Dancespeak

Episode 37 gives you a refreshing shift in viewpoint as I sit down with Gordon and Kachi, a couple of very talented professional dancers... whom are a couple... and are appropriately 22 years old. In many of the previous episodes, the topic of this 'upcoming generation' is brought up, as they have the strongest social media presence and also are met with criticism. This episode, 'goes there.' We speak about what it's like to be on the receiving end of critiques and how they want to support all the generations of dancers. For those whom might what to know how to connect with this generation of dancers, this episode will be very informative. Topics that we explore include (but are not limited to) how Gordon and Kachi each got their foot in the door, challenges that might arise with success, the cathartic quality of dance, being a dance couple, and a heated debate on Hip-Hop! Open up your minds and ears, this episode delivers on unabashed REAL TALK.

Episode 36 of DanceSpeak introduces you to Erin Marino, founder of the Debbie Reynold's Scholarship Program, professional dancer, and choreographer. Erin discusses her path that spans entrepreneurship, giving back to the world world, and working in the dance industry. We find out what prepared Erin to create a program, as well as what got her 'foot in the door' at the world renowned Debbie Reynold's Studio. This opens up a greater discussion for dance teachers who want to connect to their dream studios and the idea of a greater purpose. Erin speaks on the legacy of Debbie Reynolds as a performer, powerful woman, and business owner. One of my favorite aspects of this interview is diving into how the pre-professional and professional dancer can train for their dream career and how to not get attached to short-term roadblocks. Enjoy the education, heart, and soul of this episode!

Welcome to Episode 35 of DanceSpeak with Anthony ‘Kanec’ Carr. With credits including Missy Elliott, Usher, Chris Brown, and TLC, you might not know that Anthony was originally groomed to be a professional ballet dancer. Anthony shares about how he found hip-hop and his choice to pursue the commercial side of the dance industry. With his well-rounded background, we dive into his inspirations and aspirations, what he has learned from the greats, and how he recommends that dancers take care of their bodies for longevity. Other topics we explore are choreography retention on demanding jobs, what Anthony learned while working around an injury on tour, how to stay active in producing content, and more! Get ready to take notes, learn, grow, and be sure to subscribe!

For Episode 34 of DanceSpeak we take you into the world of Carmit Bachar. You might remember her as the red-head from the original line-up of the Pussycat Dolls, or from dancing with artists such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Aaliyah, Beyonce, and Gwen Stefani (to name a few). What I will forever associate Carmit with is her sweet nature and undeniable drive. We discuss Carmit's transition from back-up dancer to being in the forefront in a major pop group. We get into Carmit's earlier years in gymnastics and the theme of self-care while being in an active field. Carmit shares on being a mother, finding love while on tour, the differences between being in the spot light as a dancer versus being a singer, and loads of advice for the upcoming generation. With a new single coming out, a dance web-series premiering, and working with other dancers and singers, Carmit's interview is guaranteed to motivate and inspire.

It is only appropriate that we kick off the new year with Brazil. You might know him from his record-breaking videos with Willdabeast, his work as a Motivational Speaker with Burn the Boats, his title as Co-Founder and Director at Buildabeast... OR... his resume with artists such as P.Diddy, Tyrese and Tyga. Impressed yet? I am. I mean, he did break into the entertainment industry at the age of 14 and has been unstoppable from what seems like day 1. In episode 33 of DanceSpeak, Brazil shares with us his influences, efficient ways of developing yourself and keys to moving forward towards you goals. He gives both broad and specific advice in getting where you want in life and strategically investing in your path. Some of my favorite highlights are when Brazil shares on how he puts himself in the right state to be productive, his view on going over the 'fundamentals,' how he booked a tour with Tyga within his first month of living in Los Angeles, and his overall view on work-life balance and how to set yourself

Episode 32 of DanceSpeak takes us to part-two of the epic interview with Phlex. We go through topics that break the dance bubble and take us into being an entrepreneur, what manifesting one's dreams looks like, and the overall importance of timing. Phlex shares what started his annual Phlextravangza event and how he has continuously grown the celebration, packing out venues, bringing people together, and getting notice from the hottest celebrity coverage outlets in Los Angeles. Hearing about the work ethic behind Phlextravaganza paints a larger picture as to what has had Phlex succeed in his career, and sets the stage for the level of commitment that it took to become a choreographer on the Circus Tour for Britney Spears. Other topics include Phlex's creative process, how to stick out at an audition, getting top choreographers to look at your work, and more!

DanceSpeak Episode 31 gives a rare look into how narrow opportunity and not fitting in can ultimately cultivate an unstoppable spirited figure in the entertainment industry. Alan Kirk, also known as Phlex, has credits including Beyonce, Britney Spears, The Dream, Rihanna, and work that has been featured on America's Best Dance Crew, SYTYCD, and on stages across the globe. Phlex is the ultimate self-starter and it soon becomes clear that his level of hard-work is difficult, if not impossible to match. Phlex began as a child who taught himself dance and started his own crew so that him and his friends had an outlet to do what they loved. A few years later he auditioned and was accepted to an agency in St. Loius. Years later, after packing himself and his belongings into a car, he auditioned and broke into the world of television by appearing as a contestant on the Wade Robson Dance Project. Phlex openly shares about the successes and disappointments he experienced as he moved his career to Hollywood. We begin g

Episode 30 of DanceSpeak gives you an up close look at the effortlessly cool Lindsey Blaufarb, whom you might know from the creative duo Lindsey B. and Craig or the famous Beat Freaks crew. It probably says a lot that Lindsey moved herself as teen, to Los Angeles, to finish up her High School bringing while beginning to pursue her career in dance. Lindsey talks about what it was like training day in and day out as a dancer, while eating cereal for every meal, and taking on side jobs to support herself. This clearly paid off, as she toured as a dancer for nearly a decade as a dancer and was in dancer classic "You Got Served." Now, Lindsey speaks from the perspective of an accomplished choreographer (credits include Cee-lo, Nicki Minaj, Avril Lavigne, multiple major commercial campaigns and more). She gives excellent insight on getting mentorship at any point in your career, and the direction she and Craig Hollaman are going in next as a creatives. Listen, enjoy, take notes, and cheers to accomplishing success

In Episode 29 of DanceSpeak, you will meet Riquel Olander, who came to Los Angeles with a dream, and conquered her lane of the industry without ever being booked through an agent. Riquel and I talk about what worked for her as a dancer who relocated from Idaho to become a professional in one of the most competitive fields around (dance, of course). Riquel shares about being a part of the We Are Heroes dance crew, which won season 4 of America's Best Dance Crew. We learn about her ascent from being a life guard who sometimes had to call out of auditions, to holding the record of appearing on ABDC for five seasons. What intrigues me the most about Riquel, is how she has confidently maintains a thriving career in dance, while working a full-time job and maintaining a balance. This episode gives you a delicious dose of hustle inspiration, confidence in your path, and how to stay on top of your career.

Straight out of Queens, Sho-Tyme knows Hip-Hop. Yes, his credits are impressive (Aaliyah, P.Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, Gwen Stefani, Jay Z, Shakira, J Lo, and way more...) but to us, the ultimate gem here is that Sho-Tyme grew up when Hip-Hop was being being formed into a culture. In Episode 28 of DanceSpeak, we get into Sho-Tyme's journey starting from dancing all over the city to the opportunity that introduced him to dancing as a career. Sho-Tyme shares on the history of Hip-Hop, giving access to understanding the depths of dances that we know today. I get to ask him about differences from the 90's and today with professional dancers. Then we dive into where hip-hop is today and get food for thought on what is required of dancers and even what might call the darker side of the industry. With stories from working with P.Diddy, Gwen Stefani, and Busta Rhymes, to Sho-Tyme's many examples of standing for something, this episode is going to deepen your knowledge of Hip-Hop and give an honest no-holds

Episode 27 of DanceSpeak introduces you to our youngest guest yet: Taylor Jade, a professional dancer and mogul-in-the-making. What caught my eye about Taylor, in addition to her maturity and poise, is that she has managed to build her own on-line platform where she teaches dance classes and is connecting students in different locations to what she can specifically offer as a professional dancer and teacher in L.A. All the while, going to auditions, dancing in various shows, and creating her own pieces for industry showcases around Los Angeles. Taylor shares on her year-long experience as personal assistant to Willdabeast, thoughts on creating passive income as a dancer (this is gold to me), how she balances going to auditions and maintaining her business, what the current audition scene is like, her thoughts on social media and filming in class, and what has driven her to create so much at her age. I can attest to the high level of knowledge that Taylor so eloquently communicates and know that there is a lot

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 train himself to the level of his peers and make his dreams tangible. Some of the highlights of this episode include: what has changed in Los Angeles' dance industry in the last 15 years, tips on networking, how Chuck chooses his assistants, a choreographer's perspective on hiring friends, thoughts on having a back-up plan, advice for choreographers and dancers booking work in the industry, recommendations on how a dancer

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. Find out what Michael does to consistently work as a dancer, what he learned from his background in sports, and the recommendations that this seasoned dancer, choreographer, and teacher has for up and coming dancers. This episode will be sure to motivate, inspire, and shed light on the elusive career of a successful performer.

In Episode 24 of DanceSpeak, you will get a fresh perspective on breaking barriers and realizing dreams from the Founder of Yoga for Dancers, Marja Lankinen. I first met Marja while we were on separate tours (as dancers) in China. I remember when she stopped in Los Angeles on the way back and never turned back. Since then, Marja has grown her following as a teacher at Movement Lifestyle, the Debbie Reynolds Scholarship Program, Hot 8 Yoga, Sony Pictures, and UCLA (among others). Marja shares about her awe inspiring creation: Micro Loans for Dancers, giving back to the community, the challenges that grew her as a person, and the life changes that she boldly made over time to get to where she is now. One of my favorite themes we explore is how to know when to follow your instinct. We also learn why Marja LOVES Beyonce, visiting the White House, and a crash course on how neuroscience and its findings on brain patterns. Grab a green tea, open your mind, and enjoy!

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 making of a Prince music video and subsequent work. Antoine openly shares advice that he has for professional dancers, teachers, and choreographers looking to break into the industry. Learn what to do and not to do on set, the unknown history to Antoine's infamous movement style and what is next for this mogul in the making.

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.

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 this industry is for them, the teaching industry, how to obtain information before reaching out to agencies, how dancers and choreographers can best invest in themselves, negotiating rates, effectively communicating with your agent, factors that go into an agent choosing his/her client, and more...and more... Dancers, Choreographers, and Teachers, this is for YOU.

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 processes required to book his noted work, the emotions of each job, and what he has learned that he can share with dancers. Some of the topics we explore include audition advice, professionalism, shifts in the industry, working as Assistant Choreographer for Madonna, life in between gigs, and more...and more...

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 field. A theme we cover throughout the interview is on finding and sourcing inspiration and staying to true to dance as an art. We also speak about making money outside of dance, and living beyond the industry. Find out what Craig recommends for dancers looking to book auditions, and what they might want to know prior to booking a tour. All in all, this interview is filled with laughs, thought provoking moments, and of cour

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 made his way to his next role: Magic Mike Live in Vegas. Listen, learn, take notes, and enjoy!