Bianca Caryl is the coach of a major powerhouse, the Arizona State University Dance Team.  I think listeners will be pleasantly surprised and inspired by Bianca's approach to competition, building team culture, and her team's purpose.  She shares so much insight and advice from her wealth of knowledge and experience!  

Follow ASU Dance Team:

https://www.instagram.com/asudanceteam/

Be a part of our collaborative project with Bianca and her team, and country music recording artist Jamie O’Neal:

https://www.larkspurdance.com/larkwp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TWGOWeb.pdf

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

Mo Klug has lived on both sides of the country, but eventually settled here in the Midwest where we are so fortunate to have her.  She talks about her varied background and dance experience and shares all kinds of great insights and advice on coaching.  There are so many takeaways from this episode with Mo, the coach of the UDA Virtual Game Day national champions, the University of Nebraska Omaha Dance Team!  

Follow UNO:

https://www.instagram.com/omahadanceteam/

Be a part of our collaborative project with Mo and her team, and country music recording artist Jamie O'Neal:

https://www.larkspurdance.com/larkwp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TWGOWeb.pdf

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

Join us for The Confident Dancer Summit August 6th - 8th, a free online conference for dance coaches and teachers!  You will gain knowledge and skills to teach your dancers to believe in themselves, help your dancers take the stage with confidence, boost your confidence as the educator, learn from a community of like-minded educators so you're not alone, and start your training at the beginning of the season so your dancers grow all year!  

I'm joined on the podcast by the host of the summit Dr. Chelsea Pierotti, a sports psychologist for dancers.  She gives details on content, speakers, and the All Access Pass that will grant you lifetime access to the summit presentations and some special perks!  

Secure your free ticket to the summit at this link: https://passionatecoach.mykajabi.com/summit-registration?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fpassionatecoach.mykajabi.com%2Fa%2F2147491821%2Fd3SShDWr

I can't wait to connect with all of you at The Confident Dancer Summit!  

We are so excited to announce the release of this collaborative project between Larkspur, Jamie O'Neal and college dance teams around the country during this pandemic!  Jamie's song The World Goes On was released at the height of Covid, and it inspired us to create beautiful movement, and to reach out and make connections with other dancers since that was a void in all of our lives due to measures taken to combat the Coronavirus.  This talented Grammy nominated artist not only gave us her permission and blessing to utilize her song in this way, but she also talks to us about it and other topics on this podcast episode!  Jamie O'Neal's career has been prolific as a vocalist, songwriter and producer, so I picked her brain about creativity, inspiration, and maintaining a career in the arts.  She's also no stranger to the dance world, and has tremendous respect for what we do as well!  

See the collaborative video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viEb7avzmhw

Both Larkspur and Jamie O'Neal are extending a warm and heartfelt invitation to all dancers everywhere to be a part of this collaboration!  Kayla and I talk about how you can do just that in the outro of this episode!  More information can be found at https://www.larkspurdance.com  and https://www.larkspurdance.com/larkwp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TWGOWeb.pdf

Jamie O'Neals links:

Website https://www.jamieoneal.com

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

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWN4DPj7sMnGfdbhbAI4W2g

Shoutout to our sponsors!

Glam'r Gear:  You all have heard Kayla and I go on and on about these bags!  They have some really great gear that has been designed especially with the needs of dancers in mind.  My team and I utilized our backpacks all summer long while teaching clinics and working on this project.  There are so many pockets in all shapes and sizes, which comes in handy for sure!  Glam'r Gear is offering a 5% discount on most items if you use the code LARK05!  Check them out at glamrgear.com

Apolla Performance:  They outfitted us with some great footwear and my team absolutely loved them and use them to teach at their studios all the time.  I wore a pair inside my sneakers at every clinic I taught this summer and it really helped!  I belong to a choreography and dance teacher network and a teacher nearing the age of 50 was asking for help because she can't wear the tap and jazz shoes anymore that she used to be able to wear.  I was going to recommend Apolla, but about 10 other members beat me to it!  Apolla is offering a 5% discount until August 31st with the code LARKSPUR5.  Check them out at apollaperformance.com

 

Gretchen Jost is the coach of the national championship team West Fargo Packatahnas.  We talked about all kinds of great dance team stuff including how she has handled the pandemic with her team, planning a "normal" dance team year, building team culture, teaching skills and conditioning, cleaning routines, virtual competition tips, improving performances before and during competitions, building a routine, tweaking choreo, and her sweetest victories.  There is so much to learn from this knowledgeable and dedicated coach of such a powerhouse team!  

Follow the Packatahnas:  

https://www.facebook.com/West-Fargo-HS-Dance-Team-120300601385124

https://www.instagram.com/westfargodanceteam/

Shout out to the sponsor of this episode:  Apolla Performance!  Larkspur loves their footwear!  

Apolla website: https://www.apollaperformance.com

Apolla Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apollaperformance

Apolla Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apollaperformance/

Apolla Twitter: https://twitter.com/ApollaWear

Connect with Larkspur at the following links:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Mishra Keller has been a competitive cheerleader, dancer, choreographer, instructor and judge so her perspective comes from years of experience.  Her perspective is also unique because she through her company Nutrisults, she offers a holistic approach that beautifully translates into dance teams, individual dancers, choreographers, and coaches.  We talk about choreography, improving routines and maximizing a team's potential in common scoresheet captions.  Her answers are different and I think come at the perfect time as seasons are either gearing up for competition, or wrapping up after competition.  We also talk about doing what is best for all areas of your life through nutrition and fitness, and correcting previous damage that may have been done both physically, emotionally and mentally.  Mishra has a wealth of knowledge to share when it comes to body image and what she has to say will help our dance team community continue on a more inclusive approach and will help those of us who have struggled with this in the past to heal.  So much great info from this dear friend and mentor!  

