Words That Move Me with Dana Wilson

243. Dance Your Mission Statement with Kai Martinez


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Kai Martinez on marketing, empowering women through choreography, jealousy, Anderson. Paak, and all things Encanto!

In this episode, accomplished dancer and choreographer Kai Martinez shares her journey from passionate performer to industry innovator, revealing how clarity of purpose transforms both artistry and career trajectory. The Latina powerhouse, whose credits span from Christina Aguilera and Kendrick Lamar to Disney's Oscar-winning Encanto, explores:

  • "tuning into your frequency"—discovering what you stand for as an artist and how that clarity naturally aligns you with the right projects, from empowering women through movement to championing underserved communities and sharing diverse cultural stories
    • The groundbreaking process behind Disney's "We Don't Talk About Bruno"—how they reated choreography from storyboards alone, with their studio footage directly informing the animation layout, then spending six months collaborating with Disney's animation team to ensure every hip rotation and beat hit with precision
      • Her revolutionary work bridging dance and animation—collaborating with Disney's Michael Woodside to establish new standards for how choreographers and animators work together on musical sequences, creating a template that elevated the entire industry's approach to animated dance
        • The power of reframing jealousy as a navigational tool—using the "jealousy map" technique from The Artist's Way to transform envy into actionable insight, discovering what you truly want and taking immediate steps toward those goals rather than scrolling past inspiration
        • Kai represents the evolution of choreography across mediums. From her roots watching dancers in underserved neighborhoods to mentoring the next generation, she embodies how finding your authentic voice and values can create pathways not just for personal success, but for lifting entire communities. Whether you're interested in the intersection of live performance and animation, building authentic artistic relationships, or learning how to channel inspiration into action, this conversation offers powerful insights into creating work that truly matters.

          Watch the full episode here.

          Show Notes:

          Connect with Kai

          Take a class with Kai

          Kai’s Black Sweat video

          Watch colorwise by the Seaweed Sisters

          Listen to our episode with Popin'’ Pete

          Listen to our episode with Jamal

          Listen to our episode with Marty 

          Listen to our episode with Reina 

          Listen to our episode with Asiel 

          Listen to our episode with Yoe

          Read The Artist's Way

          More about the Jealousy Map 

          Listen to our episode with Shaun 

          Listen to our episode with Jillian

          For more DANA

          For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

          To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

          To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

          Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

          Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

          ...more
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          Words That Move Me with Dana WilsonBy The Dana Wilson LLC

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