwards gives some final advice for listeners who are looking to pursue their lives’ dreams.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jeffrey Edwards
- On the Juilliard website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Roberto Campanella and Kelly Shaw of ProArteDanza. At the company, Roberto and Kelly serve as artistic director and dance artist, respectively. Roberto — a native of Rome, Italy — trained at some of Italy’s finest schools before having a successful career as a professional dancer. Roberto also has extensive experience working in film. Kelly, who is also a choreographer, is well respected around Toronto for her art and works as a Pilates, Barre, and dance instructor in addition to her on-stage work.
Both Roberto and Kelly feel pandemic pains — being absent from the stage for over 15 months. However, they both are looking forward to brighter days that are approaching ever-quickly and are more convinced than ever that, in a world that was largely absent of the arts over the past year, art is needed now more than ever. On the podcast, Kelly and Roberto walk through their own personal journeys in the arts, share career advice, look to the future, and so much more.
Moving Quotes:
"The world needs art and beauty and expression more than ever. Even on the hard days, remember that we're more necessary than ever."
"The bumps along your professional journey are there for your greatest learnings... They are the greatest gifts you'll ever have."
"We see the term 'passion' often in the more contemporary meaning, which is love towards what you do. But what about the biblical sense of 'passion,' which is sacrificing? You have to sacrifice for what you love."
"As a young dancer, you don't know anything, but you have the capacity to learn and hold everything. If you're driven, you have space to learn and not be knocked down by the 'no's."
"Being imperfect but still maintaining that hunger and passion can propel and become an engine for you. That has shaped me as a professional dancer."
"No passion; no contract."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:52: Roberto describes ProArteDanza and its upcoming summer intensive program and briefly discusses his own dance career.
7:52: Kelly, who holds multiple jobs in the Toronto area, shares how she juggles so many roles and gives some history on how she came to ProArteDanza.
13:14: Roberto, who has been with ProArteDanza since its founding, discusses the company’s passion and how it has sustained itself over the years.
15:20: Kelly walks through her process on choosing a company to work for and reminds listeners that all our challenges in life are for our good.
19:11: Kelly shares some advice for young people looking to build their careers in dance.
26:45: Roberto describes his company’s upcoming summer intensive program — an extremely challenging but rewarding program that will end in granting a participant a company contract.
29:41: Kelly explains what makes a dancer tough — physically, mentally, and spiritually.
33:52: Roberto discusses his most proud accomplishment — his successful career as a film actor, including his involvement in an Oscar-nominated film.
39:48: Kelly and Roberto speak to their next projects and upcoming goals.
43:54: Kelly and Roberto share some final words of advice for aspiring choreographers and dancers.
Bullet List of Resources –
Roberto Campanella
- On IMDB
Kelly Shaw
- Article in Toronto Guardian
ProArteDanza
- Company Website
- YouTube
- Info on Summer Intensive Program
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Benjamin Goodly, the host of The Count 9 Podcast and a senior process engineer at a Fortune 100 company based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to his current work, Goodly was a performer, boasting a diverse career. Benjamin’s move from the stage to the office was a smooth transition; however, he’s fully aware of the myths surrounding career transitions for dancers. And, now, he’s looking to debunk those myths via his podcast.
For an artist, leaving the stage is like dying a death — a death that sometimes feels as painful as actual death. Benjamin’s podcast hopes to ease those painful feelings, and he hopes to encourage transitioning dancers through hearing from fellow dancers who have successfully transitioned to different careers. On the podcast, Benjamin discusses his podcast and the importance of the topic, as well as his process in developing his podcast from the first idea to the first episode.
Moving Quotes:
"Martha Graham is often quoted, 'Every dancer dies twice. The first death is more painful.' The first death is referring to the career transition."
"My biggest aspiration is that, through the podcast, dancers would become so empowered that retiring dancers become a hot commodity across the entire business and nonprofit economy."
"One of the great things about having a really well-rounded career is that you are able to be a little more free and loose with your own personal time."
"When you can clearly answer your 'why,' that's more than enough information to keep going."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:12: Goodly, a fellow podcast host, discusses his podcast and the important conversation that his podcast engages in.
6:28: Benjamin, who is a veteran dancer, speaks to his own dance career and why he decided to ultimately step away.
12:58: Benjamin describes his thought process when weighing the option of returning to school after the stage — and speaks to his love of pro and con lists.
16:15: Goodly, who is now a senior chemical engineer, discusses his unique motivations behind pursuing engineering.
18:51: Benjamin walks through the process of bringing his podcast idea to life.
23:20: Benjamin discusses the ultimate goal that he is looking to achieve through his podcast.
Bullet List of Resources –
Benjamin Goodly
- Personal Website
- YouTube
The Count 9 Podcast
-
Podcast Site
-
Instagram
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Emmaly Wiederholt, Founder and Editor of Stance on Dance — an online publication that interviews dancers who are members of marginalized groups. Wiederholt, a veteran dancer, holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. She is also a published author, whose book features the stories of dancers over the age of fifty. She’s currently working on her second book that focuses on dancers with disabilities.
Emmaly understands the value of gathering multiple perspectives in the arts and has dedicated her life to doing so. Emmaly knows that, often, those with the deepest, richest, longest and most complex life experiences are those who can bring the truest art to the stage. Yet, while this may be true, these stories often are overshadowed by others who claim the spotlight. On the podcast, Emmaly walks through each of her unique efforts to put these rich stories on full display and explains why this work is not only important but is critical to the art.
Moving Quotes:
"If art is based off of experience, then the more life experience you have, the more powerful and rich your art practice becomes."
"In dance, this emphasis on youth is harmful — harmful from a mental health standpoint, but also harmful in terms of the artistry and richness of our field."
"I benefit from dance, not only in terms of physically and emotionally. But also in terms of building community. I make this joke that, when you show up to a dance class, you just have friends! That kind of community building can be very difficult for lots of adults."
"Dance is empowering. It's empowering to be in your body and to feel your body moving. And to be in relationship with people around you... It's empowering to know that you can still show up, be in your body, and be creative."
"I find that visuals are a really necessary tool for people to engage. Because dance is generally a really visual art form — most people go as audience members and watch before they take their first dance class. So it felt important to show visuals in both of my books."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:03: Emmaly explains the story behind Stance on Dance and the goal that the organization is looking to accomplish.
6:27: Emmaly discusses her published book — Beauty is Experience: Dancing 50 and Beyond — and how the book came about.
11:56: Wiederholt explains why she believes dance is an important art for people of all ages but, specifically, for those above the age of 50.
13:52: Wiederholt speaks to the trend of dance studios opening, specifically for those in older age groups.
17:49: Emmaly describes what she hopes to accomplish through her Beauty is Experience book.
19:09: Emmaly discusses her second work — Discussing Disability in Dance — and how that book came to be.
23:02: Wiederholt shares her goals for this book and how she hopes readers are impacted.
25:29: Emmaly, who holds a master’s degree in journalism, discusses the impact that her education has had on her life and gives some advice for those considering advanced degrees.
28:59: Emmaly shares some simple and important advice for all podcast listeners.
Bullet List of Resources –
Emmaly Wiederholt
- Beauty is Experience on Amazon
Stance on Dance
-
Company Site
-
Instagram
-
Facebook
-
Twitter
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews TaKiyah Wallace, Founder and Executive Director at Brown Girls Do Ballet. In 2012, TaKiyah, who is a former gifted-education teacher, shifted her life’s mission to empowering women and girls through the arts. Her nonprofit organization — Brown Girls Do Ballet — began as a photo project after searching for diverse classical ballet programs in Dallas, Texas. This small project has now grown into a full-blown organization. She was the recipient of the Girls Rising Creative Challenge Award and has been featured as a 2020 Adidas Gamechanger.
Takiyah — who has been featured in the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Dance Magazine, and Dance Teacher Magazine — understands the value of celebration and positivity. And, now, she spends her entire life inspiring young girls to do great things — just as she has done. On the podcast, TaKiyah discusses the birth of her company, the great work that her company is doing throughout the world today, and the immense value of celebration.
Moving Quotes:
"We are in the business of celebrating. We don't call people out for things that aren't happening. We celebrate things that are actually happening."
"Eight years ago, I would have never predicted that Brown Girls Do Ballet would be here. I didn't feel like it was my place to be in this world, telling these stories. But I'm here now, and I want to make sure I'm doing my best to tell things the right way."
"Reprimand me in private. Give me critical feedback in private. Celebrate and amplify, in public, the people who are doing the right things."
"At the most minute level, I'm helping young people get to where they want to go."
"When you have people who are 'doing the thing' and who are willing to reach back and help that next generation, it goes to show what is possible."
"As long as you keep our core values intact, it's okay to say 'no' to certain things."
"Just keep doing. Just keep working. Chip away until you get it how you want it to be."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:33: TaKiyah gives a history of her empowering nonprofit Brown Girls Do Ballet.
10:27: TaKiyah speaks to her company’s booming Instagram account (140k+ followers) and briefly reiterates the mission of Brown Girls Do Ballet.
11:55: Wallace discusses the importance of mentors and gives specific examples of how mentorship has played a huge part in her company.
15:50: Wallace, who has a contagious energy, explains how she celebrates her work and gets others excited about the work as well.
21:02: Wallace describes what was the most difficult part of founding her company.
26:44: TaKiyah, who was an educator prior to an entrepreneur, shares how she was able to carry some principles from her first career into her second career.
33:30: Wallace shares the backstory on her nomination as a 2020 Adidas Gamechanger.
35:56: Wallace discusses some short term goals for Brown Girls Do Ballet.
38:24: TaKiyah shares with listeners how they can get involved, specifically, with supporting the mission of Brown Girls Do Ballet.
40:46: TaKiyah gives some advice around building careers and pursuing dreams.
Bullet List of Resources –
TaKiyah Wallace
- Personal Website
Brown Girls Do Ballet
-
Company Site
-
Instagram
-
Facebook
-
YouTube
-
Twitter
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Val Syganevich, Producer and Owner at Freckled Sky — a nationally renowned multimedia creative agency. Val opened his first creative agency in Ukraine in 2002, and in 2010, his group did their first ever project with multimedia. In 2013, upon a move to the United States, he established his current agency, Freckled Sky. In 2015, they partnered with America’s Got Talent to produce a one-of-a-kind interactive water projection performance and advanced to the finals in New York City. Val has worked with a variety of clients including Pink, James Arthur, Mercedes Benz, Ferrari, and many more.
Val is a creative wizard and has been praised far and wide for his work. In fact, even radio icon Howard Stern referred to Val as a “genius.” On the podcast, Val recounts his entire journey from Ukraine to the United States to the grand stage of America’s Got Talent and discusses his unique perspectives on pushing creative bounds, keeping teams motivated, educating yourself, and much more.
Moving Quotes:
"We need to understand that there are no limits — no walls in front of us. You need to understand what the rules are and why they are wrong... Make the decision to overcome limitations. And be polite."
“When we decided to sell everything and pursue our dream, we just believed in what we were going to do. And felt that it was the right move."
"The best way to break through with investors is to simply create a good product. Then people will listen."
"I believe education really matters... and having a really wide look at everything. Making sure you understand all of the small details of the world."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:46: Val recounts his incredible journey into the finals of America’s Got Talent.
12:35: Val explains what it felt like to advance to the America’s Got Talent finals.
16:21: Syganevich, who took a huge risk selling everything he owned to move to the United States, describes his mindset when he decided to make this transition.
20:34: Val explains why he believes a broad and deep education is critical to life success.
24:02: Syganevich discusses the types of projects that he’s been working on recently and how the pandemic has forced him to get extremely innovative.
27:11: Syganevich describes the biggest challenges when sharing ideas or visions with external parties, such as investors, and reveals the key to ensuring you make an impact.
30:59: Val explains how he keeps his team motivated and ever-learning.
33:14: Val, a consummate creator, shares some critical advice for anyone looking to leave their mark on the creative world.
Bullet List of Resources –
Val Syganevich
Freckled Sky
-
Company Site
-
Facebook
-
Instagram
-
YouTube
-
Vimeo
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Deanna Seay, ballet instructor at the School of the Richmond Ballet. Deanna was trained at the School of Richmond Ballet and the North Carolina School of the Arts. Upon graduation, Deanna joined the Miami City Ballet, where she enjoyed an incredible 21-year tenure and was promoted to Principal Dancer of the ballet in 1998. In 2010, Deanna began teaching full-time at the Cary Ballet Conservatory and, later, at the Boston Ballet School. Now, she has come full circle and is investing in students at the School of the Richmond Ballet, where her entire journey began.
Deanna’s career is unique in a variety of ways, and because of this, she can share a rich and unique perspective on life, both on stage and off stage. On the podcast, Deanna generously shares her wisdom along a variety of topics, including how dance has changed over the past few decades, why it’s important to stay “present” and enjoy every moment, how to build a marathon career at one single dance company, and so much more.
Moving Quotes:
"Savor every moment. Savor the good moments. Savor the bad moments. Because the day will come when you look back on it as a really meaningful part of your life."
"Everything has its time. You can't push any faster than what's going to happen. You can work hard. You can work smart... But you have to trust the people who are there — your director, your ballet mistress... That they will see you when you're ready and use you to the best of your ability... That's a hard lesson."
"Ballet is something elemental. It's like math. It's the underlying language of so many things."
"Dance will always evolve and reflect the current mood — something that's going on in our lives at any given moment. That's why I'm interested to see what comes out post-pandemic."
"When you're teaching while you're dancing, you're still focused on yourself. When you stop dancing, your focus changes."
"If you can speak the language of dance clearly, then you will be able to communicate what you want to say clearly. And you can reach the widest number of audience members possible."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:13: Deanna talks through her journey as a dancer and how she eventually ended up where her journey all started.
7:22: Deanna discusses how the School of the Richmond Ballet has changed over the years, both physically and in terms of curriculum.
11:08: Deanna explains how an academy adheres to the traditions of its parent dance company through the years, while still innovating.
13:41: Seay discusses how dance is core to all of us and reflects what’s going on at any given time — which is why she’s excited to see what comes out, post-pandemic.
17:49: Seay, who experienced a lengthy career at the Miami City Ballet, shares the key to sticking with one company for an extended period.
22:07: Seay discusses her transition from the stage to the classroom and speaks to the overlap when she was teaching while still dancing.
27:35: Deanna explains what’s next for her and for her students, post-pandemic.
30:37: As she looks back at her long and fruitful career, Deanna shares some veteran advice for anyone aspiring to or currently living in the dance industry.
Bullet List of Resources –
Deanna Seay
- On RichmondBallet.com
The Richmond Ballet
-
Company Site
-
Instagram
-
Facebook
-
Twitter
-
YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Raymond Rodriguez, Abbott Academy Director at The Joffrey Ballet. Raymond, a New York City native, was trained at the American Ballet Theater on full scholarship and eventually led a high-profile career at the Cleveland Ballet. Upon retirement from the stage, Rodriguez moved into a dance education career with The Joffrey Ballet. In addition to his dance work, Raymond is a Screen Actors Guild member and has appeared in films and TV shows such as Rent, The Smurfs, and Dancing with the Stars.
As academy director, Raymond is looking to make dance more accessible for all. In his own words, ballet “enthralled” Rodriguez only after participating in the art form for six months. And, now, Raymond is hoping to share this joy with everyone. On the podcast, Raymond shares his own story and discusses his vision to make dance a more open, inclusive, and collaborative art form.
Moving Quotes:
"How do we make our academy inclusive for all? It's by communication — making all feel welcome. As I said earlier, Joffrey for all."
"I see our academy working on making dance accessible to all."
"Always study as a student, even if you are a professional. Work as a student. And expose yourself to all facets of the art form... Be curious... Don't just think that a dance education is studying the art form of dance physically. Open up your horizons into learning all aspects of the art form."
"After six months at my dance school, I was enthralled with ballet. I knew that this was my life. To this day, I'm still in the art form."
"I don't walk around with a pair of 'rose-colored glasses' on. I know there are obstacles to your dreams. But with hard work, you can persevere and succeed... The dance will not be stopped. We will continue on."
"Work hard. And if you have that dream, you can make it happen."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:40: Raymond explains his role with the Joffrey Ballet and how he came to be Abbott Academy Director.
6:27: Raymond discusses his vision for the academy, which he helped develop in partnership with a high-profile consulting and strategy firm.
9:50: Raymond discusses how his academy’s summer intensive programs truly set his school apart from others.
12:36: Rodriguez explains how he manages to live and teach the values of the Joffrey Ballet to each student that goes through the academy.
15:13: Rodriguez walks through his personal dance journey and shares the incredible story of how he got accepted into his first dance school.
24:21: Raymond shares some advice for dancers who are looking to build a successful career.
26:08: In retrospect, Rodriguez discusses what he is most proud of through his seasoned career as a professional dancer.
28:40: Raymond looks to the future and gives a glimpse of where he hopes the Joffrey Academy of Dance is five years down the road.
31:16: Rodriguez looks at the broader world of dance and discusses where he thinks the dance world is trending.
Bullet List of Resources –
Raymond Rodriguez
- On Joffrey.org
The Joffrey Ballet
-
Company Site
-
Instagram
-
Facebook
-
Twitter
-
YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Dr. Sheyi Ojofeitimi — Interim Director of Therapy Services at Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation, CEO and Owner of Synthesis Physical Therapy, and Co-Founder of the Dance Ready Project. Dr. Sheyi is working on her third decade of licensed physical therapy and, in addition to her many job roles, has provided backstage coverage for several Broadway shows. She has also researched and authored or co-authored 18 journal articles and has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science.
Dr. Ojofeitimi was first introduced to professional dance at age 16, when she was awed by the “tricks” of the on-stage dancers. She truly could not understand how bodies could move as these dancers’ bodies moved. However, Dr. Ojofeitimi came to realize one important truth — dancers can move because they are athletes. And she has dedicated her life to reminding dancers that they are athletes. On the podcast, Dr. Ojofeitimi discusses how she found her passion in dance physical therapy and, along the way, shares some practical tips around stretching, warming up, and finding joy in mobility.
Moving Quotes:
"Dancers are passionate people. They are athletes. I help see themselves as athletes... They need to be taken as seriously as their sporting counterparts."
"There's a criminal and a victim. It's not the criminal who is screaming. It's always the victim. The purpose of therapy is to find out who the real criminal is. And oftentimes, that criminal is living on the opposite side of the victim!"
"You have to understand that warming up and stretching are completely different things... Warming up is anything you do to increase your tissue temperature and get ready to move."
"Find that one thing you would do every day without getting paid for, and then you will find your passion. Physical therapy was it for me."
"Stretching goes way beyond your body. It goes into your mind. It goes into your spirit. It goes into your gut."
"There's no perfect body. You are your perfect body. What you have is perfectly made for you... Stop trying to copy somebody else. Do you. Learn you."
"I'm not a fan of overstretching — or of putting your legs up on something and then pushing down. When your body is ready to go there, it will. Don't force your body beyond any point that it wants to."
"I'm not a fan of fancy equipment. What does your body say? Give it time. If you train it, it will do you well. Don't force it."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:03: Dr. Ojofeitimi discusses the first moment she truly encountered dance and realized that dancers are indeed athletes doing incredible things with their bodies.
7:21: Dr. Ojofeitimi explains how dancers should start thinking like athletes, in order to avoid injury and to perform at optimal level.
11:03: Dr. Ojofeitimi discusses the main ingredient to avoiding injury and gives some tips on effective stretching.
17:15: Dr. Ojofeitimi shares some advice for dancers with hypermobility.
18:16: Dr. Ojofeitimi explains how stretching doesn’t require fancy equipment and can be accomplished using random items from around the house.
21:25: Dr. Ojofeitimi discusses how stretching and mobility can change — and has changed — the lives of non-dancers.
26:26: Dr. Ojofeitimi retells the incredible story of how she first got involved with Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation, where she’s now been for two decades.
34:50: Dr. Ojofeitimi discusses the importance of always keeping your eyes out for your passion — and shares advice on how to ultimately find that passion.
36:35: Dr. Ojofeitimi describes her three companies and how the three intersect with each other.
46:51: Dr. Ojofeitimi looks at the future and discusses what is next for her over the next few years.
Bullet List of Resources –
Dr. Sheyi Ojofeitimi
Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation
-
Company Site
-
Instagram
-
Facebook
-
YouTube
Dance Ready Project
-
Company Site
-
Instagram
-
Facebook
Synthesis Physical Therapy
-
Company Site
-
Instagram
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Facebook
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Clara Superfine, a dancer with the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam. Clara, a North Carolina native, attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and danced with the American Ballet Theater Studio Company for one year prior to joining the Dutch National Ballet. Clara is also an avid illustrator and showcases her work through the Superfine Collective, which merges design and ballet.
Over the past year, Clara has realized that dancers must exercise their voices as well as they do their bodies. Determined to use art to empower herself and others, Clara has set out a path to connect with dancers globally who are engaged in activism and who want to ensure more diversity and inclusion in the dance world. On the podcast, Clara discusses her belief that artists have the responsibility to drive change in their respective fields — something that she, herself, is seeking to do with ballet.
Moving Quotes:
"Artists must be at the forefront of change in their artform. I truly believe in the power that we have, as artists, to make an impact on our society. That we can be change makers."
"Every day, I ask myself, 'What do I want from this day? Do you love it still?' Because the dance world can be very difficult. And the thing that makes me most proud is that I still love to move. And I seek to discover something new, rather than just being successful."
"I feel inspired by my work. I love dance more than ever. And I look forward to going into the theater every day."
"As a dancer growing up in the dance world, it's really important to stay open to all different theories and teaching forms and techniques... I try to keep myself in a constant learning state."
"When auditioning, the number one thing is trusting yourself and being confident in what you know and what you're doing... Trust that you've done the work and these companies would be lucky to have you."
"I just want to be true to my dance and why I love to dance. I just want to share myself through this beautiful artform."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:38: Clara walks through her entire journey from humble North Carolina to the Dutch National Ballet.
6:08: Clara describes her experience adapting to a completely different nation and culture at the young age of 19.
9:54: Superfine shares some wisdom around adapting to a new dance company, particularly one in a foreign country or location.
11:59: Superfine gives some advice around making sure your auditions are memorable and effective.
13:09: Clara, an avid learner, shares her thoughts on the one key component to learning as a dancer.
15:22: Clara gives some advice for staying healthy while traveling on tour.
18:18: Superfine, who is also an illustrator, discusses her other passion, the Superfine Collective, where she merges design and illustration with ballet and dance.
21:23: Clara discusses her efforts towards furthering diversity and inclusion in the world and, specifically, within the world of dance.
25:37: Superfine shares what she is most proud of from her entire career thus far.
28:37: Clara looks towards the future and shares some general and specific goals for herself.
Bullet List of Resources –
Clara Superfine
Dutch National Ballet
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Company Site
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Instagram
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Facebook
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Twitter
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YouTube
Superfine Collective
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Instagram
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Facebook
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Virginia Johnson — artistic director at Dance Theatre of Harlem. Prior to taking over as the artistic director, Virginia’s run with Dance Theater of Harlem spanned 28 long years. In fact, she was one of the founding members of the company in the late 60s. Upon retirement, she returned to university to pursue a degree in journalism — a step that led to the creation of Pointe Magazine, where she was the magazine’s first editor-in-chief from 2000 to 2009. And, in 2010, at the request of Harlem’s co-founder Arthur Mitchell, she took over as artistic director.
Virginia’s dive into ballet happened at a tumultuous time in our nation’s history, as the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s was in full force. In her earliest years, she was discouraged from ballet and was told she’d never succeed, as the art was largely White-dominated. However, with the help of courageous people like Arthur Mitchell, she found her groove and is now carrying his legacy from generation to generation. On the podcast, Johnson tells the full story of perseverance, hope, belief, and a deep love of the art.
Moving Quotes:
"Ballet doesn't belong to one group of people; ballet belongs to everyone. Arthur Mitchell just had to create opportunity."
"Arthur Mitchell created Dance Theater of Harlem out of inspiration and respect and out of a desire to emulate Dr. Martin Luther King's ability to use his talents to make change in the world."
"To me, dance is essential. It's the life and death of the spirit... Art is glue for us humans."
"Ballet is difficult and teaches you really important things like focus and self-discipline and perseverance."
"As an artistic director, you must be an omnivore, taking in all kinds of information and experiences because you bring that to your work."
"You have to learn how to rely on yourself. To know where the boundary is where, if it's not coming from outside but it's important to you, you have to find it in yourself."
"Ballet is changing. I don't want it to lose its beauty and tradition, but it needs to be an art form that is empowering."
"In the pandemic, the inability to do what we are meant to do is a great gift. Because coming out of this, we will have new tools for connecting to people."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:46: Virginia walks through her incredible journey of overcoming adversity — of being a Black dancer in a predominantly White artform — and eventually taking over the company that first showed her how to dream big.
10:54: Virginia reflects on, now, her role as artistic director of Dance Theatre of Harlem and how the task is daunting and intimidating and stressful yet joyful and surreal.
16:52: Johnson discusses the historic lack of women in dance leadership yet reflects on the winds of change in the dance world and how this trend is beginning to reverse.
20:59: Johnson discusses her nine years spent with Pointe Magazine and the incredible story of how she landed that role in the first place.
26:02: Virginia describes her views on role models and the importance of self-sufficiency.
28:56: Johnson discusses what’s next for the Dance Theatre of Harlem as we all hopefully march towards the post-pandemic era.
32:15: Virginia shares some advice for aspiring artistic directors and describes the importance of being an avid learner.
Bullet List of Resources –
Virginia Johnson
Dance Theatre of Harlem
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Company Site
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Instagram
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Facebook
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Twitter
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YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Julia Rhoads — founder, director, and producer at Lucky Plush Productions and lecturer and dance advisor at the University of Chicago. Julia is a seasoned dancer and artist, having danced and choreographed at a wide variety of companies. Her work has been featured in Dance Magazine and other prominent publications. Now, Julia leads her dance company — Lucky Plush Productions — which offers a unique blend of different arts disciplines and has toured globally, including performances in New Zealand and Cuba.
Julia is a lover of all different types of art, and that love is portrayed through her company’s unique work. On the podcast, that love shines through, as she discusses her company’s unique style, her experiences touring the world, why her formal education has advantaged her in the dance community, and why continuously making art is critical to life success and human flourishing.
Moving Quotes:
"When I approach my work, I think of it as a mix of the intellectual side and the artistic side... I think the best way to learn is both the intellectual pursuit and the embodied pursuit."
"Now, there is such an emphasis on the arts in non-arts fields. Thinking outside of the box — having a creative approach to big problems — is incredibly important."
“There's something unique about Lucky Plush’s artistic vision in that we are very interdisciplinary... We're drawing from a lot of different languages to move the work forward."
"I'm so grateful that I had a lot of different experiences in a lot of different fields because I brought all of that to my work with Lucky Plush."
"We always want to make the work very accessible. So there are through-lines where it might toggle between English and Spanish as a way to not only demonstrate who we are as a company but also to reach people in different ways."
"In Chicago, the dance field is so incredibly vibrant. I still feel like I'm scratching the surface of everything here in Chicago... I feel really blessed."
"You don't have to go straight into a professional career in order to have professional experience in dance. There are so many opportunities for young dancers to participate in professional work, while working in other fields they're interested in."
"A lot of times, it's not until you get to college that you really get to see the field. You really begin to see what's possible in dance."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:29: Julia describes her company — Lucky Plush Productions — and what makes the company unique.
5:15: Julia discusses the events surrounding her company’s receipt of the MacArthur Award for Creative & Effective Institutions and how this award has made her company resilient.
7:27: Rhoads describes why she believes Lucky Plush is the only dance company to have ever received this MacArthur Award.
10:50: Julia, who has toured globally with Lucky Plush, discusses traveling the world with her company and, specifically, how they landed gigs in New Zealand and Cuba.
14:07: Rhoads — a prominent woman leader — shares some thoughts on the importance of women in arts leadership roles.
16:12: Rhoads, who holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, discusses the advantage that her higher education has given to her work as an artist and teacher.
19:22: Julia shares some advice for any dancers that are weighing the choice of whether to pursue a college degree.
23:15: Rhoads speaks to the many job options for dancers, even if the position isn’t necessarily performance on a stage.
26:56: Rhoads looks to her and her company’s futures and discusses looking forward to returning to shared experiences, post-pandemic.
29:51: Julia rounds out the conversation with some advice for younger dancers on how to be successful in dance and in life.
Bullet List of Resources –
Julia Rhoads
- Julia on Lucky Plush site
Lucky Plush Productions
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Company Site
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Instagram
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Facebook
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Twitter
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YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Janice Barringer, a veteran dancer, teacher and author of The Pointe Book — the world’s quintessential book on pointe training and pointe shoes. The Pointe Book has printed and sold many tens of thousands of copies since it was first written and just released its fourth edition. Janice is also currently a baller teacher and consultant, most notably with the Los Angeles-based company, Music Works.
Janice knows that there is more to a ballet shoe than meets the eye and has made it her life’s goal to uncover and solve all pointe shoe mysteries — a goal which has led her to travel the world and research with some of the ballet world’s biggest and best dancers and companies. On the podcast, Janice retells the incredible story of how her book came to be and shares some important life lessons on overcoming barriers in pursuit of your dreams.
Moving Quotes:
"Pointe shoes are quite a mystery. Training dancers to dance on pointe — and to dance on pointe well — is really complicated."
"With the book, we wanted to address questions that will help young beginner students, their parents, professional dancers, and professional dancers. And it seems to have worked. Everyone has benefitted on every single level."
"There's a difference between teaching a class and giving a class... The way you structure the class and see how everyone's bodies are just a bit different and work to keep others' bodies healthy."
"I would rather travel visiting all of these great dancers and meeting these great people around the world than go to the Riviera or the Caribbean or any place. It is so stimulating for me."
“You don't choose dance; dance chooses you. You have no options once it gets in your blood."
"You want to learn as much as you can about everything that's possible... You have no idea which way your life is going to go."
"Most doctors have no idea what ballet dancers go through."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:32: Janice retells the full story of how The Pointe Book came to be — a story which involves traveling the world and meeting with some of the top companies and dancers around the globe.
18:47: Janice describes how the book’s fourth edition — which was recently released on Amazon — is totally different from the book’s first three iterations.
24:01: Barringer describes her beloved co-author who was a tremendous friend and professional during the creation of the book.
26:43: Janice shares multiple stories of how her unending perseverance and passion made her a subject matter expert in the world of dance.
36:07: Barringer discusses what’s next once the book hits shelves, including continuing her work making instructional videos for Music Works Unlimited.
Bullet List of Resources –
Janice Barringer
- Janice on Music Works Unlimited site
- The Pointe Book, Fourth Edition on Amazon
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Alysia Johnson — a dancer at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, a co-founder of Black Dance Change Makers, an entrepreneur, a thought-leader, and so much more. A Dallas native, Alysia has been dancing at a competitive level since the age of twelve and ultimately enrolled at The Juilliard School, where she earned a BFA in Dance. While getting her degree, Alysia developed an affinity for community engagement and secured two grants to help create dance education for students and parents in the Dallas area. As mentioned, she is co-founder of Black Dance Change Makers, which seeks to empower Black artists.
Alysia’s early exposure to providing dance education to others has given her a genuine love and appreciation for teaching and teachers. At the early age of 19, she was tasked with recruiting quality educators to work at the dance schools that she founded in Dallas and, from then on, has maintained a healthy respect for the art of teaching the art. On the podcast, Johnson speaks to the respect she holds for those who bear the great responsibility of handing down arts from generation to generation.
Moving Quotes:
"I had lots of amazing mentors and teachers growing up. And through that, I started to understand the power and responsibility of teachers. And I thought, 'This is what I want. I want to help people and share my knowledge.'"
"It's important to me to have dance teachers who aren't just in it to make a living but who also enjoy it and understand the responsibility they have. Because dance is powerful."
"When starting a business, matter who is on your side, get down to the purpose of what you're doing. If it's necessary and you can do it out of a spirit of generosity and joy, then I think you should do it, no matter what."
"There's no room for doubt on your job application — it's the time to believe in yourself."
"Yes, you are auditioning for this company or that school. But you're also auditioning them — seeing if they're the right fit for you. That takes some of the power dynamic out of auditions."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:48: Alysia explains how she landed in Chicago and why she’s enjoyed the city thus far.
5:22: Alysia discusses her work as a teacher and philanthropist, bringing dance to communities that may not be exposed to the art.
10:27: Alysia describes being an entrepreneur in the arts world and shares some advice for anyone looking to start their own business.
14:26: Johnson discusses the nonprofit organization that she has co-founded and its mission to empower Black artists.
18:20: Johnson describes her unique relationship with famed ballet dancer Misty Copeland, which blossomed when she moved to New York to attend The Juilliard School.
23:48: Alysia shares some tips for any dancers preparing for auditions and gives a story of where her under-preparation nearly led to a major life redirection.
29:59: Johnson gives some advice on acclimating to a new dance company and a new city.
35:31: Alysia speaks to her future and shares what’s next on the horizon for her, in 2021 and beyond.
Bullet List of Resources –
Alysia Johnson
- Personal Website
Black Dance Change Makers
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- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Susan McGreevy-Nichols, Executive Director at the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). Prior to her current role, she taught part-time at Loyola Marymount University and was a national consultant on Arts Education. Also, as a three-decades-long teacher at Roger Williams Middle School in Providence, Rhode Island, Susan founded and developed that institution’s nationally renowned middle school dance program. On top of all of this, she is an author who has written and published five books.
As an arts educator, Susan realizes the value of harnessing the creating process, both inside and outside of the arts. In fact, during her run as an educator, Susan has developed a cutting-edge reading comprehension strategy that uses text as inspiration for original choreography, created by children. On the podcast, Susan speaks to how the creative process drives everything she does — her work, her books, her curriculum, her life — and how the arts world uses the creative process to train thinkers, even more so than dancers or artists.
Moving Quotes:
"I don't focus well. I multitask. But, because of that, it's made me very creative. That's why I feel that I've become a very creative problem solver. I attack everything thinking, 'Okay, I'm going to make this work.' And it all goes back to the creative process."
"The cognitive processes involved in creating dance really help you be a better learner, a better thinker — a thinking dancer... The work I do focuses on creating thinkers and making dance for everybody."
"As a dance studio owner, you can never replace the face-to-face connection with your students — of being a part of this wonderful community and culture that has been set up. That will never be replaced by Zoom."
"Dance education is very small compared to the other art forms. We really need to stick together."
"As dance teachers, make sure you collaborate with others. Make sure you network with others... It's important that you embrace the fact that all sectors need each other. You can learn so much from so many other people."
"Dancers should always know how to be good teachers."
"It doesn't matter what's going on in the world. There's always a silver lining; there's always a way to push back on things and make them work."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:03: Susan describes all of the activities conducted by her organization, the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO).
5:39: Susan explains how the NDEO unites dance educators across all forms of dance and how the NDEO is different from other dance organizations.
8:50: Susan discusses her observations on how dance improves so many others’ lives and how the creative process is a catalyst for joy in dance.
10:15: McGreevy-Nichols describes her work as a consultant and generally speaks to the importance of incorporating the creative process into learning.
