The Barretender: Recent Episodes
Dance Network
Barretender is a podcast where we chat with dancers, choreographers & dance enthusiasts from around the world of every genre, age, and level. Whether they're a professional, a hobbyist, or hung up their dancing shoes a long time ago, every dancer has a story to tell. Host Liberty Cogen dives head first into the lives of these athletes, so pull up a stool, grab a drink, & enjoy Barretender.
Sean Cheesman is an internationally renowned creative director / choreographer who has worked with the world’s top entertainers including Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, TLC, Vanessa Williams, Carmen Electra, Tina Turner, Queen Latifah, Cher and Britney Spears. Sean is a staple on the Canadian, US and British versions of So You Think You Can Dance as both a choreographer and guest judge. He was a Creative Producer / Choreographer on CBC’s Over The Rainbow – a competition to find Dorothy for the Mirvish production of The Wizard of Oz. Sean has previously appeared as the Host and Choreographer as well as the head judge on the reality show/dance competition Dirty Dancing: Time Of Your Life, currently playing on the Living Channel all over the United Kingdom.
Kathryn Burns recently won an Emmy award for her work on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and is currently one of the most in-demand choreographers in Hollywood. In the choreography category last year she was representing the only female nominee as well as the only episodic comedy and her peers undoubtedly took notice. Kathryn’s worked on a slew of hit television shows including Key and Peele, Netflix’s Wet Hot American Summer, 2 Broke Girls, and Children’s Hospital. She even worked with the multitude of dancers featured in Pharrell’s music video for Happy which won her and her team a Grammy award for Best Music Video of the Year.
Sara has been a principal dancer with the New York City ballet for almost 10 years and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. She was recently featured in Elle Magazine’s The Movement Series and in addition to her gorgeous dancing in the piece, Sara reminds her fans that ballet is her oxygen and that every opportunity to dance is a special one not to be taken for granted. After overcoming extensive injury throughout her career, she has come out on top stronger than ever. In addition to her full-time schedule at New York City Ballet has starred in the Broadway revival of On The Town and has collaborated with Cole Haan to develop footwear inspired by the studio-to-street lifestyle among many other special projects.
Kevin is one of Lady Gaga's dancers who most recently slayed the stage directly beside the queen in her iconic Super Bowl performance. In addition to dancing for her Born This Way Ball and Artpop Ball tours, he's also been featured in countless music videos and television performances with the pop diva. Kevin has worked closely with Emmy Award-winning choreographer Tessandra Chavez as an assistant and even helped her to develop a dance program in San Diego. His work as an assistant can be seen on hit shows like So You Think You Can Dance, Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition, Dancing with the Stars China, and the upcoming dance film Heartbeats.
Currently playing the role of Piper in the hit Canadian teen dance series The Next Step, Alexandra Chaves is magnetic on-screen not only due her incredible dance skills but also because of her fierce acting chops. She’s be awarded numerous titles at dance competitions around the world including Dance Network’s newest partner & world-renowned competition circuit, Star Dance Alliance.
- Gary Pate - Gary has been an active member of the entertainment industry for most of his life, one of his most beloved claims to fame being the co-founder and CEO of the Star Dance Alliance, one of the world’s most prestigious dance competition circuits. Star Dance Alliance is celebrating its 30th year and Gary makes dreams a reality for thousands of dancers around the world. He’s worn every hat imaginable in the business and is an inspiration not only to the dancers who attend his competitions in droves but to the parents and dance teachers who want only the best for their children and students. - Jill Wolins - After beginning her career dancing for Disney in Orlando, Jill Wolins went on the realize a career most artists only dream of including dancing for the Radio City Rockettes, performing in the screen and stage versions of The Producers, dancing with Chita Rivera at the Kennedy Center, and numerous other esteemed credits. She is also the author of the go-to book for dancers, dance parents, and studio owners entitled Dance Competitions: Are You Ready? Jill has been a longtime member of the Star Dance Alliance family as a faculty member, adjudicator, and choreographer. - Chuck Crist -Today’s guest has been a member of the Star Dance Alliance family for almost 30 years, meaning he’s seen this competition circuit grow from a newborn baby into a full-blown millennial. Chuck Crist may not come from a dance background, per say, but he has been entrenched in the world of dance almost every day for the past 3 decades.
