It was such a gift to spend time connecting with Cheryl Cutlip for episode 12! Cheryl is the founding director of The Project Dance Foundation, formed in 2002 as a mission to bring hope and healing to the world through the universal language of dance.  Cheryl currently directs The Space @ Project Dance, the foundation’s dance training and education program area as well as the precision dance company, The Carolina Snowbelles.

Cheryl began dancing at a young age, and decided by the time she was 15 to pursue dance as a professional career. Her life changed dramatically when she put her faith in Jesus early in her performance career. She shares how she grappled with the place of dance in her life given her new found faith.

Cheryl enjoyed performing with the Radio City Rockettes for 15 years where her duties included dance captain; assistant choreographer and spokesperson for nationally televised appearances. We spend some time talking about her life as a Rockette and some highlights and fun stories from that season.

We get into some deep conversation around what it looks like to grieve the end of your career as a performer. Cheryl says, “You’re not just grieving the work you did onstage. You’re sort of all of sudden identifying with the very real truth that you won’t do this forever.” She shares the hope that “you have a voice when you’ve gone through something, reconciled with something, and have gained peace from that something”

Cheryl gives us a glimpse into the beginnings of the Project Dance events, which began nearly 20 years ago. Since then, the 3-day Project Dance events have taken place in over 26 cities and 13 countries! Cheryl describes how art has an eternal trajectory and acts as a bridge that connects people and brings unity. For the artist, the real beauty is experiencing God through the art.

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Cheryl's full biography and links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

My guest for episode 11 of the podcast is Jessie Winters. Jessie is a creative and passionate mentor, teacher, choreographer, coach, and mother. She wants to see the Holy Spirit move mightily in the Arts. In our conversation, you’ll get to hear more about her heart for the nations, the musical theatre community, and the special needs community.

My favorite part of our conversation was hearing Jessie’s stories of faith and God moving in incredible ways! She shares about motherhood, homeschooling on the road, and following God’s calling together as a family. Jessie and her husband Clayton (our guest on episode 10) now live in Fairfield, CT, where Jessie is the prayer ministry leader at their church. She is passionate about intercession, community, and allowing their home to be a sanctuary for those living in NYC.

I love Jessie’s reminder that while we tend to think we have to promote ourselves, God calls us to rest in His timing, worship, and watch as He opens the doors of opportunity. When He does call you to big things, don’t be afraid. Know that you are equipped and that He is with you!

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Jessie's full biography and links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

My guest for episode 10 of the podcast is J. Clayton Winters. Clayton is a Professional Musical Theatre Performer and works in vocational ministry as the Director of Worship and Arts at Trinity Baptist Church of Fairfield, CT. He has a range of teaching experience, including as a Director of Musical Theater at the University level. Clayton’s fun personality and passion for life make this conversation one to remember! 

We chat about how Clayton, in his own words, was a “total nuisance in school.” This led to his start in theatre at a young age, combining his love of stories and his entrepreneurial spirit. He has been working as a professional performer since the age of 11. Through our conversation, you will hear about the incredible twists and turns in his life, including a season where everything was taken away and the pursuit of his appetites left him void of hope or fulfillment. Clayton says, “in that void was Jesus.” 

Clayton shares the story of meeting his wife, and how they have been on a journey of bold obedience together as a family. You’ll hear some wild stories of how God has worked in their lives! Clayton knows that it is hard to make the jump from the early career phase as an artist to having a self-sustaining arts career. His passion is to help artists thrive and find ways to earn a steady income. Through his businesses, Clayton makes this passion a reality for himself and others.

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Clayton's full biography and links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

For Episode 9 of the Creative Impact Podcast, I have the joy of introducing you to one of my teachers and mentors, Laura Morton. Laura serves as an Associate Professor of Dance and Director of the Ballet Division at Belhaven University in Jackson, MS. She has traveled nationally and internationally performing professionally, teaching, and choreographing. 

Laura and I talk about what it was like as educators ending the Spring 2020 semester during the pandemic, and we contemplate how dance could be impacted by this shift in our society. Laura shares about her journey in dance. Her path began with a pursuit of professional ballet, moved to teaching aerobics in the 1980's, then to jazz dance and eventually led her to a career in teaching at the collegiate level. Laura explains how she never thought she would become a teacher, let alone a professor in higher education.

Laura’s passion for teaching is evident, and she shares valuable insights for teachers as she explains her own journey and teaching philosophy. Laura’s background includes a degree in Psychology and a Master of Science in Applied Exercise Physiology. To increase longevity as a dancer, Laura recommends working with the body you have and understanding the power of thoughts in performance. Laura reminds us that while dance takes discipline, it should also be full of joy!

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Laura's full biography and links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

My friend Katelyn Harbaugh joins me for Episode 8 of the Creative Impact Podcast. Katelyn is a stay-at-home mom to her three children and is a visual artist who creates in what she describes as the “margins” of her life. 

In our conversation, we talk about Katelyn’s journey as an artist and her experience balancing a small business with being a stay-at-home mom. Katelyn shares about her current projects and her process for creating art. She reflects, “I feel like a lot of my process is practicing. Always learning is really important.”