13:00: McGreevy-Nichols speaks to her reading comprehension strategy, which combines the fundamentals of reading with choreographic movement.
15:47: Susan discusses observed patterns on modern dance but explains why virtual technology will never replace face-to-face interaction.
20:02: Susan shares some advice for anyone looking to have a career in dance, either on or off the stage.
24:36: Susan discusses her five published books and speaks to her work teaching inner-city children how to dance, which ultimately was the catalyst for her first book.
31:00: McGreevy-Nichols looks towards the future for the NDEO, hoping to foster a more inclusive environment moving ahead.
32:10: Susan shares some last words of encouragement and advice for dance teachers across the world.
Bullet List of Resources –
Susan McGreevy-Nichols
- On Amazon.com
National Dance Education Organization
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Amy Giordano, Founder and Executive Director at The Gus Giordano Jazz Legacy Foundation and Executive Director at Gus Giordano Dance School. Growing up, Amy danced and trained in all styles, while assisting her parents – Gus and Peg Giordano — as they ran the school. However, after a car accident shattered her kneecap, she was forced away from the stage. Amy went on to pursue a Bachelor of Arts from Tulane University and, upon her mother’s passing in 1993, assumed all of her mother’s responsibilities at the school.
On her father’s birthday in July of 2017, Amy founded the Gus Giordano Jazz Legacy Foundation, which offers financial assistance for dancers seeking education at the school. On the podcast, Amy speaks directly to the pride she takes in carrying on her father’s legacy — a legacy of extreme generosity, driven by a love of people and a love of the arts — and how, now, Gus’s spirit and his movement will be carried on from generation to generation.
Moving Quotes:
"The school was never to promote Gus; it was always about promoting the dancers."
"This year, the foundation has become even more important with the pandemic. It's turned the world upside down for so many dancers... I feel so fortunate to help more children in a time where life is so upside down. I can give them the consistency of dance."
"At the school, I tell my dancers, 'Yes, you're all doing the same technique. But I want your influence on it. Because that's what makes it come alive.'"
[On fighting the gender gap in dance leadership] "Just be who you are. And if you feel like you can do the job, do the job. Because anyone that is doing their job will be respected."
"My dad felt very strongly that every dancer should train in every dance style. Because that's going to guarantee you success in a dance career. If you only know how to do one thing, you're limiting yourself."
"Ballet is the foundation for everything. People sometimes want to skip the ballet, straight into hip hop and quick movement. Ballet teaches how the body is connected. If you have the ballet, you can have every style."
"You have to be willing to put the work in and present a product that you're proud of. If you're proud of it, you'll attract people who want to be a part of your whole community."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:40: Amy discusses the Gus Legacy Foundation and the pride she feels in carrying on her father’s generous spirit.
10:49: Amy explains why she believe dance is a universal language that transcends demographic differences and cultural barriers.
15:07: Giordano speaks to the gender gap in dance leadership and how she believes women can overcome the disparity.
17:55: Giordano speaks to the evolution of modern dance and how the change has only cemented her belief that ballet is the backbone of all dance types.
22:52: Giordano briefly walks through the Gus Giordano technique and what makes his specific form unique from others.
27:15: Amy describes how dance teachers and professionals can obtain training on the Giordano dance technique.
29:00: Amy discusses future events for the Giordano Legacy Foundation, as it continues to raise money to ensure dancers receive training who otherwise may not receive it.
Bullet List of Resources –
Amy Giordano
The Gus Giordano Jazz Legacy Foundation
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Damien Simon, a renowned musical composer, author, and guest lecturer who has written dozens of scores for multiple genres and sizes of groups around the world. Damien is a graduate of the Purchase Conservatory in New York and the University College of Dublin in Ireland. Damien guest lectures at dance conservatories, consulting his audiences on how to best collaborate when creating art. Damien consolidated these lectures into his published book — The Collaboration — which seeks to help others create well together.
When Damien began composing scores for dance and ballet, his music passion found new life. He found himself swept up in the magic of seeing others reacting to his music in a fresh way. However, Damien quickly became aware of the natural friction that occurs between the artists that make the music and the artists that choreograph the dance. On the podcast, Damien shares his experiences producing scores for the stage and shares some key tips on making the most out of every collaboration.
Moving Quotes:
"There's a lot of fear with choreographers and artistic directors about working with composers. They're scared it will be a mess. It's the same with composers. It's so easy to overcome that. It's all about communication between the two of you. The more you communicate, the more you get the job done well. And quickly. And leave wanting to do more."
"I enjoy using my music as a medium. I see my music. Not only do I hear it. I also see what others get out of it... That's what I love."
[On marketing yourself] "No one is going to come to you; you have to go to them. If they don't know who you are, they're not going to come to you."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:55: Damien discusses his journey as a musician, from his first instrument to studying on a different continent.
4:45: Damien, who has had a diverse background as a musician, explains what brings him joy when writing music for dance and the arts.
5:53: Simon gives some tips on working well when creating a score alongside a choreographer.
8:11: Simon, a published author, discusses his book — The Collaboration — including why it was written and who it was written to.
12:34: Damien speaks to the natural friction that occurs between the artistic goals of the composer and the choreographer and gives some advice on how to overcome those differences.
14:26: Damien shares some tips on creating a business based on your craft.
17:55: Simon encourages younger musicians to heavily consider which route in music you want to take prior to choosing your path.
21:32: Simon discusses the change that he hopes to see in the arts world through the knowledge that he shares.
24:09: Damien rounds out the conversation by sharing some of his future plans.
Bullet List of Resources –
Damien Simon
- Personal Website
- Facebook (Business)
- Facebook (Personal)
- YouTube
- The Collaboration on Amazon
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Elizabeth Yntema — the President and Founder of the Dance Data Project, which provides helpful resources and studies of the world of dance, all in an effort to inform gender equity and level the playing field. Elizabeth holds a law degree and serves on multiple nonprofit boards — arts-related and otherwise. Additionally, two years ago, she was one of 450 global participants selected to the final full year training cohort of The Philanthropy Workshop, where she spent a year honing her skills as a philanthropist.
The Dance Data Project is a collision of two of Elizabeth’s dearest passions — dance and equal opportunity — and through her company’s work, she’s looking to move the needle towards gender fairness in the arts world. On the podcast, Elizabeth lays out her company’s mission and reveals that the hard data points towards a bleak reality in the world of dance — one where men have been given a clear advantage and women have been shown the backseat. However, Elizabeth is hopeful that her shedding of light on this issue using real, tangible data will make a world of difference.
Moving Quotes:
"I started Dance Data Project because I think this is something I can solve. There are a lot of problems in the world that I can't fix... I saw this problem as something that I could attack and succeed at."
"People may say, 'This is just ballet. This is how it's always been.' That's actually not true... Most of the big companies in the United States were founded by women."
"I think mentorship is critical — whether it's formal or informal. The best way to get better is feedback."
"Common sense and the willingness to drill down and keep asking questions gets you a long way."
"With big budgets, I think the assumption is that, if a man runs the company, it's somehow more prestigious."
"Sometimes you don't know why you're doing what you're doing. You just try something."
"At every step of the way, men do have mentors. I think we need to institutionalize it for women."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:27: Elizabeth describes the Dance Data Project and reveals some of the stunning statistics the group has uncovered thus far on the gender gap between women and men in dance.
11:48: Elizabeth offers some suggestions for actions that should be taken based on the data to improve the gender gap in dance.
17:20: Yntema talks on the importance of mentors for female dancers and gives some thoughts on the lopsided number of men in dance leadership positions.
23:18: Based on the data that she’s gathered, Yntema sheds some light on the wealth and resources gap between larger and smaller dance companies.
26:32: Aleksandra and Elizabeth discuss the importance of cultural exchanges and the significance of the Russian ballet.
28:52: Elizabeth walks through her own journey, how she got involved with supporting the arts, and why it’s important for others to do the same.
33:10: Yntema gives a podcast recommendation and discusses the difficulties of entrepreneurship.
36:17: Elizabeth describes the progress that she hopes to see in the next five years.
Bullet List of Resources –
Elizabeth Yntema
- On Dance Data Project site
Dance Data Project
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Jimmy Locust — an artistic director, entrepreneur, dance educator, and philanthropist who has spent his career rubbing shoulders with some of the entertainment industry’s top stars, including Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Justin Bieber, and Joe Jonas, to name a few. Jimmy has also starred in a number of iconic music videos and films and helped choreograph the opening and closing ceremonies at the 1996 Olympic Games. He is currently the founder and owner of Locust Dance Academy and Locust Performing Arts Center.
Throughout Jimmy’s incredible career, he has found himself surrounded by some of the world’s most talented artists and stars. Yet Jimmy attributes his success not to conforming to their likenesses but by discovering and embracing his own unique identity as an artist. On the podcast, Locust walks through his journey as an artist and entrepreneur and discusses — among many things — the importance of finding your “thumbprint” and leaving an impression that lasts.
Moving Quotes:
"As an artist, you must be true to yourself. You must be aware that you have an original thumbprint. There's no one like you."
"I consider it a mission for [dance leaders and teachers] to continue passing the torch."
"Always have your reels and information updated on your website where it's accessible. Always keep your stuff current."
"You always want to be alert on a job. So that, if there's a special part coming up, the lead choreographer is thinking of you."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:44: Jimmy talks about his work with his school (Locust Dance Academy) and his performing arts center (Locust Performing Arts Center).
4:36: Jimmy speaks to the challenge of developing young dancers through virtual teaching.
6:23: Locust, who has danced for a variety of pop superstars, discusses his close relationship with Janet Jackson.
9:48: Locust, who has rubbed shoulders with the biggest of celebrities, shares what he believes is the secret to having a successful and high-profile dance career.
13:57: Jimmy discusses the importance of investing in others — because what goes around inevitably always comes around.
16:36: Locust retells the incredible story of his involvement in choreographing the opening and closing ceremonies in the 1996 Olympic Games.
19:49: Jimmy and Aleksandra talk about the importance of networking and keeping connections alive — especially in the arts world.
23:37: Locust, who has done lots of commercial dance work, gives some advice about making a difference on commercial shoots.
30:03: Jimmy shares what’s next for him, including working on a book and continuing to educate young dancers.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jimmy Locust
- Personal Website
Locust Performing Arts Center
- Company Website
Locust Dance Academy
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Tony Duncan — who is also known as Yellow Bird Dancing. Tony is an award-winning Native American flute player and hoop dancer who has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Tonight Show, and even The White House. As a hoop dancer, Duncan is among the best in the world, winning the title of “World Champion Hoop Dancer” five times. Duncan is also an award-winning flute player, who is currently signed to the largest and oldest Native American music label, Canyon Records.
For Duncan, dance is more than artistic body movement — it is a way to keep his family’s rich history alive. Duncan considers it an honor to be able to use dance tell his family’s stories and educate others on the lives and ways of Native Americans. On the podcast, Tony goes into detail on his unique type of dance, discusses the symbolism involved in every aspect of his performance, and lays out his entrepreneurial journey — one filled with grit, determination, and family pride.
Moving Quotes:
"I try to tell people that Native Americans are very very much still here. Our culture is very strong — very vibrant. Our stories are still being told. Our ceremonies are still being done. That's a testament to the strength and resilience of our ancestors."
"One of the main reasons why I dance is because there's a great need to educate people on the true history of Native American people."
"For every occasion, there's a song. And for every song, there's a dance... When you're really into your dance form, you get lost of it. You go into another place — another realm."
"Every day is an opportunity to take a step forward with what you're trying to do."
"Whatever you're doing with your business, it's important to hear other people's stories."
"We dance as a way to pray — as a way to connect to our Creator."
"Any time of need — any time of despair — we turn to our dance. To that way of connecting to our Creator through dancing."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:10: Tony speaks to his family’s history in Native American hoop dancing and how he began performing professionally.
8:22: Tony discusses the significance of his Native American regalia and hoop colors.
13:00: Duncan explains how one of the main reasons he dances is to educate others on the rich history of the Native American people.
18:14: Tony shares his thoughts on why dance is such a formative and significant art for so many people.
22:36: Duncan explains how Tony Duncan productions got off of the ground and how his first recorded album broke him into the music business, paving the way for many more albums.
27:50: Duncan describes the earliest days of Tony Duncan Productions and how his professional success can only be attributed to his grit and determination.
34:53: Tony discusses what’s next for him — a large musical collaboration involving many voices and talents.
Bullet List of Resources –
Tony Duncan
- Personal Website
- TikTok
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews both Frances Chiaverini and Robyn Doty, co-founders of Whistle While You Work — an organization dedicated to raising awareness around sexual harassment, discrimination, and workers’ rights in dance. Prior to COVID-19, Frances was a Fellow at the Center for Ballet and the Arts at New York University, where she and Robyn held “messy talks” to discuss working conditions and how to include consent and boundaries into these environments. The pair has curated this content into material to help dancers on a wider scale.
Both Robyn and Frances are passionate about the good work that they do in the dance community, and their passion comes to the forefront on the podcast. The guests realize that there’s a real problem that needs to be solved, but they’re also confident that that real problem is solvable with enough training, openness, and courage. On the podcast, the pair discuss their company’s origins and current work and how the current pandemic has primed the dance industry to redefine the working environment.
Moving Quotes:
"Spend time finding your own personal boundaries... There's a lot that needs to be done within the self. Practicing consent in your daily self is very important."
"The younger you empower a dancer, the more confident they will feel in their art form. Then, when they're older, they may think, 'Oh well. Maybe I am worthy of this leadership position.'"
"There are amazing choreographers, dance teachers, administrators, and programmers who are also not white, cisgender men. Hire them. They're great for it. Just do it already."
"Think about what else you like to do. And go do those things. And do as many things as possible. It will affect your dance, and I think it can only deepen your experience as a performing artist."
"In cultivating other interests, you're then changing the way you see your own value. This can help you from being exploited within dance."
"Don't work for free. Demand the best for yourself."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:23: Frances and Robyn share information about their organization Whistle While You Work and the opportunity that COVID has afforded them to redefine “consent” in dance.
6:03: Both guests discuss the measurable outcomes they’re looking to achieve through their efforts.
9:04: Frances discusses the reasons why there’s a clear discrepancy between males and females in dance leadership — and leadership, in general.
12:16: Both Frances and Robyn give some practical ways that dance companies can “turn the tide” of gender discrepancy and move women and/or minorities into more leadership positions.
15:55: Robyn shares the story of how she and Frances met and ultimately formed their organization.
18:58: Both guests give some advice to young dancers around respecting yourself and making sure that clear boundaries are set at the outset.
22:27: Robyn and Frances speak to the importance of diversifying your skillset and cultivating other interests outside of dance.
27:57: Both guests discuss what’s next for Whistle While You Work and how these ideas will expand its footprint in the dance community.
Bullet List of Resources –
Frances Chiaverini
- Bio on NYU website
Robyn Doty
Whistle While You Work
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Azizi Marshall — the Founder and CEO of the Center for Creative Arts Therapy, an art-based psychotherapy practice and training center in Chicago. The center has launched such programs and companies as Psychology Arts, Arts Playschool, Artful Wellness, and the Therapeutic Performance Initiative model. She has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Thrive Global, CNN, NBC News, Bustle, Reader’s Digest, The Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Glancer Magazine. Marshall is also an award-winning presenter, author, and teacher.
Marshall firmly believes in the power of movement to heal the deepest of wounds for persons of all ages and, specifically, believes that movement holds the keys to getting through this difficult pandemic that we find ourselves in. On the podcast, Azizi dives into her philosophies that tie movement to emotional and mental health, shares some information around how each of her businesses seeks to share these ideas, and gives some tips on how we all can rediscover our desire to move.
Moving Quotes:
"The arts touches us in a way that just speaking about something cannot."
"The arts can be so healing. People need to experience this for themselves."
"[To cope in difficult circumstances, find what you love and do it. Then you have a chance to connect with something that you may not be aware of in the moment, but when you look back, you think, 'Wow, that was so helpful for me in that moment.'"
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:54: Azizi describes each one of her several businesses and how each ties uniquely into the arts.
7:01: Azizi discusses why the arts is so important to our mental and emotional growth and wellbeing.
9:10: Marshall gives some tips around tapping into the arts to get through the pandemic.
10:41: Marshall shares her explanation of why we’re so inclined to constantly move as children yet, as adults, we somehow lose that desire.
12:07: Azizi gives some advice on reigniting a love of movement.
13:24: Azizi highlights Artful Wellness — her company which revolves around incorporating movement into the corporate setting.
17:12: Azizi discusses why it’s important to take retreats and remove yourself from your typical setting — something which Artful Wellness often does.
21:29: Azizi, who is also a professional coach and mentor, discusses her coaching program and what she specifically offers her students.
25:09: Marshall looks to the future and projects what’s next for her businesses.
Bullet List of Resources –
Azizi Marshall
- Personal Website
Center for Creative Arts Therapy
- Company Website
Artful Wellness
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Dr. Linda Bluestein, M.D., Founder at both Hypermobility MD and the Bendy Bodies Podcast. As a former ballet performer and instructor, Dr. Bluestein has a special interest in treating flexibility since athletes and artists are at increased risk of hypermobility disorders. Dr. Bluestein’s unique approach to evaluation and treatment enables patients to have less pain and be more accurately diagnosed. On top of practicing medicine, Dr. Bluestein is also an international speaker and podcaster on the forefront of research on pain, hypermobility and dance medicine.
Linda’s passion for treating hypermobility disorders is abundantly clear on the podcast, as she gives listeners a primer on why proper treatment for these ailments is important. However, Linda also shares some invaluable life wisdom on remaining flexible with the twists and turns that life throws your way. Linda, who never dreamed of doing what she’s doing today, knows that, as opportunities arise and doors close, it’s important to stay positive and go with the flow.
Moving Quotes:
"My goal is to keep reinventing myself so that I can keep doing things that are useful, for as long as possible."
"One of the biggest things I learned in my journey is that, sometimes, some of the worst things that happen to us turn out to be for the best."
"I decided it would be selfish to keep my knowledge to myself. I should help other people."
"I'm generally a pretty risk averse person so I'm not going to lie — starting my own business has been challenging. It's often hard to know which path is the right one to take."
"I want to help as many people as I can, function as well as they can."
"Every part of a person's medical plan should be directed at a level that is necessary."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:39: Linda describes her company — Hypermobility MD — and how the company is a culmination of her life’s passions and her past work experiences.
8:11: Linda discusses hypermobility, including its symptoms and causes, and briefly shares about her podcast, which is aimed at informing physicians on hypermobility.
11:22: Bluestein describes in further detail her podcast work and how her most recent podcast came to be.
13:59: Bluestein describes her journey as an entrepreneur and how she had to push through her natural aversion to risk to accomplish her goals.
17:19: Linda shares how her current work was definitely not her career “Plan A” (or Plan B or Plan C) but that she’s grateful for the “negative experiences” that got her where she is today.
21:00: Linda gives some advice on letting go of lapsed opportunities in order to seize new opportunities as they arise.
25:07: Bluestein discusses her love for knowledge-sharing and what she’s always looking to accomplish through her teaching work.
30:02: Linda looks into the future and describes some upcoming plans for her work in hypermobility and for her podcasts.
Bullet List of Resources –
Linda Bluestein
Hypermobility MD
- Company Website
Bendy Bodies Podcast
- Podcast Site
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Kevin Iega Jeff — Artistic Director, Executive Director and Cofounder at Chicago’s Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. Throughout his career, Jeff has collaborated on a wide range of professional and community-based projects, including Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It; The Academy Awards; and The Wiz on Broadway. Kevin has received countless accolades for his work, including being named one of Julliard School’s top 100 Outstanding Alumni.
For Kevin, a dance company is only as good as its people. And, as an artist in dance leadership, it is his responsibility to look after the good of those that fall underneath him — and to do anything less would risk losing his organization. On the podcast, Kevin dives deep on his philosophies as a dance leader and gets “in the weeds” on how to build the foundation for a successful dance company that keeps its people at the center.
Moving Quotes:
"If my company was just about dance, we might have folded during the more difficult times. But that never crossed our mind because growing people is at the core of the work. To grow communities."
"In a capitalistic-focused society, we can tend to lose the spiritual value of how we engage with each other."
"If you can support people through their errors, on the other side of that, you build an incredible amount of trust. You build an incredible amount of visioning and a safe space for you to collaborate."
"Management is art, and art is management. Because you're engaging with people. And the reason why management is there is because things won't work perfectly, and people will need guidance."
"[We've thrived for 25 years because] we identified and began planting the seeds for intergenerational leadership, so that we could make the organic transitions that the organization required to thrive over 25 years, as needed."
"We [put rules in place around dialogues] so that we can move on with the productivity of the business of the organization, while also making sure that we're being accountable to the human engagement. Which is the only way things are going to work. If you lose the human engagement, you lose your organization."
"In my education, having parallel worlds between the professional and the academic were really important to me. I also think mentoring is key."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:15: Kevin discusses the origins of his company — Deeply Rooted Dance Theater — and his current role with the company.
6:08: Kevin explains the secret behind Deeply Rooted’s success, as it embarks upon its 25th year as a dance company.
11:44: Jeff describes the process that went into crafting his dance company’s compelling mission statement and gives some tips for anyone looking to do the same.
16:32: Jeff sheds some incredible insight into how he managed to create a sustainable business plan for his dance company, while also honoring its core values.
22:26: Kevin walks through his earliest dance journey and discusses the value of hard work and delayed gratification.
28:05: Jeff explains what was most beneficial about his dance education.
32:19: Kevin describes the importance of self-positioning in order to make the best decisions possible and how he is spending his life helping others do that well.
Bullet List of Resources –
Kevin Iega Jeff
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Ingrid Silva, an internationally-recognized dancer and serial philanthropist who has founded two empowerment-centric organizations — EmpowHer New York and Blacks in Ballet. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Ingrid’s first exposure to ballet was actually at a social project in a nearby slum. Ingrid eventually found her way to New York City, where she’s currently dancing her seventh season for the Dance Theater of Harlem. Ingrid’s story has been featured in movies and publications such as Vogue and Glamour, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, ESPN Women, and many more.
On the podcast, Ingrid walks through her incredible story and discusses how she is now able to use her journey to encourage others to pursue their goals. Her unique experiences include delivering an address to the United Nations, collaborating with Alicia Keys, being on the cover of Pointe Magazine, and more. And in the discussion, Ingrid shares all of the details around how those experiences came to be and how each of those experiences furthers her goal to empower others across the world.
Moving Quotes:
"It doesn't matter how much you do. It doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter how much success you have. You have to fight to express your journey. And your journey is special — only you can see the final project through. Don't be discovered by all of the no’s."
"At the end of the day, we are responsible for our own happiness. If you're not happy, maybe you're not on the right path. You don't have to do something over and over again, just for the sake of being there."
"My own journey has taught me so much about me. We always look to other people for inspiration, but we never find it in ourselves... If I wasn't able to focus on the things I wanted to do, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish those things."
"The journey of a dancer is very particular. You have to find ways to listen to your call — to figure out what your journey in dance is bringing you."
"I've always had teachers along my journey that have always mentioned to me, 'You can be whatever you want to be.' I've been very supported since day one."
[On rejection in dance] "You don't have to put people down in order for them to overcome or for them to show you how good they are... This approach has been destroying people's passions for dance for years."
"A main point in finding your purpose and who you are is seeing how your upbringing has shaped you. Your family really affects the person who you will become — their support, their generosity, their way of believing in your dream."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:19: Ingrid walks through her journey as a dancer and why she finds joy in dancing for the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
7:55: Ingrid shares about some mentors and role models in her life but also explores our ability to also find inspiration inside of ourselves.
10:12: Silva, who was the first African-Brazilian dancer on the cover of Pointe Magazine, discusses how that opportunity came about.
11:57: Silva, who delivered a speech on female empowerment for the United Nations, describes her speech and the organization she founded to fight for this same mission.
16:40: Ingrid describes the experience of collaborating on a project alongside Grammy Award -winning artist Alicia Keys.
19:09: Silva shares about her experience as a Brazilian immigrant to the United States and her organization Blacks in Ballet, which highlights Black dancers globally.
22:03: Silva explains her choice to put her formal education on hold to pursue a professional dance career.
24:18: Ingrid discusses the importance of family when finding your life’s purpose and describes the dance industry’s unhealthy view of rejection and critique.
29:28: Silva shares some tips on setting good goals and executing on those goals.
33:02: Ingrid, who is creating positive change for people groups across the world, shares some tips for leaders who want to bring positive change to themselves and their communities.
Bullet List of Resources –
Ingrid Silva
- Personal Website
EmpowHer
- Company Website
Blacks in Ballet
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Ali Geraets of Just for Kix. You may remember Just for Kix from Episode 48 of the podcast, where Aleksandra interviewed the company’s founder and executive director, Cindy Clough. Just for Kix is a youth dance organization that offers dance classes, summer camps, and special events to tens of thousands of youths around the country. Ali Geraets — Cindy Clough’s daughter — has been a part of the organization for many years and has designed costumes, led virtual dance classes, and has carried out a myriad of other jobs for the company.
For Ali, the joy of dance is its versatility and variety — being able to wear a wide variety of “hats” and go where the need is. To be a utility player — a Swiss Army Knife. As Ali and many others know, there’s much more to dance than performing on a stage. On the podcast, Ali speaks to a wide variety of topics related to dance but, most importantly, how dance has afforded her many different opportunities that have allowed her to use her talents in many different ways.
Moving Quotes:
"Your career doesn't have to be over if you don't dance professionally... There are so many different paths you can take."
"I think that's what's so awesome about my job — I'm incorporating what I love to do. I love dancing and definitely wanted to do the professional route... However, I also love teaching and all of the other things I get to do while maintaining a 'normal life.'"
"Work hard for what you want, and you will surprise yourself."
"Set your goals big and don't settle. It all comes back to hard work... I love kids that will work for it. If you can have a good work ethic, no matter what your talent is, you can get to where you want to get."
"Expose yourself to as much as you possibly can. Expose yourself to as many people as you can... Ask for feedback. Ask others, 'What can I do better?' The more you want that feedback, the stronger you're going to become."
"I think it's good for kids to not always win... I think it's good for them to learn how to be humble when they win and how to be a good sport when they don't win."
"So much of [leadership] is confidence and risk-taking. I feel like a lot of women are scared to take the risks... We need to keep molding young children to be leaders and become what they want to become."
"Those experiences [where you fail], as hard as they are at the time, can be the pivotal moments that happen to you that change the person you're going to become... You need those."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:18: Ali gives a high-level overview of Just for Kix and how she fits into the ever-expanding organization.
7:27: Ali discusses her role, personally, has expanded since she joined the family business out of high school.
9:34: Ali, who has danced in several Super Bowl halftime shows, tells the story of how she got involved in these performances.
13:55: Geraets shares a humbling failure, which involved a performance on a nationally aired TV show.
17:02: Garaets discusses the many different options one can take as a job inside of the dance industry and how her job has allowed her to “wear many hats.”
20:11: Ali discusses her perspective on why there are so few women in arts leadership and how women can better pursue these types of roles.
21:01: Ali sheds some light on her personal role models and why taking in different perspectives is so important.
23:18: Geraets describes the ongoing nature of learning and why a nonstop willingness to learn is critical for success.
25:14: Ali shares some great insight on why she sees great value in competition.
30:00: Ali ends the podcast by giving some advice for young, aspiring dancers on the value of hard work and determination.
Bullet List of Resources –
Ali Geraets
Just for Kix
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Kia Smith, founding Executive Artistic Director at the South Chicago Dance Theatre. Kia, a Chicago native, trained at various notable Chicago institutions such as Story Catchers Theatre, ETA Creative Arts Foundation, Hyde Park School of Dance, and the Joel Hall Dancers and Center. Her training launched her into national and international tours, including runs with the Lula Washington Dance Theatre and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. And, of course, she has a wide variety of dance credits with Chicago-based dance companies.
Considering her extremely accomplished career, Kia has ample room to boast; however, her drive to succeed isn’t about self-glory but is, rather, about revitalizing communities through the arts. For nearly two decades, Kia has been using her art to bridge gaps between history, cultures, and people groups through movement. On the podcast, Smith discusses how her life’s ambitions are now being met through her dance company, not only on the south side of Chicago but also nationally and even internationally.
Moving Quotes:
"I don't think there's anything that sets me apart [from other entrepreneurs]. I just follow through. I'm not anything special — we all have the ability to create and execute a dream. I just follow through."
"When it comes to 'success,' you never really get there. I mean... I have a 75-year vision for South Chicago Dance Company."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:17: Kia talks about her dance company — South Chicago Dance Theatre — and the three pillars that her company stands on.
5:51: Kia discusses South Chicago Dance’s cultural diplomacy program, where her company has partnered with a company in South Korea to produce a new work.
9:20: Kia speaks to her relationship with the Chicago Urban League and her work in the Chicago African American community through that organization.
11:54: Smith explains what she believes is the “x factor” that has made her successful in her entrepreneurial endeavors.
13:03: Smith describes her company’s mentorship program and how that program quantifies success.
15:40: Kia discusses how “success” is different for every individual person and can address both short- and long-term goals.
19:44: Smith, whose business has been thriving in the pandemic era, sheds some light on how her company has had to adjust to the “new normal.”
22:18: Kia retells her own dance journey and how she knew from a young age that she wanted to run her own dance company.
24:38: Kia shares some thoughts around why she believes there are so few women leaders in the dance world and how we can all work to curb this trend.
26:42: Kia looks to the future and shares what’s next for the South Chicago Dance Theatre.
Bullet List of Resources –
Kia Smith
- On Company Website
South Chicago Dance Theatre
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye, Ballet Master at the Oklahoma City Ballet. Originally from central Maine, Ryan began his training at the age of 16. During his run as a professional dancer, he danced for ballet companies across the continent and with some of the most sought-after choreographers in the industry. Most recently, Jolicoeur-Nye left his position as Artistic Director of the NWA Ballet Theatre. Now, he and his wife both hold leadership roles at the Oklahoma City Ballet. On top of all of this, Ryan is an award-winning choreographer, who has created numerous works for a variety of major ballet companies.
At this point in his career, Ryan has held a wide variety of roles in arts leadership, and, on the podcast, he discusses a wide variety of topics, including changes he’d like to see happen in the ballet world, what is inhibiting innovation in the United States, and how to find and act upon one’s passions. Ryan also explains his perspective on what he believes is most important for young dancers looking to break into the ballet industry, which may not be what you’re expecting.
Moving Quotes:
"As a director, the value that I place on my ability to work with someone that is positive and enthusiastic in the studio sometimes outweighs physical talent... Your openness can carry you through your entire career."
"You can learn the technical things. You can't learn the passion."
"Where I don't see a pathway, I try to create one."
"We're not missing passion; we're just missing a willingness to take the risk. As a society, that's something we should be more willing to help people pursue."
"Every artistic director wants something different. Your job [as a dancer] is to give whichever version they want."
"Perhaps performing arts needs to move a bit more in the direction of [technological innovation] ... Creating really brilliant feature films that can live on. The valuable thing about performing arts is that it has one life — you see it on stage, and it will never be the same again. So, there's value in that. But when we're given a [global pandemic], we must move in the direction of virtual creativity with real production value."
"Education should train students for the real-life workforce — for what artistic directors are looking for in a dancer. And I would say, primarily, the answer is versatility."
"In this business, everyone is in your life for a season because dancers move around so often. You get so many different experiences with lots of different people and cultures. That's been a huge guiding force for me in developing myself as a leader, choreographer, and artists."
"A huge challenge that we've faced with dance in the past is getting stuck on the 'right' or 'wrong' ways to do things."
"What we have in the United States is a network of companies that produce the same tapestry of work over and over. So, we're behind the world in innovation and creativity."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:00: Ryan talks about his move from the NWA Ballet Theatre to the Oklahoma City Ballet and his vision for his new company.
4:55: Ryan discusses his ideas behind changing ballet company norms, including shifting traditional contract terms to give dancers more security.
8:11: Ryan describes a flaw in the United States dance and arts sectors which paralyzes many companies from doing truly innovative work.
13:30: Jolicoeur-Nye discusses the most important thing that can be taught to students as a part of dance education.
15:33: Ryan explains what he believes is the most marketable skill for dance students that are looking to break into the industry.
18:42: Ryan discusses his thoughts on whether or not dance teachers should be required to obtain certifications to teach dance classes.
21:01: Ryan describes his personal role models and speaks to the importance of learning from peers as you move from company to company.
24:27: Jolicoeur-Nye explains how to properly adjust to change in a dance career where one may essentially operate as a nomad, moving locations from season to season.
27:58: Ryan discusses the nature of personal passion and how to take action on that which you’re passionate about.
30:03: Ryan shares the story of how he got started in ballet and pushed through adversity to ultimately become what he is today.
Bullet List of Resources –
Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye
Oklahoma City Ballet
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Damani Pompey, an NYC-based lighting designer, movement artist, and choreographer. Additionally, Damani has been involved in a great deal of TV and film work, and his credits include notable festivals like Sundance. Pompey is also the architect of Magnus Works — a continuous archive of his own creative and choreographic projects, which ultimately seeks to investigate the many different languages of movement and expression, from generation to generation.
Pompey is a renaissance man and deep thinker, and, on the podcast, he discusses the origin stories of some of his most renown works. He also spends some time explaining how his fascination with lighting was born out of an innate curiosity and a willingness to seize an opportunity while in school. Damani also highlights some of his work in film and sheds some interesting light on the differences between dancing on film versus dancing in a studio.
Moving Quotes:
“Lighting for me is all about the sensation and the mood… But it’s important to listen to what the work is calling for and what the music is doing. You can’t have beautiful, fancy, cool lights if the person is standing on stage not doing anything."
“What I’m focused on right now for the future is world health and happiness. And more authenticity in my work. Anything that comes out of that, I will feel I’ve deserved because I’ve truly put in the time."
“We all have the power to critically think. We all have the power to make. That’s how we’ve existed this long as humans. We know how to build, but we sometimes lack the tools. I just want to remind everyone that we all have the same types of memories, just in a different way."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:55: Damani kicks off the conversation by discussing the scope of his catalog of creative work, Magnus Works.
5:52: Damani explains how the work that comprises Magnus Works came to be.
9:10: Pompey drives a fascinating discussion around the differences between dancing for film and dancing in the studio.
13:04: Pompey shares some advice for dancers who may be looking to get involved in dancing for the big screen.
16:19: Damani retells how his fascination with lighting came to be and shares some thoughts on the importance of good lighting in dance.
22:31: Pompey shines some light on three short films that he recently worked on, including one in partnership with BMW.
24:52: Damani looks at the future and, though he is unsure of exact plans, he discusses some themes he is currently focusing on in his work and life.
Bullet List of Resources –
Damani Pompey
- On IMDB
Magnus Works
- Company Website
- Vimeo
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Erica Hood, Chief Executive Officer at HoodFit, a fitness company that features Erica’s signature method in live and online classes and is all about promoting strong women. In fact, the company boasts a tagline encouraging women to Rep Your Womanhood. With a background in professional dance, Erica builds her effective workouts by focusing on energy, rhythm, and choreographed precision — all of which connects the body with the soul.
