From a living room in Los Angeles, DanceSpeak brings you candid interviews with the movers and the shakers of the global professional dance community. Get inside stories, advice, and blueprints to success, from dancers, choreographers, teachers, and some of the hidden gems whom have been in the industry for years.
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For many people, pursuing dance as a profession is considered taboo. He/she might be a rare breed, but the dancer who is consistently working TOP jobs DOES exist, and we having one right here: Tre Holloway. In this podcast, we tap into what has had Tre working consistently in the commercial dance industry for the last 10 years.
The transition from dancing to acting is one that many people in our industry dream of. From spending years in the dance industry to having lead supporting roles in multiple Spike Lee projects, Michelle Mitchenor has gone from successful dancer to actress in a relatively short period of time. In her interview, we begin to delve into Michelle's experience spanning different genres of entertainment and what has lead to her well-earned success.
In this episode of DanceSpeak, So You Think You Can Dance alum, Ade Chike Torbert, shares the stories before, in between, and behind the string of success he has experienced over the years. Adechike begins painting a powerful picture of the difficult early lessons that molded his unstoppable work ethic, and all of the times he persevered through unimaginable circumstances. The interview I had with Adechike was so epic that we decided to create two episodes from this. In part 1 you will learn what prepared the dancer for reality television life, the seed that was planted for his run with FELA!
Imagine being a working dancer without auditioning... while running a thriving business, traveling the world, and being an involved mother and wife. Sounds too good to be true? In this week's episode of DanceSpeak, I sit down with Ebonee Arielle (founder of Show Off Dance, America's Best Dance Crew Alum, and more...), who has managed all of the above, and we find out what has taken to all work out. From being an 'unknown' who booked Nicki Minaj's Tour, to breaking down the taboo of growing a family while in the dance industry, this episode will give you insight on balance, taking the road less
In this second part of the Ade Chike interview, we get a very honest and sobering look at the reality that many dancers face with negotiating contracts for their jobs. From transitioning out of the SYTYCD limelight to the world of FELA, Ade generously shares some of his most difficult insustry moments and the performance that almost cost him his Broadway debut. Learn how Ade stays ready for major dance jobs, what had him choose to move across the country, and what it looks like to play hardball in what is known to be a sometimes unforgiving industry.
Ever wonder what it is like to be on the creative team for Usher? Or how a dancer stays at peak performance condition and ready to book a 90 minute show? The difference between dancing/creating for an artist versus film? Codie Wiggins (Usher, Beyonce, "Get On Up," "Pitch Perfect 2," Jason Derulo, Chris Brown, and more...) has been building his epic career since being 'discovered' as a teenager in Atlanta's underground dance scene. From his no holds barred story of his youth, to the lessons that he has learned along the way, this episode gives you an intimate look at what the journey of Codie l
Tyrone 'The Bone' Proctor claimed his career on Soul Train after flying from Philly to LA with a declaration that he would make it. This episode of DanceSpeak takes a look at one of the most prominent Soul Train dancers and what happened behind the scenes of this iconic show. Find out how Tyrone defines Waackin and the social climate that influenced the movement and the dancers of the time. Tyrone draws parallels between society, dance, and music in a way that will expand your knowledge and understanding of dance.
Kaity Martinez chose her path as a professional dancer at 21 and has never looked back. In this episode of DanceSpeak, some of the topics we cover are how Kaity strategized her dance training to prepare for her professional goals, how she developed her signature look, and staying grounded in the hectic and demanding world of dance auditions. This episode combines branding and marketing with real life stories from Kaity's experiences in New York and Los Angeles.
Derrell Bullock, the dancer, teacher, choreographer, gives us the story of his journey (thus far) from quitting his 9-5 and the process it took to become a working dancer. This interview gets into the persistence that Derrell put into his career and importance that building professional relationships over time has had on his success.
