DANCE +

By Dana WilsonBusiness Education Arts Performing Arts Careers

DANCE + episodes

December 07, 2022 152. Associate and Assistant Choreographers with Jeff Mortensen
What does an Associate Choreographer do? What does an Assistant Choreographer do? What’s the difference? Is there one? I am so lucky to have the great Jeff Mortensen on the pod to answer these questions! From his work as an associate on Disney’s Descendent franchise to Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Jeff is more than qualified to dive deep into the world of an associate/assistant choreographer. Please enjoy this conversation with Jeff Mortensen.

Show Notes:
Connect w/ Jeff on IG
Listen to ep # w/ Jamal Sims
Listen to ep # w/ the In The Heights team
Learn more about the Choreographer’s Guild
For more DANA
For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY
To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER
To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES
Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE
Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok
View Full Episode Transcript
1 hr 3 min
November 30, 2022151. Q&A (Decisions & Quitting & Music Videos, Oh My!)
You brought the Qs, I’ve got the A’s!

Here’s what you’ll learn in this week’s episode:
What dancers aren’t taking advantage of that could book them more work
Where I think you need to live to do what we do
The (long) list of music videos I wish I was in and why
My favorite gig
How I deal with perfectionism and jealousy
Two great resources for burnout
How hard it was for me to get my first gig
What I would tell my 12 year old self if I ran into her today
My thoughts on motivation (hint: it’s not what you think)
What it was like working with Austin Butler and Justin Timberlake
A stellar tool for making big decisions
Show Notes:
Van Neistat on Why Veteran Artists Don’t Quit
Van Neistat on Burnout
Watch the raggle taggle dance hour
Listen to ep #147 Audition Burnout
Listen to ep #83 How I Make Big Decisions
Music Videos:

Cold Hearted Snake by Paula Abdul
My Love is Like Woah by Mya
Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson
Windowlicker by Aphex Twin
Slave For You by Britney Spears
1,2,3,4 by Feist
Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars
If by Janet
Get Your Freak On by Missy Elliott

For more DANA
For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY
To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER
To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES
Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE
Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok
View Full Episode Transcript
48 min
November 23, 2022 150. Vocal Athleticism w/ Mindy Pack
If you know me, you know that #voice is extremely important to me… And not just MY voice, but the voice of artists as a whole. That’s why I am extremely excited to introduce you to this week’s guest Mindy Pack. MINDY. DOES. VOCAL HEALTH! In this episode we talk about all of the ways you can hurt and HEAL your voice. We dig into the importance of having a great team and what makes a great coach. We also talk about the role that mental health plays in vocal health and how shame and guilt surround injuries (specifically vocal injuries). Enjoy this conversation with Mindy Pack.
Show Notes:
Work with Mindy Pack
Buy the voice straw
(Don’t forget to use the Discount Code: WTMMVOICE at check out!
Connect with Mindy on IG
Miley training on treadmill
Listen to Raab’s episode
For more DANA
For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY
To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER
To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES
Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE
Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok
View Full Episode Transcript
59 min
November 16, 2022 Introducing: Grey Maybe w/ Jillian Schmitz
Introducing: Grey Maybe w/ Jillian Schmitz + some special announcements!
Show Notes:

Head over to Grey Maybe for Jillian’s full episode
Join us for WTMM Live: An in person coaching event Dec 3rd & 4th
Donate to the Words That Move Me Community
WTMM Membership: Join Here
Follow us on IG & Tiktok
View Full Episode Transcript
12 min
November 09, 2022 149. “Exposure” and Working For Free
This week I am digging into working for free (or for a seriously discounted rate, or… #exposure). We’ve probably all done it, or encouraged someone else to do it or discouraged someone else from doing it, so let’s untangle this messy subject.

In this episode, I dig into the IF, WHEN, AND WHY you might work for free, but I am not going to give you any answers about whether or not you should. I’m going to do you one better… I’m going to give you a tool that will help you to decide on your own.