You can find Mishra at community.nutrisults.com

She's also on Clubhouse doing all kinds of great things in the Nutrisults Community @holisticmish

Mishra's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutrisults/

Shoutout to the sponsor of this episode:  Glam’r Gear! They have fantastic pieces of luggage the even the tiniest of tots can maneuver!  Precious costumes will arrive to the competitions safely and neatly with Glam’r Gear’s patented design that keeps costumes organized, and has an optional privacy curtain that transforms the luggage into a dressing room!  They also have tap boards and marley covered turning boards to help dancers stay on their toes at home!  And don’t forget to look at their accessories page for some great dance stuff too, like my favorite travel cosmetics bag and a garment bag with pockets to hold smaller costume pieces.  Use code LARK5 to receive 5% off!  Some exclusions apply.

Connect with Larkspur at the following links:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Brianne Zborowski has a lot of experience in dance as a performer, instructor, and cofounder of successful competition teams in multiple states.  Brianne received her B.S. in Business Management with an emphasis on Management and Marketing from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan while teaching dance and working in the family business. She moved to Los Angeles where she continued her dance training with the best of the best at Broadway Dance Center in NY, and Debbie Reynold’s Dance Studio, Millennium Dance Complex, and Edge PAC in Los Angeles and was able to travel across the country with many different dance opportunities including: Hollywood Carnival, a video for Sean Kingston, assisting master classes for Celine Dion’s dancers at Ceasar’s Palace in Las Vegas, and working with Urban Legends and Adrenaline Dance Convention.   Brianne is now the Co-Founder & CEO of Apolla Performance Wear providing revolutionary footwear for dancers with designs based in scientific research to aid in arch support, ankle stability, energy absorption, & with customizable traction.  Along with her partners, she is excited to change the way dancers take care of their bodies and help them dance longer and stronger.  This newest step in her journey fuses her love of business and dance and she feels fortunate to be able to use all of her experiences to bring new awareness to an industry she has loved since she was a little girl.  This episode is full of advice and insight for those wanting to pursue a professional dance career, building your skill set so dance can still be a part of your life after the performance years have come to an end, and how to take your passions and turn them into a successful business with the help of your dear friends!  You'll also learn how Apolla is helping dancers and the dance community and opportunities to get involved!

Apolla website: https://www.apollaperformance.com

Apolla Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apollaperformance

Apolla Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apollaperformance/

Apolla Twitter: https://twitter.com/ApollaWear

Connect with Larkspur at the following links:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Jodi Maxfield danced as a Cougarette at Brigham Young University back in the day, but as a coach of that program for 30 years, she built the program into the internationally celebrated and acclaimed powerhouse that it is today.  This legend shared so many valuable pieces of advice, tidbits of info, and all kinds of helpful tips.  We talked about the evolution of the BYU Cougarettes, how coming from a special and devout environment really bolstered the team in big and small ways, tips on working with choreographers, tweaking and cleaning choreo, building team culture, how to build a successful team, her favorite routines and sweetest victories, and how she balanced a successful career with a family and home life that she loves.  Listen with a notebook and a box of kleenex.  

Connect with Larkspur at the following links:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

I'm so pleased to have Dr. Adrian Singletary on the podcast!  He's been an athlete, a coach, an athletic director, and an administrator, but my favorite role of his is that of our Natalie's husband.  We spend a little time talking about what those of us in dance team want to know:  motivating our dancers, coaching methods that work, and getting support from athletic directors and administrators.  Then we shift our focus and talk about his reactions to the civil and social unrest of late, both over the summer and in our nation's capital in January.  We also talk about what those of us that want change need to do moving forward.  

Then I'm joined by Iris Lynne Sherman, who kicked off our FLOURISH series and selected our first Larkspur Book Club pick:  Stamped From The Beginning by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi.  Iris and I chatted about the book and the main takeaways we both got from it.  

Shoutout to the sponsor of this episode:  Glam’r Gear! They have fantastic pieces of luggage the even the tiniest of tots can maneuver!  Precious costumes will arrive to the competitions safely and neatly with Glam’r Gear’s patented design that keeps costumes organized, and has an optional privacy curtain that transforms the luggage into a dressing room!  They also have tap boards and marley covered turning boards to help dancers stay on their toes at home!  And don’t forget to look at their accessories page for some great dance stuff too, like my favorite travel cosmetics bag and a garment bag with pockets to hold smaller costume pieces.  Use code LARK5 to receive 5% off!  Some exclusions apply.

Connect with Larkspur at the following links:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Coree Smith has extensive dance team experience as a performer, choreographer, instructor, and judge.  Although she is an expert in this field, she is still a very enthusiastic, lifelong learner when it comes to dance team, and her positivity is contagious.  Her routines have won more than 65 state championships in Iowa alone over the last 25 years and multiple national champions and finalists at the high school and college levels.  She is now serving as head adjudicator for Dance Team Union.  I picked Coree's brain about choreo of course, how to build a routine, how to improve routines, getting inspired, and she also gives numerous tips on upping scores in synchronization, execution and showmanship.  Listen with a notebook because you're going to get inspired and informed by Coree's knowledge and energy!  

Connect with Larkspur at the following links:

Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie