It's the finale episode of Season 4!  It's going to be a bare bones episode again with no intro and no outro.  My voice recovered from strep, only to lose it again by teaching a clinic to forty-five Kindergarteners through 3rd graders.  I'm sure you all can relate.  

It's a good thing that our guest on the podcast today holds enough sparkle that she doesn't need a flowery intro and outro!  I'm so excited to be chatting with Sarah Flisowski of Blinn College!

The Blinn College dance team has won numerous American Dance and Drill Team collegiate championships, has won eight national titles at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) College Nationals and six national tiles at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals.

In 2019, Blinn’s dance team made history by claiming national titles in Dance Team Performance Open and Pom Division II.

Barland Flisowski is a former member of the Blinn dance team and a graduate of Southwest Texas State University – now Texas State University – in San Marcos, Texas, with a degree in exercise sports science and minor in political science. She was also a member of the dance company Orchesis. She also earned her master’s in physical education and health from Prairie View A&M University.

Barland Flisowski started her teaching career at Mesquite ISD, where she taught for two years at Berry Middle school. She went on to Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD to become the director of the award-winning RL Turner Lionettes and dance department head. She was the director of the Lionettes for seven years before returning to Blinn as the head coach of the Blinn College dance and cheer teams.

Barland Flisowski also is a 20-year staff member with American Dance and Drill Team School, where she has been the Novelty Staff Captain and Social Officer Coordinator.  Sarah has traveled to Florida as a member of ESP Productions, the halftime production company of the Citrus Bowl for over 10 years. She has been a speaker at Drill Team Directors of America and assisted with speaking at Texas Dance Educators Association. Sarah is a member of NDCA, National Dance Coaches Association where she is a Executive Board member, College Division Representative and on the Small College Committee. She has done choreography for high schools all around Texas and beyond and loves working with all dancers and helping them find their place in college dance.

Many thanks to all our loyal listeners and guests for making Season 4 of the Larkspur podcast a huge success!  Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any ideas for the podcast or just want to say hi!  You can reach me at [email protected].  

Connect with Blinn College Dance:

https://www.facebook.com/blinndance

https://www.instagram.com/blinndance/

https://www.buccaneersports.com/sports/dance/index

Connect with Larkspur:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Ashley Deaton graduated from LSU where she was a member of their national championship winning team.  She then danced for the New Orleans Pelicans (formerly the Hornets) and became their choreographer and director.  She led that team during Hurricane Katrina, relocating to Oklahoma City.  She then went on to add Senior Director of Entertainment Teams for the New Orleans Saints to her resumé.  As their leader, she made it her own mission to develop poised, healthy and well-rounded individuals off stage, so they could use their experience to achieve success in their personal and professional lives as well.  Like so many of us, Ashley utilized the pandemic to get back in touch with what was really important to her.  She wanted to take her coaching skills to a more meaningful place as a Mindset and Wellness Coach.  She calls her company Soul Werk.  She offers transformational individual and group coaching and also dance classes!  I absolutely loved talking to her and got so many ideas from her insight and advice!  

Loyal listeners will notice that this is a bare bones episode with no intro and no outro.  That's due to the fact that I have a killer case of strep throat and have no voice.  I hope to be back to talking in time for next week's episode!  

Connect with Ashley:

https://www.soulwerkcoaching.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ashdeats_soulwerk/

Connect with Larkspur:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

 

Connect with the Tiers System: It’s an app that tracks dancers’ progress through your team’s skill progressions so you and your dancers can transparently see where they are in their skill development and what they need to do to move to the next level (for Tier.)  

For more info: https://www.thetierssystem.com

https://www.instagram.com/thetierssystem/

https://www.facebook.com/thetierssystem

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tiers-system/

Danelle Langeneckert was introduced as the St. Ambrose University dance coach on March 12, 2010. She became the school's Spirit Coach, in charge of both the dance and cheer programs, on May 10, 2017.

Langeneckert, a three-time NAIA National Competitive Dance Coach of the Year, has led the SAU Dance Team to national acclaim by winning two NAIA Competitive Dance National Championships, the first coming in 2018 and the second in 2021. Those came on the heels of claiming back-to-back NAIA Dance National Invitational Championships in 2015 and 2016. The 2012 team won a National Championship at the NDA Collegiate Dance Championships in the NAIA Large Dance category after winning state and regional titles.

Since 2011-12, she has coached 32 St. Ambrose dance All-Americans and had 27 others earn All-American honorable mention.