Erica’s energy is extremely contagious and made for a fun, entertaining conversation spanning a wide variety of topics. On the podcast, Erica walks through her journey into establishing HoodFit, including the difficulties (and blessings) of building a company in the middle of a pandemic. Erica also shares some thoughts around the magic of journaling, the right mentality for entrepreneurship, and how technology is changing the dance world for the better.
Moving Quotes:
“Women are so powerful and so strong. We are capable and do so many things. I think the most important thing is that women receive support and encouragement from other women."
“As an entrepreneur, you have to roll with the punches and learn as you go."
“I think there’s a lot of power in technology these days to continue putting dance out into the world and making the arts more shareable with people."
“When you feel like you’re at your lowest lows, always know there’s something you can learn from it… It’s more of a ‘you win or you learn’ rather than ‘you win or you lose.'"
“I have all of my ideas written out in my little book. I’m constantly writing them down. Because I know that, when the timing is right, it will all come to fruition."
“It’s great to have notebooks and journals around at all times. So that any time you feel creative or have a thought that pops into your head, just write it down. Even if it seems crazy and doesn’t make sense to you at the time. Because it’s something that, once you put that pen to paper, it’s not just a forgettable thought."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:44: Erica talks about her company — HoodFit — and the birth of her company’s catchphrase: Rep Your Womanhood.
8:13: Erica discusses the current state of her business and how her business is looking to grow and expand.
12:45: Hood, a firm believer in journaling, describes the power in putting pen to paper and writing down your ideas and goals.
19:58: Erica explains the importance of flexibility and “rolling with the punches” when building a business from scratch.
22:08: Hood retells some events in her life that added to her preparedness in starting her own company.
27:18: Erica, who was pushed by her parents to get a non-dance degree in addition to her dance degree, encourages young dancers to follow the same path.
30:23: Erica speaks to the amazing power of technology in sharing the arts on a mass scale.
33:44: Hood looks to the future of HoodFit and is, in a way, thankful that this difficult year has forced her to digital media, which has ultimately expanded the “walls” of her studio.
Bullet List of Resources –
Erica Hood
HoodFit
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Charlotte Landreau, Lead Dancer at the Martha Graham Dance Company. Originally from France, Charlotte trained as a rhythmic gymnast for a full decade before transitioning into dance. She is a graduate of the Béjart School in Switzerland and the Martha Graham School. Charlotte is currently with the Martha Graham Dance Company in New York, where she has been dancing for seven years. Now, as dance is on hiatus due to COVID-19, Charlotte is spending her time teaching and encouraging fellow artists online.
Landreau’s pride in her dance company comes through early and often on the podcast — a dance company that is on the verge of celebrating its 95th birthday. On the podcast, Charlotte discusses the reasons why she’s glad she landed at Martha Graham and how she navigated into her current role. She also shares some practical advice for dancers around preparing for rejection, surrounding yourself with positive role models, and getting (and keeping) women in positions of leadership.
Moving Quotes:
“I’m very proud of being in [the Martha Graham Dance Company] — one that allows us to be versatile, to grow as artists, and to keep working and be challenged every day."
“I am very fortunate to work for a company where every leading position is filled by a woman."
“[At dance school,] I did not know anything. It was so scary. And yet, so healthy. I just wanted to learn so much. It was an entire new world that I wanted to discover."
“In order to promote more women in the arts, we really have to recognize the women that are already in power and are doing such an amazing job."
“It is my responsibility to choose the mentor that I need. Depending on where I am in my career, my mentor will change."
“I arrived in America without any friends or family. It was very stressful. But that was a challenge that I really wanted to take on."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:47: Charlotte discusses her work with the Martha Graham Dance Company and the pride she feels in dancing with the oldest dance company in America.
5:40: Charlotte retells her journey as a dance and how early work in rhythmic gymnastics taught her a lot about mental toughness, priming her for a dance career.
12:02: Landreau describes her mindset and emotions in leaving home at a young age to travel across the world with a dance company.
13:49: Charlotte shares some important advice on being mentally prepared for rejection.
17:00: Landreau explores the significance of mentors and how mentors have personally impacted her life.
19:32: Landreau, a world traveler, shares some advice for dancers on preparing for long flights, time zone changes, and other factors.
23:53: Charlotte speculates on changes to dance post-pandemic and gives her thoughts on one way that dance should change to stay relevant.
26:28: Landreau discusses the importance of women in dance and gives some ideas on how women should promote successful women leaders.
28:08: Charlotte discusses what’s next for her and explains her “go with the flow” attitude.
Bullet List of Resources –
Charlotte Landreau
- Personal Website
The Martha Graham Dance Company
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Mandy Yip, CEO and Founder of Acrobatic Arts, Inc. Yip’s company runs training and certification courses for dance teachers in the art of AcroDance — a program that promotes flexibility, strength, balancing, limbering, and tumbling. Acrobatic Arts produces the most comprehensive, researched program available for AcroDance, which explains why the syllabus is followed in over 6,500 dance studios in over 30 different countries.
As a lifelong learner, Mandy has attended and achieved certification in countless courses, including contortion, hand balancing, inclusive learning, tap, jazz, gymnastics, and safe coaching, to name a few. And all of these courses have primed her to create her own dynamic training program. On the podcast, Mandy primarily discusses how learning is the key to success in any field — especially dance — and how individuals within the dance industry are particularly keen on being generous with their dance knowledge.
Moving Quotes:
“I think teachers would be surprised at how much others are willing to share and how generous the industry is with the information that we have. We tend to think of ourselves as a bunch of little islands, and we’re really not. All it takes is a phone call to change that for yourself."
“What’s so beautiful about the dance industry and about our industry is that we are so giving… I learned so much from mentors who were willing to let me come and sit."
“Mentorship opportunities aren’t just in the phone book or on the Internet. You have to call people and ask, ‘Would you be willing?’"
“Our society wants the results without the work. But I think that, as educators, we really need to stay focused on doing the work in order to get the results. That’s in everything."
“If we had more women entrepreneurs in the world, we would see a whole rejuvenation of our communities."
“I’m just so passionate about making sure that every teacher on Earth has the tools necessary to give safe [acrobatics] instruction. Because it can be very dangerous if it’s done incorrectly."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:43: Mandy describes Acrobatic Arts, including an overview of its instructional curriculum and how its program has evolved since the pandemic broke out.
9:09: As a trainer of dance educators, Mandy discusses what she believes are some of the most important parts of dance education.
11:53: Yip retells her story — how an early love of dance turned into two thriving self-owned businesses — and discusses the dance industry’s beautiful willingness to teach each other.
17:11: Yip describes the joys and difficulties of entrepreneurship and shares some lessons about starting a business.
22:00: Mandy gives a rundown of the types of programs that Acrobatic Arts offers.
24:28: Mandy, who displays a remarkable business acumen, explains how she received her unconventional business training.
26:28: Yip discusses the importance of women entrepreneurs, particularly in the world of dance.
30:22: Yip shares one key to success for dance teachers, dancers, and general entrepreneurs.
32:31: Mandy explains her company’s road forward, including a look at both short term and long term goals.
Bullet List of Resources –
Mandy Yip
Acrobatic Arts
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Dr. Tina J. Wang, President at Tupelo Pointe Healing Arts. Dr. Wang spends her days as an Osteopathic physician but is not focused solely on simply treating ailments; she is focused on delivering the best care possible by meeting the functional, nutritional, and individual needs of the person seeking better health. Dr. Wang is also heavily involved in the American Medical Women’s Association and the Performing Arts Medicine Association, where she is both a reviewer and a publisher of medical research articles.
Dr. Wang knows that the best care is only possible by taking care of the whole person — physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Through her time digging deep with patients, she has also learned not to put limits on people and knows that all people are capable of so much more than what they ever hoped or dreamed. On the podcast, Dr. Wang explores her philosophy on medicine, but also discusses the joys and pains entrepreneurship, the importance of learning, and how we all should set lofty goals because we truly can achieve them with the right mindset.
Moving Quotes:
“Anything is possible. Your life has a wide gambit of possibilities. Don’t narrow yourself or pigeon-hole yourself based on everything you see around you."
“Ninety percent of knowledge is experiential. You don’t learn it in a book. You don’t learn it in a classroom. You learn it by doing. By being on stage. By practicing. Don’t overestimate your own knowledge."
“The only way small businesses survive is by being ethical. By being honest. By allowing a business to reflect who we are. If we’re not honest people that aren’t dedicated to integrity, the business will reflect that and won’t survive."
“As doctors, many times, we’re pigeon-holed with what we’re taught, and we don’t look at the evidence that’s widely available… But we have to move beyond what we’re taught and question, so that we can improve."
“At the end of the day, as a female entrepreneur, we don’t get to complain. We just have to find solutions. It’s the same in business. You find solutions."
“That’s part of the resiliency of being a dancer; you just have to find a way [to make aches feel better]. How are you going to make this feel better? How are you going to feel better? That’s how my journey started."
“As one entrepreneur to another, you know that it is the biggest, wildest journey of your life."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:20: Dr. Wang discusses her practice — Tupelo Pointe Healing Arts — and the holistic approach it takes to treating dancers.
8:13: Dr. Wang explains how dancers can best know when something is wrong with their bodies and gives some advice on preventing injury.
11:27: Dr. Wang discusses the importance of dance teachers becoming educated on how to best support their dancers from a physiological perspective.
16:29: Dr. Wang shares some advice on finding and attaining a career in the dance industry, while not necessarily being directly on the stage.
20:37: Dr. Wang describes her involvement with the American Medical Women’s Association — the oldest existing women in medicine foundation in the United States.
23:14: Dr. Wang explains her involvement with dance medicine journals and encourages listeners to read those articles and become educated on this high-quality research.
25:43: Dr. Wang describes the difficult and rewarding journey that is entrepreneurship and how building your own business directly impacts the lives of those who take that road.
28:38: Dr. Wang discusses the difficulties of being a female entrepreneur but explains the silver lining on this often-frustrating vocation.
32:59: Dr. Wang shares some aspirations for her own business and for dance medicine as a whole.
Bullet List of Resources –
Dr. Tina J. Wang
Tupelo Pointe Healing Arts
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Jessica Chen, Artistic Director of the J CHEN PROJECT, a 501c3 nonprofit modern dance company based out of New York City that uses movement as a vehicle to heal wounds, share stories, and better understand our human existence. Chen is a seasoned dancer with a wide variety of dance and choreography credits. She has choreographed works for some of the biggest stages, including the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the International Human Rights Arts Festival.
Jessica’s story is an incredible one, and her journey to where she is today has not been an easy road. In the not-so-distant past, Chen was involved in a near-fatal car crash, resulting in eight straight hours of brain surgery and thirteen days in a medically induced coma. However, Jessica fought back to the stage, and her time without use of her limbs forced her to reevaluate her life’s calling and priorities. On the podcast, Jessica retells this incredible story and discusses how she now uses lessons learned from this traumatic event to help others overcome hardships through the arts.
Moving Quotes:
“We’re all experiencing this now. Taking a pause can be scary, but it also has so many insights when you just take the time to just breathe and think and meditate in a way that doesn’t have any expectations. You’re just being still."
“Learning without the expectation of it becoming something is important because you’re using your creativity and your analytical skillsets."
“I want to be creative in how we see dance and how we structure artistic community. And I think it’s the time to do that — the time to go outside your box, to do something different, and not be afraid to fail."
“The journey of my choreography and dance and movement life is to communicate to the world. To be in the world and to process all of the craziness that I personally experience or that I see in the world. And to put it into art so that we can digest it and process it before we can talk about it."
“Dance has always been my way to communicate in the world — my way to be in the world."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:38: Jessica discusses the J CHEN PROJECT, including the company’s purpose and some recent expansion.
5:42: Jessica explores the different “legs” of her company pre-pandemic.
11:24: Chen walks through her creative process when designing pieces for extremely diverse audiences.
14:37: Chen, who was involved in a near-fatal car crash, walks through her incredible story of rehabilitation and having to rediscover her life purpose while lying in a hospital bed.
23:00: Jessica explains the different means by which she discovered her life’s purpose and how learning is critical to success in any role or position.
26:19: Chen shares some wisdom on setting lofty goals then mapping out how to attain them.
28:59: Jessica looks into what’s next for her in each of her life’s callings, including having to pivot to adjust to the COVID-19 “new normal.”
Bullet List of Resources –
Jessica Chen
J CHEN PROJECT
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Kathleen Breen Combes, Executive Director of the Festival Ballet Providence. Prior to her current role, Kathleen was Principal Dancer at the Boston Ballet and was once hailed by the New York Times as a “ballerina of colossal scale and boldness.” During her run as a dancer, Kathleen garnered several awards and accolades, including being featured on the cover of Dance Magazine. Kathleen also currently spends her time guest lecturing for Ted-Ed seminars and for top-tier universities.
More than anything, Kathleen Breen Combes wants people to know the value that dance brings to the world — a value that is so much more than what is displayed on stage. To Breen Combes, the lessons learned in dance training translate so well to our world today, and she has dedicated her life to instilling these truths into others’ lives. On the podcast, Kathleen walks through her journey as a dancer, including lessons learned in her current run as Executive Director, and praises the art that has molded her life and the lives of millions around the world.
Moving Quotes:
“You can train to be a ballet dancer and not become a professional ballet dancer, yet still learn so much about life… Everything we learn in the studio translates to everything else in the world. A dance education is so much more than dance."
“Your imperfections are what make you more interesting… It’s those people with quirks that really move you."
“It’s really important for us to treat the women coming up in the dance field as collaborators. It’s not just us yelling at them as teachers and coaches, but we’re really on the same level, working together to create great art."
“Dancers today need to understand that there are so many different ways [to break into the dance industry]. No matter what way is yours, sometimes it will work out better for you in the long run."
“As young dancer, we try to emulate the stars… It’s really important to remember that there’s so much more to dance than that. It’s how you move people."
“Our dance form has always been a reflection of what’s going on in society. We want to honor our past but have to represent today’s culture."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:01: Kathleen describes her role as Executive Director of Festival Ballet Providence and how the company is being forced to redefine itself in 2020.
6:57: Kathleen walks through her journey as a female into dance leadership and includes some advice on how to prime young female dancers to take these types of positions in the future.
10:04: Breen Combes discusses her participation in a TED-Ed conference and why ballet is so much more valuable than what is shown on the stage.
11:57: Kathleen, who has been the recipient of multiple career awards, shares her point of view on how these types of awards have played a role in her life.
13:25: Breen Combes, who frequently gives guest lectures at top-tier universities, gives a high-level view on the subject matter of her talks.
15:03: Breen Combes shares some advice for young dancers that are trying to break into the dance industry — advice that worked out well for her, personally.
18:53: Kathleen describes how she ensures that all of her staff at Festival Ballet Providence are aligned and moving towards the same direction and goals.
21:17: Kathleen discusses a couple of important and necessary changes that are happening inside of the dance industry that will greatly impact the art.
23:13: Breen Combes gives a couple of pointers that young dancers should keep in mind while training for a professional dance career.
24:49: Kathleen paints a picture of her future, both personally and professionally.
Bullet List of Resources –
Kathleen Breen Combes
- In Pointe magazine
- On Wikipedia
Festival Ballet Providence
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Alicia Albright — a New York-based Broadway performing artist, choreographer, creator, educator, avid traveler, and meditation advocate. Albright’s dance resume is extensive, having appeared on Broadway with productions of Disney’s Frozen the Musical, Wicked, Jesus Chris Superstar, and various other notable titles. Albright loves the arts but is equally as passionate about yoga, meditation, and empowerment. She is currently the driving force behind LALUZ — a meditation app geared towards performance.
Even in the chaos, Alicia has remained unshaken in 2020 — remarkable, considering the impact to the arts world and, specifically, to Broadway. Alicia’s anchor in this tumultuous year has been her ability to tap into her inner self — to remind herself that she is good and that she can share her inner-good with the world around her. And, now, Alicia is dedicated to teaching others to live out these same types of reminders. On the podcast, Alicia stresses the importance of reaching inside of yourself and staying grounded, especially when life is not easy.
Moving Quotes:
“Looking inside yourself is a practice, not a perfect."
“Looking into yourself is a remembering practice. Your heart light is always there; it just gets covered up by some stuff. So it’s a process of remembering the you that’s always there."
“The pandemic has been a doorway to learn about ourselves and learn that if we love ourselves first, then we can love others and show up for others and be a light in the world, through anything we do… I think this [pandemic] needed to happen for everyone, even though it’s so hard."
“As artists, we can — in a beautiful way — become so focused on being an artist that we can let the rest of our life not focus on certain important things."
“Dance is what expresses what I can’t say."
“I’m not perfect, but I do my best. And my heart is perfect."
“For any advice anyone gives, if it hits your heart, take it, play with it, and make it your own. Make it work for you. Then it has bigger impact than just doing it because someone told you to do it."
“Whenever I teach [meditation], I say that we are warriors of light. Once we tap into the light, it’s our job to share that light with the world."
"[In the pandemic,] we've all faced our own shadow side. Slowing down and stopping, you may be confronted with things that you run away from through your busyness. It’s a gift to look inside ourselves and show self-care."
“People say, ‘Be kind at auditions because you never know what they’re going to do.’ No. Be kind at auditions because it’s the right thing to do. For you. For them. For the highest good of people."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:46: Alicia — a Broadway performer — discusses her thoughts and feelings related to Broadway being closed through the calendar year and how to work through negative feelings.
10:26: Alicia explains how she believes the pandemic has helped humanity as a whole slow down and get right with their inner beings.
21:27: Albright shares the secret behind discerning your true purpose in life and discusses how consistent practice of meditation and yoga have helped her reach inside her inner self.
30:30: Albright shares some information about her meditation app geared towards performers and walks through a pre-audition meditation.
40:52: Alicia describes the joy of sharing this type of self-advice with the world and how remaining centered helps navigate the world’s uncertainty.
Bullet List of Resources –
Alicia Albright
- On Playbill
LALUZ meditation app
- App Website
Rick Cowley + VysionQuest
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Jolanta Oko — Founder and Director at Canada’s National Academy of Dance Education, which offers immense amounts of resources to empower dance educators. Jolanta boasts an impressive dance resume, having been a dance teacher for 22 years, a studio owner for 8 years, and a school teacher for 12 years. She holds a BFA and an MA in dance from York University and is a graduate of the National Ballet School’s Teacher Training Program in Canada. For her work with dance educators, Oko was nominated for the Hamilton Arts Innovator Award in both 2017 and 2018.
Jolanta’s journey is the classic tale of being unable to shake a passion that’s inside of you. From a young age, Jolanta discovered the joy and therapy of being in dance yet decided to explore an alternate career path after experiencing some rejection. However, after feeling genuine sorrow at having to hang up what once provided her happiness, she has returned to the dance world, now enabling teachers to teach methods that work best and, in turn, encouraging students to pursue dance-related passions, even if they manifest in off-stage roles.
Moving Quotes:
“Teachers are always taking courses; the curriculum is always changing. I really loved that about teaching. The children are changing, the world is changing, and our teaching methods have to change."
“Why are the cognitive and physical abilities of different age groups important? They’re important so that you know what you’re teaching, why you’re teaching it, and how you’re going to teach it. You can’t teach the same thing the same way to a five-year-old as you can to a seven-year-old."
“If you can’t get the job you want, create the job you want."
“Never let the word ’no’ deter you. Use it as fuel for your drive. Be bigger. Be better."
“By allowing the student to examine, explore, and experiment, they’re more likely to retain the information that you’re teaching them… And not only retain and remember but be inspired by this new learning process."
“I love meeting people face-to-face. If you’re trying to make a change or send a message or inspire others, there’s no better way than to do it face-to-face."
“Growing up, the reason why I loved dance so much was because dance was my therapy."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:04: Jolanta discusses the events that drove her away from dance and, ultimately, left her with a sorrow that could only be aided by a return to dance.
7:06: Jolanta retells the turning point in her life where she discovered the need for an organization like hers and why this type of company is important for educators.
11:31: Oko explains how her company’s structure helps provide education to all teachers and how this structure was uniquely suited to handle a pandemic.
13:00: Oko deep dives on the types of education that her organization offers.
23:24: Jolanta gets vulnerable on her personal motivations behind becoming an entrepreneur and creating this company from scratch.
29:05: Oko explains how she hopes her organization will help curb negative perceptions of dance teachers.
32:20: Jolanta shares some encouraging advice for any students looking to pursue a career in dance.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jolanta Oko
Canada’s National Academy of Dance Education
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Mollie Sansone, an award-winning veteran dancer, teacher, and choreographer who is currently embarking on her seventeenth season dancing with the Nashville Ballet. Over these 17 seasons, Mollie has performed primarily under the direction of Paul Vasterling and has been featured in several notable roles such as Lizzie Borden, Lady Macbeth, and Juliet of Romeo and Juliet. While she’s not on the stage, Mollie enjoys teaching and choreographing for various dance studios across Nashville.
Mollie’s journey into dance success hasn’t been an easy one, as she’s constantly had to fight against the fact that her body doesn’t fit the stereotypical ballet dancer mold. However, over the years, Mollie has learned to turn these perceived weaknesses into strengths. On the podcast, Sansone encourages fellow dancers — both young and old — to embrace the things that make you ‘you’ and leverage your unique attributes as ways to set yourself apart from the crowd.
Moving Quotes:
“There’s only one ‘you' in the entire universe. If you’re not ‘you,’ the universe would suffer without that person. If you’re trying to be something or someone that’s not you, you’re trying to offset the natural flow of life."
“You always have to work hard, no matter what. Even if you are blessed with a body that is very gifted and easy to work with, there’s always something more you can do."
“What helps you sustain in this career is to constantly reinvent yourself. Because there are so many facets of the dance world... If you consider yourself a student of life or a student of the art form, you can persevere in it."
“I just love the research of a character — really digging into character development. How can I, as Mollie, make this role unique? What am I going to bring to that role?"
[On character-based roles] "To step into someone else’s life is a very extraordinary experience to have. It gives you a sense of empathy towards other experiences in life."
“If you’re auditioning, I would really advise to stay in connection with the director in a very productive way. Obviously, you don’t want to hound them. But the more communication you have within the company you want to be with, the better."
“Wear something [to auditions] that you’re most comfortable in and makes you stand out. Also, laugh and be comfortable, regardless of the nerves. We’re human, and we sometimes make mistakes. That will show part of your personality and your character — how you handle setbacks."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:38: Mollie explains why she initially chose the Nashville Ballet and what has caused her to stay for seventeen seasons.
6:46: Mollie describes the feeling of dancing at the top of her career, with nothing more to prove.
8:54: Sansone, who has struggled with her “not ideal for ballet” body type, discusses how she’s spent her life successfully turning this limitation into a strength.
10:53: Mollie reflects on some of her favorite roles and shares the joys of taking on character-based roles.
12:25: Sansone, as a veteran dancer, discusses the importance of networking and shares some key tips while auditioning.
15:16: Sansone explains how she’s been somewhat organically preparing herself for the next stage of her career.
20:28: Mollie discusses her biggest career roadblock and reflects on the importance of continually reinventing yourself.
23:45: Mollie shares some expert tips on auditioning well.
26:06: Sansone explains the importance of embracing what makes you unique and turning even your perceived weaknesses into strengths.
27:52: Mollie, who has lived an extremely accomplished career, discusses what’s next for her in the Nashville Ballet and beyond.
Bullet List of Resources –
Mollie Sansone
- On Nashville Ballet site
Nashville Ballet
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Larissa Saveliev — Founder and Artistic Director at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) — and Sergey Gordeev, who is the Founding Director of Communications and External Affairs at the Youth America Grand Prix. Larissa, who was trained at the Bolshoi Ballet, has received a mountain of accolades, including being named one of Dance Magazine’s top 25 most influential people in dance. Sergey is an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, actor, writer, jazz pianist, journalist, translator, and composer.
The Youth America Grand Prix has literally changed the dance industry since its founding in 1999 and has allowed young dancers from all areas of the globe to be celebrated for their talents, regardless of economic status. On the podcast, Larissa and Sergey dive deep into the fascinating (and funny) story of how the competition was born, discuss how coming up with “the big idea” is the easiest part of the process, and explain how life’s real winners are the ones who are willing to put in the work to make their ideas a reality.
Moving Quotes:
“We didn’t want to have a competition for the sake of competition. We wanted to have a competition with a purpose where the kids can receive something more than just a trophy."
“[YAGP] has created a different paradigm that dancers grow up in. The world is literally their oyster. They can go anywhere if they’re good enough."
“The fact that Youth America Grand Prix is still here after 21 years shows that this is needed, this will go on. Whatever form this takes, this is here because people need it to be here."
“It’s not enough to just have a good idea. It’s the central ingredient — the necessary start — but it’s not enough. You have to put in the work and be willing to literally go the distance to get there."
“Like any good idea, unless you can communicate the idea to other people in a way that they really can understand, it’s just an idea."
“Success at any endeavor all depends on developing a great team."
“Even if you have nothing, if you have a good idea and the willingness to put the time, energy, and effort into the idea, it will for sure blossom. You just have to believe in it and keep working."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:05: Larissa and Sergey discuss the founding idea behind the Youth America Grand Prix and how they wanted to rethink the modern dance competition.
9:19: Sergey retells the funny story of how he and Larissa initially met and how the YAGP was born inside of a humble NYC café.
14:32: Larissa and Sergey explain how Youth America Grand Prix has grown and has literally changed the paradigm for young dancers.
19:20: Larissa and Sergey discuss the nature of ideas and how every idea — even the great ones — require hard work and grit to make a reality.
25:08: Larissa explains why she believes there is a discrepancy between males and females in dance leadership.
27:38: Larissa and Sergey share some ideas that could possibly help prepare and advance more women into dance leadership roles.
36:09: Sergey shares his vision for the future of YAGP, which includes using technology to reach an even broader audience.
Bullet List of Resources –
Larissa Saveliev
- On Wikipedia
Sergey Gordeev
- Personal Website
- Vimeo
Youth America Grand Prix
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Miriam Barbosa, President and Artistic Director at Miriam Barbosa Dance. Miriam received Classical Ballet Training at the University of Fine Arts in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Barbosa is also an alumnus of the Martha Graham Dance Company and is a former Dance Professor with the University of South Carolina’s Dance Program. In 2007, she founded Miriam Barbosa Dance, where she continues to practice her craft. Barbosa is also a Gyrokinesis and Gyrotonic Method Specialized Master Trainer, and her own life has been positively impacted by these unique exercise techniques.
On the podcast, Miriam discusses her many diverse passions — running a dance company, healing others through exercise, sharing her methods worldwide. But perhaps most notably, she discusses her passion for aerial dance and her introduction to that specific craft, and she does her best to describe the incredible experience of performing in the air.
Moving Quotes:
“When you create and put something on stage that is incredibly demanding physically, it has to look as effortless as possible. That way, the audience feels comfortable when they see it."
“When you look at a painting, it’s a steady visual art. But when you put it into motion, it becomes something greater."
“There’s more to all of us than what we think we have."
“Being creative, positive, and resilient are the most important qualities that I try to utilize in my life, in general."
“In my life, many times when things evolved, it was because of some kind of difficulty of the moment. It’s important to maintain my resilience through it all."
“I never really just sat down and waited for things to get better. I was always doing something in order to get better."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:21: Miriam discusses the origins of Miriam Barbosa Dance and why she was initially drawn towards aerial dance.
7:56: Miriam explains how she first came in contact with aerial dance and the trick behind creating a pleasing experience for an audience.
11:17: Barbosa describes how your body feels as you’re performing in midair.
13:47: Barbosa discusses her other passion — Gyrotonic — and how her life was personally impacted by this form of exercise.
22:04: Miriam speaks on the career opportunities for someone interested in Gyrotonic and the process by which one gets certified.
25:14: Miriam describes her experience dancing for the Martha Graham Dance Company back in the late 90s and how her run with the company came to a close.
29:58: Barbosa, who is no stranger to change, shares some wisdom on navigating life’s evolutions and uncertainties with grace.
33:50: Miriam looks ahead and shares the next chapter in her journey.
Bullet List of Resources –
Miriam Barbosa
Miriam Barbosa Dance
- Company Website
Gyrotonic
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Paul Vasterling — Artistic Director at Nashville Ballet. As a choreographer with a deep affinity for music, Paul has created over 40 works, ranging from classical, full-length story ballets to contemporary one-acts. Since becoming Nashville Ballet’s Artistic Director in 1998, the company has commissioned 22 original scores for brand-new ballets under Vasterling’s direction. Vasterling has also grown the Nashville Ballet from 12 to 25 professional dancers and has led the company to its Kennedy Center debut. Paul is a Fulbright Scholar and was selected as one of the Fellows in residence at The Center for Ballet and Arts at NYU in 2017.
Paul fully understands the power that the arts have in shaping humanity and has dedicated his life to showcasing the arts — and particularly dance — to the masses. Additionally, as a veteran leader, Paul understand the strategic importance of keeping an organization’s mission front-and-center and moving towards that true north. On the podcast, Paul dives into both sides of the ballet, sharing his thoughts on the importance of artistic expression but also giving tips on being a successful organization and a successful dancer.
Moving Quotes:
“The mission statement of an organization is like a filter. It helps you decide what you’re doing and if you’re on the right track."
“Ballet is merely a means to an end; it is not an end unto itself. We use it and try to create fine instruments with our bodies so that we can express something that is important to humanity."
“Part of the process of a choreographer is doing as much work as possible. Some of them are good; some of them are not good. Some of them last; some of the don’t last."
“Art makes us understand each other as humans better. It enables us to step into someone else’s shoes and see the world through a different lens. Then we can understand the world a little bit better."
“An advantage of being around for a long time is that you start to let the ego part of the job move aside a little bit, and you start to concentrate on the bigger picture. It’s not about you."
“The dancers who make it [in auditions] are the ones who do their homework."
“To become a professional dancer, you have to want it so much that you can taste it. And if you don’t want it that much, that is okay. Go in another direction. There are so many things you can do as an artist."
“As an artistic director, you live in many seasons at once. And, often, you can’t remember which season you’re living in."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:56: Paul discusses what the Nashville Ballet is currently crafting and the difficult but exciting challenges of pushing creativity during a pandemic.
8:31: Paul explains the importance of remembering the purpose of ballet as an art instead of getting lost in the individual movements.
12:20: Vasterling describes the extreme importance of keeping a company’s mission statement at the forefront of everything the company does.
15:50: Paul discusses the symbiotic relationship between the School of Nashville Ballet and the actual Nashville Ballet company.
20:27: Vasterling, who has choreographed 40 works, walks through his creative process and how choreography has always been a part of who he is.
25:37: Vasterling shares some auditioning tips for those dancers looking to break into companies.
31:37: Paul discusses why the arts are and forever will be important for humanity.
35:54: Vasterling shares some sage advice on being willing to cut ties with the dream of professional dance, if necessary, and find a different way to get plugged into the arts.
41:00: Paul describes what’s next for him personally and for Nashville Ballet as a company.
Bullet List of Resources –
Paul Vasterling
Nashville Ballet
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Dr. Merritt Moore — an absolutely remarkable woman who is both a professional ballet dancer and a quantum physicist. Dr. Moore holds a degree in Physics from Harvard University and a PhD in Quantum Optics from the University of Oxford and combines her expertise as a quantum physicist and professional ballet dancer throughout her creative practice. Dr. Moore has also been featured on the Forbes 30 under 30 in Arts and Culture and has spoken at the Forbes Women’s Summit. Most recently, Dr. Moore has been honored as an artist-in-residence at the Harvard ArtLab, where she joyfully experiments with creativity.
Dr. Moore is one of the most remarkable podcast guests to date, and on the podcast, she and Aleksandra only scratch the surface on her incredible journey in dance. However, through the conversation, Dr. Moore discusses how all of her accomplishments stemmed from overcoming doubters in her earliest dancing days and ultimately created one of the most unique ballet careers of all time.
Moving Quotes:
“Both the right brain and the left brain are extremely necessary for both ballet and physics. Creativity is so necessary in the physics lab to solve new problems. And having an analytic brain can help you when practicing dance."
“Perfect is replaceable. Don’t try to be perfect. Strive to be yourself. What can you bring to the table that no one else can?"
“My parents encouraged me to audition because they wanted me to get that strength to fail and get back up."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:27: Dr. Moore retells her entire story and how she proved doubters wrong in becoming both a professional dancer and a PhD-educated Oxford graduate in Quantum Optics.
10:46: Dr. Moore explains what initially drew her towards the field of science and how understanding science takes practice.
13:00: Dr. Moore discusses the origins of one of her featured videos, where she dances with a robot.
15:14: Dr. Moore describes the Harvard University ArtLab and the freedom of being able to experiment with creativity with no expectations.
18:05: Dr. Moore, who was featured at the Forbes Women’s Summit in 2019, discusses the incredible and rewarding experience of sharing with prominent women.
20:59: Dr. Moore shares her ideas around why there are so few women in the field of science, even while the gender gap in other fields have narrowed.
25:39: Dr. Moore describes her experience competing on BBC’s reality show Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes and how this show ignited a fire to become a real astronaut.
31:17: Dr. Moore discusses what’s next in her career and in her creative experiments.
Bullet List of Resources –
Dr. Merritt Moore
- Personal Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews LaMar Baylor, an award-winning dancer and Broadway performer who is also a Board Member and Cultural Ambassador for MindLeaps. LaMar holds a BFA from The University of the Arts and recently completed his Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University. As mentioned, he is a performer with Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway and is an alumnus of Philadanco, the Eleone Dance Theater, and the Rebecca Davis Dance Company.
Baylor, who himself was a “renaissance man” in high school before finding his niche, is a firm believer that dance equips its artists with the physical, mental, and emotional skills to tackle any of the world’s challenges. To LaMar, this fact explains why dance has been so transformative for individuals in the MindLeaps program, which takes dance to vulnerable populations internationally. On the podcast, LaMar recounts lessons he’s learned in his career and expands on the importance of the arts in our world, particularly in 2020.
Moving Quotes:
“I’m a firm believer that if you are a dancer, you can do anything."
“I’ve never come across a person who has stepped into the theater and not been touched in some way, shape, or form … Our job as artists is to impact others’ lives."
“There’s a saying that says, ‘Earth with no art is eh.’"
“There’s nothing like being able to fully express yourself. We’re seeing that across the country right now. The arts is my protest. It is my ability to say what I want to say in whatever capacity."
“There are so many opportunities and windows that dance actually affords people. I don’t know if everyone is aware, but they are out there. In trying to find your purpose, see where your passion and interest lies the most. Then do your research."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:37: LaMar discusses his eager anticipation to return to the stage after the COVID-19 virus subsides and the overall importance of the arts.
7:46: LaMar explains the importance of live performances in a day and age where anything can be accessed from a phone, tablet, or TV.
13:17: Baylor reflects on his experience on Broadway and how The Lion King has been such a moving experience for him.
16:27: LaMar describes his role in The Lion King as a “swing” and how the fluid nature of his role is “like a roller coaster.”
18:18: Baylor retells his journey from youth to Broadway and emphasizes the importance of doing research up front and finding your passion.
22:51: Aleksandra and LaMar dialogue around lessons LaMar learned in his upbringing and, specifically, around the importance of being open to all opportunities as they arise.
29:59: Baylor speaks to the importance of money management as an artist and why artists are so prone to avoid issues dealing with money.
32:26: Baylor discusses his involvement with the organization MindLeaps and his first exposure to a third-world culture, far unlike anything he’d experienced in the US.
38:42: LaMar explains why he believes the MindLeaps program is so powerful in transforming the lives of youth around the globe.
Bullet List of Resources –
LaMar Baylor
- On Playbill
MindLeaps
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Jim Cooney, a New Yorker who has collaborated with multiple Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award winners in his career as an award-winning director, choreographer, and educator. Jim’s work spans both national and international audiences, and he has been praised by The New York Times for training performers with “audition must haves: character, motivation, and endurance.” Most recently, Cooney has developed a curriculum to help artists integrate their artistry, finances, and health and take charge of their careers.
Jim is a wealth of knowledge, both around the art and technique of dance and how to succeed on and off the stage. On the podcast, Jim deep dives on the elements that make dancers (and, frankly, any professionals) successful in their careers and shares some practical advice for listeners on taking steps towards developing a healthy mentality and, thus, unlocking profound success.
Moving Quotes:
[On having a healthy mindset] “For most artists, the roadblock is themselves… You can create anything you want to create. You don’t need to wait for someone else to give you an opportunity."
“A lot of branding work [as a dancer] is the mindset work — knowing yourself and how you want to position yourself and how you want to shape the conversation around yourself."
“Be kind to yourself and realize anything is possible. You can be your biggest cheerleader or your biggest enemy."
“What you have to offer the world, the world does need. If you keep your gifts to yourself, you are robbing people who need your gifts… Just imagine how fruitful the industry would be if everyone’s gifts were allowed to flourish."
[On personal branding] “Your social media and your personal website are the best ways for you to shape your reputation and provide the talking points that you want people to say about you."
“If you don’t pay yourself first, you’re never going to feel like you have enough money to save."
“Our bodies are our own vocabulary, and we love to explore it and make new words and phrases."
“When you’re focusing on the art form [of dance] — on the movement — politics doesn’t matter. Government doesn’t matter. Dance is an artistic expression of our humanity."
“What is your ‘why’? What is your bigger reason that you get up in the morning and make every decision you make?"
“People who are called to the arts tend to not want to be people who segregate. Artists are more about understanding the human condition and are more empathetic."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:57: Jim explains why he recently spent some time in Aleksandra’s birth country, Russia.
7:41: Jim discusses how dance is a cross-cultural language and why bodily expression is such a powerful language.
13:46: Cooney walks through his “three pillars” to unlocking a successful career in the arts.
24:02: Jim shares some exercises that may help individuals find purpose and fulfillment in their lives.
30:25: Cooney discusses some ways that listeners can further learn about his professional development methods and ideas.
34:27: Cooney shares some tips for freelancers who may be looking for a more stable income stream.
39:50: Jim describes the importance of developing a personal brand and gives some pointers for how he’s developed his own personal brand.
43:02: Jim shares some advice for dancers (and professionals, in general) around having a healthy mindset and being willing to share your gifts with the world.
45:00: Jim discusses his latest projects and what the future holds for him.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jim Cooney
- Personal Website
- Sign up for Jim’s FREE newsletter
- More info on Seeing 20/20 on 2020 training
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra welcomes Alex Svoboda, Founder at freedomDANCE and all-around renaissance man. Alex, who currently hails from London, has lived in three different countries, studied at five different universities, and holds a Ph.D. in history and sociology. Over the course of his career, he has worked as an analyst and manager at some of the world’s leading consulting firms and is a former university instructor. He currently sits at the helm of freedomDANCE, where he teaches his conscious dance methods alongside over 30 other teachers and trainees.
Alex is a firm believer that every person on the planet has a right to dance — that dance is a part of who we are and is a way for humans to move, express, and connect with themselves and others. His end goal is to make dance accessible to everyone as a means to grow and develop and is working to make this a reality via his dance company. On the podcast, Alex discusses his company, his methods, and how dance is for more than the good of the stage; it’s for the good of our souls.
Moving Quotes:
“Dance doesn’t need to be the exclusive privilege of those people who spend their lives starting at age five rehearsing and perfecting their technique. There’s a joy of dance that should be available for everyone."
“We have a fundamental human need to move, express, and connect."
“I think I’m addicted to this job because, every day, I see miracles happening."
“I define my mission as ‘mainstreaming conscience dance’ or ‘mainstreaming dance meditation’ … We are different because we use dance as a way to grow, to build awareness, to develop."
“When carrying out virtual dance classes, you have to take that extra step for the social aspect."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:29: Alex discusses the evolution of his dance company, freedomDANCE, since its founding in August 2009.
7:10: Alex explains why his company’s mission — to make dance accessible for all — is important and how his company accomplishes this goal.
14:43: Svoboda discusses how making “dance meditation” more of a mainstream activity is beneficial for our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
16:54: Alex explains how virtual dance classes, which were initially started out of necessity, have grown into something extremely beneficial for dancers around the world.
21:27: Svoboda walks through his unique career and how each of his seemingly disconnected vocations have equipped him for his current role in dance.
26:10: Svoboda shares some practical advice for how to make the most out of a virtual dance class — as both the teacher and as the student.
32:00: Alex rounds out the podcast by sharing his optimal future plans for both himself and for freedomDANCE.
Bullet List of Resources –
Alex Svoboda
freedomDANCE
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Erica Hornthal, a therapist that makes lasting changes in clients by harnessing the power of the body for improved mental health. Erica — otherwise known as “the therapist who moves you” — is the Founder and CEO of Chicago Dance Therapy. Her methods, which can be labeled as dance or movement therapy, are for those that are struggling with mental health, have exhausted talk therapy options, or are seeking a holistic approach to emotional well-being.
To Erica, the key to unlocking a healthy mental and emotional state is by being fully in tune with your body, and every day, she works with clients to achieve that goal. On the podcast, Hornthal deep dives on movement therapy — what it is, why it is important in 2020, and how it can be achieved to better one’s life — as well as the excitement and challenges of starting your own business and many other topics.
Moving Quotes:
“In the end, it’s about how we connect to our bodies. And when we connect to our bodies and we’re aware of how we move, we’re able to manage our emotions better and have better mental health."
“Movement therapy creates change through body movement and through connection… It’s not only about the fun activity. We’re trying to achieve goals."
“Dance as a form of exercise has always proven to be one of the most comprehensive forms of exercise. It stimulates every part of us."
“For someone to gain the tools to see their body as their greatest resource and avenue for untapped potential is very empowering. That keeps people coming back."
“I tend to act and then the fear comes up. The fear doesn’t stop me from doing things; it just comes up after the fact.”
“When building my business, a lot of people told me, ’That’s not going to work,’ or asked me, ‘Why are you doing that?’ But I just kept using my own body as a reference. If it was ethical and authentic to me, then I kept going."
“I’m big into not settling the status quo… If I did a more traditional route, I know I wouldn’t be satisfied. I’d always be asking, ‘What if?’ I would have had regrets."
“I try not to get too caught up in where I see myself because, if that doesn’t happen, I don’t want it to deter me from going forward. But I also have hopes and dreams."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:07: Erica defines “movement therapy” and how the discipline improves others’ lives.
5:19: Erica retells her unique experience working with a prior patient who was 107 years old.
8:19: Hornthal discusses how movement therapy has manifested itself during the COVID-19 crisis.
11:01: Erica describes her career journey and the choices that she made along the way to get her to where she is today.
17:07: Hornthal shares some advice for entrepreneurs who may be looking to start their own businesses but with limited resources.
22:59: Erica, who is well known as being an expert in her field, explains what she believes is her “secret sauce” that draws people in and keeps them coming back.
25:14: Erica discloses her favorite thing about her job as a movement therapist.
29:18: Hornthal sets expectations for any future clients who may be interested in movement therapy but may not have a background in dance.
35:59: Hornthal discusses the book that she’s currently working on and the difficulties that she’s experienced thus far working with publishers.
38:48: Erica looks to the future and discusses her hopes and dreams for Chicago Dance Therapy.
Bullet List of Resources –
Erica Hornthal
- Personal Website
Chicago Dance Therapy
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Kelly Maryanski, who is currently primarily working as a freelance aerialist. Historically, Kelly has been a dancer, aerialist, choreographer, actor, singer, musician, and even sometimes dabbles in freelance illustration. Prior to the COVID outbreak, Kelly was preparing to perform as an aerialist and actor in the Lyric Opera’s RING Cycle. Kelly also works as a Circus Coach with Circeseem, which teaches circus skills to underprivileged youth to promote teambuilding and camaraderie.
Being a freelance performer and illustrator has allowed Kelly to pave her own way to career success; however, the freelance lifestyle hasn’t come without hardship. On the podcast, Kelly lays out the advantages to pursuing your own passions and trailblazing your own career but is also honest about the challenges of freelance work, sharing some key takeaways for anyone looking to follow in her footsteps.
Moving Quotes:
“It’s okay to have a bunch of different interest and be doing a lot of things. I know I’ve heard the phrase ‘Jack of all trades, master of none.’ I don’t necessarily think that’s true. I think it’s to everyone’s benefit to have more than one interest and goal."
“It’s really rare to go out for your dream job and get cast in it right away. There always has to be work put in."
“Especially in the industry now, you have to be so good at promoting yourself, even if you have an agent. You have to know how to market yourself."
[On auditioning] “Even though I think I can play a certain part and sing a certain role and dance a certain role, it doesn’t mean I’m going to get it if I’m not that puzzle piece… Unfortunately, sometimes, it doesn’t have to do with talent. It just has to do with the whole picture."
“Having an extra part-time job while starting out in the dance industry is important, but that also doesn’t mean that it has to be something you’re not interested in."
“A few years ago, another actor friend of mine always said that, after every audition, you should get yourself a treat or a present. And if you get the callback, that’s as if you got the job. You just want to be remembered and seen."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:43: Kelly briefly discusses her extremely diverse career, including where she is now and what types of roles she has historically taken.
4:37: Kelly explains how she organically built a well-rounded career, as opposed to planning it from the beginning.
10:48: Maryanski describes the intense physical strain of aerial dance on the body and the most difficult thing about the art.
12:45: Kelly explains how, in such a strenuous artform, she avoids burnout.
15:53: Maryanski discusses the challenge of pursuing a degree while performing aerial dance but shares how the permanent positives far outweighed the temporary negatives.
19:28: Kelly shares about Circesteem and her involvement with the incredible organization, which teaches circus skills to underprivileged youth to promote teambuilding and camaraderie.
22:14: Kelly gives some advice to any looking to pursue a career in dance and expresses the importance of having supplemental income at the beginning.
26:41: Maryanski shares some wisdom on standing out in auditions and dealing with rejection, which will inevitably come more often than not.
29:34: Kelly discusses the joys and challenges of being a freelance artist.
31:12: Maryanski discusses the integral role that patience plays in the journey of a professional dancer.
Bullet List of Resources –
Kelly Maryanski
- Personal Website
Circesteem
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Sherry Zunker — Artistic Director, Choreographer, Creative Director, Theater Director and Founder of BeMoved® Dance based out of Chicago, Illinois. Sherry has a stunning resume, boasting a 35-year-long run as a dance teacher and working as a creator, director, and choreographer on over 35 productions for Royal Caribbean International. Sherry also has had an extensive career as a dancer and, now, runs BeMoved Dance, which is founded on the belief that dance and music has the transformative power to enrich lives.
Sherry firmly holds to the idea that all people should be allowed to express themselves through motion and has dedicated her life to helping others find this gift. Through BeMoved, Sherry is truly using her passion for good. On the podcast, Sherry takes her natural position as a teacher and walks her students — the listeners — through some incredible lessons she’s picked up around dance, entrepreneurship, auditioning, and so much more.
Moving Quotes:
“I believe everyone has the right to dance and to move… I also feel that dance helps people’s capacity to cope with the world. It would make people healthier and happier."
“At the heart of everything I do, I’m a good teacher. I love to inspire people to be better."
“People are more creative than they probably realize. For me, creativity starts with a problem. I ask, “What’s the problem?” And I solve that problem with creativity."
“The reason I feel that I have worked so much and was able to make a living at dance is because I was open to trying so many different things… Every discipline can benefit and help the other discipline."
“In life, people are the reason you’re going to succeed."
“[In entrepreneurship,] you have to venture out into all of these unknown areas and know that it’s okay to learn on the spot… It’s not so much what you know than how you think."
“The hardest thing [when you audition others] is to be very efficient but, at the same time, figure out a way to inspire even those that you turn away."
“A lot of people come to auditions and look like a student and not like a performing artist or a person. I want a person who performs and dances — I don’t want a dance student. There’s a different vibe."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:11: Sherry, who has had an extremely diverse and unique career, discusses the importance of learning a variety of skills and dance styles.
5:45: Sherry explains the perks of being a teacher while pursuing a career in dance and how journey was profoundly impacted by her love of teaching.
7:07: Zunker shares some thoughts on how she is able to spot potential during auditions.
11:08: Sherry, who has run numerous auditions throughout her career, shares some very good advice on how to stick out while auditioning for roles.
15:39: Zunker spends some time describing her dance business — BeMoved — and how it came to be.
22:41: Zunker discusses the music that one may come across when attending one of her classes.
25:40: Sherry describes one of the most challenging aspects of entrepreneurship and the necessity of learning as you go.
28:43: Sherry explains how her love for creativity has played into her love for entrepreneurship.
32:41: Zunker shares some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs around the importance of networking.
34:26: Sherry discusses what’s next for BeMoved and why she’s passionate about sharing movement with others.
Bullet List of Resources –
Sherry Zunker
BeMoved
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Kate Jablonski, owner and artistic director of Beyond Words Dance Company, The Kate Jablonski Statement, and Camp Kate. Jablonski — a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago — has danced for some of the greatest teachers and choreographers on the East Coast and has garnered several accolades such as a Gold Leo’s Award and a Capezio A.C.E. Award. Kate’s entrepreneurial endeavors have even expanded internationally, opening Camp Kate locations in London and Italy.
Kate would be the first to admit that, to grow big, she had to start small; her current success that spans continents started with a future vision and with the discipline to get there. On the podcast, Kate shares her unique perspective as someone who has been profoundly successful in both dance and business and gives some behind-the-scenes insight on the joys and challenges of entrepreneurship.
Moving Quotes:
“As an entrepreneur, it doesn’t get any easier — the workload never ends — so you have to be passionate about what you do."
“Competition — a healthy competition — can very valuable, beneficial, and motivating for students, as long as it’s not the sole focus of [dance training]. I don’t want them to feel like terrible dancers if they don’t win first place.”
“I would tell parents to encourage their children to expand upon their passions… People told me that I needed a back-up plan, which implied I was going to fail. Instead, I tell my students that you don’t want to be a 'one trick pony.' … Make your palette as wide as you can."
“I would say to any business owner that, if you want to start a business, take some courses in accounting or finance. Those subjects are not my favorite, but it was good to have to learn about them."
“Over the years, it’s been hard to delegate to other people… I have a wonderful staff, but it’s sometimes hard to let go of those things that you’re used to doing and to trust other people to run this business that’s so near and dear to me."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:14: Kate explains the origins of the Beyond Words Dance Company.
6:12: Kate gives her point of view on why healthy competition can be good for young dancers.
10:20: Jablonski walks through her journey as an entrepreneur and how starting small was key to her long-term success.
14:58: Kate discusses some unexpected struggles that she has faced as an entrepreneur, including staying disciplined and being willing to delegate.
17:00: Jablonski explains how her dance companies are built for scale through her culture of teaching and mentorship.
19:17: Jablonski discusses her other two dance endeavors — The Kate Jablonski Statement and Camp Kate — and how Camp Kate has recently grown internationally.
21:20: Kate walks through the events that drove her into a full-time dance career.
26:35: Kate shares some advice for parents who want to be supportive of their child’s dance passion.
32:05: Jablonski, who is a highly decorated dancer and artist, describes the joy of receiving several top dance awards for her work.
34:27: Kate looks to the future and casts some vision for where she’d like her dance companies to go in the next few years.
Bullet List of Resources –
Kate Jablonski
Beyond Words Dance Company
- Company Website
- YouTube
Camp Kate
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Rebecca Davis and Bashir Karenzi of MindLeaps — a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the education of vulnerable children around the world through creative arts. Davis, who is the Founder and Executive Director of MindLeaps, holds several degrees and had an extensive dance career prior to taking over the nonprofit. Karenzi, who is Technical Director at MindLeaps, hails from Rwanda, holds a degree, boasts an accomplished dance resume, and speaks five different languages.
Both Davis and Karenzi have witnessed first-hand the lifechanging impact of dance on societies and the world and have dedicated their lives to helping vulnerable populations succeed through the arts. On the podcast, they deep-dive on MindLeaps’s incredible mission, retell some of their most inspiring stories, detail how the company works on an operational level, and look back on an amazing journey that got them to where they are today.
Moving Quotes:
“Many times, I think dance is seen as entertainment or as a discipline that we do with our bodies. But dancers have really seen how it’s changed the way they think about themselves and their world. It has a huge effect emotionally and mentally.”
“We are strong because we were broken.”
“Dance triggers a belief in possibility — if I can do these steps that I only see on TV or only see ‘cool kids’ doing, then there’s an understanding that I can do more in life and I’m capable of it."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:58: Rebecca and Bashir describe their organization — MindLeaps — including what they do, where they operate, and how many are involved in their program.
7:46: Bashir discusses the MindLeaps curriculum, who the program is targeted towards, and the end goal of the program’s graduates.
13:41: Rebecca and Bashir share some of the most inspiring success stories from their time working alongside the MindLeaps students and teachers.
16:54: Rebecca describes the incredible way her company measures the success of its program.
20:16: Rebecca and Bashir explain how they prepare their leaders to be effective coaches and mentors for the MindLeaps students.
26:06: Rebecca discusses why she believes her program has a 95 percent success rate in the areas where it operates.
28:46: Rebecca recaps her incredible journey that led her to eventually founding MindLeaps.
36:55: Rebecca discusses how she eventually filed for 501(c)(3) and organized her nonprofit, as a young woman in her mid-20s.
39:24: Rebecca provides information around how to donate to MindLeaps.
40:31: Rebecca and Bashir end the conversation by projecting their ultimate vision for the MindLeaps project.
Bullet List of Resources –
Rebecca Davis
Bashir Karenzi
MindLeaps
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Reesie Davis, CEO and Founder of Praize Productions. Davis, who holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from Indiana University, taught for five years in public education prior to establishing her company. In her current role, Davis uses her platform to create award-winning productions infused with socially conscious messaging and to harness the arts to enrich underserved communities.
As a trained educator, Reesie believes that art should make people feel, think, and ultimately act to make society better, and being on the southside of Chicago, she has witnessed firsthand the positive effects that the arts can have on a community. On the podcast, Reesie walks through her journey in education and dance that led her to this unique position and shares some invaluable thoughts around the importance of having a strong work ethic, partnered with a strong belief in yourself.
Moving Quotes:
“I knew I wanted to go to our underserved communities to help young artists of color and give them opportunity and exposure in the arts."
“[Founding the company] has been a struggle, but it’s been all worth it. Because when I see the young artists I impact in my students and see the impact that this organization has in people’s lives and in our community, I know all of those sacrifices I had to make along the way were worth it."
“Women are the heart and soul of this world; they influence everything.”
“In life, there is no wasted experience. I use my education degree every single day in teaching the arts."
“I think we all try to imagine this ‘arrival moment,’ but I really don’t think that ever happens. Because once you arrive to the dream you had, you realize there’s more to do… Life is a journey that doesn’t stop.”
“My advice to any business owner — even if they are an artistic director — is to always learn all aspects of the business."
“I believe in faith plus works. You can have all of the faith in the world and believe in a dream, but if you’re not willing to do the work, it’s not going to be possible. But you can also work your butt off, and if you don’t believe in yourself, it’s not going to happen. It’s a balance.”
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:53: Reesie discusses her dance company — Praize Productions — and the catalyst for founding the company.
6:57: Reesie shares about her teaching career and how lessons that she learned as a teacher have bled into her career as a dance company founder.
10:36: Davis describes her thought process behind leaving her stable career to start something from scratch.
12:55: Davis discusses the earliest days of Praize Productions, when she was a teacher, a company founder, a graduate student, and a professional dancer — all at the same time.
18:36: Reesie describes most surprising and most difficult things about running her own company.
23:50: Davis explains how the arts are changing mindsets in Chicago’s southside.
25:38: Davis discusses the important role of women in the arts and, more broadly, in the world and how women are uniquely suited to impact literally everything.
27:43: Reesie shares some important advice for parents whose children are interested in pursuing a career in dance.
32:05: Davis explains the importance as a business owner of understanding every facet of business operations, even if you’re not directly carrying out those operations.
35:48: Reesie shares some advice for dancers wanting to achieve their dreams and impact their communities.
Bullet List of Resources –
Reesie Davis
Praize Productions Inc.
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Kathleen McGuire Gaines, founder at Minding the Gap, fundraising consultant, and contributing writer at Dance Magazine. As a dancer, Kathleen trained at various dance academies, before circumstances forced her to pivot her career towards writing. As a writer, she has published countless articles for prominent dance publications, mostly revolving around mental health issues. Her most recent and foremost effort — Minding the Gap — is a social good organization, dedicated to making mental health a higher priority in the dance world.
Dance is more than physical. Having dealt with mental health issues in the past, Gaines is no stranger to the types of emotional struggles that dancers encounter on a day-to-day basis. And, ultimately, the gap in awareness and knowledge in the dance community towards these types of struggles drove her to find a solution. On the podcast, Alexandra and Kathleen dive into Kathleen’s amazing story, how Minding the Gap came to be, and why we should all care about mental health.
Moving Quotes:
“A dancer who sprains their ankle is going to go to the doctor. They’re going to go to physical therapy. When you’re having a mental health issue, it should be no different."
“Becoming a dance writer has helped me face my own dragons in some ways — my own feelings of loss. Really, when I’m trying to come up with what I’m writing about, I’m asking, ‘What do I wish I had known? What do I wish someone had told me?’"
“When it comes to things like eating disorders, we have to be more proactive and less reactive."
“I didn’t plan [my life’s] trajectory at all… But at the same time, when I look back and look at the pieces of my life and the skills I’ve developed over that time, it’s like I’ve been training for this forever… I just followed my heart from one step to the next. And, now, here I am."
“I think goal-setting is a foundational skill that all dancers need that, frankly, few dancers do very well. We conflate our dreams and our goals. And you can’t tie your sense of accomplishment to something you have no control over."
“When you’re young, people bestow upon you the wisdom that everything happens for a reason. And it’s easy to write that off. But I absolutely believe it now."
“I believe that, as a teacher, you can have high standards and create great dancers and also be very kind. But, sadly, that’s not the mentality of much of the dance world."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:00: Kathleen walks through the events in her life that led her to where she is today, which is a path she did not originally plan.
7:43: Kathleen recaps the turning point in her journey that eventually led her to create her mental health organization — Minding the Gap.
11:42: Kathleen describes her organization, what they do in the day-to-day, and how these efforts have recently pivoted to help address the COVID-19 crisis.
19:05: Gaines discusses why she believes there is a stigma around mental health in the dance community.
24:16: Gaines describes the signs that may indicate you or one of your peers is currently dealing with a mental health crisis.
28:09: Kathleen shares information on how to handle a peer in a mental health crisis, once the situation has been identified.
32:46: Kathleen explains how body image is a significant emotional health trigger, specifically for dancers.
37:37: Gaines pivots the discussion towards her writing career and how she chooses the topics to feature in her pieces for dance publications.
40:47: Kathleen looks towards the future and where she hopes to be in the short and long terms.
Bullet List of Resources –
Kathleen McGuire Gaines
Minding the Gap
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Christopher Stuart, Resident Choreographer for the Nashville Ballet. Stuart, a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, spent an astounding 16 seasons at the Nashville Ballet, ultimately rising to the ranks of principal dancer. Christopher describes his choreography as “free and limitless,” and his work has been featured in many companies across the American Southeast, while being praised by various dance publications.
As a choreographer of seven years, Stuart has learned much about the nature of dance — lessons which retroactively shine light on his experiences as a dancer — and, on the podcast, he spends a great deal of time discussing these learnings. During his conversation, Christopher recaps his journey as a dancer, talks about not taking rejection too personally, discusses his approach to choreography, and so much more.
Moving Quotes:
“I just kept pushing myself. I loved coming in [to the Nashville Ballet], knowing that there was always something more to learn. Even to the last day before I retired, I was always learning something."
"Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. If you want this career in your life that makes you happy, then you should do it."
“I think dance, in general, is always ever-evolving. We have to evolve with the times. We have to adapt to our world."
“When I cast my ballets, I don’t always cast the person with the prettiest feet or the prettiest legs. I look at the movement that I’m creating and the people that I think best suit that role or piece, no matter of ranks or anything."
“You’re not always going to be what the choreographer or stager is looking for."
“My family gives me strength and ideas, honestly, as a choreographer to create new work."
“One of the pros — and cons, really — of going to a dance boarding school was that you had to grow up really fast… But the biggest pro is that you’re surrounded by many like-minded people… It was amazing seeing all of the artistry at [North Carolina School of the Arts], and you’re around it nonstop."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:14: Christopher discusses his start as a choreographer and how he approaches the process.
8:40: Christopher retells his beginnings in the world of dance and the dancer, in particular, who inspired him to pursue the stage.
11:47: Stuart discusses the pros and cons of attending a boarding school for dance.
13:42: Christopher shares about his time with the Nashville Ballet and how he believes he has been able to successfully rise through the ranks of that company.
14:27: Stuart looks back on a moment when he didn’t achieve a role he was aiming for but how now, as a choreographer, he sees that that situation wasn’t truly a rejection.
18:20: Christopher explains his opportunity to create for the New York City Choreography Institute.
20:49: Christopher — a husband and father — discusses the challenge of balancing his work and his family.
22:25: Stuart explains the importance of children’s arts education and the main lesson that he learned as a child during his arts training.
23:53: Christopher discusses the future of dance and how the art must evolve with the times, while still remaining true to what makes it unique and timeless.
28:40: Stuart gives some important advice to any young dancers wanting to pursue a career in ballet.
Bullet List of Resources –
Christopher Stuart
- On Nashville Ballet site
Nashville Ballet
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Alicia Graf Mack — a veteran dancer, the director at the world-renowned Juilliard School, and the co-founder of the D(n)A Arts Collective, which seeks to enrich the lives of young dancers through master classes and intensives. Graf Mack’s accolades include being named American Innovator of the Arts and Sciences by Smithsonian Magazine, receiving the Columbia University Medal of Excellence, and delivering the keynote address at the Columbia University’s School of General Studies graduation ceremony.
Alicia is no stranger to adversity, as her thriving dance career was put “on pause” due to injuries and a newfound auto-immune disorder. However, in retrospect, Alicia now recognizes that all of these experiences — both positive and negative — put her on a path to arrive where she is today. On the podcast, Alicia reflects on her dance journey and discusses — among many other things — how we can find the positive in both the good and the bad, even if it takes us time to get there.
Moving Quotes:
“I think the time when I was not dancing actually informed me as an artist more than being a dancer could. Because I had the chance to ‘learn myself’ — myself not as a dancer or an artist — and also to really understand all of the mechanisms that shape the arts world, especially from a business perspective… I don’t regret having injuries or stepping away."
“It’s interesting. There are certain tenants that stay the same [between business administration and arts administration]. And that is culture, community, inspiration, passion — all of those things have to live for any organization or institution to survive and thrive."
“The more [women] leaders that we have across fields, the more that we can mentor and grow.”
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:05: Alicia speaks to why she takes pride in her workplace — The Juilliard School — and how the conservatory’s culture is the perfect atmosphere for artists.
6:07: Alicia discusses her personal views on the elements that make organizational culture great.
9:23: Graf Mack walks through her journey in dance and reflects on how, in retrospect, her various positive and negative life experiences made perfect sense to get her where she is today.
13:32: Alicia explains her decision to pursue a history degree while studying at Columbia University.
16:35: Graf Mack discusses the two people that inspired her decisions to seek a master’s degree at Washington University in St. Louis and pursue a degree in arts administration.
19:26: Graf Mack describes her experience doing the keynote address at Columbia University’s General Studies commencement ceremony.
22:19: Alicia shares her thoughts on the role of women in the arts and business communities and the road forward for women leaders.
24:10: Alicia discusses the D(n)A Arts Collective — how it began and what the organization is all about.
28:53: Alicia shares her hopes for her future, the future of The Juilliard School, and the future of the D(n)A Arts Collective.
Bullet List of Resources –
Alicia Graf Mack
- On The Juilliard School site
D(n)A Arts Collective
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Jessica Deahr, who is currently in her eighth season as Artistic Director at Chicago Dance Crash. Her work includes lengthy story ballets such as the award-winning The Bricklayers of Oz, which was named Chicago Tribune’s Best Dance in 2017 and Dance Magazine’s Most Inventive New Work. Towards the beginning of her career, Jessica also did commercial work for the World Wildlife Fund, Vital Proteins, and Royal Caribbean Productions, to name a few.
Jessica took the nontraditional route into professional dance, but she’d be the first to say that she has no regrets. Jessica, who holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, didn’t initially pursue dance out of fears of inadequacy; however, she was eventually drawn back to the stage and has since built quite an accomplished career. On the podcast, Deahr speaks to how her life experiences made her into a well-rounded dancer and how a wide range of knowledge is necessary to thrive in today’s industry.
Moving Quotes:
“One other thing I could advise dancers on is adding business to their [dance] degrees… Nowadays, if you’re able to write grants and speak to that side of the dance company world, you make yourself even more versatile."
“I haven’t used my [sociology] degree yet officially, per se, but I would say I have no regrets in getting it. I think in many ways, I do have to use that degree now that I’m a director when I’m dealing with other people."
“The more variety you have under your belt, the better off you are."
“[When it comes to your passion,] if you don’t love it, it’s not going to work out. But if you do, you can make it work, even if you’re not the best technician or the whatever. It’s all about finding that thing where, when you wake up, you think, ‘Yeah, that’s what I want to do today. It’s not a chore.’"
“A lot of productivity comes from time spent in unmanaged down time."
“[Delegation is] something I’ve been trying to learn and work on and get better at as I get older. I think we don’t all know how to do that automatically, but that’s been a really cool thing for me in the past couple of years… It’s been fun learning not to bite off more than I can chew."
“I’m proud that I got to this position where I can make my own path with the dancers that I want to surround myself with, doing the art that we want to do. It’s easy to forget how lucky I am to do that."
“There are so many female artistic directors out there now that are proving you can both [work full-time and be a full-time mom]. You can have four kids and direct a company in the same way a male could. The open-mindedness of our culture is really working to eliminate that old mindset."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:27: Jessica walks through her nontraditional journey into the dance industry and her nontraditional choice for a college major.
9:12: Jessica shares more information about her company, including its unique style of dance.
10:45: Deahr discusses her wide-ranging responsibilities as an artistic director and how, in this leadership role, she is learning the art of delegation.
12:52: Jessica retells her earliest days pursuing a dance career and how she quickly learned the importance of resiliency and time management.
14:53: Deahr describes how she manages the full workload of artistic director and reflects on how the COVID-19 quarantine has helped her gain focus.
16:56: Deahr discusses her favorite and most challenging aspects of her current role at Chicago Dance Crash.
21:54: Jessica reflects on the gender gap in dance leadership and how, today, significant progress is being made in that area.
24:19: Jessica speaks to the pride she feels in her long dance career and how she wouldn’t have thought this possible 20 years ago.
26:10: Deahr shares some advice for those that are seeking a career in the dance industry.
28:17: Jessica discusses how she first found her passion and why it’s worth your time to spend your life pursuing that passion.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jessica Deahr
- On Chicago Dance Crash site
Chicago Dance Crash
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Elena Vostrotina, principal dancer at the Zurich Ballet. Since 2003, Elena has been internationally performing for some of the world’s most esteemed dance companies and choreographers. Having been formally trained at the famous Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, Elena went on to achieve her dream of dancing at the Mariinsky Ballet, as well as the Semperoper Ballett Dresden and, currently, the Zurich Ballet.
Elena knows that flexibility is key for international ballet — both of the mind and of the body. It goes without saying that physical flexibility is necessary for ballet, but when travelling internationally, mental and emotional flexibility are critical for adjusting to new cultures and accepting new ideas. On the podcast, Elena, who is no stranger to living outside her “comfort zone,” walks through her dance journey and shares advice on taking on new cultures, ideas, and even languages with poise and grace.
Moving Quotes:
“If you decide to make a change, you have to keep your eyes wide open. Listen a lot. Be open to the change… Don’t build things the same way that you’re used to."
“Many things can be challenging in our profession… Performing seems like moving a mountain, often… I think we have to work on those fears and just go out there and do it."
“When you feel that you can’t do something, you have to master yourself. You must know how to deal with yourself to make things work the way you want them to.”
“[When traveling,] take care of your body as much as you possibly can."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:41: Elena describes her current role as principal dancer for the Zurich Ballet and how she came to join the company.
7:27: Elena, who has performed across the globe, discusses the challenges of adjusting to different cultures.
10:34: Elena shares some tips for listeners who ever find themselves having to adapt to new cultures.
13:37: Vostrotina discusses some of her favorite pieces that she’s currently involved in, along with some of her favorite choreographers she’s worked with in the past.
17:08: Elena retells her history with ballet and how she ultimately became an international ballet dancer.
20:45: Vostrotina describes her days as a student at the famous Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Saint Petersburg.
26:19: Vostrotina describes her experience dancing at the renown Mariinsky Theatre and how dancing for this company was a dream come true.
28:42: Elena, who has extensive experience travelling internationally, shares some tips on how to keep your body in peak shape when traveling across time zones.
31:08: Elena speaks on the necessity of “mastering yourself” and overcoming fear when in a performing arts career.
34:28: Elena describes “what’s next” for her and discusses her desire for the world to return to normal so that others can resume sharing their art.
Bullet List of Resources –
Elena Vostrotina
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Paige and Kunal Moudgil, a husband-and-wife duo who have combined their business acumen and dance expertise to create PointePeople — a company that is building products and a community to enrich the lives of dancers, globally. Paige is a seasoned dancer who holds a BFA in Dance from the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. Kunal spent over eight years in the financial services industry, prior to pursuing his MBA at the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business.
Paige and Kunal are the dance industry’s “power couple” and are a beautiful example of how two passions can collide to make something truly great. On the podcast, the two deep-dive on the ins and outs of starting a business — from concept to execution — and cover a wide range of additional topics, including a discussion on the dynamics of working a career alongside your significant other.
Moving Quotes:
“It takes a lifetime to be an overnight success."
“Make serendipity happen. First, take the step. Second, surround yourself with the right people that can be your angels."
“If you can, start a business with a loved one — preferably a partner. Because what a relationship might not be able to do, a business can. It really forces you to understand each other at a level that you may never be able to do so as a couple without a business."