Nellie delivers a very honest and vulnerable interview on her story, giving you insight on the perserverance that it takes to be a working dancer who stays true to herself. She speaks about pushing through personal circumstances to maker her dream career happen and all the "Noes" that lead to the "Yes" of her dancing on stage in Jennifer Lopez's Vegas Residency. We discuss femininity, freestyle culture, and the training that prepared her for the biggest auditions and bookings of her career thus far. Nellie opens up about the process she has been in to work as an international dancer in America
This episode of DanceSpeak 'goes there' with a no holds barred conversation on the dance world. Jay Chris has accomplished a lot as a high-level dancer and leader of his own dance company. It is a treat to get his thoughts on the gambit of what dancers out here are talking about in our daily lives. Keep in mind, opinions are what we are providing here, opening up the conversation on topics such as: social media sugar coating, dating for dancers, variation in opportunities depending on height, and the facebook post that sparked a back-and-forth on the impact of social media following connected
Truth be told, there is no one title that can do justice to Episode 12 of DanceSpeak with Aisha Francis. As a teacher/movement coach/choreographer who has a jaw-dropping resume that she started as a dancer, Aisha walks us through her journey through the ever-evolving dance industry. Some of the topics we go over are: performance over perfection, working your brand around your target jobs, how Aisha developed her heels technique, and not being afraid to take breaks. We speak about Aisha's early start in teaching and the day she booked Beyonce. You'll also get to hear advice that Aisha has for d
Not only will Eden Shabtai's credits make your jaw drop, but her resilience and journey to a consistent dream-worthy career in the dance industry proves that one does not need to sacrifice their values to 'make it' in entertainment. Eden shares the unbelieveable story of her beginning in dance and the work ethic that lead to choreographing for artists such as Chris Brown. For professional dancers, you will get tips and insights on topics such as do's and dont's for headshots, what casting/choreographers look for in auditions, and her view on booking talent she is familiar with. This episode of
Meet Emeroy Bernardo. He owns his own social media marketing company, has a family, and to top it off, is a B-boy/Locker who travels doing what he loves. Oh, and of course, he also worked a 9-5 in his 'previous life.' Today Emeroy is here to sharer his expertise on social media, as it has become a major tool for dancers, teachers, and choreographers. With different platforms available and the world of on-line teaching expanding, there are many ways to market yourself and build a following. Take out a a note pad, or use an app on your phone to get valuable nuggets of information which include:
Jojo Diggs is a world-renowned teacher and freestyle dancer. With a focus on House Dance, she has traveled across the continents sharing her art and gift of moving others. Putting her passion to contribute to others over 'looking good,' Jojo gives us a boldly honest look at her path in the dance world. Once dance found Jojo in Virginia, her love for movement carried her across the country, eventually to Los Angeles. And it wasn't about having a career in LA for Jojo; she just wanted to dance. From there, we learn how Jojo began building an international following and speak on the theme of repe
Tia Rivera is an entrepreneur, motivator, dancer with credits that would make your jaw drop, recently choreographed for VH1's Hip Hop Honors and she JUST turned 26. In this episode of DanceSpeak, we learn what it means to work SMART in the dance industry. Tia breaks down her daily routines, goal setting, and we get a look at her process that leads to success in the highly competative dance world. We get the clear connection between Tia's training as an entrepreneur and how she has applied it to her career in dance. Other important topics include advice on keeping the jobs you book, insights fr
In Episode 17 of DanceSpeak, we get the unique story of Manwé, who quite appropriately, was born (or at least the water broke) while his mother was teaching a ballet class. As Manwé describes his early intensive training that he attributes must of his dance success to, we also learn fun facts such as... that there is a day in the Bay Area that is Manwé Sauls-Addison day, that he his is white water river guide, and that he nearly became a doctor. Manwé shares with us fun and informative dance stories which include: booking his first audition, the major changes that the dance industry has underg