We talk about the importance of community and how different our community can look in different seasons. No matter what season of life you are in, I believe Katelyn’s story will encourage you to be faithful in the daily practices and the seemingly mundane parts of life and to consider your “why” as an artist.

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Katelyn's full biography and links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

For episode 7 of the Creative Impact Podcast, I have the opportunity to chat with Steve Rooks. Steve is a former Principal Dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company where he performed for over a decade. His performance credits also include the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble. Currently, Steve is Chair of Dance and Resident Choreographer at Vassar College in New York.

In our conversation, you will hear the story of how Steve discovered dance in college while he was pursuing a music degree. He shares his incredible journey from novice dancer to touring the world as a Principal Dancer for the Martha Graham Dance Company. I enjoy hearing him describe working with Martha Graham and how his experiences with her impact how he works today.

We discuss the importance of mentorship. Steve challenges the assumption that once dancers are done performing they should automatically become teachers. He encourages dancers to make sure they are teaching from a place of passion and not frustration. I love his advice for dancers in this current season: be ready, the world is going to be craving the beauty we can bring as we come out of this season of isolation! Steve’s humility and wisdom are such a gift. I believe you will be so encouraged by this conversation!

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Steve's full biography and links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

My guest for episode 6 of the Creative Impact Podcast is Cynthia Newland. Cynthia is an artist, educator, speaker and wellness consultant. She is the founder of Alible3 – Nourishing the Body, Soul and Spirit, providing educational resources and equipping tools for holistic health.  Cynthia is also the founder of Feet Speak Dance, offering hope through the art form of dance.

We chat about the key elements of wellness and the major part nutrition plays in our overall health, physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. We talk a lot about knowing what season of life we are in and making intentional choices to find sabbath rest, avoid burnout, and set boundaries so we can invest in our priorities. For all those who are mothers, you will find encouragement in Cynthia’s perspective of motherhood as an artist.

Cynthia has been a mentor of mine since college. I enjoyed getting to ask her about her view of mentorship and her teaching philosophy. Cynthia’s passion for intentional living and wellness is contagious! 

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Cynthia's full biography and links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

My guest for episode 5 of the Creative Impact Podcast is Durell Comedy. Durell was a professional dancer with the Limon Company and Mark Morris Dance Group in NYC for close to 11 years. Recently he, his wife, Hannah and 2 daughters, moved to Charlotte, NC. He currently serves as a Worship Leader for The LIFT, a church based in Indian Trail, North Carolina. I came out of my conversation with Durell so inspired and encouraged, and I know you will too! Durell shares about key moments in his journey and hearing God’s voice. At a moment where he felt like quitting, God opened a door. We talk about going through rejection and seasons that feel like we’re walking through the wilderness. Durell encourages us not to hold so tightly to one idea of the “plan” for our lives that we miss what God is doing in front of us.

We also talk about the current challenges we are facing with the pandemic and the racial injustice that can feel so overwhelming and hopeless. I love how Durell explains, “my eyes can’t look horizontally for hope”. Durell is passionate about helping to create an environment where people can experience the presence of God and truly be changed.

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Durell's full biography and links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

I am honored to share this conversation with Randall Flinn, Founder and Artistic Director of Ad Deum Dance Company in Houston, Texas. I have been connected with the Ad Deum community for many years and was a member of Ad Deum II Dance Company for two years. In my conversation with Randy, you will get to hear his story from the beginnings to current day. He grew up with a love for dance, but was held back from pursuing formal training because he feared negative reactions from his friends and family. I love his story of his first experience teaching! Through the years, he has connected with artists all over the world, and seen huge growth in the fellowship of believer artists. You will enjoy hearing Randy’s story of developing the Ad Deum Dance Company community. Randy’s shares wisdom about discerning the true absolutes of God versus things we think are truth that are really just part of our church culture. He speaks to the importance of living in grace, finding wholeness in our identity, and finding liberty in our expression as believer artists. Be ready to be encouraged, friends!

Check out our website http://creativeimpactpodcast.com for the full show notes that include Randy's full biography and links mentioned in this episode. You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

I’m so excited to introduce you to my friend, Whitney Dufrene!  Whitney is a professional dancer with Doug Varone and Dancers in New York City. Our friendship began in college, and to give you a fair warning, in the first few minutes of our conversation we reminisce about special moments throughout our friendship. Whitney recounts her story from her start in dance all the way through her current role at Doug Varone and Dancers. We dive deeper into a challenging season in her life. She was seriously injured. She battled insomnia, depression, and even had thoughts of suicide. I am so grateful for Whitney’s vulnerability and willingness to share her story. Whitney gives her perspective on how we can help those we love who may be in the midst of a similar season. We talk about the common mindset that “when I finally get [insert your dream here], I will arrive,” and the beauty of depending on our Creator for our worth. Whitney has a passion for life, and is currently interested in pursuing a master’s degree so she can use the arts, movements, and play to help children heal from trauma. This conversation is deep, real, and points us to where we can truly find hope.

Check out our website for the full show notes that include Whitney's full biography and links mentioned in this episode.You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!