“Learn to let go. Identify things that you can outsource or offshore. Let the folks that have spent years becoming experts solve problems for you."
“Be a sponge in entrepreneurship. Read voraciously. Listen to podcasts. Just learn."
“We don’t want to just be 'Pointe Paint.' We don’t want to be a one-product company. We want to be a movement to change the way people think of dancers and the dance world. So, we want to be 'PointePeople.’ We want to be a community that is empowering, educating, and enriching dancers around the world."
“Have courage… There’s a difference between having courage and being fearless. I’m nervous 100 percent of the time running this business. But it’s the difference between having that fear sit with you and having the courage to move through it."
“It’s not that we’re putting a list together of [ways we can delight our customers]. We just open up our hearts and ask, ‘What is the best way to make someone happy?’"
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:59: Paige and Kunal discuss their business’s mission and vision and how the business came to life.
8:26: Paige walks through her personal history in dance and how she, as an NYU graduate in fine arts, ultimately pursued a career in entrepreneurship.
16:59: Paige shares an important lesson that she learned in dance that has helped her tremendously as she has built her own business.
18:21: Kunal — a seasoned businessman — discusses the similarities and differences between running a small business and a Fortune 500 company.
23:01: Kunal walks through the process of going from the proverbial “aha moment” to building a business atop that foundation.
27:50: Paige and Kunal discuss the joys and dynamics of working alongside each other as a husband and wife couple.
32:59: Paige and Kunal describe what they are most proud of.
36:05: Paige and Kunal share some practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs around the importance of ongoing education and resiliency.
40:13: Paige and Kunal take a moment to encourage any aspiring entrepreneurs to take the plunge and act on their ideas.
43:03: Paige and Kunal discuss what’s next for them in life and business.
Bullet List of Resources –
Paige Moudgil
Kunal Moudgil
PointePeople
- Company Website
- YouTube
Traction on Amazon (mentioned in podcast)
- Link to book
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Jennifer Stahl, Editor-in-Chief of Dance Magazine. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree of fine arts in dance and journalism from New York University. As a dancer, Stahl has danced for a number of well-known choreographers such as Karole Armitage and Gali Hod. As a journalist, she has written for a number of well-known publications such as The Atlantic and Runner’s World, prior to her current role.
As editor-in-chief of a 100-year-old dance magazine, Jennifer sits in a difficult position — trying to drive innovation in the midst of two extremely traditional print and dance industries. However, on the podcast, she describes the principles that help her continue to innovate and survive. She also explains how these very same principles helped her thrive in her career — being a good listener, being proactive, seizing opportunities, taking risks, and being willing to fail fast and keep on trying new things.
Moving Quotes:
“I hope to never be afraid to fail because [some of my ideas] most likely will, but it’s worth trying to see what the outcomes might be."
“Have something that reminds you every day why [you’re pursuing a career in dance]. Because it is so hard. It is a difficult career… But having a reason why you’re doing this and having a way to remind yourself of that reason regularly will help keep you motivated and help keep you growing."
“I think it is innovative for the dance field to really have this collective moment of coming together and not seeing each other as competitors but as possible allies in helping each other to survive this [pandemic] and hopefully thrive afterwards."
“Dancers aren’t considered ‘essential workers,’ but they are. Because, at this time when we’re all isolated, dance and the arts are essential to keep our souls alive."
“Seek out [a mentor] who has a working knowledge of the dance field right now. Ideally, you’d have a teacher at your studio or school who is still involved in the dance world or who has a number of connections. Who knows what different companies are like or are looking for… If you don’t have this, there are now a number of online resources you can use."
“It’s interesting to see the dancers who are growing up now… I think they have grown up with ‘woke-ness’ — being aware of [gender imbalances in dance leadership] … Today’s generation has a lot more awareness and hunger to change that."
“My advice for young people looking into doing internships is to take full advantage of them. Most are set up as learning opportunities, so it’s important to ask questions, jump in with ideas, find ways to share your interests, and ask for other opportunities… Taking initiative can make a big difference."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
5:34: Jennifer discusses how her team makes innovation happen in two industries that are extremely traditional — dance and journalism.
10:48: Jennifer walks through her career and how she eventually became Dance Magazine’s editor-in-chief.
14:13: Stahl, who started as an intern, gives some great advice on how to use internships to their full potential.
17:00: Jennifer discusses the friction she experiences in her role between the rigid structure of running a magazine and the creative nature of dance.
19:51: Stahl dives into a rich discussion on the nature of women leaders in dance and how the gender gap is finally starting to shift.
26:10: Stahl speaks on her mentors and shares some advice on how to find great mentors.
33:35: Jennifer discusses the pride that she feels in being the lead of a 100-year-old magazine.
35:47: Jennifer explains what she believes is the future of dance — a future that is extremely bright.
38:06: Stahl encourages young aspiring dancers to keep their eyes on their goals in the midst of a difficult career path.
39:31: Jennifer discusses what’s next for her in her career and her desire to continue taking risks, even if they may fail.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jennifer Stahl
Dance Magazine
- Company Website
- YouTube
Mentorly
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Caitlin Trainor, Founder of Dancio and Artistic Director at Trainor Dance, Inc. Trainor, a Rhode Island native, received a Masters of Fine Arts in dance before moving to New York City to work with various companies and choreographers. In 2011, Caitlin founded her own company — Trainor Dance — where she currently serves as Artistic Director. Caitlin also founded Dancio, which provides online dance classes with some of the best teachers around the world. Additionally, in 2016, she was voted into Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch.”
Trainor would be the first to admit that her journey into the dance world was a nontraditional one yet would argue that her “outsider” mentality has worked to her advantage. Nowhere is that seen clearer than in her own business, Dancio, which is using emerging technology to disrupt the traditional idea of dance education. On the podcast, Trainor discusses how Dancio came to be and shares some great (and difficult) truths about entrepreneurship and living life outside your comfort zone.
Moving Quotes:
“Dance, at its essence, is a shared, communal art form, and live class is a sacred, irreplaceable experience. That said, we need to learn from many different sources and that’s often at odds with [many different barriers, such as time and cost] … So streaming dance class will become an indispensable tool for the global dancer."
“Being a little bit of an outsider to dance can be an asset when you want to create things because you have ideas that are just slightly different than what’s happening. And you can say, ‘Well gee, I guess I can make this if it doesn’t already exist.’"
“I’m a big believer in connecting to your intuition. Being quiet and listening to your internal voice — your hunch — and giving yourself space to explore that curiosity and intuition. Don’t just jump on the ambition treadmill."
“Not being a perfectionist is the best way to make things perfect … The only way you create something of value is to begin creating it."
“Entrepreneurship is not for those who need stability and regularity; it’s a nerve-wracking thing. I am up many nights. But it’s exciting and gratifying, and I wouldn’t want it any other way."
“Over time, [my lack of formal training] has allowed me to really follow my passions as a maker, creator, and doer in the field because I just thought, ‘Well, if I don’t fit into the field as it is now, I will build some things that I can do.’"
“[Juggling my career with my four-year-old] is a little crazy. But life is short, and I’m going to live the heck out of it."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:22: Caitlin retells her introduction to the world of dance and how being an “outsider” actually worked to her advantage.
7:34: Caitlin discusses how she executed the vision for Dancio — her dance-streaming company.
10:27: Trainor, as the founder of multiple different companies, describes her love for entrepreneurship and how it’s not for the faint of heart.
12:54: Caitlin explains the benefits of Dancio’s exciting technology and how her company aims to absolutely disrupt the dance industry.
14:40: Caitlin shares about the beginnings of Dancio and speaks to fighting against perfection when creating something new.
18:21: Trainor outlines some predictions on how streaming technology — and evolving technology, in general — will change the dance industry.
22:37: Trainor describes her dance company that she founded and built from scratch.
26:34: As a dance lover and serial entrepreneur, Caitlin shares some life lessons that she has learned along her journey.
28:37: Caitlin discusses how she became one of Dance Magazine’s Top 25 to Watch in 2016 and how this honor has helped her career.
30:10: Caitlin shares some advice for any dance-lovers that may desire a career in the dance industry without being an actual dancer.
Bullet List of Resources –
Caitlin Trainor
Dancio
- Company Website
Trainor Dance, Inc.
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Margaret Fuhrer, Editor in Chief of Dance Spirit magazine. Margaret holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree in journalism from New York University. Margaret went on to be a dance writer and editor for various publications, including The Huffington Post. She is now the Editor in Chief of Dance Spirit magazine, Content Director for The Dance Edit podcast, and Digital Content Director for Dance Media Publications. She is also the author of American Dance: The Complete Illustrated History.
Being in the dance journalism world, Margaret is on the front lines of the latest changes in both the dance world and in media. Since becoming Editor in Chief only a few years ago, she’s seen drastic changes to the journalism and performing arts landscapes. On the podcast, Margaret shares her story and gives “a day in the life” at one of dance’s most prestigious magazines, all while projecting what she believes the future may hold for the world of dance.
Moving Quotes:
“The arrival of social media has fundamentally changed the landscape in how dancers market themselves. The way they’re hired. The way their careers go and how those careers look."
“It’s funny. You don’t think of dance as a medium that lends itself well to podcasts, which is essentially radio. And yet, hearing dancers and members of the dance world talk about their craft is endlessly fascinating. There is so much to probe there."
“Dancers today are so much better educated at a much younger age about the breadth of content that various parts of the dance world are putting out. And I think the trend that we’re starting to see is a lot more cross-pollination than there used to be across genres and styles. Which, I think, is resulting in beautiful things."
“A field that sorely needs good people who really know dance is arts administration."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:40: Margaret discusses how she went from watching The Nutcracker to dancing ballet to studying medieval studies at an Ivy League university to Editor in Chief of Dance Spirit.
10:24: Margaret, who studied at some of the best universities in the world, explains why she chose to attend those schools.
11:56: Fuhrer describes Dance Spirit and explains her role as Editor in Chief of the publication.
16:22: Margaret describes her team’s process in choosing the right stories to fill Dance Spirit’s pages.
18:45: Fuhrer explains how dance journalism has completely shifted with the advent of new media platforms (such as social media), even since she began her career not too long ago.
23:00: Fuhrer discusses what she believes is the future of dance and why she is very optimistic about the trends that we are seeing today.
24:58: Margaret explains how the opportunity to write her book came to be and how her timeline to create the book was paper-thin, on top of her normal day job.
29:46: Margaret shares about her podcast — The Dance Edit Podcast — and the idea that drove its creation.
32:11: Fuhrer, who is involved in the dance industry as a non-dancer, discusses some other critical non-dance roles that listeners may be interested in pursuing.
34:07: Margaret looks to the future and shares what she’s most excited about.
Bullet List of Resources –
Margaret Fuhrer
The Dance Edit Podcast
- Company Website + Links to Stream
American Dance: The Complete Illustrated History
- On Amazon
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Terry Hyde, a psychotherapist at Counselling for Dancers, where he offers support specifically for dancers dealing with emotional and mental health issues. Terry’s journey into psychotherapy has been extremely unique. Upon retiring from a seasoned dance career, Terry successfully sold two businesses that were linked to the performance industry. Terry went on to pursue an education in psychotherapy and now hosts workshops, Skype sessions, phone, and face-to-face meetups to support dancers, wherever they are.
Terry understands the value of a healthy mental state in the performance world, where rejection and heartache are commonplace. And, after retiring from dance, Terry used the very same skills he learned from dance to build a business so that he could help other dancers. On the podcast, Terry walks through his entire career and speaks to best practices in mental health, how dance can help in other walks of life, his upcoming book, and how we can all be our best selves.
Moving Quotes:
“We, as dancers, are disciplined. It’s the discipline of doing ballet. It’s that feeling of wanting to do it right — wanting to do it properly. Instead of doing any structured education in business, I just learned as I went along. Just picked things up."
“Dancers have translatable skills. When you come to an intersection point — when you don’t want to dance anymore — you still have those skills. The determination, the focus, the drive — everything like that."
“Look after yourself. You are unique, and you are the most important person in your life. And that’s not being selfish either."
“Take things as they come. Don’t look too far ahead. Your own personal unique journey is going to look different than your friend’s journey. You have to be happy with yourself."
“The best person dancers can talk to is themselves — their gut feeling. There’s an intrinsic link between the mind and the body."
“My workshops are about learning how to assess your feelings, to understand your own feelings, and to ask for help. Dancers will learn how to be mentally fit and emotionally strong."
“Dance is subjective. Just because the choreographer doesn’t like the style of dance that you can do doesn’t mean you’re a bad dancer. It means you can’t do it the way they want it. Artistic directors are very fickle people."
“The power of the mind can make or break you. It works both ways — it can be so positive or so negative."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:13: Terry walks through his journey as a dancer and businessman, from his earliest dance lessons to his thriving entrepreneurial ventures.
7:56: Terry discusses how he managed to teach himself the principles of finance and how his dance background worked to his advantage.
13:34: Hyde speaks to mental health and how his workshops help eliminate negative stigmas around the subject and teach ways to foster a healthy mental state.
21:00: Terry shares about how dancers can get involved in his workshops.
23:30: Hyde discusses his book and how he’s hoping it can help distribute the teachings from his workshop on a broader scale.
28:07: Hyde shares some advice for up-and-coming dancers on breaking into the dance industry, while maintaining a healthy and positive mental state.
33:43: Terry explains a practice that he finds extremely valuable in realizing your full potential and achieving your goals — writing down your intentions.
36:01: Terry discusses the importance of journaling in helping you release negative energy and in tracking positive progress on any given task.
38:38: Terry explains why it is important to take a holistic approach to health, rather than simply taking medicine.
Bullet List of Resources –
Terry Hyde
Counselling for Dancers
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Darla Hoover, who is currently the Artistic Director of both the Ballet Academy East and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB). Hoover received training from both the CPYB and the School of American Ballet, prior to accepting an invitation to become a member of the New York City Ballet in 1980. After 11 years, Darla retired from the stage and is now staging ballets for the George Balanchine Trust, as well as teaching internationally. She is also the director for the CPYB’s Teachers’ Workshop, where dance educators can learn from methodologies developed by Marcia Dale Weary.
Darla’s passion in life is teaching dance, and she has shared her smarts with a variety of audiences across three different continents. However, Darla would be the first to tell you that there is more to teaching dance than teaching form and technique — a good teacher instructs students on how to live. On the podcast, she reflects on her time teaching around the globe, gives some practical advice for dancers, and shares some thoughts on what a good teacher looks like.
Moving Quotes:
“What you teach has to be what they’re going to carry through for the rest of their lives, no matter what they do. You have to be teaching life lessons along the way."
“First and foremost, I think a great teacher is a great role model. You have to practice what you preach."
“Students will love you for your honesty, and they’ll hate you for your honesty. But, ultimately, if they know you have their back, they will respect you."
“I had this philosophy — ‘If I’m still breathing, I can dance.’ I don’t really feel like I made wise decisions that took care of myself in the best ways. I would just pretend the injury was not there. And by the time I had to acknowledge it, it was such a large injury that it would set me back for months."
“In many ways, the [modern dance industry] is a healthier atmosphere because it’s wonderful that dancers are pursuing college and are dancing at the same time."
“When my students deal with injuries, I’ll tell them I’m glad they got injured. Because now they’ll have to line up a team [of trusted medical professionals] before you’re a professional dancer. And that’s so important because it’s not the only injury you’re ever going to have.”
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:55: Darla recaps her recent trip to St. Petersburg, Russia, where she spent time staging George Balanchine’s “Raymonda Variations” for the Vaganova Academy.
9:14: Darla discusses what surprised her most about Russia and Russian ballet.
11:46: Hoover describes what she believes makes for a great teacher and the importance of teaching life skills beyond the stage.
14:46: Darla retells her introduction to ballet and how her parents “accidentally” enrolled her into Marcia Dale Weary’s ballet school, which eventually became CPYB.
17:28: Hoover reflects on her decision to choose dance over going to college and speaks to how the current dance landscape has changed for the positive in this regard.
21:08: Hoover discusses her past difficulty with injuries as a professional dancer and how she could have better handled those situations.
23:45: Darla explains how dancers can best know whether the pains they feel are routine dance aches or are serious injuries that need to be further explored.
26:44: Darla gives some advice for any dance students that are looking for the ideal teacher or mentor.
29:02: Hoover shares about the challenge of finding quality dance personnel to help further the artistic director’s mission and vision.
31:30: Darla shares how she currently has no plans for the future — and that’s just the way she likes it.
Bullet List of Resources –
Darla Hoover
- Darla on CPYB website
- Darla in Dance Teacher Magazine
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Elise Swopes, an Instagram superstar who currently boasts over 282,000 followers, has been featured on billboards and commercials, and has partnered with some of the world’s biggest brands, including Adidas, Adobe, and Apple. Recently, Swopes has become committed to sharing her methods with the world and encouraging other photographers through her SWOPES SO DOPE podcast, newsletter, and tutorial video channel.
Elise lives the “rags to riches” story, as this college dropout used her phone and some free apps to share her art through a relatively new medium at the time — Instagram. Fast forward to years later, and Elise is working with huge brands, vacationing with celebrities, speaking at Ted Talks, hosting podcasts, and so much more. On the podcast, Elise walks through her life and speaks to her art while sharing the many lessons that she’s learned along the way, including the value of even seeing the negative experiences in your life as positives.
Moving Quotes:
“It’s interesting when you’re going through all of your struggles. You don’t realize that they’re there for a reason. Now, I get to do Ted Talks about my struggles. Now I get to share these with other people and have this triumphant story."
“There’s so much pressure to be the person that has a lot of followers and likes. But the difference that you can make is just by simply being yourself and being consistent with being yourself."
“It’s tough to put yourself out there. But I try to make friends with doubt, fear, the things that will consistently be coming up for me. Because they’re never going to go away. But that’s the fun part — we get to keep growing."
“It’s not about what you lack; it’s about what you have. And you have to be grateful for what you have… When it comes to social media, don’t think about what you lack. Think about what you have and what you can share."
“You have to come to terms with the question: ‘Am I in my own way?’ Maybe I should stop blaming everyone else for my problems and start being more in tune with my peace."
“When I have a limitation, I think to myself, ‘Okay, how can I try to work around that?’"
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:01: Elise describes her initial inspiration to bring so much movement into her photography.
4:30: Elise discusses how, when she first started her photography, she had no idea that Instagram would become what it is today.
8:56: Swopes, who started her first company at the age of 10, explains what drove her towards entrepreneurship from such a young age.
12:44: Elise speaks to overcoming fear in the new era of Instagram, which encourages photographers to put themselves in front of the camera.
14:42: Swopes shares about her experience delivering a Ted Talk and how, incredibly, all of her life’s experiences — even the negative ones — paved the way to that opportunity.
19:53: Swopes gives details on her recent vacation with Will and Jada Pinkett Smith to the Maldives.
27:16: Elise shares some advice on how young dancers should approach social media branding.
29:02: Swopes describes her podcast, where she spends time exploring a variety of topics like practicing mindfulness, having confidence, and enjoying Mondays.
34:36: Elise discusses what it’s like to work with big brands and her philosophy behind collaborating on these types of Instagram projects.
Bullet List of Resources –
Elise Swopes
- Personal Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Darla Lemay, who has spent nearly three decades as Artistic Director of Stageworks Academy of the Performing Arts, which offers performing arts education to all people, no matter their gender, abilities or financial status. On top of her nearly 28-year-run with Stageworks, Lemay has also directed many different Broadway Productions — such as Annie, the Sound of Music, the King and I, Hairspray, and Mamma Mia — and has been extensively involved community projects.
Lemay teaches dance for the love of dance, and her pursuit in life is to share that joy with all people who are willing to have it; however, Lemay also knows the danger of losing sight of that target — of veering off course. On the podcast, Darla shares about her incredible dance journey, deep dives on her dance academy, and expresses the importance of sticking by your values in all situations, even if it means taking a more difficult road.
Moving Quotes:
“I heard a quote — ’Talent is universal, but opportunities are not.’ And I want to switch that. I want to say, ‘Opportunities are universal in our organization.’"
“The arts are just an extension of who we are. If we love the arts, it’s hard to deny the arts."
“When you’re dealing with people, they’re not robots. They come with their own experiences, desires, and passions."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:17: Darla deep dives on her academy, describing its structure and the values that it instills into the hearts and lives of its students.
9:16: Given the many different academy programs, Lemay discusses how she effectively ties all of these elements together under one common goal and mission.
13:42: Lemay shares more about her incredible theater empowerment program which serves adults with special needs and what inspired her to kickstart a program like this.
17:35: Darla discusses how “by the grace of God” she got involved in dance when, as a young person, the art was basically nonexistent in her community.
21:51: Darla shares about a difficult time at her academy when she was drawn away from her core values and paid the price for it.
26:09: Lemay explains how her academy is able to accept all dance students, regardless of economic situation or ability to pay tuition.
28:28: Lemay discusses what the future holds for her, which involves serving even more kids and more communities by introducing a love of dance.
29:47: Darla ends the podcast by answering some unique, rapid-fire popcorn questions.
Bullet List of Resources –
Darla Lemay
Stageworks Academy of the Performing Arts
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Terence Marling, Artistic Director at COMMON conservatory. A Chicago native, Terence trained at the Ruth Page School under the direction of Larry Long. Upon leaving, Marling danced and choreographed at a wide variety of both domestic and international dance companies, including serving as Rehearsal Director at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Director at Hubbard Street 2. In September of this past year, Terence became Founder and Artistic Director of COMMON conservatory, which hopes to serve as a launching pad for the future dancers of tomorrow.
Terence is a seasoned dancer and choreographer, who brings a wise perspective to the dance industry. His goal is to see young dancers succeed professionally in an industry that grows more exclusive by the day, and he has established his conservatory to achieve that end. On the podcast, Terence discusses the origins of his company and why he feels that a conservatory like COMMON is vital in today’s dance landscape. Along the way, he also shares some invaluable wisdom around the importance of networking, having a willingness to learn and evolve, and so much more.
Moving Quotes:
“I’m 44 years old, and I’m still a student of dance. I’ve been dancing since I was 6, and I’ve been dancing the whole time. And there’s so much to learn."
“We have to have dancers nowadays who are willing to advocate for themselves — who are willing to build their own networks. And the more people you have reach to, the more opportunities you’re going to have. It’s just that simple."
“It’s a difficult thing for some young choreographers to take ahold of — that your success is measured by how well you communicate in front of a room and the energy that you create. If you come in unsure, you’re only going to make an unsure piece."
“[When people leave my performances,] I want them to feel that they’ve been able to detach from the every day."
“Every single contact that you make in a dance situation is important to keep. In order to maintain those relationships, it’s a good idea to just reach out and check in."
“The people that end up being really successful are those people that communicate well."
“Thinking while watching dance is great, but unfortunately, I think a lot of the dance that is created today asks almost too much thinking of the audience."
“What I’m finding is that, while training for dancers has become better and better over the years, unfortunately, the jobs have become fewer and fewer."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:54: Terence discusses the origins of COMMON conservatory and his vision for the conservatory.
4:52: Marling explains the importance of choosing a space near central Chicago.
7:05: Marling explains why he believes a conservatory like COMMON is crucial for dance professionals in the modern dance landscape.
11:58: Terence shares some incredible words around the importance of networking within the dance industry.
13:54: Marling discusses some of his past and present choreographed works.
16:39: Terence describes his typical process (or lack thereof) when mapping out a piece of choreography and retells the story around his first ever choreographed work.
19:25: Terence describes how he wants his audience to feel after leaving one of his performances and discusses the danger of overcomplicating choreographed pieces.
21:58: Marling shares some sound advice for aspiring choreographers around gaining experience and being bold.
26:35: Terence gives some tips for dancers who are looking to break into today’s dance scene.
31:31: Terence rounds out the discussion by sharing his hopes and dreams for COMMON conservatory and why he believes it will be a success.
Bullet List of Resources –
Terence Marling
COMMON conservatory
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Alexander MacFarlan, a First Soloist with Ballet West and a lover of learning who is proactively finding ways to help dance professionals that are seeking a career change. MacFarlan, who joined Ballet West in 2007, has enjoyed a number of exciting roles within the company. MacFarlan also holds a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Studies from the University of Utah and is passionate about helping fellow dancers gracefully exit the dance industry by promoting higher education.
On the podcast, Alexander covers a wide array of topics, including his first forays into the world of dance, why he has stayed at one company for so long, and when he knew that dance was what he wanted to spend his life doing. MacFarlan also shares some incredible advice around finding the right company and argues that seeking out a good leader — a leader that you admire — is as important as any other factor when trying to find the right company fit.
Moving Quotes:
“[When searching out a dance company,] look for a leader who possesses the qualities that you aspire to have in yourself… It will not only define who you are but also where you want to go."
“If you can’t live without dance — if your desire is to be on-stage and performing professionally — then go in that direction and really immerse yourself into what’s required for that."
“It matters to me to have a home base. I’m very glad that I’ve been with one company for so long."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:52: Alexander discusses the origins of his interest in ballet and the moment where he knew for certain that he wanted to spend his life dancing.
6:13: Alexander briefly explains how he met his wife, who is also currently a dancer at Ballet West.
6:59: MacFarlan looks back at the moment where he decided to pursue a career in dance — as opposed to pursuing a college degree — and how he ultimately landed at Ballet West.
10:45: Alexander explains why he decided to stay at one company for an extended period of time, in an industry where that type of decision is rare.
12:15: MacFarlan describes one of his first and greatest role models in his life — a person that was, simultaneously, very demanding and very rewarding.
15:03: MacFarlan shares some invaluable and nontraditional advice around what to consider when seeking out a dance company.
18:17: Alexander retells a story of a mishap that occurred during a performance, where he and his dance partner ended up in a center-stage “dog pile.”
21:00: Alexander discusses his “dream roles” and shares his favorite global dance venues.
24:26: MacFarlan — a global traveler — gives some tips for how to best fare when traveling internationally for dance performances.
25:29: Alexander describes how he managed to pick up a college degree while dancing full-time and why dancer education has turned into one of his passions.
Bullet List of Resources –
Alexander MacFarlan
- On Ballet West’s site
Ballet West
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Judi Ludovico, Head of Entertainment at JudiLudi Productions. Judi is an accomplished live entertainment industry veteran with over 20 years’ experience in marketing and producing large-scale shows and events for iconic entertainment and tourism brands. Some of Judi’s biggest accomplishments include organizing two free concerts featuring Blake Shelton and Lady Antebellum, which drew 130,000 attendees and $23 million in economic impact to Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Judi is a master of being resourceful, sometimes making a lot out of very little. For example, one of Judi’s biggest accomplishments was her creation of the “Rockette Summer Intensive,” where Judi started out with a dream — and no budget. However, just years after its launch, it turned into a global phenomenon, reaching thousands of dancers internationally. On the podcast, Judi lays out her entire incredible journey and shares encouraging words for entrepreneurs everywhere who want to make their dreams a reality.
Moving Quotes:
“I believe that the basic principles of marketing have not changed [over the years]. It’s reach and frequency — getting the right message to the right person at the right time."
“Dancers have the tools to be better singers than singers who don’t dance. The reason for that is because dancers are so mindful other body. They know where every part of their body should be… And that’s the same with singing."
“If you can get into the head of the casting director and know exactly what they want and be prepared from that perspective, you’ve got a better chance of booking the show."
“Digital and social [platforms] now allow marketers to be extremely targeted and more efficient in reaching their desired audience."
“There’s so much more to being a Rockette than just learning the choreography."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:35: Judi discusses how she ended up in the entertainment industry and how one of her first full-time opportunities evolved into a global phenomenon.
9:34: Judi describes how she moved from her role with The Rockettes to running huge events in Atlantic City.
17:03: Ludovico explains how she learned the skills necessary to run huge promotions, when her degree isn’t related to her career path.
18:20: Judi provides more information on her “Rockette Summer Intensive” program and its benefits to young dancers trying to break into the industry.
22:45: Ludovico explains how, through her decades of marketing experience, she has learned to evolve alongside ever-changing marketing trends and strategies.
24:24: Judi shares some advice around running an effective social media strategy.
25:37: Judi describes her biggest source of pride — her ability to create something out of nothing and use her creations to impact others’ lives in a positive way.
27:30: Ludovico outlines her reading list, including one book on the entrepreneurial spirit that has greatly impacted her life.
30:41: Judi discusses her collaboration with a previous podcast guest, Phil LaDuca.
32:23: Judi explains what’s next for her career — more entertainment, more entrepreneurship, and more making something out of nothing.
Bullet List of Resources –
Judi Ludovico
JudiLudi Productions
- Company Website
Do AC Broadway
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Meredith Starr, a professional dancer and dietitian who uses her platform to empower individuals to promote a healthy relationship with food and with their bodies. Starr — a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago — currently dances with the Outlet Dance Company and the Kate Jablonski Statement and works as a Registered Dietician, focusing on eating disorders, at the Insight Behavioral Health Center in Chicago.
Meredith — who describes herself as an “anti-diet dietitian” — understands that food is not the enemy and has chosen to spend her life helping people understand and apply the physical, mental, emotional, and social importance of food to their lives. On the podcast, Meredith discusses anything and everything food and proper nutrition, how her love for nutrition originated, how people can promote a positive view of food, and how her involvement with dance has evolved over the years.
Moving Quotes:
“I’ve never educated someone out of an eating disorder… which is why my personal practice has become a lot more comprehensive, relating not only to the physical aspects of nutrition, but also the counseling around why you choose to feed your body — or not feed your body — in the way that you do."
“Anything that disrupts you engaging in your life in a wholly present and meaningful way can be seen as disordered, be it work, food, or exercise… Are you engaging in this behavior, even without the presence of joy?"
“A person will notice a harmony between their relationship between food and movement when it’s something they’re not persistently preoccupied with."
“[Contemporary dance] felt so free — the ability to express so many things that aren’t just words. It is liberating — there were no rules."
“Rather than saying, ‘You need to lose weight to be healthy,' let’s reverse that. Let’s just be healthy first, and then weight is going to be an outcome of that."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:41: Meredith shares how her fascination with diet and nutrition originated and how she is applying her knowledge today.
8:27: Meredith discusses whether she observes common triggers of disordered eating behavior.
11:19: Starr explains her perspective on what defines disorder and addiction and how many types of behaviors can fit into this box.
14:48: Meredith speaks to the impact of social media on affecting people’s views — particularly young people’s views — of their bodies and how people can fight this negativity.
18:24: Starr describes the idea of the perfect balance between movement and nutrition.
21:09: Starr takes a break from speaking on nutrition to discuss her history in dance and her current involvement in the art.
25:46: Meredith discusses her favorite aspects of being a nutritionist and how she finds satisfaction in helping people see that food is not the enemy.
28:03: Meredith reveals the people in her life who are her mentors and role models, including a previous podcast guest.
31:52: Starr shares some resources to help guide anyone who may be interested in a career in nutrition.
35:10: Meredith discusses the next step in her nutrition career.
Bullet List of Resources –
Meredith Starr
- Insight Behavioral Health Centers site
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Ariel Rose, a dancer and choreographer at the Miami City Ballet. Rose, who hails from New York City, trained at multiple arts and dance schools before training at the Boston Ballet School on full scholarship. Rose has since danced professionally with a number of renown ballet companies, yet his true passion is for choreography. Ariel’s education was tailor-made to foster a love of choreography inside of him from a young age, and his works have been featured at a number of ballet companies and schools across two continents.
Ariel is a deep, passionate thinker and holds unique perspectives on a wide variety of topics within the dance realm. On the podcast, Aleksandra and Ariel span a number of topics, including his own journey in ballet, his view on dancing a diversity of styles, his creative process, the challenges of being a young and aspiring choreographer, and why there’s a gender disparity in dance, to name a few. Both dancers and non-dancers are sure to come away from the podcast more knowledgeable and more inspired to achieve their goals.
Moving Quotes:
“I live to create ballets that make people feel something or move them or uplift them… Creating dance gives me a sense of purpose."
“You can’t teach someone how to choreograph. You can guide them into being aware of the audience — where the audience’s attention is."
“Sometimes working hard is not the ultimate answer. You can run into a wall and not break through it. Sometimes you just have to step to the left and open the door… Think through the problem. You have to be a smart dancer."
“Music has always been important to me; it affects me in a very deep way. How that translates for me is choreography."
“You have to stay inspired. Because as long as you’re inspired, the work is not work."
“Dance can really do things for people that words can’t."
“When you’re imagining movement in your head, it’s easier to do so imagining it on actual people that you know, who you’ve seen on stage. It helps manifest the visual in the mind."
“I think that the dance world is pushing people to be very limited in style because it’s easier to categorize people. But I feel that, as an artist, that’s limiting. I’ve tried to face that challenge. I don’t have a singular style; I want to be diverse."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:18: Ariel discusses what he is doing currently with the Miami City Ballet and when he was first exposed to choreographing, which is his greatest passion.
5:02: Ariel further describes how his education nurtured his love for choreographing and prepared him to create movement for years to come.
6:32: Rose speaks to the satisfaction of seeing his work on stage and gives some insight into his creative process.
8:35: Ariel discusses why, though rare in modern dance, being a well-rounded dancer that knows many styles is beneficial for both dancers and audiences.
13:56: Rose explains how he casts his works and speaks to the importance of finding the right dancers to fit the roles that you’ve imagined in your head.
16:22: Rose describes the biggest challenge that he’s facing today as a young choreographer.
18:34: Ariel shares some great advice for those that may be interested in pursuing a dance career.
24:09: Ariel discusses why he believes that there is a gender disparity when it comes to on-stage dancing, dance administration, and choreography.
28:43: Rose provides commentary on the recent story where Prince George was shamed for attending dance classes, sharing how he believes that situation is ultimately for the best.
31:38: Ariel describes the satisfaction he feels when his choreography moves people and improves others’ lives.
Bullet List of Resources –
Ariel Rose
- Choreography Portfolio
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Cindy Clough, the Founder and Executive Director of Just for Kix — a business that, over nearly 40 years, has instructed over 95,000 children through its dance classes, summer camps, and special events. Since its humble beginnings in a single location, Clough’s business has since expanded to 2,148 locations nationwide. Cindy is also the award-winning four-decades-long coach of the Brainerd High School Warrior Dance team, which has amassed 8 state championships, Top 5 in the state for 25 consecutive years, and a National High Kick Championship.
Like so many of our podcast guests, Cindy is no stranger to success; however, Cindy knows that owning your own business requires tremendous amounts of grit and determination. On the podcast, Cindy retells her own personal journey and runs through her business’s entire history, sharing nuggets of wisdom that she’s learned over her entire 40-year run as an entrepreneur.
Moving Quotes:
“When it comes to failure, you just keep going. You have to be resilient, and not let failures set you back. I think resilience will be the trademark of your success — if you can get knocked down and get back up and keep going and choose gearing up over giving up."
“If you’re good at one thing, do what you’re great at. Then surround yourself with people who can complement your weaknesses.”
“The arts are such a big part of happiness for people. Music and dance… I just can’t sing the praises of the arts enough. It’s such a release for so many people."
