5.6.7.EIGHT

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

• Instagram

Praize Productions Inc.

• Company Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

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

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Minding the Gap

• Company Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

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
• LinkedIn

Nashville Ballet

• Company Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• 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

• Instagram
• On The Juilliard School site

D(n)A Arts Collective

• Company Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter

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

• Instagram
• On Chicago Dance Crash site

Chicago Dance Crash

• Company Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter
• 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

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

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

• LinkedIn

Kunal Moudgil

• LinkedIn

PointePeople

• Company Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• 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

• LinkedIn

Dance Magazine

• Company Website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• 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

• LinkedIn

Dancio

• Company Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

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

• LinkedIn

The Dance Edit Podcast

• Company Website + Links to Stream

American Dance: The Complete Illustrated History

• On Amazon