Today’s guests are Dr. Chelsea Pierotti and Kirsten kemp. Both Chelsea and Kirtsen help dancers with mental skills to improve their performance and enhance their careers and lives. As y'all know, I love diving deep into the psychology realm, so we got right into it and talked about:

• How defining values can help guide your path
• The fears and insecurities dancers face and actionable ways to overcome them
• How to build your confidence in a positive way

Dr. Chelsea Pierotti is a former professional dancer and currently works as a sport psychologist and high performance coach for dancers and dance educators. As a speaker, workshop teacher, and podcast host, Dr. Chelsea’s mission is to help create more successful dancers through positive mental skills. Visit her website and check out her podcast, a Passion for Dance at https://chelseapierotti.com.

Kirsten Kemp (@kirsten_theconfidentdancer) is a former full-time professional ballet dancer turned High-Performance Mindset Coach for dancers, International Speaker, and Founder of The Confident Dancer. She specializes in helping dancers break through the mental blocks that have been holding them back and build a confident mindset that allows them to feel and perform their best consistently. On top of serving 200+ clients globally, including soloists and principals in top ballet companies and YAGP finalists, she's also the host of The Confident Dancer YouTube channel and podcast, a show with 21k+ subscribers and counting. As a speaker, she's also had the honor of speaking to groups of dancers at top institutions such as Miami City Ballet School, Estonian National Ballet, University of Utah's School of Dance, Texas Ballet Theater School, and many others. theconfidentdancer.com

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Today’s guest is the ever so talented professional dancer @RileyGroot. You may have just seen her dancing next to Katy Perry in her Las Vegas residency, but I know Riley from her time as a student at AMDA college here in LA and have had the pleasure of witnessing her career unfold over the years. She's been on “American Horror Story”, the MTV Video Music Awards with BLACKPINK, Disney’s Christmas Spectacular, the Grammys, Billboard music awards, to name a few. We chat about:

• How being a reliable dancer can provide more opportunities
• Why connections are the most important aspect of your career
• The challenges and mindset shifts to withstand the breaks between gigs
• How dancers can self-advocate to make the changes we need in the industry

Born and raised in San Diego, Riley Groot’s love for dance sparked at age 13 when she began training with the non-profit company, Unity Dance Ensemble. After winning numerous competitive titles, all while touring nationally as an assistant for established dance conventions, Riley moved to Los Angeles, where she continued her study of dance and the performing arts at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Since her graduation she has grown her resume and reputation through the commercial industry as a hard-working and reliable talent. Her credits include “American Horror Story”, the MTV Video Music Awards with BLACKPINK, Disney’s Christmas Spectacular, and The Annual Grammy Awards with J Balvin, to name a few. Currently, she is traveling Asia on Jolin Tsai’s Ugly Beauty World Tour, and when she is not on the road or working in LA, you can find her dancing in her fourth Las Vegas Residency: Katy Perry’s ‘PLAY’, where she leads as dance captain. Riley believes that with every job and opportunity, a new lesson is to be learned. She vows to pass along the powerful insights she has acquired throughout her growing career and hopes to inspire the next generation of dancers, just as her mentors have inspired her.

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Kendall Baab is a personal trainer for dancers and dance science educator based in Los Angeles. I met Kendall online actually and I totally aligned with her philosophies. Her business, BodyKinect, has made dance science education accessible for dancers and dance educators - which is so incredibly important. We chat about:

• Our shared experiences of being on Texas drill teams
• The biggest challenges dancers face when training - both physically and mentally
• How social media can lead to injury and perfectionism
• The importance of body autonomy and self advocacy

Website: https://bodykinect.org
Instagram @trainwithkendall

Kendall Baab is a personal trainer for dancers and dance science educator located in Los Angeles, CA. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Science from California State University Long Beach where she trained in ballet and modern dance, and a Master of Science degree in Dance Science from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, UK where she completed dance science research involving perfectionism and self-efficacy in online dance classes and trained in contemporary dance. Kendall is a certified personal trainer, BASI certified Pilates instructor with a dance specialization, and a certified health coach. Kendall works with dancers all over the United States on strength, conditioning, and flexibility to enhance performance and prevent injury. Kendall created her business, BodyKinect, to allow for accessible dance science education for dancers and dance educators.