Quicklinks:

Follow us on tiktok & win 2 tickets to the World Choreography Awards on Nov. 15
Listen to episode #74 w/ Miquel Zarate
Listen to episode #108 w/ Maud Arnold
For more DANA
For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY
To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER
To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES
Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE
Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok
View Full Episode Transcript
23 min
November 02, 2022 148. Community, Industry, and History with Imania Detry
In this week’s episode, Imania and I talk about how family based community organizations prepared her for the industry — and the difference between being pushed and supported into greatness. We also have a refreshing and IMPORTANT talk about the state of the entertainment industry and even the teaching industry with regards to African diasporic movement. I do very much feel like a beginner in these conversations, about race and the lineage of American dance styles, but having a guide like Imania makes that journey all that much more appealing and also empowering. Please enjoy this conversation with Imania Detry.

Show Notes:

Connect with Imania on IG
Create a profile on Bopsidy
For more DANA
For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY
To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER
To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES
Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE
Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok
View Full Episode Transcript
59 min
October 26, 2022 147. Audition Burnout
This week, we’re talking about a few of the ways audition burnout can happen at different career stages, and then we dig in on how to tell the difference between stress, burnout and good old fashioned FEAR! We’ll also talk about how to avoid burnout by managing your stress and addressing your fears…

Show Notes:
Start your membership with Sugarfoot Therapy
Listen to all the episodes about “Fear”
For more DANA
For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY
To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER
To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES
Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE
Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok
View Full Episode Transcript
27 min
October 19, 2022 146. Reflections Without Criticism with Gary Tacon
One mark of a master is that other masters look to them for expertise and support. In this episode, I talk to movement analyst, Gary Tacon, about how Martin Scorcese looked to him when he needed Robert De Niro, Al Pachino, and Joe Peschi to look 40 years younger on camera for The Irishman. We discuss how he came to be a movement analyst, how he operates on set, we dig in on one of Gary’s most valuable tools and techniques: the body tuning cushion. You don’t want to miss this episode because it also includes some listener participation that will have you standing taller, looking younger, and feeling freer in your body. Enjoy this conversation with Gary Tacon.

Quicklinks:
Buy the Body Tuning Cushion
Find Gary’s stunt/film work on IMDb
Listen to Ep. #78 with the In The Heights Choreography Team!
Listen to Ep. #136 with Jamal Sims
Listen to Ep. #125 with Mandy Moore
For more DANA
For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY
To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER
To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES
Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE
Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok
View Full Episode Transcript
56 min
October 12, 2022 145. Keep Going Till You’re Fired with Kevin Maher
This is one for the books! Yup! The one and only Kevin Maher and I are getting nostalgic, a little bit catty, and a lotta bit deep this week. We dig into managing difficult personalities on set, we dish out some seriously cringeworthy industry horror stories, and we talk about knowing when to quit… Which, for Kevin, is almost never. Please enjoy this conversation with Kevin Maher.

Show Notes:
Connect with Kevin
Follow Kevin on Instagram
Listen to Ep #72 Does Dance Save Lives? w/ Dr. Adrienne Wilson Mann
For more DANA
For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY
To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER
To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES
Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE
Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok
View Full Episode Transcript
1 hr 5 min
October 05, 2022 144. Stand and Command with Asiel Hardison
Asiel Hardison joins me on the podcast today! We’re talking about how a black boy from the southside of Chicago and how he found himself on world tours with Lady Gaga, in super bowl commercials, and choreographing Vegas residencies. Asiel also gives some great insight on instincts and what makes one “good” or “bad”. Please enjoy this conversation with Asiel Hardison.

Show Notes:
Find Asiel on Instagram
Watch Janet Jackson at the Superbowl
For more DANA
For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY
To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER
To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES
Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE
Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok
View Full Episode Transcript
1 hr 9 min

About DANCE +

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The dance podcast where movers and shakers like you get the information and inspiration you need to navigate your creative career with clarity and confidence. Master mover, Dana Wilson, taps into 20…