Serge has become a familiar face to the So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars audiences, but he is currently making a name for himself on the East coast as the choreographer for the New York Knicks City dancers and working with Team USA’s World Champion Ice Skaters. Serge Onik began his dance career in the glamorous world of ballroom where he quickly became a National Champion and took home 8th place at the World Games in Taiwan in 2009.
Mihran has toured the world with several world-renowned artists including Britney Spears, Madonna, and Ricky Martin and has appeared in some of in of our all-time favorite music videos. He’s also a highly sought-after choreographer who’s created live performances for Selena Gomez, Nickelodeon, Kelly Rowland and works on NBC’s the Voice. Mihran has also developed a production company that utilizes his varied expertise and focuses on being the epicenter for all of the entertainment industry’s production needs.
Kristin has made a name for herself as an actor, dancer, choreographer, and designer- a career that most artists can only dream of. She’s danced for stars like Prince, Britney Spears, and Cyndi Lauper as well as appeared in national commercials for major brands like Pepsi. Her work in choreography, however, has skyrocketed Kristin to the top of the dance industry. She was crowned the winner of the choreography competition Make a Move and her work has been featured in the Capezio ACE awards, on So You Think You Can Dance, and on the hit Lifetime series Dance Moms.
Lyrik has traveled the globe as a performer, choreographer, master instructor, and Latin dance judge. He's worked in several medias most notably on Jane the Virgin, American Idol, Lip Sync Battle, the Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, & working extensively with dance legend Debbie Allen. He's also choreographed for RuPaul's Drag Race star Derrick Barry and last year's dance feature film Shine.
Lindsley is one of the sexiest women in show business in more ways than one. She was an assistant choreographer and co-artistic director instrumental to the international success of the Pussycat Dolls. She has worked extensively with music icons Prince, choreographed for Dancing With The Stars, coached celebrities like Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz, and is the co-producer of the live rock 'n' roll dance show Cherry Boom Boom.
Pod De Deux explores current issues and trends in the dance community through frank and relaxed conversations with dance-makers. Guests include dancers, choreographers, administrators, and anyone else with a firm connection to the dance world. Jessica and Clara are both students of dance and explore the dance scene in NYC and beyond in addition to their full-time jobs.
Tre may be most well-known for his work with KidzBop, the number one music brand for kids choreographing their music videos, commercials, and tours, but he has a multitude of projects going on. He's a stand-up comedian, a voiceover artist, an actor, writer, and a motivational speaker!
A familiar name to the sport of ballroom dance, David began his ballroom career at age 18 and since then has been crowned the US Ballroom Champion 3 times, represented the US 4 times in the World Showdance Championships, and was a finalist 3 of those 4 years. Since retiring from competition dancing, he remains an active member of the community as an adjudicator, coach, judge, studio owner, and owner Nashville Starz Dance Spectacular.
Alexia was a force to be reckoned with on Team Stage in Season 12 of So You Think You Can Dance, however, this young dancer was exposed to the competitive spotlight long before the hit Fox television show. She was awarded Senior Outstanding Dancer at the New York City Dance Alliance in 2012 & has since moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion professionally.
Laura Quinn is a unicorn amongst the stereotypical Los Angeles dancers- a classically trained ballerina with fierce hip-hop chops. She's been featured in music videos for artists like Willow Smith, Ariana Grande, & Fall Out Boy & hosts online ballet tutorials & concept videos on her YouTube channel. Recently featured in DanceOn's spotlight series, this girl's got it all.
An industry professional for over 15 years, Mike Peele can be seen dancing in feature films like Step Up 3D, behind stars like Rihanna & Madonna, & has created the dance/fitness craze Hip-Hop Fit. He's also a world-renowned fitness competitor holds the title of 2016 Fitness Universe Champion.