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

I'm thrilled to welcome my first international guest, Fortuna Picardi, from Italy. She is an Italian talent manager and dancer and started her career as a talent manager in 2020 with Be a Pro agency. It was really cool to connect with someone from overseas and see the parallels of dancers in general, but also hear about how things are different in Italy.  We chat about:

• The dance scene in Italy
• Her transition into being a talent manager
• How dancers on her roster can gain more attention and train more effectively
• The biggest mistakes dancers make with their headshots
  
  IG @fortunapicardi_

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Today's guest is the effortlessly cool Mikey Dellavella. I know Mikey through his fiance Maryann Chavez and we're all faculty members for Souldesoul Dance Convention. I really love this episode. We get real, as per usual, and talk about:

• Typecasting and rejection - starting your career out this way and figuring out your lane
• His journey into the acting world
• Being bold and assertive as a dancer so you don’t get lost in the mix

www.YouTube.com/mikeydellavella
www.Instagram.com/mikeydellavella
www.TikTok.com/mdellavella

Mikey Dellavella comes from upstate New York with a decade of choreographing, creative directing & teaching a unique style of hiphop dance; using a mixture of musicality, control and creative wordplay.

His aim is to be sure his students leave his class with a better ear for music and even a stronger appreciation for dance. Having taught at popular Los Angeles studios such as Tmilly studio, Millennium Dance Complex, Movement Lifestyle and Playground la; filming online dance tutorials for Steezy co., Fullouttv & Tmillytv - he is no stranger to the dance world. He has had the privilege to teach in 10 countries and over 30 cities within the U.S., alongside, choreographing/performing for well known artists such as T-Pain, D Smoke, Joyner Lucas, Ester Dean, Britney Spears, and K pop groups, Ateez & Got7. he is also an member for the HHI gold medalist team, S Rank (as seen on NBC’s World of Dance: Season 2).

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Todays guest is the lovely caitlin sloan, AKA @thebrainyballerina. You may have seen her popping up on your explore page every now and then with her poignant posts about professional ballerinas, but she also gets real candid with me today on the pod. We chat about the stigma behind shifting focus away from performing in your dance career, juggling self care, and how to get past the ick in social media. 

IG @thebrainyballerina
Website

Hi there! 👋🏻 I’m Caitlin, a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI. 

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri. 

I danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). I have taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. I am currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet.

I founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. I have worked with dozens of dancers all over the U.S. to give them the skills and confidence they need to successfully pursue professional dance careers.

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Today’s guest is @iamgerranReese dancer, choreographer, educator galore. I’ve known Gerran now for almost 15 years (!) through lots of different dance education spaces - and I’m so excited I was finally able to get him on the pod. Gerran is super inspirational in so many ways and we chat about:

• The differences between regular weekly classes and more program based training
• knowing yourself, your strengths/weaknesses, defining your own version of success in dance. 
• How to research and pay close attention to what inspires you before you start your career. 

Hi! I am Gerran Reese, I have been teaching dance throughout the world for the past fifteen years and consider this my true passion & purpose. I grew up in Portland, Oregon where I trained in all styles of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and African.

I am currently faculty at The Movement Lifestyle,  TMilly Studio, The Brea Space,  Monsters of Hip-Hop Convention (A list), AMDA (BFA Program for Performing Arts,) The Nexxt Move Dance Convention. I have taught internationally at LAX (Paris, France) Studio 68 (London,) SDA Camp (Poland) Base Studios (London), and Brent Street (Sydney).

I have worked for artists such as Beyonce, Britney Spears, Kelly Rowland, T-Boz, Daniel Bedingfield, Carmit, Estelle, Muse, Amei, Rochelle Jordan, Kona Rose, Two-feet, and many more. I have worked with top choreographers such as Kevin Maher, Brian Friedman, Tessandra Chavez, Travis Payne, Tabitha & Napoleon, Derrell Bullock, Hi-Hat, Andye J, Tony Testa, and many more.