In part II of the interview with Manwé, we get more in-depth with on-the-job experiences. You almost feel like you are in the room with Michael Jackson when Manwé speaks on his experiences rehearsing with the legend himself. We get awesome insights on Lady Gaga before she became the famous star we know her as today. Manwé speaks on falling in love in the midst of his career, and is unafraid to speak about the highs and lows that come with life outside of dance. We then get the behind-the-scenes on dancing for TV shows such as SNL and Lip Sync Battle. And... of course... the story of how Manwé
Craig Hollaman, of the duo Lindsey B. And Craig H., may claim to be boring, but really he is one of the most humble and coolest dudes around town. You might recognize his and Lindsey's work as choreographers with artists such as Cee-Lo, Justin Bieber, John Legend, Usher, or on T.V. shows such as Face Off, X-Factor, and 2 Broke Girls, or with brands such as Nissan, Evian, and Apple... you get the idea. In Episode 19 of DanceSpeak, Craig speaks on his 14 years in Los Angeles. From dancing on tour with B2K, to his success in choreography, it is obvious that Craig has consistently grown in his fie
At the pinnacle of pop's reemergence, with artists such as Britney Spears and Chrstina Aguilera at the forefront, there were a select few dancers who traveled the world on their major tours, and at front/center, was Leo Moctezuma. DanceSpeak's 20th episode gives us an intimate look at Leo, the ultimate dancer, whom began his career in his teens with artists such as Ricky Martin. Leo continued his success working tour to tour, with major names including Pink, the Spice Girls, and more recently, Cirque du Soleil. Leo humbly and openly takes us through many of his life experiences. We learn the p
DanceSpeak Episode 21 is a game-changer because at last, we begin to unlock the world of the Agent. Within the professional dance world, agencies and their agents bridge a gap between dancer and opportunity. While people have many thoughts and ideas as to what the agent does and is supposed to do, the reality can grateful differ. Andrew Jacobs spent 11 years total (2004-2015) at the reputable, world-renowned MSA Agency in Los Angeles. The information he gives us in this interview is well-worded, though out, and jam-packed. We go through the gambit of topics including: How dancers can tell is t
From the underground battle world, to member of the acclaimed Beat Freaks, Randi's force and skill level as a dancer is undeniable. In Episode 22 of DanceSpeak we talk training, entering the industry, and leaving a positive impact on the scene. Randi speaks on The Dance Fight, a beloved dance event that she co-created in Los Angeles, what it took for her to transition into professionally dancing, and a topic that is not always easily brought to light: being a female in a male-dominated field (yes, we go there). The conversation you here is honest, no holds barred, and filled with inspiration.
In Episode 23 of DanceSpeak, you will meet choreographer and mega teacher, Antoine Troupe. Quickly, one learns that Antoine goes beyond the dance realm and is not-so-secretly a motivational force. But what is the path that lead to the Antoine, the leader, the social media maven, being the person we recognize him as today? Our conversation sheds light on his journey from the Bay Area, through reality television and to the challenges and and successes experienced in Los Angeles. You'll find out about the unintended process that had Antoine working for Prince, and the exciting stories behind the
We have made it to DanceSpeak's 25th episode, and I am proud to have Michael Silas as our guest for this milestone. Known for his 5 years dancing with Lady Gaga, Michael was born in Germany and moved to Texas in his earlier years, where he began his career in dance. In his teen years, he discovered his inner dancer in the most unexpected way, and from there, it was clear that destiny had something great in store for him. In this week's episode we go through the steps that it took for Michael to build his career, challenges he faced, and what it was like being on the road pursuing his dreams. F
Episode 26 of DanceSpeak proudly presents an interview with the highly respected, Chuck Maldonado. Celebrating his 20th anniversary as a professional in the dance industry, Chuck has a completely unexpected story, that will for sure inspire. Carrying a resume of over 28 feature films and work on hundreds of television shows, Chuck is clearly someone we can learn a lot from. One of the first jaw-dropping facts I learned in my interview with Chuck, is that he began his career as a professional dancer at 29. With a strong sense of purpose, and unbeatable work ethic, Chuck shares what it took to t