“Too many kids graduating from college expect their dreams immediately. You have to put in your work. You have to realize that you’re not going to graduate from college and make lots of money. You might have to feed the cat and take out the trash and go get the dry cleaning and get your foot in the door and work your way up. There’s nothing wrong with hard work."
“I feel like you need to create and maintain a culture that people want to be a part of. Kids come where they are welcome but stay where they are valued."
“Work way ahead. Never work on what you’re working on right now. Be farther ahead than that."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:04: Cindy walks back nearly 40 years, discussing the origins of her business, and how one single location has since expanded into 2,148 locations nationwide.
10:44: Cindy speaks to the culture she’s built at Just for Kix and her perspective on the importance of fostering a rich organizational culture.
12:53: Clough discusses why she believes that, 40 years ago, entrepreneurship was “the road less traveled,” as opposed to today where startups are the norm.
13:49: Cindy describes the pride that she takes in the company that she’s built and her gratitude that she’s had a hand in providing jobs and dance education to tens of thousands.
15:27: Clough shares some wisdom on how she finds work/life balance, in the thick of an extremely demanding schedule.
18:22: Clough retells some past failures and how a healthy perspective on failure is necessary for success.
22:22: Cindy shares the identities of some of her past and present role models.
23:36: Cindy gives some advice around running a business with your family and the importance of planning for the future.
27:15: Cindy shares some tips for any people who are looking to pursue a career in the dance industry — both on the stage and off the stage.
30:12: Clough discusses the importance of artistic expression and why so many people spend their lives enjoying and participating in the arts.
Bullet List of Resources –
Cindy Clough
Just for Kix
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Katrina Rathbone, Artistic Director and Co-Founder at Outlet Dance Company. Katrina is a graduate of Illinois State University and has danced for both film and the stage. In 2013, Katrina and one of her childhood friends began entertaining thoughts of achieving one of their dreams — opening their own dance company. And, in August of 2014, they did just that. To date, her company has doubled in size, growing from 14 company members to over 30, and has recently opened up its second location.
On the podcast, Katrina discusses her journey from dancer to business owner and why she ultimately decided to depart from the stage to focus on entrepreneurship. She also shares some encouraging thoughts on why she believes women are well-equipped to hold leadership positions in the dance industry, though they have historically shied away from those very positions. During the conversation, listeners are sure to benefit as Katrina shares from her wealth of knowledge on the dance industry and on entrepreneurship, in general.
Moving Quotes:
“It doesn’t matter if you’re not good enough or not this or not that. Just dance because you love it."
[On being an entrepreneur] “There are still moments where I wonder if I’m the right person to be doing this or running this. And you know what? All I can do is just keep educating myself and keep moving forward and keep learning from my mistakes and going for it."
“Allow yourself to branch out. Don’t focus on thinking that there’s only one way you can be successful in the field of dance."
“When I set choreography for my dancers, I ask, 'What feels good for you? What’s going to look good on you? How do you take what I’m giving you and make it feel good?’ I think that’s what ends up looking the best on stage."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:06: Katrina discusses the origins of her company — Outlet Dance Co. — and how its recent expansion has changed the way she’s operating her business.
7:36: Katrina describes why she decided to start her own dance company.
9:48: Rathbone shares some practical recommendations for those who may be interested in pursuing a career in the dance industry, while not being a dancer.
12:18: Rathbone describes her past and present mentors and how these people greatly influenced her life in its various stages.
14:14: Katrina explains how she and her co-founder balance out each other’s personalities, which ultimately makes them the perfect business partners for each other.
16:02: Rathbone retells her dance journey, from a young three-year-old dance student all the way through college and beyond.
17:42: Katrina discusses why she believes women have historically not held leadership roles in the dance industry and encourages other women to overcome these obstacles.
20:09: Katrina describes some lessons she’s learned in dance that carry over into her day-to-day life and how seeing other dancers find these types of lessons gives her great satisfaction.
24:43: Rathbone describes the unique way that her company crowd-sources and chooses choreography for their performances.
26:35: Katrina sheds some light on how she and her co-founder have tailor-made their company’s board to ensure that the company thrives, no matter what situations arise.
Bullet List of Resources –
Katrina Rathbone
Outlet Dance Company
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Jenelle Figgins — an award-winning dancer, choreographer, and teacher, who is using her talents to help engage with schools and outreach to communities. Figgins, who currently dances for the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, uses her platform for good through teaching both domestically and internationally and through community outreach and dance advocacy. Her passion for choreography has also led her to produce original performances in partnership with schools through the United States. Recently, Jenelle was honored to take part in the NYC Dance Project, alongside her twin sister Samantha.
Jenelle is all too familiar with the grind of a professional dance career and has learned through her own trials that mental toughness, in many ways, supersedes physical toughness. On the podcast, Jenelle opens up about her struggles with bipolar disorder but discusses how she, personally, gets mentally ready for the grind of her career, day in and day out. Figgins also describes the joy of dancing alongside her twin sister, how her dance career started, the struggles of dancing in extreme altitude, and a myriad of other topics.
Moving Quotes:
“There has to be peace on the inside in order for there to be chaos happening all around you."
“Having a strong mental stability is what definitely contributes to you having a long-lasting dance career. You have to have tough skin… But it propels your artistry when you’re able to tap into your sensitivity and make that a strength."
“My struggles are my greatest teachers."
“I always want to be able to do exactly what I want to do — to be passionate in my art — but also to develop myself as an artist for the things that I’m going to do later."
“In the moments where you have great sadness or great pain — those are the moments that you have the most access to who you really are and the things that you really need to learn. There’s only so much development you can make when you’re in a happy place."
“[My twin sister and I] have both had things that we have no control over, but what we do have control over is how we treat each other and how we support each other in the things that could hold us back but, in reality, propel us forward."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:10: Jenelle discusses the challenges of training and dancing in Aspen, at an extremely high altitude.
5:27: Jenelle describes the mental toughness that’s necessary to maintain a professional dance career, even beyond the physical toll that dance takes on the body.
8:10: Figgins explains how she personally prepares herself mentally to cope with the oft-chaotic professional dance lifestyle.
12:30: Jenelle explains how she landed at the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and why the company holds a special place in her heart.
18:05: Figgins shares about her experience taking part in the NYC Dance Project.
21:35: Jenelle discusses how she has made her journey in dance alongside her twin sister, Samantha, and how going it side-by-side with her has been an incredible blessing and advantage.
25:46: Jenelle describes what she is most proud of as a dancer and artist.
27:32: Figgins retells an extremely low point for her when she first moved to Aspen but explains how our struggles are often our greatest teachers.
32:01: Jenelle discusses her own personal goals within dance, including producing more choreographed works and using arts to benefit communities.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jenelle Figgins
- On NYC Dance Project
- On Aspen Santa Fe Ballet site
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Lawrence M. Jackson — a university professor, respected author, guest performer, and seasoned choreographer, who has created over 75 original works for the concert stage. Jackson currently serves as Associate Chair and Associate Professor of Dance at the University of Alabama, and, while not in the classroom, is an esteemed chorographer, having choreographed a number of works, including performances for the award-winning off-Broadway production Separate but Equal.
When it comes to dance, Jackson finds joy in riding in the background — in enabling others to be their best on stage, in mapping out steps and movements for dancers, in allowing the arts to better communities — and, on the podcast, he deep dives on why he finds so much satisfaction in helping others be their best. During the interview, Lawrence discusses his not-so-easy beginnings to dance, why he loves choreography, how he’s using the arts for community benefit, how to view rejection in a positive light, and much more.
Moving Quotes:
“I think choreography is an extension of your artistic voice, and it’s a way to prime your artistic voice."
“We sometimes have what we think is good and right for us, but often the universe has a completely different idea or plan for us. When you’re faced with rejection, it’s not that you’re not good enough; it’s just that the universe is steering you in the direction you’re supposed to go."
“You can do so many things with dance. People may say, ‘What are you going to do with that? You’re not good enough to be on the stage.’ I’m not on the stage, and this is so meaningful to me. This is so much more fulfilling to me than being on the stage."
“Choreography is problem-solving — and I love problem-solving — in a creative way."
“In dance or any art form, you’ll get rejected many more times than you’ll get a yes."
“Many of my role models have been the women in my life… Their tenacity to be able to overcome through many obstacles is what I remember most growing up. The way that they took a little bit and made a lot. The way that they navigated around adversity to make a way."
[On being teased for dancing in middle school] “I never lost sight of my passion, and I endured all of that in order to continue dancing."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:27: Lawrence discusses the origins of his passion for dance — where his dance journey began as a young child in Mississippi.
6:32: Lawrence retells his dance experiences as he moved through middle and high school and how pushing through teasing and adversity confirmed his love for the art.
10:05: Jackson explains how his original choreography has evolved over the course of his dance career.
15:48: Lawrence shares about how, in partnership with a nonprofit organization, he uses dance to breathe life into Atlanta’s inner city and how this gives him immense amounts of satisfaction.
21:40: Jackson describes a couple of his personal role models and how these role models have evolved over time.
26:26: Jackson shares a story about a failure and what this experience taught him about handling rejection well.
29:47: Lawrence discusses some future goals and aspirations, all in an effort to make a greater contribution to the University of Alabama’s dance program and to the arts, as a whole.
Bullet List of Resources –
Lawrence M. Jackson
- On University of Alabama website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Lauren Giordano Whittington and Sarah Giordano Curran — the two granddaughters of the late American jazz dancer, teacher, choreographer, and icon, Gus Giordano. While Lauren and Sarah journeyed different paths, both are now faculty members at Gus Giordano Dance School, where they are honored to carry on the legacy of their grandfather, alongside their mother and brother.
On the podcast, both Lauren and Sarah spend time admiring their grandfather and the work that he has done for the dance community and describe the ongoing work that Gus Giordano Dance School is doing to carry on his work, even after his passing. Both Whittington and Curran speak to the ongoing evolution of their company’s dance programs and discuss the company’s branding, mission, and vision. Both also discuss the challenges and joys associated with ensuring consistency across a rapidly growing brand, working within a family business, and much more.
Moving Quotes:
[On forming the Jazz Dance World Congress] “Gus didn’t care if this person was from a ballet company or this person was from a contemporary company or a modern company — he brought everyone together just to spread his love for dance."
“Most people see Gus as this dance master teacher that bred dance all over the world, but we got to see him in a really different light — he was our grandfather, and we saw him first."
“I see working alongside my family as a growing opportunity because you learn to love the things that make you mad or angry in another scenario within your family life."
“Our mission is to make you a better person, as well as a better dancer."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:27: Lauren discusses the company in its current form, including its move from Evanston to Chicago, and describes the different programs that it offers for dancers of all ages.
8:25: Lauren and Sarah discuss the challenges of ensuring its branding, programming, and mission are consistent across the many programs that the company offers.
11:44: Lauren shares the ultimate vision of the Gus Giordano Dance School and her desire to see the company grow, particularly the GUS Legacy Foundation.
14:42: Lauren describes the passion of her grandfather, Gus Giordano, how he initially got involved in dance, how he started teaching, and how his love for dance eventually made him a global icon.
21:27: Sarah and Lauren describe the sweetest memories they have of their grandfather.
24:06: Sarah and Lauren discuss how they settled on the clean, classic branding that the school currently displays and how their grandparents have helped them from a branding perspective.
27:03: Lauren and Sarah speak to the pros and cons of working in a family business.
29:21: Lauren and Sarah answer some rapid-fire popcorn questions, spanning a myriad of subjects.
Bullet List of Resources –
Lauren Giordano Whittington
- On company site
Sarah Giordano Curran
- On company site
Gus Giordano Dance School
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Diane Rawlinson — a dance educator, nonprofit founder, director, yoga teacher, published author, consultant, and Interplay Leader — whose influential role in the lives of students has earned her top recognition across multiple states. Rawlinson has been investing in the lives of Wheeling High School students for going on three decades, and her investment in the arts has garnered her a slew of awards, including a Ruth Page Award. Additionally, Diane is also a published writer, having written over 100 articles for Dance Spirit and Dance Teacher Magazine, and is the founder of Dance for Life’s Next Generation, which encourages young dancers to give back to the community in a myriad of ways.
To Diane, what happens off of the stage supersedes what happens on the stage, and Diane’s desire is to invest in her students’ lives at a personal level, beyond teaching them the right dance technique or choreography. Rawlinson’s love for her students and for people, in general, is the foundation for so much of what she does as a teacher, nonprofit founder, and her other roles in furthering people and the arts. On the podcast, Diane discusses her love of dance, what it’s like working in the same place for thirty years, how and why Dance for Life Next Generation was founded, and so much more.
Moving Quotes:
“While I loved working with dance companies, for me, it was always about making dance accessible to all."
“As a dancer, you have to be coachable. You have to get off of your ego."
“As much as I loved getting on stage and performing, for me, showing people they were capable of doing it too was a bigger thrill."
“If a mentor is taking time to mentor you, then being willing to accept their criticism and apply it will make a world of difference."
“It’s great to get students on stage and hear them say, ‘I can be a part of the dance community as a performer.’ But to see how else the students can be a part of the community in the bigger picture — while giving back to the community — that’s also very valuable."
[On working in the same place for 30 years] “While you’re walking into the same building every day, every day is never the same."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:48: Diane explains how she initially fell in love with dance and ended up where she is now — spending 3 decades teaching high schoolers how to love the beautiful art.
11:22: Diane discusses some of her “firsts” as a dancer, including her first recital and the first time she realized she didn’t want to be a touring performer.
14:47: Rawlinson shares her experiences walking into the same workplace for going on three decades and how, in reality, no two days are ever the same.
20:27: Diane discusses how Dance For Life’s Next Generation was founded and the pride she feels, seeing her students better the community.
29:20: Rawlinson gives some advice for young, aspiring individuals looking for a career in the dance field and discusses the importance of coachability.
36:17: With retirement on the horizon, Diane shares what she would like her post-retirement “next move” to be.
Bullet List of Resources –
Diane Rawlinson
- Chicago Tribune on Diane’s receipt of Ruth Page Award
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with John Schmitz, Co-Founder and Artistic Producer of Dance Chicago. John — a decades-long arts icon within the Chicago arts community — has been producing dance events for 35 years, helping build bridges between artists and dance organizations both domestically and internationally. He has also been the recipient of Chicago Tribune’s “Chicagoan of the Year” award, a Ruth Page Award for “Outstanding Contribution to the Dance Community,” and several others. Schmitz also serves as President of the Board of Athenaeum Theatre Productions.
John’s driving force in all he does is the belief that dance can drive emotional transformation, and as he mentions on the podcast, he hopes that performance attendees will have a brighter outlook on life as they leave the theater than when they first arrived. On the podcast, John spends time describing how his dance festival carries that sole mission — to improve others’ lives through dance — and explains how his own life has been captivated and improved by that very same craft.
Moving Quotes:
“Dance is your birthright. You were born to move. And if you can only move one finger, this is a dance."
“You have to close one door before another one opens."
[On being entrepreneurial in the dance industry] “I was used to seeing miracles in dance — I started dancing at the age of 30. It was all so crazy anyway, so why not try? And the doors kept opening."
“We want people feeling better about their lives when they leave the theater than when they came in."
“We need things that uplift the spirit and make people want to get up and go out and act."
“We don’t need as much money to run the festival anymore, especially from a marketing perspective. The changes in communication — the changes in technology — all are allowing the dance festival to continue to operate.”
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:10: John discusses how his dance festival — Dance Chicago — came to be and shares about the host theater for his festival.
8:17: John retells his own journey in dance, from the “disturbing” discontent he felt after witnessing a dance performance for the first time to the inception of Dance Chicago.
11:16: Schmitz describes what differentiates Dance Chicago from other dance festivals.
14:48: Schmitz discusses his “secret sauce” for thinking entrepreneurially in the dance industry — a belief in the impossible.
16:16: John shares how Dance Chicago was forced to reinvent itself during the 2008 Financial Crisis and how it was made better for it.
19:49: John describes what it takes to put together a great dance production team and what motivates his own team to put their best foot forward every day.
23:09: John explains how, even through numerous dips and valleys, his organization has managed to survive for 25 years.
24:19: Schmitz speaks on the pride he takes in being a purveyor of the arts and using his talents to make others’ lives better.
25:11: Schmitz shares some practical advice for individuals who may want to pursue a career in the dance industry while not directly dancing.
26:55: John discusses some big goals he’d like to have a part in accomplishing within the dance industry.
Bullet List of Resources –
John Schmitz
Athenaeum Theater
- Company Website
Dance Chicago
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Wade Schaaf, Founder and Artistic Director at Chicago Repertory Ballet. Wade — a Chicago native and graduate of Northern Illinois University — is a veteran ballet dancer who has danced for a number of ballet companies such as the Ohio Ballet, Thodos Dance Chicago, and others. Upon retiring from the stage, Wade went on to establish his very own ballet company, which debuted in 2011 to glowing reviews and has since become a staple of the Chicago arts community. Additionally, Wade is an experienced and passionate Pilates instructor.
To Wade, dance is all about the story, and his company has consistently woven top-notch storytelling and unique innovation together on the stage. On the podcast, Wade explains how creating his own dance company was in an effort to achieve this story-driven art that he had always dreamt about, yet he is honest about the learning curve associated with owning your own business. Throughout the conversation, Wade shares more about his dance journey, his successes, his failures, and wisdom around putting in the tough work to achieve your goals, your passions, and true artistic freedom.
Moving Quotes:
“I thought, for me, starting a company would probably be the best option to have the most artistic freedom to create whatever I wanted to create. That’s when I set my eyes out to start a company."
“Yes, there has been a big crossover between art and technology… but at the same time, concert dance is a phenomenal opportunity for people that are oversaturated with imagery all the time and have a very fast-paced life. Going to sit down in a theater and encounter something in real-time that human beings have created is a phenomenal reset button for people."
“It’s the simple, beautiful things in life that bring me so much joy."
“For dancers, I think Pilates is actually very important work because dancers are very strong in some ways but can be very weak in other ways. Pilates targets the things that dancers really need."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:56: Wade discusses his role at the Chicago Repertory Ballet and shares the story of its founding.
5:18: Wade describes how his company’s ballet style — a story-driven collision between ballet and contemporary dance — is different from other more traditional ballet styles.
7:29: Schaaf explains how he found himself in his first-ever dance class at the age of 15.
8:29: Schaaf shares about his experience being an entrepreneur and retells a challenge that he’s experienced thus far while owning his own business.
12:23: Wade explains how he attained funding in the early days of his business and discusses his company’s overarching vision.
15:44: Schaaf discusses dance’s role in today’s world and explains how consuming the arts is life’s greatest “reset button.”
17:31: Schaaf gives some advice for young people that may be looking to explore a dance career or a career in a dance-related field.
19:49: Wade — who is also a Pilates instructor — describes the benefits that Pilates can have for both dancers and non-dancers.
21:18: Wade speaks to the pride he has in one of his company’s greatest achievements.
22:29: Wade shares one funny story and one failure from his time leading a dance company.
Bullet List of Resources –
Wade Schaaf
Chicago Repertory Ballet
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Jonathan Dole, a dance prodigy, YAGP champion, and current member of The Joffrey Ballet’s main company. Growing up on the western coast of the United States, Jonathan was introduced to ballet at age 15 and immediately discovered a love for the art. Jonathan moved quickly through some of the nation’s top dance schools before joining the Joffrey Academy and, ultimately, The Joffrey Ballet. During his time with the Joffrey, Jonathan has danced in various performances, including this year’s season-opening production of Jane Eyre.
On the podcast, Jonathan speaks to a wide array of topics, including how his love of dance began, where he finds inspiration, and what it feels like being a professional dancer after chasing the dream for so long. Jonathan also discusses how, early in his run as a professional, his fears nearly got the best of him. Yet, in the fear, Jonathan found a way to remember that his art is his own masterpiece, and he calmed his nerves once he realized that the only member of the audience that mattered was himself.
Moving Quotes:
“I perform for myself, not for other people. And that has changed my perspective on performance."
“The audience is incredible, and I can feed off of that energy. But you’re dancing for you. It’s your art form."
“Ballet has taught me so many life skills. So many incredible things. Without ballet, I don’t think I’d be the person I am today. And even if you don’t do it professionally, it teaches you so much."
“So many dancers don’t appreciate all of the work that they’ve put into dance. They just think about all of the work they could have put into it. But we really do put all of ourselves into this, and I think we need to appreciate that more."
“Working for a company is lots of fun but is so much work. You put everything into it."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:14: Jonathan describes how his first love of dance was driven out of a hatred of sports and a need for an energy-burning outlet.
5:09: Jonathan retells his first introduction to the Joffrey Ballet and how he moved from student to professional company dancer.
7:50: Dole discusses the individuals who have influenced and inspired him the most.
12:14: Jonathan reflects on a situation where he nearly let his nerves get the best of his performance and shares how his mindset permanently changed as a result of that situation.
15:05: Dole shares his method around mentally preparing for ballet performances.
17:40: Jonathan speaks to the pride he feels — and that all dancers should feel — about the hard work dancers put into perfecting their craft.
19:04: Jonathan gives some advice around preparing for dance competitions, including some dietary suggestions and some ideas around warming up.
21:13: Dole shares his perspective on finally being a professional dancer after pursuing the dream for so much of his life.
23:42: Jonathan describes the things that he has learned through dance that affect all different areas of his off-the-stage life.
28:31: Jonathan shares some tips to staying healthy and sane while traveling in a dance tour.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jonathan Dole
- At the Joffrey Ballet
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Elna Matamoros, Ballet Mistress at Ballet Nacional de España. Born and raised in Madrid, Elna was trained in dance by her mother, following the Danish National Ballet School. Elna then moved to the United States to attend the Joffrey Ballet School, prior to spending a decade with Ballet Nacional de España. After a stint with Compañia Nacional de Danza, Matamoros rejoined Ballet Nacional de España in 2019. In addition to her accomplishments with dance companies, Elna is the published writer of three books and holds a PhD in Aesthetics from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
Having spent over two decades teaching and writing about dance, Elna spends time the podcast sharing insights from her deep well of wisdom. In the conversation, Elna paints the picture of a dancer at the Ballet Nacional de España, shares advice around keeping longstanding routines fresh and new, describes how her writing has influenced her performance on the stage, and ultimately challenges her listeners to go beyond their traditional ideas about dance, broaden their horizons and explore new ideas.
Moving Quotes:
“We spend so much time in front of the mirror practicing our form. But there is life behind turns. There is life beyond the mirror. So go and think and talk to people and exchange ideas. Learn new styles and talk to other artists. Because all of that made dance what it is today."
“I think that ballet training is the best training for any dancer from any kind of dance."
“Sometimes life directs you in the right way. And sometimes we don’t realize until years past."
“I like writing. I like the research that you have to do prior to writing. And I feel that my work as a ballet mistress has improved a lot because of my research for writing."
“Being a dancer in my company involves really hard training, but, like everything, if you start when you’re little, you can manage."
[On keeping her dance classes fresh] “There is no guarantee that I’ll be here tomorrow teaching class. So, teach today like this is going to be your last class. And you have to be proud of your last class."
“I think it’s so important to make mistakes in life. We have to take risks."
[On writing about dance] “I think dance is like a diamond with different faces, and all of them are very valuable — priceless. So, why not write about them?"
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:35: Elna discusses what drew her towards the Ballet Nacional de España.
6:12: Elna walks through a typical day for a dancer of the Ballet Nacional de España.
9:22: Matamoros speaks on her accomplished writing career and how her writing is integral to improving her dance (and vice versa).
12:45: Elna, who is a lover of learning, shares some advice for any dancers that are looking to diversify their area of expertise.
14:25: Matamoros describes the pride she feels for having taught the same classes in the same place for 18 years and shares how she keeps her routine fresh for herself and her students.
18:25: Elna retells one of her life’s failures and how that situation eventually worked in her favor.
21:13: Elna discusses what initially drew her towards the ballet and the dynamics of having a mother who is also your ballet teacher.
24:17: Matamoros describes her experience in New York City as a young dancer, studying at the Joffrey Ballet.
26:02: Elna draws from her past experiences to share some advice for dancers who are about to relocate to a different country to join a dance company.
27:37: Elna discusses her future plans, which include writing a fourth book and traveling the world.
Bullet List of Resources –
Elna Matamoros
- Elna on Ballet de Nacional España
Ballet Nacional de España
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Donielle Richmond — dancer, choreographer, teacher, and owner of Activate Your Artistry, which hosts nationwide conventions focused on empowering the next generation of dancers. Donielle — a Chicago native — has over 15 years of teaching experience, in addition to her performance resume. Donielle’s on-stage work has opened for famed musician Calving Harris and has been featured on ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover, among many other places.
Donielle is a proud entrepreneur, and her zeal for “being your own boss” shines through the entire conversation with Aleksandra. On the podcast, Donielle discusses what ultimately drove her to entrepreneurship and what is keeping her there. Richmond is an open-book and also shares the difficult aspects of entrepreneurship but, ultimately, why she believes females are great candidates to lead businesses. Although building a business is difficult, Donielle firmly believes that chasing your dream is worth it and is possible, as long as you keep one foot firmly planted in front of the other.
Moving Quotes:
“Just make a list [of steps towards your goal]. Whatever is the easiest thing — start with that. Before you know it, you’ve crossed off a million things, and you’ve moved ahead."
“I think my favorite thing about being an entrepreneur is being able to step back after everything is over and done with and see what we did. I don’t think any of us even remotely know what we’re capable of… We’re stronger than we think, and we’re capable of so much more than we realize."
“I’ll be dancing as long as my limbs work."
“[When choosing a path forward in dance,] get honest with yourself and play to your strengths… If you keep looking, you’re going to find your tribe."
“I think it’s important to have some empathy in business. We want to see the numbers go up, the revenue go up. But at the end of the day, you’re dealing with people. And sometimes that takes a different approach than ‘hit this number’ and ‘hit this metric.’"
“I definitely think we need more female voices in dance — concert dance and commercial dance. Ladies are so multi-faceted. There are so many dimensions to us that are not being shown in performance and on stage."
“Parents need to trust their kids. Sometimes the children do know what’s in them."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:47: Donielle discusses her career and what ultimately motivated her to create her own business, Activate Your Artistry.
4:19: Donielle outlines the first steps she took towards establishing her own business and how she navigated this path without any formal business training.
6:42: Richmond shares her vision for her company and her hopes around being a motivation for other aspiring dancers and entrepreneurs.
10:44: Donielle shares a story of an extremely personal challenge that she recently had to overcome and how she mustered up the strength to push through the pain.
16:29: Richmond discusses the role and importance of female entrepreneurs in the business landscape and the advantages females have over males in running businesses.
17:53: Richmond retells the story of how she first was drawn towards dance.
20:31: Donielle gives some job-seeking advice to recent graduates who may be considering a career in dance.
23:42: Donielle looks forward to where she’d like herself and her business to be in the next 5 years.
26:01: Richmond discusses what she would consider her favorite and most challenging aspects of entrepreneurship.
28:34: Donielle closes the podcasts by answering some rapid-fire questions around favorite books, shows, trips, and restaurants.
Bullet List of Resources –
Donielle Richmond
Activate Your Artistry
- Company Website
Praize Productions
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Chase Johnsey, award-winning dancer and Artistic Director at Ballet de Barcelona, who is using his influence in the ballet world to advocate for LGBTQ+ gender issues. Johnsey has danced for some high-profile ballet companies, including a lengthy stint with the world renown Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and the English National Ballet. While at the latter, Chase was nominated by the UK’s National Dance Awards for Best Male Performance and Best Male Dancer, ultimately winning the latter.
Chase’s story is one of perseverance and determination. Being the first gender fluid dancer to dance in a conventional ballet company, Chase’s journey to ballet prominence was “the road less traveled,” and he experienced a degree of pushback and adversity that very few experience. However, even in the face of the odds, Chase pressed on and achieved great heights in the ballet world, including founding his own ballet company. On the podcast, Chase retells his whole story and shares some wise words around tuning out the haters and walking your own path.
Moving Quotes:
“You can’t give up on yourself."
"My favorite word in the English language is ‘perseverance.’ There’s always a way — nothing is impossible."
“I’m really proud that, in my ballet company, my self-acceptance has filtered into my dancers’ self-acceptance."
“Never let your ego stop your progress… Every day, you go and make a tiny bit of progress. And after 365 days, you’ll have a lot of progress. Keep going forward. Keep getting better."
“I wasn’t going to let anyone else decide my life — what I’m capable of, what I’m going to do."
“I want to make works that challenge. I don’t want fairy tale, land of the sweets. I want to make art that really is current — that addresses real issues — that not only kids can relate to but also adults."
“I’m a stubborn person, and I knew that there was a place for me in the ballet world. And it was a decision that I made. I told myself, ‘I will find a place for myself in the ballet world, no matter what anyone else tells me.’"
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:28: Johnsey explains why he decided to move to Barcelona from the United States and how his ballet company — Ballet de Barcelona — came to be.
5:18: Chase discusses a dark time in his life prior to starting his own ballet company and what ultimately helped him overcome this hardship.
9:53: Chase shares the overarching vision for his ballet company — to establish an inclusive environment that uses its art to discuss real world issues.
12:36: Johnsey retells his ballet journey — what introduced him to and kept him in the ballet and how one of his earliest teachers was particularly influential in getting him where he is today.
15:15: Johnsey describes his experience dancing for the world renown Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.
17:17: Chase discusses the adversity he has had to overcome in his career — how the odds were always against him — yet how grit and determination has helped him achieve the unthinkable.
21:42: Chase describes the emotion of being nominated for two of the United Kingdom’s top arts awards and ultimately winning one of them.
24:36: Chase shares some of his most proud moments, including a notable event from his dance company and his involvement some incredible humanitarian efforts.
27:52: Johnsey gives some advice to aspiring dance professionals around staying humble and authentic.
30:46: Chase discusses some personal and professional goals he’d like to achieve within the next 5 years.
Bullet List of Resources –
Chase Johnsey
Ballet de Barcelona
- Company Websi.te
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Antonio Carmena, an international dance teacher and adjunct ballet professor who, prior to teaching, spent 19 years as a professional dancer, mostly as a soloist. Born and raised in Spain, Carmena spent no time making a splash in the dance community, winning a scholarship at the Prix de Lausanne to attend the School of American Ballet. After finishing, Antonio began performing with the New York City Ballet, where he spent the majority of his 19-year career before retiring in 2017.
On the podcast, Antonio and Aleksandra discuss a wide array of topics, including what drove Antonio to ballet, how the core of ballet is about the dancers, why older students are easier to teach than younger students, and how learning is a way of life. Specifically, Antonio brings up his own past experiences to encourage dancers to take care of their bodies and get ahead of injuries. According to Antonio, listening to your body is the key to keeping joy in dance and consistently delivering your best performances.
Moving Quotes:
"No one enjoys dancing with pain… [When injured,] you don’t look your 100 percent best, which is how everyone should perform."
“If there’s something in your body that feels a little weird, don’t wait until it hurts — treat it before it reaches that point."
“I think dance helps you [mature faster as a person]. This discipline always matures people much faster than other disciplines."
“Not everyone needs to be the dancer. Go and find your place… You can always be surrounded by ballet if ballet is your passion."
“You can go see ballets over and over and, if you catch different people performing the roles, they’re going to transfer to you a whole different emotion or story. You can feel something that I might not feel and vice versa."
“When you get older but haven’t yet started performing for a company, you still have the passion of someone who wants to [dance]."
“[Whatever you do,] keep learning. I believe we’re all students of the world."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:32: Antonio discusses his earliest ballet memories and what drove him to pursue ballet at a professional level.
5:14: Antonio reflects on the emotions felt as he — a young 17-year-old — packed his bags and moved halfway across the world to attend New York City’s School of American Ballet.
9:51: Antonio discusses some of his favorite roles while at the School of American Ballet and spends some time comparing ballet to abstract art.
12:42: Carmena explains his current role as an adjunct professor and discusses the benefits of teaching older students versus younger students.
14:47: Carmena describes the value of humility when working for a dance company and how working with a company taught him to listen and manage his body.
16:35: Antonio discusses the pride he feels when considering how far he has come in his career, since his days in Spain.
18:15: Antonio reflects on a time when an injury robbed him of joy while dancing and how surgery, while he was out of dance for a few months, made ballet enjoyable again.
21:40: Carmena tells the hilarious story of how a theme park roller coaster made for one of the most memorable dances he’s ever performed.
24:41: Antonio speaks to the value of a college degree for those looking to pursue dance professionally.
26:23: Carmena discusses his future plans, which include always learning and being open to what the universe has for him.
Bullet List of Resources –
Antonio Carmena
- Carmena on Pointe Magazine
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Heather Iler, ballet director for the internationally recognized Cary Ballet Conservatory (CBC), associate artistic director for the non-profit Cary Ballet Company and lead faculty member of CBC’s professional training program. In all of her roles, Heather brings her 20 plus years of teaching experience to the table, giving Cary Ballet an edge unlike many others. Over the past three years, Cary Ballet has earned three outstanding school awards from the Youth America Grand Prix and two outstanding school awards from the ADC Youth International Ballet Competition.
On the podcast, Heather unveils the secret to her achievements — the fundamental idea that true success is found in the long game, rather than the quick wins — and describes how this philosophy is the foundation of Cary Ballet Conservatory. Iler also spends time discussing what brings her most joy as a ballet director and teacher and shares some advice for both teachers and students that she’s picked up in her seasoned tenure as a ballet professional.
Moving Quotes:
“Ballet is such a slow process, but there’s such a reward in taking that process and watching it grow slowly every year — every moment."
“I think ballet has every single life skill you could ever need. It has resilience, goal setting, discipline, respect, and something that nurtures the soul."
“I don’t think that most people enter any type of the arts thinking they’re going to become a professional in it. [The arts] give people such a different outlook on life — a sense of discipline and a sense of accomplishment, especially in today’s immediate gratification society."
“We feel very fortunate and grateful for all of the accolades that [our dance school] has received, but that’s never the goal. The goal is about making sure that the kids are first."
“Success isn’t getting first place — that is fleeting. Success is knowing that you have achieved something."
“You don’t know how long your road is to getting to where you need to be… So be patient with yourself. Work hard but be patient for the journey that you’re on. Because all of this is what is making you more interesting as an artist. You need this journey to make you an artist."
“Once dance students hit middle school or high school, dance is such a part of who they are. Allowing them to build that identity and giving them that confidence influences them when they move forward into whatever career they choose."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:34: Heather describes Cary Ballet Conservatory, her history with the conservatory, and her various roles within the conservatory.
5:50: Heather discusses the evolution she has seen at Cary Ballet throughout her 9-year tenure and the friction of wanting to expand her school without too much growth.
7:36: Iler explains the importance of dance in modern society and how dance teaches the value of hard, persistent work in an instant gratification culture.
11:32: Heather gives examples of how she has seen her dancers get an advantage by applying lessons learned in dance to non-dance situations.
12:40: Iler shares some words to parents who may be contemplating the value of dance, given that their children may very well not be professional dancers one day.
13:59: Heather explains the satisfaction of witnessing students achieve their goals and attain belief in themselves.
15:01: Heather shares two hilarious stories from her ballet journey, proving the idea that you must always be ready for anything during performances.