Credits include: Disney’s – Black is King, Monsters of Hip Hop Show Cast 2014, The Jefferson Dancers, and The NBA Blazer Hip-Hop Squad. I have done commercial campaign work for Reebok, Puma, and Nike. As well as dancing for television programs such as X-Factor, America’s Got Talent, The View, Dancing With the Stars, The TV-Land Awards, The Emmy Gala, and The Grammy’s.

I would describe my teaching style as an engaging and authentic experience that helps you specifically discover how to become the best artist and dancer you can be. I want you to feel your transformation from the time you walk into class to the time you walk out. Dance is truly a journey, moreover, an individual journey. Art is limitless!

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

• Can you make a sustainable living as a dancer?
• Will this work? Will I make it?
• What does the cheesecake factory have to do with my professional dance career? 
• How do I juggle multiple creative aspirations? 

Lots of questions answered and food for thought in today's episode. This is definitely one to save for later when you're feeling overwhelmed by your ambition and societal demands. 

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Today’s guests are Kristin Deiss and Michelle Loucadoux from Danscend, the mental wellness company for dance educators and dancers. These 2 are no strangers to the podcast, having had episodes on both seasons 1 and 2 of the pod. I love chatting with them because we dive deep on all the things behind the scenes no one is talking about. We chat about how the mental wellness space for dancers is evolving and complicated, negative self-talk that dancers endure, and specific exercises for easing anxiety surrounding auditions.

@danscendofficial

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

When you think of dance in LA, you think commercial. But there is actually a pretty large community of contemporary dance companies in LA doing amazing things. Today’s episode is a Career Spotlight episode and we are highlighting contemporary dance company experiences in Los Angeles. My guests, Michaela Moore and Nicole Hagen, both have a plethora of experience not only as dancers in LA, but also serving in different roles like rehearsal director, community liaisons and marketing. We chat about:

• the lengthy process of auditioning
• figuring out the mutual relationship between company and company member
• the best advice for those looking to be a part of a dance company community

Michaela Moore @__mickmouz was born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO. Her dance education has come from Robin’s Danceworks, The Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management program at OCU, and the BFA dance program at the University of Colorado-Boulder.  In 2017 she joined AGT’s “The Silhouette’s” for a 4 month International tour, dancing across Germany and performing in 75+ shows.

Michaela is a member and rehearsal director for GEOMETRY dance company, under the direction of Mackenzie Martin, with whom she has performed at MASHUP’s International Women’s Day Dance Festival, Fiestalonia Sea Sun Festival, Capezio’s A.C.E. Awards, Donovan Wood’s music video “She Waits For Me To Come Back Down” & Duomo’s music video “What About Us”, in collaboration with Netflix’s Bridgerton.

Aside from performing, her love for teaching and choreographing is expansive and she has choreographed/produced award winning pieces for the past 12 years. You can find her teaching at GENESIS STUDIOS every Tues. Michaela truly believes in the art of dance as a way to globally communicate through movement.

Nicole Hagen @nicole_hagen is a LA-based dancer, educator, and choreographer, who has performed works by Elías Aguirre, Gianna Burright, Genevieve Carson, Roderick George, Tess Hewlett, Madison Hicks, Iker Karrera, Kate Hutter Mason, Waeli Wang, and WHYTEBERG. Nicole was a company member with L.A. Contemporary Dance Company and MashUp Contemporary Dance Company, which provided her the opportunity to perform at iconic venues including LA Dance Project, The Odyssey Theatre, ODC Theater, The Architecture & Design Museum, and Highways Performance Space. Commercially, Nicole's credits include Paramore, NBC’s This Is Us, Banks, and Netflix’s Dear White People.

Choreographically, Nicole’s work has been seen on a multitude of stages throughout SoCal such as AMDA’s Cosmo Theater, LA Dance Project, LA Theater Center, IAF, Bootleg Theater, Sophia B. Clarke Theater at Mt. San Antonio College, McCallum Theatre, Musco Center for the Arts and Waltmar Theater at Chapman University, and ACDA's Screen Dance Festival. She has been a two-time finalist at the McCallum Choreography festival.

Nicole is on faculty at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) and AMDA College. She holds a BFA in Dance Performance, with a minor in Business Administration from Chapman University

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt