Hey, Dancer!

It's not just your imagination. Dance class choreography really has gotten faster — but why?

In this episode of Hey, Dancer!, I'm diving deep into the rise of lightning-fast choreo in class. From algorithm-driven trends to comp culture aesthetics, I'm breaking down the five biggest reasons we've shifted from groove to rapid-fire.

You'll hear real-time vlogs from my own return to class, a reel that went mini-viral, and even a hilarious (and slightly alarming) Star Search clip of me and my sister… that sparked an unexpected social media reaction.

This one's for the dancers trying to keep up — and the teachers shaping what class looks like now.

Because fast choreo might be what's trending… but that doesn't mean it's what matters.

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

Before he became a global dance icon, Mikhail Baryshnikov was a rising star trapped behind the Iron Curtain. His gravity-defying leaps and emotional artistry stunned audiences — but it was one real-life leap that changed everything.

In this episode of The Rest of the Story, I take you through Baryshnikov's extraordinary journey: from early loss and Soviet acclaim to a high-stakes defection and a career that would transform ballet forever. We'll cover his time with American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet, and his collaborations with legends like Twyla Tharp, Jerome Robbins, and George Balanchine.

From revolutionary performances to an Oscar-nominated film debut, discover how Baryshnikov reshaped the world of dance — and what it cost him to do it.

Conceived, starring, written, and researched by: Miller Daurey

Watch the ep on YouTube for full effect!

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

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

P.S. This episode is re-scripted from an earlier version — as I'm currently redoing my first initial episodes from The Rest of the Story series because they originally didn't have video / photos of the subjects (for YouTube / Spotify). But I have to keep the episode numbers aligned via all platforms. Regardless, the script is better and worthy of a listen, even if you've heard it the first time!

What happens when a pro drop-in dance class suddenly shifts from training to something that feels more like a social experiment?

In this episode of Hey, Dancer!, I take you inside a real class I took at a major LA studio — where the last 25 minutes took a surprising turn. No mirrors. No added choreo. Just partner work, face-to-face groups, and solo runs of the same combo inside a circle.

I recorded my full reaction right there in the studio, and I'm sharing the unfiltered clip for the first time.

I had posted a short teaser of the experience on social media — and the responses came pouring in. In this episode, I'll read and react to some of those comments: the ones that supported this format, the ones that pushed back, and the perspectives that genuinely made me pause.

Whether you're a dancer wondering "is it just me?" or a teacher rethinking your format, this episode's for you.

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 on Hey, Dancer!, I'm diving into the story behind one of the most iconic dance fitness empires in history.

Before it was a global brand… Before the neon, the VHS tapes, the Jane Fonda comparisons…

It was just a dancer named Judi Sheppard Missett, trying to keep her students from quitting class.

What happened next? A bold flyer, a missing mirror, and a pivot that turned into a worldwide movement.

We'll start with her childhood in Iowa, where she first fell in love with dance — and trace how that passion led her to train under (jazz dance giant) Gus Giordano, perform professionally, and eventually teach.

This episode follows how one woman's artistic instincts sparked a shift that outlived trends and reshaped fitness forever.

You might think you know Jazzercise.

But this is the story of the dancer who started it all.

And it begins in a nearly empty studio.

You've made the decision to return to dance class… now what?

In this follow-up to Part I, I'm walking you through (almost) everything you can do to make your return to class successful — before and after you've stepped inside the studio.

From researching the right teachers to finding a studio that actually supports your comeback (hello, proper warm-ups), to what to wear, what to bring, and how to build momentum that sticks — I've got you.

Whether you've been gone for months, years, or decades, this episode is full of smart, science-backed tips (and personal anecdotes) to help you return with confidence and stay consistent.

🎧 Press play and let's set you up for success.

Studies mentioned in show (in order of appearance):

1. International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS).
2. James Clear. "Atomic Habits."
3. Bandura, A. (1997). "Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control."
4. Matthews, G. (2007). "The Impact of Commitment, Accountability, and Written Goals on Goal Achievement." Dominican University of California.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

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

She was 11 when she saw a ballerina that changed her life. 17 when Robert Joffrey said something that flipped her path. And 30 when she took the screen in All That Jazz — his muse, but fully her own force.

But that's just the outline.

This episode is the story behind the spotlight — before Chicago, before Annie, before the legacy. How she trained. What she sacrificed. And how she built something that still shapes dancers today.

She's the most indelible and often imitated Broadway dancer of her generation.

It's time you know the rest of her story.

And there's a moment in here that gave me chills. Click play — you'll know it when you hear it.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

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

The Joy is In The Work (doc on The Broadway Theatre Project)

You've decided to get back into dance class… but now what?

Don't worry, I got you!

This episode is all about that in-between phase —after you've made the decision, but before your body's actually in the studio.

What do you do with that weird energy? How do you keep momentum without psyching yourself out? How do you get your mind and body ready for an actual class experience?

I'm walking you through my 10 tips on what to focus on right now — from gentle physical prep to the exact mental reminders that can make your return smoother (and way less dramatic).

This is the stuff that helped me return to dance (more than a few times)!

Let's get into it!

And make sure you're following my podcast — because next time, I'm talking about how to set yourself up for success once you're actually back in class.

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, I'm diving into the dance lives of the Nicholas Brothers — Fayard and Harold — two self-taught tap prodigies who left legends like Fred Astaire and Mikhail Baryshnikov speechless.

From the Cotton Club to Hollywood, from Broadway to Buckingham Palace, their story is one of raw talent and jaw-dropping brilliance — not just defying the odds to rise to stardom, but doing it in a segregated world.

Stick around for behind-the-scenes truths (like: was their Stormy Weather routine really done in one take?), a little Gene Kelly shade, a full-circle Fred Astaire moment, and some real talk about how they got acro/tricks right.

This isn't just tap history — it's the story behind one of dance's greatest duos.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

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

Dancers often say, "I'm so rusty" after missing just one or two classes — but is that really the case?

In this episode, we dive into the science behind this common belief and explore how saying you're rusty can actually shape your experience.

We'll discuss the studies that show how your body and mind hold onto more than you think, even after taking breaks. Plus, you'll learn why your mindset plays a huge role in how you return to the studio.

Listen to this ep to rethink the "rusty" myth and come back stronger, no matter how much time you've had off! Yeah, really!

Episode 2 of my Return to Dance docuseries (mentioned in this ep)!

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 on Hey, Dancer!, I'm diving into George Chakiris, a guy who started as a background dancer behind stars like Marilyn Monroe and Rosemary Clooney.

Then he landed a major role in London's West Side Story, hired by Jerome Robbins. That took him to Hollywood and a rare, dance-driven Oscar win.

It's a story of hard work and a big break. Want to know how a chorus dancer made it to the top? Join me to hear this legend's journey unfold.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

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