18:21: Iler gives some quality advice for teachers around preparing students for competitions and how the best competition results usually accompany a perspective shift.
22:45: Heather also shares some advice for students who are preparing for competitions and encourages students to be patient on their unique dance journeys.
25:48: Heather discusses what’s next for her, both personally and professionally, and what’s next for Cary Ballet Conservatory.
Bullet List of Resources –
Heather Iler
Cary Ballet Conservatory
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Melissa Thodos, owner of Thodos Dance Chicago — a dance company who, for over a quarter of a century, has performed in over 25 states and 6 different continents. Her school not only trains dancers but also nurtures these dancers to eventually become choreographers and educators, handing down dance expertise from generation to generation. Through Thodos Dance Chicago, Melissa has collaborated with notable artists such as Ann Reinking, Yoko Ono, and Jeanne Gang, to name a few.
On the podcast, Melissa retails the incredible 27-year history of her company, including her company’s inception, how her incredible partnership with Ann Reinking came to be, and what makes her company unique from many others. Additionally, Melissa spends time sharing some incredible wisdom around the importance of being challenged as a company founder, the importance of building a resilient dance company, and how to strategically select members of a nonprofit board, to name a few.
Moving Quotes:
“If you’re the founder [of a company], you want to find new things that challenge you as an artist.”
“I think it’s important to have a board that all comes together in agreement on one thing — the artform that you’re providing."
“The women in my life — my mother, my aunts — were all amazing role models for me to figure out how to make something that I loved work. There’s no blueprint, but because they did it, I thought to myself, ‘I can do it.’"
“Knowledge is so important, especially in difficult times."
“Having diversity on your board creates a potential for sustainability, which is really important in the ebbs and flows and changes of our times."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:14: Melissa discusses how Thodos Dance Chicago began when one door closed and another door opened.
5:23: Melissa describes how her company’s board was initially formed and the balancing act of acting strategically as the company’s founder while also being a dancer.
7:55: Thodos explains what makes her company unique — featuring and nurturing the American voice of dance.
10:04: Melissa retells how partnering with a Broadway legend opened the door to some incredible, large scale projects and performances.
17:31: Thodos gives some practical advice around preparing a company to go on tour.
21:36: Thodos shares an incredible story of how her company’s versatility helped resolve what could have been a catastrophe, just hours before the opening performance.
24:18: Melissa discusses who she would consider her mentors, including persons both in and out of the dance world.
26:04: Melissa shares a story about a difficult time in her company’s past and how this trying season ended up pulling her team closer together.
29:44: Thodos gives some practical advice around choosing board members and diversifying the skillsets of those sitting on your board
33:10: Melissa casts some vision for the next 3 to 5 years and discusses her desire to give young choreographers a platform to show off their skills.
Bullet List of Resources –
Melissa Thodos
Thodos Dance Chicago
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Candy Tong — dancer, model, and social media influencer who is using her platform to help young dancers overcome self-doubt. Tong, a former Miss Dance of California, has gained accolades both on- and off-stage, including awards from the most esteemed dance competitions and various off-stage recognitions, such as being named one of the top ten most inspiring dancers to follow on Instagram. Candy is currently modeling for some of the world’s top brands and is touring with Complexions Ballet out of New York City.
Candy, whose muscular body type doesn’t match the typical ballerina stereotype, is using her platform for good, encouraging younger dancers to take pride in their physique. On the podcast, Candy discusses why she’s so passionate about that mission and shares some other advice for dancers, such as how to best prepare for competitions, how to stay fit while traveling, how to find your own stage “voice,” and more.
Moving Quotes:
“It’s 2019 — almost 2020. Dancers shouldn’t be afraid of having muscles on their bodies, instead of being the typical skinny ballerina that’s been the aesthetic for so many years. I’m not afraid of lifting weights. I think it’s good for you."
“[Through my social media accounts,] I want to break the norm that ballerinas don’t just have to be in tutus, tiaras, and pink tights. You can be a girl who’s a little edgy — who embraces their feminine qualities — and shows that bold confidence."
“Explore every option possible and don’t be narrow minded."
“[When competing,] the thing that got me most was comparing myself to other dancers. I realized that, once I stopped watching other dancers until after I was done performing, I performed much better."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:03: Candy shares some tips on staying sharp as a dancer while undergoing the travel requirements of working with a touring company.
7:36: Candy discusses some workouts that dancers may find valuable and encourages listeners with nontraditional dance bodies to take pride in their physique.
11:07: Tong describes the pros and cons of social media and how it can be a great tool for establishing a dancer’s personal brand.
13:12: Candy, who is an inspirational figure in her own right, shares where she personally receives inspiration for her life and career.
14:56: Tong explains how younger dancers can best find their “voice” on stage.
17:05: Candy, who recently ventured into modeling, describes how she got plugged into this industry and how she recently landed her first gig with huge brand.
19:15: Candy discusses why she loves participating in competitions and gives some tips for dancers that are preparing to compete.
22:05: Tong shares some ways that she, personally, is helping young dancers overcome self-doubt.
24:16: Candy discusses her long-term goals and dreams, which includes opening up her own dance school, and describes what that dance school could potentially look like.
26:53: Candy shares about her current tour and tells listeners where they can catch her next season.
Bullet List of Resources –
Candy Tong
- Personal Website
Complexions Ballet
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Derrick Agnoletti, an accomplished dancer who is a veteran with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, going on his 17th season. Derrick is a “student of the game,” having studied at the San Francisco Ballet, the School of American Ballet, and various other international exchange programs. Derrick is also an accomplished athlete, having competed at a collegiate level in competitive swimming at the University of California at Irvine.
By combining his athletic and artistic abilities, Derrick brings a high degree of energy into his work and is able to embrace multiple styles of dance. But Derrick understands that the key differentiator that makes ballet more than athletic competition — that truly makes ballet an art — is the vulnerability found in the movements. On the podcast, Derrick highlights his own story, shares his perspective the state of ballet in 2019, and speaks to how vulnerability is integral to the art that we all love.
Moving Quotes:
“To dance is a vulnerable thing. When you dance, you’re going up and beyond yourself and are pushing your ego aside… It’s what makes it an art and a discipline and not a sport.”
“As a young dancer, you want to see the ‘wham bam’ excitement, and you forget about the small transitions, which are what make the story tell itself through the movement."
“I always had something else that kept me from being ‘dance obsessed.’ I am very obsessive, and that’s what makes me love dance so much. I know that I have to have separation from it, so that it doesn’t take over me. Because it will."
“[To succeed in the dance world], introduce yourself to people. Learn how to speak. Talking, communication, networking — it’s absolutely everything. It’s like a Business 101 class."
“Watch dance. You have to watch everybody."
“You can make it happen if you want it… Whatever your dreams are, you have to work to make them happen."
“I think we’re really shaped by our failures because they are where we learn the most."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:34: Derrick describes his first interest in ballet and how being involved in other non-ballet activities keeps him from an unhealthy obsession with the art.
9:13: Derrick retells his entire journey in ballet, from his first class as an 8-year-old to his current run with the Joffrey Ballet.
12:16: Agnoletti discloses his role models, who range from his parents to his college teachers to his very own colleagues and discusses the importance of watching as much dance as possible.
17:02: Derrick speaks to the current state of males in ballet and how responding to critics with grace is nothing more than a matter of perspective.
21:04: Agnoletti shares some rich advice for anyone that is looking to make a career in the dance industry and speaks to the importance of mastering the little things.
24:15: Derrick discusses the value of a college education for dancers, rather than jumping straight into a company from high school.
26:05: Derrick tells a story about a huge misstep in the middle of a dance and how he managed to compose himself and complete the performance.
27:59: Agnoletti describes the two biggest hurdles that he’s had to overcome in his ballet career.
29:34: Derrick discusses some upcoming and exciting events at the Joffrey Ballet.
Bullet List of Resources –
Derrick Agnoletti
- On the Joffrey Ballet website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with Casey Herd, a former principal dancer and now the founder and director of a documentary film series — Ballet Rising — about the rise in popularity of classical ballet around the world. Originally from Utah, Casey danced for a number of well-known ballet companies before becoming a principal dancer for the Dutch National Ballet. His exceptional performances captured the attention of dance publications such as Dance Europe, who once ranked Herd 19th of the top 100 international dancers who have made outstanding achievements.
Herd’s passion for ballet is unmatched and has pushed him to find ways to better unite the global ballet community, yet even he admits that there are things he could have done better early in his career. On the podcast, Casey outlines all of the ways he’s celebrating the art of ballet across the world, discusses the importance of how you react to successes and failures, and explains why today is a particularly exciting time for the international artform of ballet.
Moving Quotes:
“All of a sudden, people are saying, ‘Oh, ballet represents me too. It’s not something for white people in Europe anymore. There are black dancers, Indian dancers — there’s everybody now. It really represents everybody.’"
“Understand that not everything is going to go your way. You’ll have many moments when things don’t turn out the way you think — or don’t turn out at all. And it’s how you deal with those moments — how you conduct yourself as a professional and a person — that really are going to define you."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:24: Casey describes his current documentary film project — Ballet Rising — where he travels the world, finding love of ballet in the most unlikely of places.
5:48: Casey discusses some of the filmed locales for Ballet Rising and recounts inspirational stories from two of these locations.
14:20: Herd reflects on his professional dance career and how he ended up at the Dutch National Ballet after spending some of the best years of his life with Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Ballet.
17:09: Casey discusses the incredible rise of male ballet dancers and how the demographic shifts happening within ballet are improving the art.
20:54: Herd shares some advice for young, aspiring dancers, including the importance of leaving a good impression through your behavior and actions, regardless of circumstance.
24:08: Casey discusses some of his ongoing projects and goals, all in an effort to bring the global ballet community closer together.
Bullet List of Resources –
Casey Herd
Ballet Rising
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Megan Reilly, the Chief Operating Officer at Tippi Toes — a children’s dance business that has been featured on ABC’s Shark Tank and whose original music has made a splash on both Billboard and iTunes music charts. For over 20 years, Megan has found joy in introducing young children to dance through her company, and since its founding, Tippi Toes has established 30 franchises around the US, with plans to go international.
Megan understands that entrepreneurship is difficult, and for those that choose to venture down this alternate path, having a passion for your art is key to success. On the podcast, Megan describes why she believes in the mission of her company, how Tippi Toes started with only a dream (and very limited funding), and how other entrepreneurs can find success from day one of their businesses.
Moving Quotes:
“If we can get kids to love dance when they’re little and have a positive experience, then it can hopefully be a part of their life for a long time."
“If you have a [business] framework that you set early on before there’s any emotion involved, it’s going to save you so much in the long run."
“Find yourself. Find your value. Find the places that you really shine. And be as true to that as you can, and you will find success… There’s always a place for you if you’re being original and true to who you are."
“There’s opportunity for everyone if you’re hustling to find it."
“[In entrepreneurship], you have to really care about or enjoy the work that you’re about to do. Because if you’re going to be an entrepreneur, there’s going to be work."
“If you try to think too far down the road, you’re going to get lost. Sometimes you just have to think, ‘What is the best thing that I can do today?’"
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:57: Megan explains how dance was engrained in her from a very young age and how teaching dance eventually became her day job.
5:39: Megan describes her company — Tippi Toes — and the philosophy behind her company.
7:56: Reilly speaks to some of the lessons that Tippi Toes attendees gather from their dance classes and how these lessons carry over into non-dance aspects of life.
14:22: Megan reflects on the early days of entrepreneurship and shares a couple of practical ways that business owners can succeed.
17:49: Reilly shares her favorite and least favorite aspects of entrepreneurship.
20:04: Reilly discusses what could be next for Tippi Toes, including a few ways to achieve her goal of becoming a household name.
23:11: Reilly describes being featured on the hit reality show Shark Tank and the true story behind the deal she reached with Mark Cuban.
26:53: Megan names some of her role models and how, in a way, books and podcasts have served as role models for her in entrepreneurship.
30:04: Megan gives some practical advice around being in business with close friends and family members.
32:17: Megan shares some encouraging wisdom for those dancers who may not have progressed onto a professional level.
Bullet List of Resources –
Megan Reilly
Tippi Toes
- Company Website
- YouTube
Tippi Toes Music
- iTunes
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Jessica Marino, a serial dance entrepreneur who, over the past decade, has acted as a booking agent, producer, performer, project manager, community builder, and arts advocate. In 2017, Marino founded JAMpress Management, which provides support services for the performing arts industry, with a focus on dance. These services include event producing, promotion, project management, booking, tour management, consulting, and more.
Though Marino’s talents are wide-reaching, she’d be the first to tell you that her mentors have helped her become strong in areas of weakness. On the podcast, Marino discusses a wide array of topics surrounding dance and entrepreneurship and focuses much of the conversation on the humility required to succeed as an entrepreneur — humility to admit that you can’t be an expert in everything and that there’s nothing wrong in requesting help from your network and community.
Moving Quotes:
“Mentorship is all about letting [your mentors] help you understand what you’re capable of. And trusting them enough to believe them."
“Don’t be afraid to admit that you’re not the expert in everything. Find someone who knows more than you in certain fields — someone who you trust."
"[To fight low confidence and negativity], I can’t underscore enough the need for presence and trying to expose yourself to new ideas constantly. That way, you never get stuck in one place for too long without having the influence of other ideas to make sure you’re where you really want to be and not just where you happen to end up in that moment."
“If you have vision and a good team, the world is your oyster."
“Completely changing my environment and having to restart, if you will, was a big-time game-changer for me."
“A lot of us are in that position where you’re dancing and creating your art, but you need to have a side hustle somehow."
“I’ve never met anyone inside of the dance industry that’s not a full-fledged dance addict."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:50: Jessica describes her many dance-related endeavors, including her talent management company JAMpress Management.
7:25: Jessica discusses the origins of her business knowledge and how her business smarts came about out of a necessity to fuel her true passion — dance.
12:12: Marino explains how mentors have played a huge role in her life and how they’re valuable to validate your strengths and elevate your weaknesses.
17:42: Marino discusses some ways to fight low confidence amongst women in life and business.
21:26: Jessica describes a time where a huge decision completely changed the course of her life.
24:56: Jessica speaks to some of the most challenging aspects of being an entrepreneur.
26:40: Jessica discusses the importance of humility for young entrepreneurs — being willing to lean into experts whose strengths complement their weaknesses.
28:35: Marino describes the inspiration she feels from seeing diversity throughout the current landscape of CEOs and notable decision makers.
30:22: Jessica shares her vision for her business which includes international expansion.
Bullet List of Resources –
Jessica Marino
JAMpress Management
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Leda Ghannad, a primary care sports medicine physician at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush with a special interest in treating dancers, performing artists, and adolescent athletes. Midwest Orthopaedics has been recognized as one of the top 10 national leaders in orthopedic medicine and spine care and is the official provider for the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Fire, the DePaul University Blue Demons and — last but certainly not least — the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.
On the podcast, Leda shares about her own journey into orthopedic medicine and how her love of helping people and being “hands-on” drove her in this direction. Perhaps most notably, Leda spends time sharing a wealth of advice for dancers and athletes on eating well, preparing for performances, recovering from injuries, having a healthy mindset, and much more. However, all listeners will benefit from hearing Ghannad’s story about finding her own way and finding pleasure in helping other people achieve their goals.
Moving Quotes:
“A huge part of any injury is having a positive attitude, persevering, and understanding that the body needs time to heal. I think that definitely helps you heal faster."
“Taking time for yourself is important for mental health, and in the end, you end up doing better. There’s no such thing as lost time in my mind."
“Medicine is a phenomenal field because it’s always changing. So it’s really a field where you’re constantly learning and constantly challenging yourself."
“Missing your period is not normal, and good nutrition is important for your overall health. But it’s also good for performance. I think you’ll perform better and avoid injury if your body is well fed."
“In order to be a surgeon, you have to love being in the operating room. And that’s not something that I enjoyed."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:21: Leda describes her job as a medical professional and explains where her love of dance originated.
5:14: Leda discusses common injuries she sees in dancers versus non-dancers and offers some tips for preventing injuries.
8:29: Ghannad shares some advice for dancers or athletes on making smart judgment calls on the severity of injuries.
11:46: Leda discusses her perspective on the importance of having a healthy mindset when recovering from injuries.
12:48: Ghannad speaks at length on the importance of diet for dancers and athletes.
19:13: Leda shares why she decided to pursue a career as an orthopedist and how she finds fulfillment in helping people achieve their athletic goals.
21:58: Leda describes a typical day and week in her life and shares the favorite thing about her chosen career.
24:23: Leda explains why she decided to work at larger hospital, as opposed to joining a smaller clinic or opening a private practice.
28:15: Ghannad gives some solid advice for someone interested in pursuing a career in the medical field.
31:04: Leda revisits a difficult time in her life pre-career and explains how she was able to navigate this experience by taking time for herself.
Bullet List of Resources –
Rush Orthopedic
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with Nicolas Blanc, Ballet Master and Principal Coach for the Joffrey Ballet. Prior to his current role, Nicolas received formal dance education from a number of esteemed schools, including the Paris Opera House, and danced with a number of internationally recognized ballet companies, including the Nice Opera Ballet, the Zurich Ballet, and the San Francisco Ballet. Blanc garnered countless awards spanning multiple continents and was even recognized as one of the “Top 25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine.
As Nicolas has come to find, the transition from dancer to coach isn’t an easy one and involves, in many ways, having to reform your identity. On the podcast, Nicolas recounts his ballet journey and vulnerably shares the difficulty of moving beyond his past phase of life to his current phase of life. However, in the midst of the heartache, Blanc has positioned his current role with a positive frame of mind — that being a coach is a matter of generosity and sharing your skills to enhance the performances of future generations.
Moving Quotes:
“[When transitioning from dancer to coach], I lost so much of my identity. Because, as a dancer, so much of your value is what you produce. Our bodies are such an instrument that, once you don’t work with this instrument, you have to recalibrate things."
“In changing from a dancer to a ballet master, it gives you a broader view of things. As a dancer, because you have so many demands, you have to focus on yourself or the ballerinas you’re dancing with. Once you step aside, it’s about refocusing your generosity — not necessarily to an audience but to the people who are around you."
“Dancers are the brushes for a painter."
“The best victories for ballet mastering is when someone tells you, 'What you said clicked in my mind like a lightbulb.’ Or when you see someone that had a beautiful performance, you know that they’ve listened to your corrections, and because of what you gave them, their performance was enhanced in quality."
“Being a ballet master is all about sharing your knowledge and letting the dancers dance to the best of their ability."
“When I was a Principal with San Francisco Ballet, I always made a point to go see other dance forms. I would always look at other performances because I thought it was a really enriching experience, rather than staying a little bit too much in my bubble."
“I love the European dance style. When I come back and see the Paris Opera, it is so pretty and clear, and every movement is so pristine and so well-achieved. The elegance in Europe is quite unique. The European work has been praised for a reason for that."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:03: Nicolas discusses his role at the Joffrey Ballet and, at a high level, how being a ballet master differs from the life of a ballet dancer.
5:08: Nicolas shares the most difficult aspect of transitioning out of dance — having to reform your identity — and gives some encouraging words to dancers making this type of transition.
8:39: Blanc discusses some of his most recent choreography and what he’s working on currently.
10:15: Nicolas retells his ballet journey and how he initially wanted to be a jazz dancer.
12:57: Blanc continues his ballet story and discusses why he especially loves the European style of dance and was able to carry over this style to his performances in America.
17:50: Nicolas shares about his positive experience with the San Francisco Ballet and his fondness for the city of San Francisco.
20:38: Nicolas discusses what’s next for him, both personally as an artist and professionally as a ballet master.
Bullet List of Resources –
Nicolas Blanc
- Nicolas on the Joffrey website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Emily Hsu, Owner and Founder at Emily Hsu Design. Prior to being an entrepreneur, Emily was a Broadway, TV and film star, having appeared in over a dozen Broadway musicals. Hsu now runs a full activewear line — the Emily Hsu Designs collection — which is a favorite amongst the Rockettes, Broadway dancers, and top NYC fitness instructors. Her signature high-waist legging creates a sleek, smooth line and stays in place so that you can spend your time and energy getting the most out of your workout.
On the podcast, Emily discusses her accidental journey into entrepreneurship. Hsu began sewing leggings in 2014, when she had trouble finding fashionable leggings with an amazing fit at an affordable price point, but before long, these leggings — which she had only made for her family members — began receiving external attention. Emily is passionate about her product and discusses, among many other things, how that type of intense passion is necessary to succeed in the sometimes not-so-glamourous world of entrepreneurship.
Moving Quotes:
“You can create something out of nothing. This business just happened out of nothing. I don’t come from a family with businesses. I dreamt it, and through hard work and perseverance, I made it happen. You can make your dreams happen too. That’s what I want my brand to represent."
“You have to set very clear and achievable goals for [your employees] so that you can help them succeed and not be micromanaging every time. It’s a fine line."
“I can’t be somebody else. I have to be the best version of myself. I have to trust my instincts, my taste, do what I think looks beautiful — what I love. And hope that people respond, and they love it too. As opposed to trying to copy what someone else is doing."
“Just make the list — start checking things off — and just start doing. When you set and think about what may go wrong, it doesn’t help. You just have to start doing one thing at a time — one foot in front of the other."
“There are so many things that people across the world deal with on a daily basis. And we’re just making leggings. So it’s all going to be okay."
“If you don’t really love [your business], entrepreneurship is hard, and you’re not going to be able to muster and stay strong through all of the challenges if you don’t feel like, ‘I have to do this, and I love it so much. And it means so much to me.’"
“I think it’s tough for women [entrepreneurs] because we’ve been brought up in society to be polite and be this and be that. But it’s okay to say, ’This is what I expect. This is what I want.’ And ask for it."
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t try to pretend to know more and be more than you are. You should be proud of every step you’re on along the way."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:00: Emily tells the story behind her unintentional entry into the fashion and activewear industry.
9:25: Emily discusses how she decides on the unique patterns and product designs that her products are known for.
13:07: Hsu explains why it’s important that her products are made in the United States.
14:39: Emily retells a situation in her business where failure was imminent but quick thinking and flexibility made her come out a stronger person and businesswoman.
18:15: Hsu explains how she got connected with Miss Teen USA, which did a feature on her activewear line.
19:49: Emily discusses her favorite thing about being an entrepreneur, which involves something that her clothes are known for — flexibility.
21:56: Emily shares what is, in her opinion, the most difficult thing about being an entrepreneur — knowing when and how to delegate responsibility to others.
26:15: Emily explains why believing in your business is of utmost importance as an entrepreneur.
28:16: Hsu discusses where she’d like to see her business in 5 years and shares some inspirational thoughts around hard work and perseverance.
Bullet List of Resources –
Emily Hsu
Emily Hsu Design
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Company Website
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Instagram
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Facebook
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Twitter
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Mariaelena Ruiz, a dance prodigy, dance coach and, now, Co-Owner and Director of the Professional Training Program at Cary Ballet Conservatory. Ruiz has danced professionally since the young age of 14 with several esteemed ballet companies. Since an injury forced her to step away from dance, Mariaelena has since fallen in love with teaching, having taught 14 years at the Rock School for Dance Education and, now, teaching at her own conservatory.
On the podcast, Ruiz’s love for teaching really shines through, as she covers a plethora of topics including the importance of finding (and holding onto) a good teacher, the positives and negatives of modern technology, how to fight through the lie of instant gratification, and much more. Additionally, Mariaelena spends ample time covering her own story and relays some advice for any aspiring dancers looking to follow in her footsteps.
Moving Quotes:
“Teaching found me and saved me."
“If you don’t find a teacher that’s going to get the best out of you, you are probably going to get lost in the shuffle."
“[With the next generation], I want to teach them all of the amazing things about the art form [of dance], but also remind them that, in life, this is not going to happen tomorrow."
“I want to bring our art with us moving forward as a society, but I don’t want us to lose that classical feel. It still has to be an amazing piece of art."
[On owning her own dance school] “It’s been very very difficult. Would I do it again? Absolutely. And I’ve learned a lot."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:32: Mariaelena discusses the two reasons why she originally became involved with ballet and how she was fortunate to have the teachers that she did as she was learning the art.
5:47: Mariaelena describes her love of teaching and how teaching helped her get through an extremely difficult time in her life.
11:20: Ruiz discusses her current role — Co-owner and Director of the Cary Ballet Conservatory — and the benefits and challenges to owning and running your own business.
15:36: Mariaelena looks back at her time as a teacher at the Rock School of Ballet and tells how that opportunity “shaped” her into who she is today.
19:37: Ruiz speaks on the future of dance and her desire to teach the future generation to put in the hard work and not believe the lie of instant gratification.
24:56: Ruiz explains how parents and teachers can fight against the myth of instant gratification that’s pushed by things like technology and social media.
28:44: Mariaelena gives some advice to aspiring dancers and to dancers who are currently considering other opportunities in dance-related fields.
33:04: Mariaelena lists out some goals she’d like to achieve in the next five years — both personal goals and professional goals.
Bullet List of Resources –
Mariaelena Ruiz
- Personal Website
Cary Ballet Conservatory
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Company Website
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Instagram
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Facebook
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Twitter
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Emily Harrison, a registered dietitian nutritionist, public speaker, and experienced writer, who has worked alongside hundreds of dancers to encourage healthy eating and positive body image. Emily, who is an elite-level ballet dancer, has garnered both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nutrition from Georgia State University. She now resides in Atlanta, Georgia and spearheads her own private practice — Nutrition for Great Performances — where she counsels dancers and athletes on healthy living.
On the podcast, Emily spends some time describing her experience as a dancer and, currently, as an entrepreneur and elaborates on what drew her towards nutrition in the first place. Emily spends some time walking through the importance of nutrition for dancers and walks through the diet that she considers integral for active performers. Emily also speaks on the nature of success and how we can achieve our goals, as long as we’re being driven by a singular focus.
Moving Quotes:
“If you’re going to be a dancer, your body is literally your instrument."
“[Nutrition is] more than just pounds on a scale."
“My message to dancers is always, number one, that you have to eat. But, number two, you have to be strategic and smart about what you eat."
“In athletics, you see many more people understanding the value and impact of nutrition, but in the dance world, we’re slow to come to that. And I think we’re experiencing a Renaissance in that thinking now."
“So many times, my clients will say, 'I just a want to be a dancer.' Well, what does that mean? What company? Who are your favorite choreographers? Who are your idols? Where is your body type a right fit? … It’s a tough field. You have to have such single-minded focus. You have to give everything you’ve got to this career."
“Having a private practice has been a real blessing in my life because I can be there for my kids when they need me, but I can also have a career as well. I think the flexibility of the nutrition field has been a real benefit in my life."
“The kinds of diets I put my clients on are not only performance enhancing and injury preventing, but they also help dancers, frankly, look better in tights."
“One of the most challenging things about being an entrepreneur is that I have to do it all."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:25: Emily discusses the point in her life when nutrition became a field of interest for her and the importance of nutrition to dancers’ lives.
7:26: Emily shares some information about her own business — Nutrition for Great Performances — and the different ways her business helps clients.
10:34: Emily explains the diet that she believes has most to offer for active dancers — smaller, more frequent meals.
15:20: Harrison describes what drew her towards the field of nutrition and what she loves most about being an entrepreneur.
19:02: Harrison explains the most rewarding and most challenging aspects of entrepreneurship.
21:41: Emily gives some advice for aspiring dancers or entrepreneurs in dance-related fields, largely centered around having a singular focus and pushing towards that goal.
25:17: Emily discusses what’s next for her in the field of nutrition and how our own personal nutrition choices could help save the planet.
Bullet List of Resources –
Emily Harrison
Nutrition for Great Performances
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Company Website
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Facebook
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with Kathryn Morgan, an accomplished ballerina who, in spite of an autoimmune illness, has become a multimedia dance superstar — running a YouTube channel nearing 160,000 subscribers, recording her own podcast, and writing a regular column for Dance Spirit Magazine. Kathryn studied at the School of American Ballet, danced for the New York City Ballet, and is currently a soloist at the Miami City Ballet. Morgan also serves as a judge for the Youth America Grand Prix.
Kathryn’s story is one filled with determination, perseverance, and reinvention. Kathryn, who saw an early rise to ballet prominence, was hired onto the New York City Ballet at the young age of 17, but just years later, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that forced her to step away from the stage for 7 years. However, in her time away, Kathryn birthed an incredible online presence and has ultimately now found her way back to the stage. On the podcast, Kathryn walks through her entire journey and recaps incredible lessons that she’s picked from her eventful life, which are many.
Moving Quotes:
“[With critics] you have two choices. You can either agree with them or disagree with them. And it’s a matter not of what they think but of how you react to it."
“Don’t let other people put you down… It’s not me trying to prove [my critics] wrong. It’s me trying to prove to myself that, no, I’m not any of that. And I have more to offer. And that’s no matter what field you’re in."
“I know so many people have big ideas and goals, and yes, you need to think positive. But if you don’t act on those goals — if you don’t go for it — you can’t just wish things into happening.”
“[In auditions], the judges only see 50 percent of your solo. Because during the other 50 percent, they’re looking down, writing. So, if something goes wrong, don’t let it throw you off… Mistakes don’t necessarily count against you. It’s how you handle them."
“If you want to be a dancer, you have to have the proper training. It’s not one of those careers you can wish to happen. You’ve got to put in the work for it."
[On overcoming adversity] “I didn’t want to tell that little 3-year-old me that you’re done. I’ve worked my whole life to be in this industry, and just to have it end was not an option for me. So, I was going to try and stay relevant however I could."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:16: Kathryn walks through her entire story, from her quick rise to her sudden fall to finding unforeseen success in a new arena to being reunited with the artform she loves.
11:24: Kathryn speaks on the origins of her personal branding and discusses how her YouTube topics come to be.
13:10: Kathryn describes the mixture of emotions she felt as she, after 7 years, made her return to dance with the Miami City Ballet.
14:52: Morgan discusses how she stayed in dance-ready shape through her time away from the ballet spotlight.
17:10: Morgan shares what she believes may be the source of her entrepreneurial “go-getter” spirit.
18:38: Kathryn discusses what she hopes others will learn from her incredible life journey and gives some wise words on fighting back against adversity.
21:37: Kathryn shares a hilarious story about an on-stage blunder during a rather emotionally-charged scene.
24:37: Kathryn gives some details around her quarterly subscription box, full of themed ballet goodies.
27:52: Kathryn shares some tips on leaving a lasting impression in the audition process, including one extremely valuable piece of advice that she has learned since being in the judge’s chair.
33:47: Morgan, who has traveled quite a bit, gives some advice on staying healthy and dance-ready while enduring long bouts of travel.
41:56: Kathryn rounds out the podcast by discussing what people can do, practically, to achieve their dreams in dance or in entrepreneurship.
Bullet List of Resources –
Kathryn Morgan
- Personal Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Alexei Moskalenko, Assistant Artistic Director at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). Alexei, a graduate of the Moscow Bolshoi Ballet Academy and the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, came to the United States with a touring ballet company and eventually opened his own ballet school, before transitioning into his work with Youth America Grand Prix. During his incredible 20-year run with the YAGP, Alexei has served as a judge, Tour Director, Master Teacher, Rehearsal and, now, Assistant Artistic Director.
On the podcast, Alexei recaps his life in ballet, from his upbringing in Russia to his transition to the United States. But, most interestingly, Alexei spends time describing his current with the YAGP and how he is tasked with the seemingly impossible feat of identifying talent potential in extremely young dancers — dancers who are only performing three- or four-minute routines. Alexei expands on the challenge of spotting tomorrow’s stars, while providing some solid advice for anyone who desires to be one of the chosen few to dance professionally.
Moving Quotes:
“[Aspiring ballet dancers] need to learn what a day in the life of a ballet dancer is like. What kind of job is it? What’s your schedule like? … After learning all of that, they will be equipped to make as best a decision in their life as they can."
“Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket… Don’t dream only about one dance company. Diversity your portfolio around different company sizes."
“I think every dancer thinks deep inside about touring opportunities — what it is to work in a different country, what it is to be a dancer in another company, how it works, can I do that."
“To be healthy and just to be able to walk — I’m already advantaged. I’m already lucky."
“Some important skills that no one talks about that you have to really work on — it’s around the world, everywhere, no matter where you go — are your communication skills."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:11: Alexei remembers his first touches with ballet and how, retrospectively, he appreciates his mom for pushing him to first explore this art.
6:28: Alexei explains how he never fully felt that ballet was his destiny but relives a story that taught him to be thankful for his ability to be a ballet professional.
11:35: Moskalenko discusses how he first found himself in the United States and how every dancer has an innate desire to join an internationally touring ballet company.
15:56: Alexei explains his role with the Youth America Grand Prix and why his job, specifically, is a difficult job to carry out.
19:12: Alexei describes what he looks for in a dancer when trying to evaluate his or her future potential and how dancer “quality” is gauged differently in the US, from what it was in Russia.
23:31: Alexei shares some extremely practical (and unexpected) advice for any dancers that are preparing for dance competitions.
26:26: Moskalenko shares some advice for aspiring dancers, including a quick encouragement to be grateful for YouTube.
29:32: Alexei explains his life aspirations moving ahead, both for his career and for his personal life.
Bullet List of Resources –
Alexei Moskalenko
- Alexei on YAGP Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Julian MacKay — a ballet dancer whose award-winning ballet skills and striking physical features have gained him worldwide notoriety in both dance and fashion circles. Julian, who is the first American to graduate from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy with a full Russian diploma, has amassed gold medals from some of the world’s top ballet competitions and is now, at age 19, a First Soloist at The Mikhailovsky Theater. Julian has also bridged the gap between the dance and fashion industries, having performed at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, having been chosen by Kendall Jenner out of 200,000 other people to be shot for LOVE Magazine London, and much more.
On the podcast, we get a glimpse into the life of a celebrity. Julian highlights his rise to stardom from his humble beginnings in rural Montana but gives his secret to staying humble and grounded. MacKay also spends some time laying out the cultural differences between the Russian and American dance communities, highlighting strengths and difficulties of his Russian dance education. Perhaps most interestingly, Julian gives a “peek behind the curtain” on how the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show opportunity fell into place and what it’s like backstage during a ballet performance. All of this and more in an episode that listeners are sure to enjoy.
Moving Quotes:
“My day always starts out with motivation, where I’m always working to improve on what it is that I’m focused on. My philosophy is, if you have an opportunity to do something today and improve on it, then maybe tomorrow, it’ll be a little bit better."
“I’d say definitely giving it your all in rehearsals is the best way to prepare for a competition because if you can do it three times full-out in the rehearsal, you’re definitely going to be able to do it one time on stage."
“[Dancing in Russia,] it's really important to keep up a connection with my teacher and keep growing. I finish a show, and right away, there are corrections — right away, you’re trying to fix what you did wrong and become better. Because there’s not much time until the next thing already comes."
“The most difficult [part of my day] is that, whenever you have a lot of things to rehearse, you have to really learn to change your mindset to different characters or different emotions or different styles of dancing, which can be difficult when you’re giving it your all."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:21: Julian discusses his introduction to dance and how he went from small-town Montana to renown The Mikhailovsky Theater.
7:24: Julian shares what he loves about Russian dance culture and what he finds most difficult.