Join me as I celebrate some of my favorite guests from 2016 in our greatest hits episode. I’ll be cracking open TheBarretender.tv vault and reliving some of our most inspirational, motivational, heartbreaking, and funny moments. Featuring:
1.Sam Picart, Winner of Ellen Degeneres' Dance Off 2. Colleen Perry, Founder & Director of the Free 2 Be Me Dance Program 3. Tyler Hanes, Rum Tum Tugger in the Broadway Revival of Cats 4. Eddie "Neptune" Eskridge, So You Think You Can Dance Season 12 Competitor 5. Marisa Hamamoto, Professional Ballroom Dancer & Founder of Infinite Flow, Wheelchair Dance Company 6. Doriana Sanchez, Cher's Collaborator & Choreographer
“Outstanding Emerging Choreographer” New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie) nominee, Jennifer Weber is the artistic director of the award-winning, theatrical hip-hop dance company, Decadancetheatre. Based in Brooklyn, NY, the company has toured across the US, UK, Russia and France performing at venues including Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The Apollo Theater, The Kennedy Center, London’s Southbank Center, The Everyman in Liverpool, New York City Center, Bumbershoot in Seattle andThe Stanislavsky Music Theatre in Moscow. She has also choreographed for American Express, Uber, Ulta, L’Oreal Matrix, Reebok, Philosophy, Marc Jacobs, CK2 and UK TV show, Blue Peter. Recently she choreographed the US Premier of Bryony Lavery’sStockholm at Stageworks/Hudson, Trouble, A New Rock Musical at NYMF and was a contributing choreographer to James Brown–Get On the Good Foot for The Apollo Theater/US Tour with director Otis Sallid. Currently, Weber is the creative director for the 2016 tour of Bring it! Live (Lifetime), and the choreographer for the 16/17 tour of Odd Squad (PBS). Weber and The Deca Crew were featured on Season 2 of TruTV’s theatrical competition series Fake Off.
Currently, Weber is the director and choreographer of The Hip Hop Nutcracker, which tours the US and Russia annually during the holiday season.
Weber holds a BA in Communications (Cum Laude) from the University of Pennsylvania and is a member of Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and SDC.
Olivia was a 5-time Latin Gold Medalist in the Youth Division by the age of 16 in ballroom dance. Since then she has danced for world-renowned artists like Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, & Flo Rida, created her own dance fusion company, Ballroom BASE, & has battled breast cancer only to come out on top.
A pole-dance instructor & owner of Alethea Austin's The Chrome Bar, she's put her expertise to good use. A former U.S. pole-dance champion & visual artist, Alethea leveraged her creative expertise on & off the stage to create Miss Pole Dance America, her very own pole-dancing competition in Nashville, Tennessee.
Currently gracing the stage of the Neil Simon Theatre as Victoria in the Broadway revival of Cats, Georgina has been a member of the New York City Ballet for over ten years. She got her first taste of musical theatre as Ivy in the Broadway revival of On The Town and is referred to as the Rogue Ballerina.
Named one of Dance Spirit Magazine's "13 of the Dance World's Hottest Young Choreographers" in the November 2014 issue, Cat Cogliandro has worked with some of the biggest names in choreography. Teaching nonstop across the country, Cat has also created her own company, Cat Cogliandro's CATASTROPHE, & was the 2nd runner up in the 2015 Capezio Ace Awards.
This native New Yorker has danced for stars like Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, & Lady Gaga & even created her own dance company, AbstraKT Beings. Since winning season one of Nigel Lythgoe's choreography competition Every Single Step, Theresa has gone on to choreograph for So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation & more!
Currently on tour with Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, Sarah talks about what it's like to travel the world doing what she loves and finding "tap fam" in the oddest of places. She's the creator of the Tap Music Project and aspires to bring tap dancing to a broader audience worldwide.
Daniel has been seen on stages around the world touring with the Bad Boys of Dance and Shaping Sound Dance Company. Now getting to perform every night in the iconic Cats, Daniel recounts his upbringing in Columbia, South Carolina, and the mentors that helped shape his career.
Aaron has graced more than 8 Broadway stages in his professional career and is constantly inspiring young performers to follow their dreams, be true to themselves, and to never stop learning. Hear what it's like to be a swing in one of the dance-heaviest musicals in Broadway history!
This interdisciplinary dance artist and filmmaker began capturing dance on film early on is his career which allowed his roots as a BBoy to flourish and be seen in a new light. Wilkie received the arts foundation Choreographic Fellowship in 2012 and the recipient of several awards for dance animation film Little Dreams, streaming now on dancenetwork.tv.
After dancing for world renowned companies like the Houston Ballet and the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Barry made the transition into the life of a freelance dancer. Moving back to his roots on the east Coast, Barry began a blog to document his new life as a freelancer which led to jobs, teaching opportunities, a podcast, and a unique voice in the dance community.
Choreographer and movement coach Tamar was brought up in a medical family & formed an interest early on in the beauty of the human body and its capabilities.
Gregg recounts his experience in creating the faun and the personal, sometimes difficult, discoveries he made along the way.
Bridget shares her emotional connection with "So You Think You Can Dance" and her training at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
After training at Broadway Dance Center's Professional Program, Kate went on to study business & later founded Beyond Words Dance Company in her hometown Chicago.
Sam recounts growing up dancing in his bedroom in front of the television to discovering a whole new world of dance upon arriving at college.
PAUL VASTERLING, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CEO OF THE NASHVILLE BALLET, IS JOINED BY COMPANY MEMBERS JUDSON VEACH AND KAYLA ROWSER. PART TWO.
Paul, Judson, and Kayla discuss their own introductions to the world of ballet and Nashville Ballet's current season including the upcoming Something Wicked, Paul's intriguing interpretation of Macbeth.
PAUL VASTERLING, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CEO OF THE NASHVILLE BALLET, IS JOINED BY COMPANY MEMBERS JUDSON VEACH AND KAYLA ROWSER. PART ONE
Paul, Judson, and Kayla discuss their own introductions to the world of ballet and Nashville Ballet's current season including the upcoming Something Wicked, Paul's intriguing interpretation of Macbeth.
This lady boss talks about how her upbringing in a traditional Italian household & her passion for dance & travel led her create a career she loves.
This lady boss talks about how her upbringing in a traditional Italian household & her passion for dance & travel led her create a career she loves.
Jeannette recounts her eclectic career from her early dance training to becoming a sought-after choreographer & eventually an award-winning filmmaker & director.
Colleen speaks in-depth about her early dance training, trudging through corporate America, & the epiphany that changed her life forever.
Hailee recounts her 1st, 2nd, & 3rd attempts at the SYTYCD Top 20, her upbringing in Utah, & what's next on the horizon.
Gianna chats about being Abby Lee Miller's right-hand woman, her personal relationship with Sia's muse Maddie Ziegler, & the importance of teaching dancers to be themselves.
A Broadway veteran who's made his way from small town Georgia to the Great White Way, film, & television.
A Broadway veteran who's made his way from small town Georgia to the Great White Way, film, & television.
After traveling the world performing on cruise ships & in musicals, Carrie has recently made a home in Las Vegas exploring other styles of performance.
A professional Los Angeles dancer who's performed with greats like Michael Jackson, Cher, & Bill Nye on Dancing With The Stars!
A professional dancer who's put her training toward teaching young dancers & sharing expertise from other dance professionals with her podcast The Dance Podcast.
She's a 3rd generation dance teacher who's toured the country in TAP: The Show, & judged for dance competitions around the world.
Artistic Director & Choreographer of The Bad Boys of Ballet & creator of Rock the Ballet who balances motherhood with touring the world.
Currently dancing with the Cincinnati Ballet, he's a seasoned professional dancer, choreographer, & social media guru.
She joined Cirque du Soleil at age 17 and later attended the Julliard School for dance, realizing soon after she'd made a mistake.
After longtime principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet now a soloist with the Miami City Ballet.
SYTYCD: Street vs. Team Stage and the 2016 Olympics
A street dancer from Dallas, Texas, who broke boundaries & expectations on Season 12 of SYTYCD.
She moved to LA at 17 with dreams of becoming a professional dancer & has since traveled the world dancing for some of the biggest names in the business.
He started in show choir, fell in love with dance, & went on to perform in world tours, in television, & film.
A former Rockette who created Spiral Spine & specializes in Pilates training for scoliosis patients.
After overcoming temporary paralysis, this professional dancer created Infinite Flow, America's first professional wheelchair ballroom dance company
Broadway director, choreographer, & associate director of the hit Broadway smash Disney's Newsies
Her performance on Season 3 of SYTYCD propelled her career into the big leagues of dance.
So You Think You Can Dance: Contestant & Choreographer. Her persistence with SYTYCD took her to the Top 20 of season 12 and beyond.
A Director, choreographer, creator of new works for the stage, and a leader in movement therapy
She may only be 5 feet tall, but this redhead is full of fire, drive, and great advice for the aspiring dancer.
Hear Allison’s Top 10 Dancefessions ranging from what she preaches to her students to her take on dance movies.
Hilary breaks down dancer “norms” and shares her thoughts on why size doesn’t matter when it comes to what you love.