Industry Talk

This past year has been quite a tough one to navigate not just as artist, but humans. Our entire industry did the unthinkable and shut down. With only virtual performances on the horizon, we braved many challenges in our dance studios, professional stages and private homes. Listen as Luam speaks with Kevin Maher & Calvit Hodge on thoughts, insights and predictions on the pandemic and beyond. What's next for our industry? Tune in & sbscribe.

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Cultural Appropriation in dance: From ‘box braids’ to the Renegade to Afrobeats vs dancehall, is culture getting disrespected/stolen in dance? An In depth conversation with Calvit, Tony Tzar & Rhapsody on the spectrum of either sharing or stealing culture in dance. Audio clears better a few min Into the discussion. Please rate and review!

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HEELS CLASSES have exploded onto the dance scene in recent years. Luam talks with famed, iconic dancer and choreographer Jessica Castro, about various topics that have arisen since. I.e. over-sexualization of classes, men teaching heels, the importance of technique and issue of lack of technique, the power of heels movement, how to spot a great heels class, kids in heels,  and so much more. This is a completely unfiltered, eye opening and inspirational conversation on the impact of all these elements on the dance community. 

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SPECIAL EDITION.  An unfiltered, eye-opening dinner discussion between leading choreographers and teachers in hip hop & commercial dance: Tony Tzar, Sean Bankhead, Laura Edwards and Luam. They are joined by Monsters of Hip Hop video director Carlos Dupuoy. Covering a range of topics from longevity in social media age, transparent about rates and speaking up, success and social visibility, reputation and recognition vs talent and passion, the list goes on. Lending their naked views and sharing personal experiences, these creatives come together to speak on many issues in the dance community today.

What do you think about some of the hot topics they covered? Do you agree? What were your experiences? Go to @luamky IGTV episode of At The Table and watch video clips from the roundtable. Join the discussion!

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The discussion continues on new teachers/creators and the real effects of how people are being trained... What constitutes a good teacher In this era? What about the flood of new teachers currently popular from social media? Is there an overflow of mediocrity in our community? What do you think, do you agree? How does it affect you?

Go to @luamky on IG to comment on these topics via IGTV. Or join the listserve at www.luamworld.com/join for exclusive Info, resources, and events!

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Luther Brown (Gwen Stefani, Daddy Yankee) and Sean Bankhead (Missy Elliott, Normani) join the episode to talk about what happens when dancers new to the game may focus more on elevated job conditions than their craft... Everyone 1000% supports & fights for dancers getting their due all around (long overdue & the fight continues), however what about when it’s not met with right professionalism?... What do you guys think?

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A talk with new up and comer Keenan Cooks about how video cameras and social media have taken over in dance classes, and the struggle (for teachers and students) in Marketing vs Teaching. How do you stay alive In this era as a teacher and businessperson without marketing your craft on social media? What Is the balance to keep the classroom an authentic place of learning? Does popularity equal talent? Are most students able to discern between the two?

And also a second discussion on whether students filmed In the class have rights to the footage teachers take In the classroom. With lines blurred from access many teachers give students, what’s the real deal?

Go to @luamky on IG to comment on these topics via IGTV. Or join the listserve at www.luamworld.com/join for exclusive Info, resources, and events!

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In the evolving journeys of LGTBQIA dancers, Luam opens a conversation on some of the questions/challenges that have recently been coming up regarding gender. Tony Tzar dives in on the subject & speaks to many topics. What are your thoughts & experiences? Please subscribe, and share on your platforms. Let's keep talking...

WARNING!  Please watch with grace. This episode touches on some very sensitive and complex issues of sexuality, gender identity, and gender expression within the dance community. While we do so with the best of intentions, we understand that our individual perspectives represent only our experiences as humans and educators. And for myself, can say leaves opportunity for growth as I learn the nuances on speaking about this topic (I.e. pronoun use, tense, etc). We both understand that this issue exists in a larger social context far beyond what we discuss in this podcast and hope that this conversation will open up meaningful discourse so that we all may progress toward understanding, inclusivity, and working to create more compassionate spaces for each other to express who we are!  

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