12:08: MacKay discloses the behind-the-scenes story behind being a featured dancer in primetime on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
14:34: Julian gives a peek behind the curtain and shares what backstage is like during a ballet production.
15:44: MacKay, who is a world traveler, shares some travel tips for keeping your body fresh during long plane rides.
17:17: Julian describes a typical day in his shoes and shares his philosophy on staying motivated by constantly improving your skills.
21:28: Julian explains how he remains so grounded and humble while being viewed by many as a celebrity in Russia.
23:50: MacKay, an award-winning ballet dancer, shares his best advice on preparing for competitions.
25:15: Julian spends some time encouraging aspiring dancers to pursue their dreams and speaks on the importance of pursuing your life passions.
26:30: Julian discusses the most difficult aspect of being a dancer — the physical pain.
29:01: Julian looks to the future, which includes several personal projects and quite a bit of touring and dancing.
Bullet List of Resources –
Julian MacKay
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Cory-Jeanne Houck-Cox, a choreographer, teacher, regional and national dance adjudicator, and retired prima ballerina. During her run as a ballerina, Cory-Jeanne gained recognition nationally and internationally, having performed for American presidents and having co-created and performed award-winning pieces for the Kennedy Center. Houck-Cox’s true passion is in educating others to love the art of dance, having served as a teaching artist or adjunct faculty at several institutes of higher education. She is now heavily involved in the National Dance Education Organization, working to offer professional development opportunities for dance teachers.
On the podcast, Cory-Jeanne lays out her entire ballet career, from her late start as a ballet dancer to the day she accepted that life without dancing was okay. Along the journey, she shares life lessons that she picked up from the art, including how to appropriately accept criticism and how to push through difficulty. One thing that becomes abundantly clear is Houck-Cox’s love of education, and on the podcast, she details how she is furthering dance education across the world and even gives some practical advice on how, from her experience, to best teach dance to the younger generation.
Moving Quotes:
“Whether my students make it as dancers or even choose to be dancers, it doesn’t matter as long as they have a love of dance."
“You have to have a fairly thick skin to be able to deal with the [dance] critiques because… there are times when the teacher would say something, and you’d just want to go in a corner and cry… But they would look at me and say, ’That’s your homework.’"
“It wasn’t just going into the studio and walking away. It’s a completely different way of life… ‘Okay, how can I make myself better? How can I become better at what I’m trying to achieve?’ It’s constant improvement in your craft."
“With the Internet and Instagram, it’s completely changed the process of how kids process dance, in my opinion."
“The hardest moment [of retiring from dance] was being able to say, ‘Okay, I’m able to do this and find happiness in another area of my life that doesn’t require me to necessarily dance… That was a defining moment in my life."
“It’s a total package — of being able to have your own self-protection, to be strong enough to take what comes at you. But at the same time, pliable enough to take the corrections and be able to allow yourself the freedom to move in the ways that they are asking. But at the same time, realizing how did they do it before [in the history of ballet] and why and how can I improve upon it."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:19: Cory-Jeanne describes how her late introduction to ballet turned into a passion worth pursuing with her entire life.
10:38: Cory-Jeanne shares some life lessons that she learned while taking dance classes and living on her own early in life, including the importance of being receptive of criticism.
14:29: Cory-Jeanne explains how she gracefully managed the change from prima ballerina to teacher and learned to be okay moving forward in a life without dancing.
17:50: Houck-Cox describes an extremely difficult time in her life where she was plagued by injuries and how she used determination to fight through feelings of self-pity and overcome odds.
21:09: Houck-Cox discusses an activity where she’s become involved, featuring choreographers from all different genres of dance, coming together to create a set of shared performances.
23:35: Cory-Jeanne speaks on another passion of hers — writing — and shares how one of her two screenplays made it to the finals of the Sundance Screen Writers Lab.
24:42: Cory-Jeanne describes a piece of choreography she created surrounding the incredible story of her mother that has turned into a full ballet and is garnering awards and praise.
27:26: Cory-Jeanne discusses how she takes pride in helping student gain and maintain a love of dance.
28:36: Houck-Cox describes how she is working to open up the door for more professional development opportunities for dance teachers.
31:29: Houck-Cox shares what’s next for her life and expresses a desire to foster more collaboration in the dance world.
Bullet List of Resources –
Cory-Jeanne Houck-Cox
- Personal Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Skylar Campbell, Principal Dancer at The National Ballet of Canada. While Campbell has spent the majority of his career at The National Ballet of Canada, his quick rise to stardom has been recognized internationally, including gaining a mention in Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch in 2015” list. Skylar has also been awarded a Bronze Medal in the Pas de Deux category at the 2009 Youth American Grand Prix and was a finalist in the 2009 prix de Lausanne — a prestigious, invitation-only dance competition.
Having ballet-dancing parents, Campbell was introduced to the art from a very young age but didn’t decide to pursue ballet as a career until his mid-teens. However, from that moment until now, Skylar’s trajectory quickly escalated, gaining a fair amount of notoriety along the way. On the podcast, Skylar recaps his whole journey and shares some wisdom he’s picked up, including how to keep goals from becoming a distraction, how being on stage can have a calming effect, how success in dance is more than keeping the right steps, and more.
Moving Quotes:
“Being a dancer is so much more than the steps. I encourage people to let loose and leave your heart out there."
“Dance can teach a lot… Even if you put your kids in dance and they don’t become professionals, it wasn’t a waste. It teaches so many things that are applicable to your ‘little toolkit’ in life."
“Dance is a beautiful form of escapism for audience members. There is nothing like it. The theater, overall, will never die."
“The stage is bliss for me. It’s where I found my calm… Even when I retire, I always want to be active."
“Don’t focus on the things that you need to work on all the time. Highlight the things that you know you can pull off really well. And people will be amazed by it."
“I found ballet to be more appealing to my personality than any of the other forms of dance."
“I didn’t set any serious long-term goals. I took every day as a new challenge and worked baby steps along the way. It turned out to be something that I would have never dreamed of."
“[When you’re young in competitions] you’re always thinking about the medal… It’s so hard to block that out. But I couldn’t stress more that that is not what directors are looking for."
“When I’m on the stage, I feel free. I want to be true to myself, to the audience, and to anyone who’s watching — that this is what ballet is and this is what ballet can be and this is who I am."
“I had dreams, but I didn’t let them affect my daily routine… I didn’t let the little things eat away from my overarching goals."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:01: Skylar discusses how he first got introduced to ballet and why he was drawn to ballet above all other dance forms.
7:20: Skylar explains how, through his goals, he accomplished so much in his ballet career in such a short amount of time.
9:01: Campbell describes the feelings of being invited to compete in the prix de Lausanne — an invitation-only competition of the world’s most talented young dancers.
11:15: Campbell explains why he feels most comfortable on the stage, as opposed to being in the studio.
12:44: Skylar retells some funny moments from his dance career, including accidentally no-showing a performance, only to be covered by a friend who improvised his entire routine.
14:31: Skylar discusses the one thing from his dance career that makes him most proud.
16:00: Skylar gives more details around his “dance collective” that he’s organizing in southern California, in order to showcase international dancers for a broader audience.
19:24: Campbell discusses his favorite dance competitions and explains how he best prepares for them.
22:29: Campbell explains how he has found success and what’s left for him to accomplish.
24:07: Skylar spends some time discussing why dance is important in 2019, both for the audience and for the dancer.
Bullet List of Resources –
Skylar Campbell
- Skylar on National Ballet of Canada site
The National Ballet of Canada
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Christopher Fairbank, motivational speaker and business leadership strategist. Christopher is truly a Renaissance man. Prior to his current motivational speaking and coaching work, he was an 18-year professional ballet dancer, with experience dancing for some of the nation’s top ballet companies. Fairbank also held a career as a Sheriff’s Deputy, and his incredibly unique (and successful) transition from “ballet to bullets” in many ways inspired his motivational speaking catchphrase — Dare to be Different.
Fairbank is a storyteller extraordinaire. On the podcast, Christopher walks through his entire career thus far — from a young boy’s first foray into dance to stumbling into the police academy to stepping into the motivational speaking circuit. His incredible stories are sure to entertain and enlighten, as he ties all of his life’s events into the importance of embracing your identity and uniqueness and using those things to your advantage.
Moving Quotes:
“I am a leader. I have integrity. And I want to be the change that I want to see in this world."
“When you get to the point where you feel like there’s nothing more that you can give — or you feel like there’s nothing more that you want to give — then it’s time for you to step away and do something different."
[On working with a public speaking coach] “There was someone else there to help me and to say, ‘Hey. You can do this, and you need to do this. Because you have a story that needs to be told.’"
“Everybody is unique in their own way. When we find our own uniqueness and our own personal power, we can then share that with so many other people and bless people’s lives and help strengthen them."
“What a wonderful [ballet] career that all was, and it was all fun and games. And I never once have ever looked back and have never said, 'Oh, if I would have done this. If I could have done that.’ Because I really lived the dream of being able to dance in these different places."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:10: Christopher retells his first foray into ballet, which changed his preconceived idea that ballet was only for girls.
7:16: Christopher looks back at his first professional ballet role at the young age of 14, playing the role of Beast in Beauty and the Beast.
10:43: Fairbank discusses how his ballet career skyrocketed, landing gigs at some of the biggest ballet companies in the nation.
13:10: Christopher briefly speaks on at why he decided to ultimately call it quits on ballet at the time that he did.
14:28: Fairbank shares the amazing story of his life post-ballet, including his extremely successful stint in the police force and some incredible events occurring during his time at the police academy.
24:09: Christopher further describes his police academy success and looks back at his time as a police officer, where he became fondly nicknamed “No Ticket Chris.”
31:26: Christopher shares how his career took a turn towards professional public speaking and business leadership strategy.
38:06: Christopher discusses his goals for the next five years and speaks on the importance of embracing your uniqueness.
Bullet List of Resources –
Christopher Fairbank
- Personal Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Harriet Ross and Mark Gomez, who both play vital roles in running Chicago Dance United’s Dance for Life event. Dance for Life is a fundraiser performance featuring a united front of dance companies from across Chicago, raising money for “The Dancers’ Fund.” This fund, which was founded in 1994 by Ross, makes direct grants to individuals in the dance world suffering from debilitating injuries or illnesses. Since Dance for Life launched in 1994, over $6 million has been raised in support of the dance community.
Ross, Co-Founder of Dance for Life, and Gomez, Co-Chair of Dance for Life, spend the podcast giving a deep-dive on the history of the event, how the event has evolved over the years, and where the event is headed in the future. Harriet also briefly provides some commentary on her career, including how it felt to be named 2007 Chicagoan of the Year and some highlights on her run as General Manager of The Joffrey Ballet. Gomez and Ross are passionate about the craft of dance and the good of dancers, and that passion permeates this conversation, revolving around this incredible fundraising event.
Moving Quotes:
“We discovered dancers are powerful people, which we didn’t know and we now know. It’s a rather exciting thing to see people who thought they didn’t have a voice because they don’t speak find out we do have quite a voice."
“I don’t recognize failure. I always think I’m going to find something good coming out of it. If you ask me about a failure, I can’t even tell you about one. Because, to me, it was going to be good in the end. That’s how a dancer has to be."
“Everybody just gives. Everybody gives their art, their talent. And they’re fairly ego-less, for what you would assume would be an ego-driven art form. But it’s not."
“There’s always going to be opportunity to show you what’s going on in the world [through dance] and to express yourself and to bring questions. I feel like that’s what art does. It’s supposed to get you thinking about [questions like] — What was that about? What does that mean? How do I relate to that?"
“If [performers] can’t earn a living as dancers because of an injury of some kind, we are there for them. We will help them through that time… You send your bills. We pay your bills."
“[Dance for Life] is such a great mission… And the dance community is so behind it. The dancers love being a part of it and being together, and if you were backstage, you’d see all of the dancers on the side, watching the other people dance. It’s very exciting… So I wanted to keep that going and growing."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
4:05: Harriet and Mark share about the creation of Dance for Life and how this immensely successful event has driven camaraderie among dance companies across Chicago.
10:19: Harriet discusses how much money is typically raised during an event like Dance for Life, and Mark highlights any new changes taking place this year.
14:33: Harriet briefly describes the thrill of being chosen as 2007 Chicagoan of the Year by Chicago Magazine.
15:43: Harriet and Mark discuss their goals for Dance for Life and take some time to lay out the mission of the event.
19:06: Harriet and Mark quote the Chicago Dancers United mission statement and mention some other events that are conducted by the organization.
22:11: Harriet discusses how dancers must view failure differently than many other people.
23:48: Harriet shares what she was most proud of during her stint as General Manager of The Joffrey Ballet.
25:56: Harriet and Mark weigh in on the importance of dance for younger generations and the desire for dance to be more visible and recognized.
27:46: Harriet and Mark speak to the importance of emerging technology when it comes to awareness around the art of dance — particularly social media.
30:12: Mark casts some vision for Dance for Life, and Harriet describes what’s next for her in her life journey.
Bullet List of Resources –
Harriet Ross
Mark Gomez
Dance for Life
- Website (with ticket information)
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Maria Shclover, President and Producer at Maestro Artist Management (MAM) — a full-service production, touring, and promotion company that focuses on presenting international artists in various genres. Maria is also the Founder of the Russian Film Week in New York City and is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Cherry Orchard Festival Foundation, which runs a multi-day, multi-cultural, multidisciplinary celebration of international arts in New York City. Prior to MAM, Maria was classically-trained as a musician and graduated from the renown NYU Stern School of Business.
On the podcast, Maria walks through her journey from the USSR to America and from classical musician to entrepreneurship. Throughout the conversation, Maria is more than willing to openly share about the pains, uncertainties, and challenges of owning your own business yet doubles down on knowing that she made the right decision to pursue entrepreneurship. While she spends some time specifically speaking to those pursuing an artist management career, her wisdom and takeaways are for people from all walks of life.
Moving Quotes:
“The show must go on. Sometimes you have programs that aren’t delivered. Sometimes the bus is late. Somebody didn’t get their visa. But, it’s a working moment. We find a solution. Don’t stress out. We need to work through that and find a solution quickly. I think that’s the secret."
“[If you want a career in artist management,] you must be willing to wear a lot of hats. This is how you get successful."
“[In order to deal with uncertainty,] you have to be sure of yourself. You have to be sure of why you’re doing this."
“My personal [entrepreneurial] challenge is that it’s hard to delegate. Many times I try to delegate, I find out the hard way that I delegated something that’s not being done or it’s not being done correctly."
“Don’t be afraid to follow your dream. The most important thing is to fulfill your calling — your potential."
“There are certain things you can’t control — like weather, like government — but you can do your best to mitigate problems."
“[As an entrepreneur,] you need to grow all the time. And not just financially — you need to acquire new skills."
“Don’t be lazy and keep learning. Don’t ever say, ‘Oh I know everything.’ Because every day, something new will come up in your industry, whatever it is."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:33: Maria discusses her journey from being a classically-trained musician in the USSR to the founding of her own company in America.
6:31: Maria reflects on the risks of leaving a secure corporate job to start her own company and looks back at the events that led to her company’s inception.
11:10: Shclover shares some details about her current company — Maestro Artist Management — and various events it sponsors, including Russian Film Week in New York City.
13:07: Maria shares her perspective on some of the most challenging things about owning your own business, including the necessity of ongoing learning.
15:39: Shclover mentions some funny stories from her company’s history and explains the importance of being flexible and “rolling with the punches” when working with artists.
19:56: Maria gives some great advice around dealing with uncertainty — a component of entrepreneurship that is unavoidable.
23:44: Maria encourages current and aspiring entrepreneurs to follow their dreams, whatever the cost.
25:31: Shclover discusses the types of skills necessary for someone who is looking to take on a career in artist management.
28:35: Maria speaks on the future of her company, which hopefully involves more shows in more cities.
Bullet List of Resources –
Maria Schlover
Maestro Artist Management
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Josephine Lee, Founder at The Pointe Shop. The evolution of Lee’s company is remarkable. What started in 2011 as a simple brick-and-mortar retail store now has gained notoriety for its “mobile store” component, which takes pointe shoe fitting on the road to customers and, selfishly, allows Josephine to fulfill one of her favorite pastimes — road tripping. Josephine is also well-known for placing third in the 2016 Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking — a competition featuring 35,000 contestants across 142 countries.
On the podcast, Josephine deep dives on the events that drove her into the retail space and the thoughts behind the transition from simple brick-and-mortar to pointe shoe fitting on wheels. Along the way, Lee provides some advice on “going the extra mile” in the early stages of a company, the importance of having a firm support system, being patient in business, and much more. Through Lee’s story, inspiration abounds for all listeners.
Moving Quotes:
“[My favorite part of being an entrepreneur] is having the freedom to create whatever I want to create. There is really no ceiling when it comes to being an entrepreneur. It can be as big or as small as you want… I have an idea of something that I want to do in my life, and I can manifest it through my business."
[On setting goals] “I need to give myself 30 days — a very short term — so that I can finish a goal and then move on to the next thing. And when I finish a goal, it gives me motivation to look for the next one. And I so I keep building and building on top of my little goals until, one day, I look back, and I see everything that has happened."
[On starting a business] “Give more value than you take at the beginning. Give as much as you can… You have to give so much value that people almost feel obligated to come to you."
“I do well with short term goals because I’m very good at sprinting. I’m not very good at marathons."
“You don’t know the direct return on investment for social media marketing techniques, but you might see it 5 years down the line — 10 years down the line — because people feel like they know you. They’ve had interactions with you. It’s great to have that rapport."
“It’s really nice to have a peer mentoring group rather than someone who has already made it because we’re all going through it at the same time. We’re discovering new apps and products and ways of doing things. And we share our difficulties, our wins and losses — all of that."
[In entrepreneurship] “If you don’t have a partner or somebody to rely on, it’s very difficult to get somebody to understand where you are."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:03: Josephine gives a brief history of her journey, from amateur dancer to dance retail store owner.
5:50: Josephine lays out the events that led to the opening of her retail store and reflects on the benefit of knowing very little about starting a business.
8:04: Lee discusses the evolution of her retail store, including the 2014 opening of her “mobile store” and her infamous long-term road trips where she proactively takes pointe shoe fitting to customers.
11:57: Josephine discusses her favorite and least favorite aspects of entrepreneurship.
15:24: Lee speaks on her goal-setting routine and her difficulty in setting long-term goals.
16:46: Lee takes some time reflecting on someone she takes a lot of pride in — her very own mother.
18:53: Josephine discusses how the role models in her life take a different form than most traditional ideas of having a role model.
21:00: Josephine shares some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, centered around “going the extra mile” when you first launch your business.
23:29: Josephine describes the public speaking competition where she placed third overall — a competition involving 34,000 people across 142 different countries.
26:48: Lee reflects on a time when she failed, why she considers that experience a failure, and how she learned from this mistake.
30:00: Lee discusses the future for her retail store, which including expansion of brick-and-mortar stores.
Bullet List of Resources –
Josephine Lee
The Pointe Shop
- Company Website
- YouTube
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Meredith Harrill, professional dancer at Visceral Dance Chicago. Meredith received dance training at the Central Florida Ballet Academy, before studying on scholarship at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. Harrill was a trainee with Joffrey Ballet Chicago and BalletMet Columbus, where she also performed in several productions, and performed as a soloist for State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, CA. Meredith has received numerous accolades, including awards from both the Youth America Grand Prix and World Ballet Competition.
Meredith’s journey is a unique one, having not started ballet until the age of 12. On the podcast, Meredith reflects on having to learn dance fundamentals at a late age but discusses the grit and determination that she had to find within herself to push through the frustrations and succeed. Harrill touches on a wide variety of topics, including the advantages and disadvantages of curating a social media following and the nature of accepting rejection and moving on with life.
Moving Quotes:
“Don’t put yourself in a box… You grow up having these ideas or goals for yourself, but don’t be afraid to alter them along the way… It’s not just about getting a dream job; it’s about creating yourself as an artist as well. Maybe the place you thought you wanted to be isn’t right for you, and it’s somewhere else. You need to be open to that."
“The hardest thing [about being a dancer] is realizing that it is your life. There is no point where you clock out… You don’t ever get to forget about it. Everything you do is related back to dance."
“I think I’m most proud of my ability to push through. No matter what happens, I’m not giving up."
“Even if [dance] is not something you see yourself pursuing as a career, it’s not a reason to stop doing it. It teaches you not only discipline and group involvement, but it’s great for your body and good for your soul, too. To be able to have this outlet of movement to express yourself."
“I also knew that one of the best qualities a dancer could have is your performance. And I really enjoy performing. I love being able to immerse myself in a role… The joy of movement makes me come alive."
“I love social media. I try not to get too attached to it because I still want to be present in the outside world. I don’t want to get too concerned with comparing myself with other people… But for dancers and artists, it’s a great platform to show your work and show who you are and represent yourself in the way you want to be represented."
"[My first ballet coach] told me right away, ‘You’re going to have a really hard time finding a job, but once you find a job, you’re going to keep it.’ Just because I was so determined to make this work and also just being able to bring out something from inside that translated onto stage."
“[Social media] is almost like a virtual resume for yourself."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:03: Meredith recounts her journey of dance, including the decision to transition from competitive gymnastics to ballet at the late age of 12.
7:38: Meredith reflects on her experiences in dance boarding school and how this life stage prepared her for professional dance.
9:23: Harrill walks through both her typical days and her performance days as a professional dancer.
12:13: Meredith discusses a time in her dance journey when she pushed through hardship because she was determined to make dance work.
14:03: Meredith remembers the difficulty of being at the bottom of her dance class and having to learn simple dance fundamentals at the age of 12.
16:22: Harrill speaks on her favorite type of ballet and why she enjoys being a versatile ballet dancer, knowing many different styles of dance.
18:35: Meredith discusses the person that influenced her dance life the most and how their relationship has continued from an early age until now.
20:04: Meredith chats about her vibrant social media presence and the pros and cons of curating a social media following.
22:31: Meredith gives some incredible advice around how to face rejection well — good advice for both dancers and non-dancers.
28:09: Harrill discusses what’s next for her career and reflects on the most difficult part of being a professional dancer.
Bullet List of Resources –
Meredith Harrill
Visceral Dance Chicago
- Company Website
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Rachel Hamrick, Founder and CEO at Flexistretcher LLC. Hamrick’s company is built around her namesake product, the Flexistretcher — an elastic resistance band that simulates dance-specific or sport-specific movement patterns, focused on building flexibility and strength. Hamrick has also developed a training method and certification program, whereby she educates other teachers and coaches on effective use of her proven device. Prior to entrepreneurship, Hamrick received classical ballet training from The Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington, D.C. and has danced professionally for a number of ballet companies.
Hamrick’s story is the oft-heard entrepreneurial story of one door shutting and another door opening. On the podcast, Rachel walks through her journey, which primarily consisted of professional dance until an injury forced her to move her career in another direction. Through her injury, Hamrick realized the importance of flexibility and strength training and leveraged her new obsession with anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology to build the Flexistretcher brand. Hamrick’s story is not only motivational but educational, for aspiring dancers and entrepreneurs alike.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Misha Tchoupakov, Assistant Professor in the School of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). Tchoupakov’s resume is impressive, having been classically trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow and having toured professionally for a number of ballet companies, including the Bolshoi Ballet (Russia), the Vienna State Opera Ballet (Austria), the Los Angeles Classical Ballet, and several others. Misha also has been teaching ballet since 1988 and, in addition to his work at UNCSA, currently serves as Resident Master Teacher for the Youth America Grand Prix Competition and as an international, touring ballet instructor.
On the podcast, Misha shares his unique and compelling story of dancing ballet in the Soviet Union and how this wonderful path was actually chosen for him. Yet, in light of being pushed in this direction, he reflects on the magic of the art and how, now, he finds joy in touring America and the world, teaching others how to hone their craft and how they can — and must — learn to work smarter, not harder.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with Lisa Schoene, Dance and Sports Medicine Podiatric Physician at Gurnee Podiatry and Sports Medicine Associates. Lisa, who founded Gurnee nearly 30 years ago, is also a certified athletic trainer and published author. Lisa has worked with dancers and athletes of all sports from all levels — from amateur to Olympic — and is also a traveling lecturer and a consulting podiatrist for several renown dance companies in the Chicago area.
On the podcast, Lisa discusses how she discovered sports medicine and podiatry, how she’s found her passion in this industry, and how her career has evolved over the past 30 years. She shares some extremely practical advice for entrepreneurs that are looking to establish their own businesses, including some difficult barriers that entrepreneurs should prepare for. At the end of the day, for Lisa Schoene, hard work and treating people well are the paths to success, whichever profession you find yourself in.
Moving Quotes:
“With any business, A to Z, it’s about customer service… I think that’s what’s allowed me to grow my business so well."
[On treating employees well] “When you’re a business owner, they always tell you that, sometimes, it’s not about how much money you pay somebody, but it’s how much appreciation that you have for them at the end of the day that makes them happy at your business… Take good care of your staff because they take good care of you."
“I always knew that success was going to follow if I just stayed tried and true to good customer service — if I was walking the walk and talking the talk."
[On building her business] “It’s been like birthing a child. This is my baby, after so many years. And it's been really fun — sometimes I don’t know where the time has gone."
“As a female, we do have a lot of power. But I’ve never felt discriminated against through my career because I’ve always worked hard. I’ve jumped in there, and I’ve worked just as hard as any guy."
“When I retire, I hope that athletes, dancers, my staff and my students will be able to say, ‘Hey, she did a good job. She did a great job with teaching. She really took care of me.’ That, to me, is success... It’s not about how much money I make as a doctor. It’s really who I’ve impacted, how I’ve treated my patients, and how I’ve treated my staff."
“In business, if you have a bad employee, they can be a cancer in the office of your practice or in your business. Anyone that’s been in business long enough knows that sometimes you have to cut the cancer out."
“If you just shoot for the stars, it doesn't matter if you’re female or male. Anybody can do anything these days, if you set your mind to it."
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:25: Lisa walks through her journey that landed her a profession in sports medicine and highlights her time studying dance.
4:17: Lisa reflects on how her background as a dancer equipped her for her current profession.
5:19: Schoene discusses her education in preparation for sports medicine and stresses the importance of loving your profession.
7:02: Lisa provides some advice for dancers on staying healthy and preventing injuries, including a discussion on internal and external injuries.
8:38: Schoene discusses how she became a published author and how a negative circumstance from her past nearly ended her writing career at a young age.
14:38: Lisa highlights some of the most influential people in her life that pushed her in the direction of podiatry and, ultimately, gave her the opportunities she has today.
18:10: Lisa discusses how it feels to be a female in her industry and explains that, no matter who you are, hard work pays off.
20:21: Schoene speaks on how she has overcome barriers in her entrepreneurial career and gives an example of a barrier that she’s come across as a business owner.
23:31: Lisa reveals her favorite thing about entrepreneurship and what, in her opinion, is the biggest and most important factor in building a business.
27:26: Lisa closes the podcast with some advice for those that may be considering a career in sports medicine and recommends a path forward for these individuals.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Katie Pilone, Co-Founder of Pop Up Pilates — a Pilates business whose mission is to positively impact communities, starting in Oklahoma City and moving across the United States. Additionally, Katie is a dancer at the Oklahoma City Ballet, an RP Pro Brand Ambassador, and a graduate of Butler University, where she studied Dance and Arts Administration with a minor in Marketing.
Katie is an extremely strong and driven woman, who is always looking for new ways to challenge herself personally, professionally, and creatively. On the podcast, Katie shares how her love for ballet was first discovered and walks from that point in her early life to where she is now — professional dancer and established entrepreneur. While discussing her journey, she shares a wealth of knowledge and wisdom around the value of education, the difficulty of dance, and the art of staying positive in difficult times.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Mikko Nissinen, Artistic Director of the Boston Ballet and Boston Ballet School — the largest ballet school in North America. Mikko was born in Finland and has danced for numerous ballet companies, including the Finnish National Ballet, the Dutch National Ballet, Basel Ballet, and the San Fransisco Ballet, where he spent a full decade as principal dancer. Prior to his current role, Mikko served as Executive Director of the Boston Ballet, where he carried out a number of large-scale efforts such as a complete company rebrand and a move to a new, permanent performance home — the Boston Opera House.
Nissinen loves the art of ballet, and his passion for the craft is evident through his life and words. On the podcast, he discusses how dance has a transformative power that can even impact entire cultures. Mikko spends some time reflecting on his career as a dancer and how his best dance experiences have been rooted in the camaraderie of dancers that are selflessly performing for the good of the company. Perhaps most importantly, Mikko shares advice that is applicable for both dancers and non-dancers about leaning into your strengths and sharpening your weaknesses through diligent practice.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Genevieve Weeks, Founder and CEO of Tutu School — a collection of boutique-style ballet schools for young children. Since its founding in 2008, Tutu School has adopted a franchise model and has grown to over 33 different locations across the United States. Prior to becoming a business owner, Genevieve was a professional ballet dancer, having received training from the School of Ballet Chicago, the American Ballet Theater, and from Suzanne Farrell at the Kennedy Center.
On the podcast, Genevieve discusses a wide variety of topics, primarily focusing on how entrepreneurship and dancing intertwine. She discusses how, from her earliest days as an entrepreneur, she felt primed for starting her own business but attributes many of these feelings towards her experiences from the stage. Weeks discusses her thoughts on the nature of preparation, how to succeed as a professional dancer, the importance of prioritization, and much more.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with “The Shoemaker of the Stars,” Phil LaDuca. This shoemaker lives up to his name, as dancers and actors have worn his famous shoes in well over 200 Broadway productions. His shoes are well-known for providing the support and stability that dancers need and the flexibility to perform many different styles of dance, without changing footwear. Prior to shoes, Phil was a Broadway song and dance man for over 20 years and has worked with esteemed choreographers such as Agnes de Mille and Twyla Tharp.
On the podcast, Phil shares the story of how he transitioned from dancer to shoemaker, which includes making the best out of a difficult situation. Phil’s story is a unique blend of inspiration and advice for either the dancer or the entrepreneur, as the podcast is littered both with stories of working with incredible dance choreographers and valuable advice on finding a market need and starting a business. He has rubbed shoulders with the biggest celebrities yet gains inspiration from the humblest of people. His stories are sure to entertain and inspire all listeners.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Sonica Shah, a renown Indian wedding dance choreographer and teacher based out of Mumbai, India. Though Sonica received a degree in Accounting and Finance, she decided to set aside the comfortable “9 to 6 job” to pursue a career that more aligned with her passions. Sonica now spends her days planning Indian wedding dance routines, which average a minimum of 20 dances spread across an entire week. Sonica is also the house dance faculty at Hillspring International School, where she teaches students how to fully appreciate dance and the arts.
On the podcast, Sonica details her rise as a sought-after Indian wedding dance choreographer, while being honest about the fears associated with a drastic career change. However, Sonica has come out of this transition on top and is convinced that anyone who decides to pursue his or her dreams will do the same. Sonica’s story is inspirational, her wisdom is practical, and listeners will enjoy hearing about the unique flavor of dance that she specializes in.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Lizzie MacKenzie, co-founder of Extensions Dance Company, which is currently in its 14th year, and its associated Extensions Dance Center, which is now in its 8th year. This Chicago-based nonprofit serves the community by offering both competitive and non-competitive dance lessons to dancers of all ages. Lizzie herself has been dancing, teaching, coaching, and offering award-winning choreography to the Chicago area for over 21 years and also spearheads a custom-feel dance apparel company named Zilliewear. She is a graduate of both Interlochen Arts Academy and the Giordana Dance Chicago.
On the podcast, Lizzie looks back at her journey and reflects on the nature of her life and work. She speaks on taking care of your whole person — physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional — and regrets not discovering this vital lesson until later in life. As a multi-time entrepreneur, Lizzie shares her smarts around the ins and outs of building a business and discusses the importance of listening to “the universe” and following the winds of change. This is a can’t miss podcast for dancers, entrepreneurs, or anyone who has ever looked to fulfill his or her dreams.
This week on 5.6.7. EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Tania Moskalenko, Executive Director of Miami City Ballet. Tania’s resume is extensive in the world of dance, including over 20 years in performing arts and executive management expertise and having most previously been CEO of Chicago’s renown Auditorium Theater. Her accomplishments have gained praise by many, both inside and outside of the performing arts. In 2017, Chicago Tribune named Tania the “Chicagoan of the Year,” and the Chicago Latino Network recently named her “Latino Leader of the Year.” In October 2013, Indiana Business Journal also honored Tania as the “2013 Woman of Influence.”
As one would imagine, wisdom and passion defines someone as accomplished as Tania, and on the podcast, she spends time sharing that wisdom with listeners. Tania discusses how she first fell in love with ballet, what she believes is the future of the art form, why education is important, and more. She also shares some invaluable advice for both dance and everyday life around how to handle failure well and why role models are vital to success.
This week on 5.6.7. EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with nationally-recognized financial planner Katerina Simonetti, Private Wealth Advisor and Senior Vice President – Wealth Management at UBS Bank. Katerina is one of the most successful private wealth advisors in the United States, having been recognized as a “Best-in-State Advisor” on multiple occasions by Forbes and as “Top Wealth Advisor Mom” on multiple occasions by Working Mother Magazine.
On the podcast, Katerina relives some of her earliest memories of dance and how lessons learned from these performances still impact her current career. She spends time talking about the power of women in the workplace and provides some incredible advice around how she manages to juggle work, home, hobbies, and everything in between. In a day and age where our attention is pulled in one thousand different directions at all times, Katerina’s drive to live “in the moment” is truly a must-hear message.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Katherine Barkman, an award-winning American ballerina who is currently a dancer at The Washington Ballet and has performed as an international guest principal across the world. She began her career as a principal dancer at the prestigious Ballet Manila in Southeast Asia and, at 18, was the youngest artist to claim this role. Katherine has won numerous dance accolades, including consecutive Silver Medals from two of the most prestigious ballet competitions — the XI USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS, and the XXVIII Varna International Ballet Competition in Bulgaria.
On the podcast, Katherine recounts her inspiring ballet journey. Having only begun ballet lessons at the age of 14, Katherine’s drive to succeed thrust her into the international eye — even with no prior professional experience — and ultimately granted her the opportunity to move across the world only four years later. From Pennsylvania to Manila to Washington, D.C. (and many places in between), she has collected a wealth of wisdom about the nature of our dreams, the importance of performing for the love of the craft, and how grit and determination can accomplish more than we realize.
This week on 5.6.7. EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with esteemed podiatrist Brad Schaeffer, whose smarts extend well beyond the doctor’s office. While he’s not busy helping young athletes perform at their maximum potential, Brad is curating his social media following — including an Instagram account beyond 76,000 followers — and is competing on nationally-televised reality show competitions. In Spring 2019, Brad competed on NBC’s The Titan Games, hosted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
On the podcast, Brad covers a wide array of topics, including some tips for dancers when it comes to their feet and some wisdom on following your passions. He highlights his incredible story of how he pivoted from professional baseball to podiatry and deep dives on his remarkable social media following. Brad’s story and perspective on overcoming obstacles is a positive message that all listeners will benefit from hearing and adopting.