In Episode 67 of Ballroom Chat, Alec Lachman, aka Alec the Bard, explores the connection between ballroom dance and TTRPGs. Samantha and Alec discuss the process behind creating a mask or character, tips for improvisational storytelling, the importance of failing epically, and how to navigation conflict resolution.

Alec Lachman is a professional ballroom dancer and TTRPG content creator.

Follow Alec the Bard's journey: https://beacons.ai/alecthebard

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In Episode 66 of Ballroom Chat, JT Thomas discusses her dance career, from classically trained dancer to Smooth Champion to Country dancer. JT and Samantha reflect on how timing, in life as in dance is incredibly crucial, how exploring the essence of movement can take your dancing to the next level, and how planning for failure can lead to your success. JT also explains how country ballroom created an opportunity for her to begin a new chapter after completing her Professional Ballroom career.

JT Thomas is a two-time US and World Professional Smooth Champion. She holds a BFA in Dance and is a current adjudicator and judge for ballroom dance.

Find out more about JT Thomas: https://masterycamplasvegas.com/ https://www.facebook.com/jt.thomas.940 https://instagram.com/jtizzledance

Support the Podcast on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ballroomchat

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In Episode 65 of Ballroom Chat, Alisa Pravdo discusses dance injury prevention and recovery. Samantha and Alisa delve into the common causes of feet and ankle related injuries for dancers and answer some listener questions related to their own injury experiences. Alisa also stresses the importantance of proper strength and conditioning training, cross training, and nutrition for dancers and non-dancers alike.

Alisa Pravdo is an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science. She also is a Board Certified Orthopedics Specialist and a Fellow of Orthopedics in Manual Physical Therapy. Alisa also holds a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Dance from Goucher College.

Find out more about Alisa Pravdo: https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/profiles/Pravdo-Alisa/

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Duffy Betterton is the owner of Dance Dress Couture, and the Ballroom Box. Samantha and Duffy discuss her entrepreneurial projects and growth as a dance industry vendor. The pair also delve into her dance experience as an amateur in both the ballroom and country ballroom scenes. Find a full transcript of this episode on the Ballroom Chat website.

Follow Duffy Betterton's projects: Dance Dress Couture Ballroom Box  (Use code BallroomChat to support the podcast!)

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SENtertainment's owner and founder, Noël, shares his journey from photographing cars as a hobby and passion to becoming a small business owner in the ballroom dance industry. Noël and Samantha discuss learning the ropes from Salsa to Waltz and Peabody and Noël shares some of the behind the scenes technical information  about capturing the perfect dance moment.

SENtertainment is a photography and videography business serving the ballroom dance industry. 

Follow Noël and SENtertainment: https://www.sentertainmentdigitalmedia.com https://www.Instagram.com/sentertainment.digitalmedia https://youtube.com/c/SENtertainmentDigitalMedia https://sentertainmentdigitalmedia.zenfolio.com/f321987626

View a full transcript of this episode here.

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Matt Bielli talks about his background in dancing Latin social styles while growing up in Italy, his move to the US, and his choice to separate his 10 dance competitive experience from his passion for Mambo, Salsa and other Cuban style dances. Samantha and Matt discuss his perspective on current rhythm dancing versus Latin dancing and he shares his knowledge and perspective on social Latin styles. Matt also delibrates on the pros and cons of switching to a competive Rhythm or 9-Dance future.

Matt Bielli is a Professional 10 dance dancer. He is also a pro-am instructor and will be competiting in this year's USDC Mambo World Championships.

Follow Matt Bielli: https://www.facebook.com/mattbielli https://www.instagram.com/elbaile223 https://www.youtube.com/mattbielli

View a full transcript of this episode here.

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Ricci-Lee Hotz and Todd Munson of TM Ballroom Dance Studio discuss how to balance ProAm and Professional competition, their mindset and philosophy when it comes to preparation for competitions and how they set goals and expectations properly both for their students and for themselves. The pair reflect on the importance of finding a good coaching team to support you and guide you, as well as just their take on the Rhythm category and how they navigate their own dancing.

Ricci-Lee Hotz and Todd Munson are a professional Rhythm couple based in Denver, Colorado. Todd is the owner of TM Ballroom Dance Studio, and Ricci-Lee is a registered dietician (Denver's Dancing Dietician). Together they are Rising Star and Open Professional Rhythm finalists, and compete Pro-Am in all styles with their students.

Follow Todd and Ricci-Lee: https://www.tmballroomdance.com/ https://denversdancingdietitian.com/

View a full transcript of this episode here.

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In part two of her conversation with Enio Cordoba and Terryl Jones, Samantha asks whether dancesport engages in gatekeeping, Enio discusses the pendular nature of judging, and Terryl explains her approach to bridging the beginner-intermediate gap in Yoga instruction. The group also delves into the ever growing gap between competitive and social dance, and the health benefits of dance, yoga, and pilates as individuals age.

Enio Cordoba was a US amateur Latin champion, Quarterfinalist at Blackpool and a US Pro Rising Star Latin champion. Terryl Jones was a Ohio Star Ball Professional Ballroom Quarterfinalist. Together, they were the Cabaret Champions at the World Swing Championships. They choreographed for "Dance with Me", they starred as themselves in "God and Salsa", recently launched an online platform called Yoga 4 Long Life, and they also provide consulting to dance, studio owners, and professionals through  EXT consulting.

Follow Enio and Terryl: https://enioandterryl.com/ https://yoga4longlife.com/ https://www.extdanceconsulting.com/ https://www.letsdancela.com/

View a full transcript of this episode here.

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In part one of this two part conversation, Enio Cordoba and Terryl Jones sit down to reflect on their early dance careers, discuss the importance of mentorship, and their approach to dance education. The pair explore how the traditional dance studio system often fails to build a sustainable dance community, and explain how we don't know what we don't know.

Enio Cordoba was a US amateur Latin champion, Quarterfinalist at Blackpool and a US Pro Rising Star Latin champion. Terryl Jones was a Ohio Star Ball Professional Ballroom Quarterfinalist. Together, they were the Cabaret Champions at the World Swing Championships. They choreographed for "Dance with Me", they starred as themselves in "God and Salsa", recently launched an online platform called Yoga 4 Long Life, and they also provide consulting to dance, studio owners, and professionals through  EXT consulting.

Follow Enio and Terryl: https://enioandterryl.com/ https://yoga4longlife.com/ https://www.extdanceconsulting.com/ https://www.letsdancela.com/

View a full transcript of this episode here.

Support the Podcast on Patreon! Ballroom Chat on Patreon

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Tony Nunez returns to the Ballroom Chat podcast to explore the importance authenticity and inclusivity in ballroom dance. Tony and Samantha discuss the balance between politics and purpose, and Tony shares his philosphy of leading with gratitude. 

Tony Nunez is a World WDSF Professional Smooth Finalist, US-WDSF 9-Dance Silver Medalist, US-WDC 9-Dance Finalist, World and US WDC Mambo finalist, and World Salsa Vice Champion. Tony is also a Pro-Am instructor and a member of Infinite Flow.

Follow Tony Nunez: https://www.facebook.com/Antonio-Nunez-218626741544736/

Support Infinite Flow and their efforts to build a more diverse and inclusive community: https://www.infiniteflowdance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/infiniteflowdance/ https://www.facebook.com/InfiniteFlowDance/

Support the Podcast on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/ballroomchat

Ways to see more from Love.Live.Dance and Ballroom Chat: https://www.lovelivedance.com/podcast/ https://www.facebook.com/ballroomchat https://www.instagram.com/ballroomchat