Hey, Dancer!

What happens when a reality competition show premieres with a concept eerily similar to my Return to Dance journey—and I end up auditioning for it?

How did I even find out about it in the first place? And what really went down behind the scenes?

In this episode, I take you through the audition process!

I'll also talk about weird casting confusion, why I've never been a fan of comparing talents on variety shows, the response to the show since its release, and why I walked away from the experience without letting it define me.

Check out my TV Dance Comp experience (I mentioned in this ep it was last week, but it was 2 weeks ago!).

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Welcome to my weekly series "The Rest of the Story," right here on Hey, Dancer! Each episode, I delve into the lesser-known tales of dance legends and pivotal moments in dance history.

This week, I'm spotlighting Parris Goebel — a self-taught choreographer from Auckland who has taken the dance world by storm. Discover how her early passion for dance, sparked by watching countless music videos, propelled her from sharing her own dance clips on YouTube to choreographing world tours for global superstars by the time she was just 19.

We'll explore her formative years, her signature Polyswagg style, and how it has defined her influential work, including her latest high-profile project, the choreography for Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra."

Join me as we uncover how Parris Goebel continues to shape the world of dance with her innovative spirit and bold creativity.

I highly suggest watching this podcast on YouTube for amazing footage of Parris in her youth and more!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

In this episode of "Hey, Dancer!", I'm spilling the details on a (not so typical) masterclass that didn't go as I hoped.

Picture this: I'm in a room with a legendary choreographer, ready to train, fight to keep up and dance my heart out — but instead, I end up on the sidelines.

It was ALL the emotions.

But, as with all challenging experiences, there were lessons. Plus, a surprise call from a dancer friend who helped put everything into perspective.

Join me as I share the raw, real emotions of facing setbacks and how a simple act of kindness can turn everything around.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Ballroom dancing wasn't always accessible to the masses, but Irene and Vernon Castle changed that.

In the early 1900s, this dynamic duo took the world by storm — popularizing new styles, blending influences, and making dance more modern, elegant, and socially acceptable.

But their impact extended far beyond the stage.

From breaking racial barriers in music to redefining fashion, their legacy shaped the way we see dance today.

Watch this episode on YouTube — with amazing archival footage of Irene and Vernon Castle!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Note: While this episode covers many of Irene and Vernon Castle's groundbreaking contributions, it's meant to be a quick (and hopefully compelling!) listen. That said, a few key aspects of their legacy deserve mention: they helped modernize social dance by making it more fluid, natural, and expressive — moving away from the rigid, formal styles of the past. They also popularized the Castle Walk, a signature step that became a ballroom sensation, and played a major role in shaping ballroom trends that carried into the Roaring Twenties.

In this episode of Hey, Dancer, I'm sharing a story I've never told publicly — my wild experience competing on a national TV dance reality show.

From landing the audition through Craigslist to making it to the 2-person finale of my episode, the journey was filled with unexpected twists, backstage drama, and a shocking outcome that left the live studio audience BOOING.

I'll take you behind the scenes, reveal what really happened, and why this defining moment stuck with me long after the cameras stopped rolling.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

You've heard of jazz dance — but do you know the man who transformed how it's taught?

In this episode of The Rest of the Story, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Luigi, whose life took an unexpected turn after a tragic accident that left him partially paralyzed. Refusing to give up, he created the world's first codified jazz technique — one that dancers still use today.

Discover how his method wasn't just about steps but survival, healing, and redefining what's possible through dance. From Hollywood to Broadway, from injured bodies to thriving artists, Luigi's legacy reaches further than you can imagine.

Listen and hear the story you didn't know you needed.

Watch this episode on YouTube with archival footage!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Is cheering in dance class boosting morale or breaking focus? In this episode, I explore the growing trend of hype in dance studios: from dancers cheering each other on to the effects this energy has on training, confidence, and class culture. I share insights from one of my Instagram polls (with nearly 3,000 responses), read thought-provoking comments from both sides of the debate, and examine how this shift could influence performance and progress.

Is this just a sign of the times or something deeper? Let's unpack it all — no holding back.

Listen now and decide: Is all the hype helping or hurting?

Watch this episode on YouTube!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

For years, I've told the story of how I quit dance for three decades. But… did I really?

In this episode of Hey, Dancer!, I'm diving into the moments I kinda forgot — unexpected dance gigs, spontaneous auditions, signing with a dance agent, and even working with an iconic choreographer. All of which happened long after I said goodbye to dance.

But do these moments count toward my former dance life?

Perhaps it's time to ask: did I truly leave dance behind at 19 years old, or was it always part of my story?

Join me as I revisit my "off years" and uncover the dance moments that slipped through the cracks.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

In this episode of The Rest of the Story within Hey, Dancer!, we dive into the iconic "Fosse, Fosse, Fosse" dance scene from The Birdcage. Robin Williams' whirlwind of modern dance has captivated audiences for decades, with many believing the moment was entirely improvised.

But was it?

Join me as I unravel the truth behind this legendary scene. From conflicting accounts in Hollywood biographies to the overlooked contributions of choreographer Vincent Paterson, this story is a fascinating look at artistry, credit, and the often-invisible role of choreographers in shaping iconic moments.

Whether you're a dancer, choreographer, or just a fan of The Birdcage, this episode offers surprising insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and an important conversation about giving credit where it's due.

Listen now and discover the rest of the story. 🎧✨

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Watch this podcast and check out the Fosse dance scene, social media comments, Mike Nichols' biography, etc.

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Check out the full interview with Vincent Paterson (noted in this podcast) HERE! Credit to: @mrnmister

This content complies with the provisions of Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, which allows for the use of copyrighted material for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. The materials presented in this video, including excerpts from TV shows, films, podcasts, and other media, are used to provide commentary, critique, and analysis in a transformative manner, consistent with Fair Use principles.

I do not claim ownership of any third-party material included in this video, such as music, footage, or audio clips. Their inclusion is strictly for the purpose of education, critique, and commentary and is not intended to infringe upon the rights of the copyright holders.

What happens when a pop star shows up to your dance class unannounced, and the combination is to their song? In this episode of Hey, Dancer!, I share a personal story about one of my most challenging dance class experiences.

From struggling through advanced choreography to feeling the pressure of performing in front of a famous artist, this class was anything but ordinary.

And the surprising ending to the experience made me reflect on how dance teachers can impact their students — both positively and negatively.

Whether you're a dancer, teacher, or just curious about life in the studio on a random day in Los Angeles... this episode strives to offer insight, lessons, fun and maybe even a little inspiration.

Tune in and let's chat about it! 🎧✨

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat