DanceSpeak

Episode 54 introduces you to Melanie Buttarazzi, who is a dancer extraordinaire and founder of the non-profit organization: Fostering Dreams Project. In this interview, we explore the mindset that has allowed Melanie to pursue her successful career while building an organization, a way to be able to discern one's own intuition, and what it takes to build a non-profit. Melanie shares very touching stories from the foster youth she has worked with and brings us into the experience of being pulled by one's purpose. If you are a person who likes to look at the 'bigger picture' this episode will certainly inspire you!

She's down to earth. A Beatfreak. Worked as supervising choreographer and stand-in for... Madonna. Had a 4.3 GPA in school. Toured the world with Pink. Is choreographer for Magic Mike 1, 2, and Magic Mike Live. And makes sure to meditate for 10 minutes every day. Who is she? Alison Faulk! Get ready for Episode 53 of DanceSpeak Alison Faulk openly speaks about her journey from dancing as a child, to traveling to Los Angeles on scholarship, training as hard as a person can, and working through an epic and constantly growing career. This episode speaks to what hard work and consistency looks like for a successful dancer, professionalism, owning your purpose, how to get unstuck, audition inspiration and more!!! As a dancer, as a choreographer, as a person with a dream... this episode will give you so many beautiful lessons and motivation for you to pursue your... life.

Episode 52 features the fascinating, the inspiring, the intelligent: Teresa Espinosa. The topics we cover are so varied that I am struggled to write this with eloquence, but I will do my best! When we speak about her contribution as a teacher, we dig through the debate of what it takes to be a teacher, as well as how Teresa has utilized her life experience to shape her classes. As a dancer and choreographer, stories include auditions from the earlier years in Los Angeles, the manifestation of dancing for Britney Spears and experiences working with Miley Cyrus. Of course, I had to ask as many questions as possible on Magic Mike. All I'll say is Vegas + female perspective + the research that went into building the show + thoughts on tearaway pants. Our conversation ultimately takes us is into the mind of Teresa, the writer, the reader, the thinker. It all ties back into knowing one's self worth and how it impacts the industry we are in. This is one of those episodes that might blow your mind. It's vulnerable, honest, and packed with wisdom.

Episode 51 with G Madison IV (Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, JLO, Chaka Khan) captures what it is that makes it possible to have it ALL. G is someone whom I've being crossing paths with over the years and I have seen host red carpets, travel internationally (on a consistent basis), create workshops, teach at nearly every major studio in Los Angeles, dance for our favorite artists, choreograph for... Mariah 'freakin' Carey, and the list goes on!!! At last, I have the opportunity to sit down and ask him how he does it all. Not to mention, he always has a positive energy and really earns respect. Topics we explore include (but are not limited to): What G was training in before dance, self-development to have 'it' all work, being married to one of the most incredible women in the world, story-time on working with Lady Gaga, recommendations on what to do with work slows down, the businesses that G runs and how, and way way more!

Episode 50 of DanceSpeak departs from the norm, as the creator and host, Galit Friedlander, is finally interviewed... wait... that's ME. Let's try this again... I've gotten a lot of feedback over this last year that people kind of have no clue, who I am, where I came from, and how the hell I've managed to grow a podcast from what seems like thin air. So after a year I decided it's time to put myself in the hot seat! I chose Taylor Edgin to interview me, as she is intelligent, inquisitive, and I knew she wouldn't be afraid to ask the tough questions. Believe me, we GO THERE. Beyond covering my background in dance, we get into conversations about lifestyle, how to draw boundaries as a woman in this industry, a couple of secrets that I haven't shared publicly until now, heartbreak, personal growth, what has kept me in Los Angeles for so long, a debate about naps, where the dance world is heading, and more. What I will say is, neither of us holds back. A lot of heart was poured into this one... and I kind of feel like I packed my whole life into 1 hr and 40 min. Grab your favorite latte, tea, water, kombucha, sit back, and enjoy!

Episode 49 of DanceSpeak takes an unreleased part of our original interview with Eric Sanchez to give you a treat! Hear behind-the-scenes experiences on what it was like working with Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Fergie. I literally felt like I was there with the artists, when Eric gives the insider perspective on these opportunities and wanted to share this perspective with you all!

Welcome to Episode 47 of DanceSpeak with Eric Sanchez! You may have seen him on TV and with credits including Ciara, Ariana Grande, Fergie, Lady Gaga, you will want to hear how he built his career, step by step, to find what it takes to make it in the dance industry. Eric Sanchez is an authentic New Yorker who will walk you through his journey from growing up in the Bronx to performing in front of thousands. Eric shares about navigating the dance company world, seeking mentors in both technique as well as business, and how he would get himself 'unstuck' through times and injury and inconsistency with dance work. Eric is savvy, with a deep understanding of the responsibilities that come with sharing dance to a wide audience. This episode will inspire, and draw a blueprint for reaching ones goals in the face of unexpected obstacles.

Episode 46 introduces you to the chiropractor, Dr. Patrick Bennett. With over 19 years of experience adjusting dancers and a commitment to always furthering his education, Dr. Bennett has a WEALTH of knowledge that is really gold for dancers. I also find him easy to speak to, understand, and inspiring in the way he takes on his career. In this episode, I ask all types of questions that come from conversations I've had with other dancers about self-care and overall curiosity in regards to the world of chiropractic.

Sienna Lyons is an impressive woman, human, dancer, teacher, choreographer, and one quickly learns that she speaks from a place of unabashed truth and experience. She has worked with artists such as Selena Gomez, JLO, Jennifer Hudson, and Nick Jonas, and for as hard working and accomplished as she is, Sienna is humbly always growing. In Episode 45 we focus deeply on the idea of how long success in the entertainment industry is expected to take, versus the unpredictable timeline that it seemingly operates on. Sienna opens up about difficult lessons she has learned in the dance industry, her vulnerabilities, and a handful of behind-the-career stories that have served as benchmarks in her decade-long journey in Los Angeles. This episode is excellent for people of all professional backgrounds as Sienna shares ways that she has accessed self-confidence in the most difficult of moments. We discuss what makes a teacher excellent, the importance of teachers always being students, and how a student can optimize his/her learning experience in the studio. Sienna offers recommendations for dancers whom want to work with choreographers that are not easily accessible, how a holistic healer impacted her in a way she never expected; she boldly shares on the taboo topic of being released from jobs, her viewpoint on 'side-hustles' and way more. This episode, is powerful, at times poetic, and most definitely...inspiring! Enjoy, and let us know what your thoughts are on our Facebook Page! www.facebook.com/dancespeakpodcast