Anything But Routine

Cindy and Ali sit down with Las Vegas-based performer, choreographer, and educator Tyrese Parker to talk about his journey from Minnesota to the professional dance world. With credits including Cirque du Soleil, So You Think You Can Dance, and Royal Caribbean, Tyrese shares what it takes to build a career as a performer while continuing to grow as an artist and leader.

Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.

https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

Cindy sits down with Eddie, founder of Hibernate Fundraising, to talk about a fundraising idea you may not have tried yet: bedsheets. Eddie breaks down how his company helps dance studios, high school teams, and other groups raise money through bedsheet sales. It's a simple, low-effort program that turns a product everyone needs into real dollars for your team. Tune in to learn how it works, why it's a great fit for studios and teams looking for an easy fundraiser, and how to get started.

Visit hibernatefundraising.com to learn more.

Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.

https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

This episode was recorded in July 2026.

Cindy sits down with Curt Carbaugh, a speed coach with Acceleration Minnesota and the creator of the C2 Performance Training System. Curt explains how full-body resistance and core activation can target smaller stabilizing muscles that traditional free-weight training may overlook.

They explore the equipment behind the C2 system and how dance teams can use it to build strength, improve flexibility, activate the core, and enhance overall performance.

Find more about C2 and the Performance Training System at c2equipment.com.

Cindy sits down with Jenny Raiche to talk about the college dance recruitment journey.

Jenny shares tips on what dancers can expect, how to prepare, and what to consider when pursuing dance at the collegiate level. They also discuss how the recruitment process has changed over the past decade and what dancers and families should know today.

Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.

https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

Cindy sits down with legendary UCLA gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field, one of the most successful coaches in collegiate sports history.

A former professional ballet dancer with no gymnastics background, “Miss Val” took an unconventional path to leading UCLA to seven NCAA National Championships and 15 conference titles during her 29 seasons as head coach.

Cindy and Valorie talk about leadership, resilience, developing athletes, and the lessons behind her remarkable career. Now an author and motivational speaker, Valorie shares the philosophy that inspired her book, Life Is Short, Don’t Wait to Dance, and what it means to build a legacy beyond winning.

Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.

https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

Cindy talks with Kevin Heath, the founder and owner of Fusion Sound Mix, a music production and custom mix company specializing in dance and cheer music. 

Kevin is widely recognized as a pioneer in mobile DJ and performance music production in the United States. According to Fusion Sound’s company history, Heath was born in Greece and immigrated to the United States at age five with his twin sister, later being adopted by a family in Kaysville, Utah. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and later attended Weber State College, where he played football after recovering from combat injuries. In 1973, Heath launched what Fusion Sound describes as one of the first mobile DJ systems in the United States. That work evolved into editing and producing music mixes for drill teams, dancers, and cheerleaders. 

He later founded Dance America, a Utah-based dance competition organization that expanded throughout the western United States. Today, Fusion Sound Mix and Dance America serve clients across all 50 states and dozens of countries, producing custom music mixes, dance competitions, camps, and workshops. 

Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.

https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

How do you know if a dancer is truly in the right class or level? In this episode, Ali and Sharaia unpack the purpose behind placements, why age and ability don't always tell the whole story, and how real growth often happens when dancers are challenged rather than comfortable. Whether you're a parent, coach, or dancer, you'll gain a fresh perspective on placements, leadership, resilience, and why the goal is always growth: not just making the next team.

Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.

https://www.justforkix.com/anythingbutroutine

In this episode, Cindy sits down with Alaina Rupe—high school drill team coach, professional dancer, choreographer, mother, and sales leader based in Utah. With more than a decade of coaching experience, Alaina leads one of Utah’s top high school dance teams and has helped shape the next generation of dancers in the state.

Alaina shares how she began her dance journey, the experiences that led her into coaching and choreography, and what makes Utah’s dance culture unique. The conversation explores the world of high school drill team competition, including distinctive Utah dance styles such as Character and Military, and the discipline, artistry, and teamwork required to excel in them.

Whether you're a dancer, coach, parent, or simply curious about the competitive dance scene, this episode offers an inside look at one of the nation's most vibrant dance communities.

Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.

https://anythingbutroutine.justforkix.com/

Cindy and Ali sit down with Kristin Biwan as she prepares to enter her 16th season as head coach of the Edina Dance Team. A former captain of the University of Minnesota's National and World Champion Dance Team and two-time MADT AAA Head Coach of the Year, Kristin shares how she landed the Edina head coaching position right out of college and built a lasting career in the sport. 

The conversation explores how she has grown the program into one of the state's premier dance teams, expanding both its size and competitive success over the years. Kristin also discusses the importance of developing a strong coaching staff and creating a culture that helps dancers thrive both on and off the dance floor.

Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.

https://anythingbutroutine.justforkix.com/

Cindy and Ali answer questions from the Dance Coaches and Teachers Unite Facebook group, exploring how to teach kids that caring is cool, build confidence through choreography, and encourage teachers to take creative risks, try new ideas, and embrace failure as part of growth.

Welcome to Anything But Routine presented by Just For Kix. This podcast covers Everything & Anything dance.  Stay up to date with the podcast by hitting the subscribe button.

https://anythingbutroutine.justforkix.com/