Langeneckert has years of experience as a dance performer, instructor and coach and is familiar with the SAU dance program, having served as the assistant coach from 2004-06. She has choreographed award-winning routines at the high school and collegiate levels.

A member and captain of the Knight Kompany Dancers at Davenport Assumption High School, Langeneckert was the president and co-founder of the nationally-ranked Florida State University Seminole Dance Force Competition Team from 2001-03. She graduated with a degree in business marketing from Florida State in 2004 before earning her Master's of Business Administration from St. Ambrose in 2006.

Langeneckert started her dance instruction career with the Davenport Park Board Dance Program from 1997-99 and instructed at Kim's School of Dance in Moline, Ill., from 1998-00. She also spent three years at the Universal Dance Association in Memphis, Tenn., the last as the head instructor for Midwest high school dance camps.

In 2003-04, Langeneckert served as a summer staff instructor for Knights Elite, a junior and senior high pom squad. From the summer of 2004 through the spring of 2009, Langeneckert was the head varsity dance coach at Assumption High School. During that time, she led the team to 13 first-place team state titles and one individual state title and her 2006 squad placed 13th out of 71 teams at the UDA National Championships in Orlando, Fla.

Link to the fitness program utilized by St. Ambrose:

https://tv.sspfit.com/

Connect with Larkspur:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

 

Connect with the Tiers System: It’s an app that tracks dancers’ progress through your team’s skill progressions so you and your dancers can transparently see where they are in their skill development and what they need to do to move to the next level (for Tier.)  

For more info: https://www.thetierssystem.com

https://www.instagram.com/thetierssystem/

https://www.facebook.com/thetierssystem

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tiers-system/

The Grand Valley State University Laker Dance Team recently went viral for a video their national championship hip hop routine, but they were a sensation in the dance team community long before that.  Rael and Katy from GVSU give insight on how they built their team and how they maintain a level of excellence year after year.  

Connect with GVSU Laker Dance Team:

Email:  [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gvsu_lakerdanceteam/

Website: https://www.gvsu.edu/clubsports/womens-dance-club-17.htm

 

Connect with Larkspur:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

 

Connect with the Tiers System: It’s an app that tracks dancers’ progress through your team’s skill progressions so you and your dancers can transparently see where they are in their skill development and what they need to do to move to the next level (for Tier.)  

For more info: https://www.thetierssystem.com

https://www.instagram.com/thetierssystem/

https://www.facebook.com/thetierssystem

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tiers-system/

This blog post has been shared by many members of the dance team community: https://callmemags.substack.com/p/all-my-blood-sweat-and-tears-for

It was written by Maggie Schmaltz, a recent graduate of the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and a member of their phenomenal dance team while she was a student there.  The blog post is about what Maggie experienced as a member of her college dance team that was nationally ranked and known, repeat champions many times over, but that acknowledgement and respect did not transfer to her own college campus and community.  It's actually a very common tale.  I've talked to countless coaches through this podcast and also through professional development conferences and it's apparent that the spirit programs at other colleges and universities, and high schools across the country, are not given equal access to amenities and resources as the other programs.  With the help of this week's podcast guest, my athletic director at Rockhurst University, Kristy Bayer, we are building a program that is more closely aligned with what the other sports at our university experience.  I ask Kristy what other coaches can do to advocate for their programs, whether or not they are under the athletics umbrella at their institutions.  I also ask her about being a woman who has experienced much success in the male dominated world of sports.  Kristy was a coach herself with a winning record, so I also get answers to coaching questions because her ideas and how she ran her teams can all be applied to spirit teams at all levels.  

Connect with Larkspur:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Connect with the Rockhurst University Spirit Squad:

https://rockhursthawks.com/sports/spirit-squad

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDw4OAJvfaV4nN1H-UiKTMe1azblfw3Q5oQA9_bAjMHDM8vA/viewform

https://www.instagram.com/ruspiritsquad/

Joni May is an Advertising Professional with a varied background in Dance Team Judging and Coaching. She is the current Co-Director of the NDCA Judging Credentials Program. Joni has authored and taught a judging course in England and Scotland for dance team judges and worked with competitive teams in those countries. She was a founder and former Executive Director of TeamDance Illinois, a competition and education circuit that served youth through collegiate teams from 2007-2014. Joni has served as a dance team judge, official and trainer for over 25+ years, judging for Dance Team Union, multiple state and for-profit circuits. She worked as part of a TDI team that developed and managed a comprehensive judge training academy and certification program. She has coached, choreographed and consulted with teams in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. She lives in Denver, CO and is the mother of four sons. She feels it is a privilege to work with the student dancers, coaches, supportive families, schools and organizations who all do their part to bring these performances to each competition.

Connect with Larkspur:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Connect with the Tiers System: It’s an app that tracks dancers’ progress through your team’s skill progressions so you and your dancers can transparently see where they are in their skill development and what they need to do to move to the next level (for Tier.)  

For more info: https://www.thetierssystem.com

https://www.instagram.com/thetierssystem/

https://www.facebook.com/thetierssystem

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tiers-system/

Angela Ottmann has been embedded in the spirit community for over 35 years, focusing on coaching, choreography, dance education/instruction and judging at the national and regional level.  She is the Founder and President of the CSCA (Colorado Spirit Coaches Association).  Angela is currently the Conference Director serving on the Executive Board, for the NDCA, National Dance Coaches Association.  She is responsible for event planning & managing the NDCA’s annual national coaches conference.   She also owns and manages A.O! Entertainment, an events production company, which focuses on educational conferences, competitions and events within the Spirit Sector.  Angela was the longtime Head Coach and Spirit Director at Ponderosa in Colorado.  Under her direction, the Ponderosa Dance program has finished in the top two at the State Championships since 1998.  The program’s distinguished awards include:  12x State Titles (9 in Jazz; 3 in Pom), 8 x State Runner Up Titles, 9 League Titles, 8 CHSAA Academic Championships, ranked as a top finalist at Nationals since 1998, 2005 NDA National Champions in Jazz/Grand Champions, Top 3 in Small Varisty Jazz and Pom at the NDTC in 2018.  

Angela's links:

https://www.instagram.com/ponderosa_poms/

https://www.instagram.com/cscaonline/

https://www.instagram.com/nationaldancecoachesassoc/

Connect with Larkspur:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Connect with the Tiers System: It’s an app that tracks dancers’ progress through your team’s skill progressions so you and your dancers can transparently see where they are in their skill development and what they need to do to move to the next level (for Tier.)  

For more info: https://www.thetierssystem.com

https://www.instagram.com/thetierssystem/

https://www.facebook.com/thetierssystem

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tiers-system/

Amanda Gaines is the coach of the 19x UDA National Champion and 3x World Champion University of Minnesota Dance Team. Growing up training and competing in all styles at her studio and high school dance team in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Amanda went on to attend the University of Minnesota, where she was a captain and choreographer of the dance team her senior year. After graduating, she jumped right into coaching, and continued choreography with high school, colleges and all star programs around the country. She's taught camps, clinics, master classes and judged all over the world, and is excited to share her passion for dance!

This podcast episode also contains a HUGE announcement:  Melanie's team she's coaching in Kansas City, the Rockhurst University Spirit Squad, will be launching a new competition team!  Check out the many perks of being on both the game day and competition team:  available scholarships, uniforms, practice wear and gear, Nike shoes, access to athletic facilities and trainers!  Additional perks for the competition team:  additional scholarships available AND competition expenses PAID!  More info can be found at this link

Connect with the University of Minnesota Dance Team:

https://linktr.ee/uofmdanceteam

Connect with Larkspur:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Connect with the Tiers System: It’s an app that tracks dancers’ progress through your team’s skill progressions so you and your dancers can transparently see where they are in their skill development and what they need to do to move to the next level (for Tier.)  

For more info: https://www.thetierssystem.com

https://www.instagram.com/thetierssystem/

https://www.facebook.com/thetierssystem

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-tiers-system/

Jordann Pierluissi has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to dance team.  She has a degree in Exercise Physiology and was the longtime coach of national champion powerhouse The Villages.  Jordann also has experience as a judge, choreographer, consultant, instructor, dance teacher...you name it, she's done it!  She's also tremendously humble, and has a true calling to help others, so listen with a notebook and prepare to be inspired by this dance team treasure!  

Connect with Larkspur:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Rani Reichow has been involved in dance team at the high school, college and pro level, including teams in the Nebraska, Missouri, Florida and Arizona.  She's been a performer, instructor, judge and coach.  Rani has a tremendous passion for applying her training in  Exercise Science and Physical Education, along with all of her first hand knowledge and experience, to the formation of well rounded and well trained dancers through coaching and her work with Sharpen Up Dance Team Training!  She's such a bright light and I know you're going to enjoy listening to her and learning from her!  

Follow Sharpen Up:

Website: https://www.sharpenupdtt.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharpenupdtt/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharpenupdtt/

As mentioned in the intro, follow Ashley Deaton with Soulwerk:

Website:  https://www.soulwerkcoaching.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashdeats_soulwerk/

Connect with Larkspur:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie