One of the most listened to episodes of the podcast was at the end of Season 2.  It was during a very uncertain time of the pandemic, and I just picked up a microphone and started talking.  This episode is done in that same spirit.  I'm joined by Larkspur members Kayla and Natalie (our precious Cassie couldn't make it due to being exposed to Covid, and we missed her terribly.) We talked about how the pandemic has affected each of us and different ways we've coped with it.  Then the conversation turned to dance and we discussed our favorite styles, our pet peeves, benefits we've gained, meaningful things our teachers and coaches have taught us, our coolest dance experiences, and some advice and lessons we've learned along the way.  And then we engaged in some real talk that all good friends engage in when they want to have meaningful conversations.  We each gave a TED Talk, shared ways to decompress, recommended TV shows, books, and movies, talked about journaling, life hacks, and our heroes.  And then it got off the rails a little bit...took an interesting turn...and we felt the need to discuss the really important things like Britney Spears, Weird Al, Condoleezza Rice, nail polish, Snape, Mother Teresa, and gangster rap.  Consider this a personal invitation to snag a seat at this fun cocktail party around a firepit.  All are welcome at the Larkspur table.  

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

Savannah Miller has had a baton in her hand for about as long as she can remember, and through tremendous dedication and hard work, she has won numerous titles on the national and world level, and was the featured twirler at the University of Arkansas, entertaining thousands.  She also has worldwide acclaim when videos of her performances went viral.  She is so amazingly generous with tips and tricks and pieces of advice that have contributed to her success.  I picked her brain on competition, training, balancing baton and the rest of her busy life, choreography, performances and her sweetest victories.  She's a firecracker and an absolute doll and I know you all will learn so much from her!  

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!  Use code LARKSPUR 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

In an effort to keep this topic at the forefront, our second episode in our FLOURISH with Larkspur series of the podcast discusses the sensitive topic of race again.  This time I sit down and chat with Yvonne Cole, the longtime coach of the Lindbergh Flyerettes and Missouri Dance Team Association founder and board member, who gave us all kinds of dance team wisdom during a Season 1 episode.  This time we engage in some very real and honest talk about the social, racial and civil unrest that has been brought to the forefront by recent events in our country, and she gives her viewpoint as a person of color.  We're both hoping that this will open up all kinds of dialogue and will inspire other people to have more conversations like this.

In light of this desire to keep this conversation going, we've started a book club!  Please join us in reading Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi, recommended by Iris Sherman in our first FLOURISH episode to help us all become more educated and mindful when it comes to issues dealing with race in our country.  We will have Iris back on in a couple of months to discuss the book, and would love to hear your input!  You can reach out to [email protected], and you can also find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  Hope you join us!  

https://www.amazon.com/Stamped-Beginning-Definitive-History-National/dp/1568585985/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UDRI45700UAZ&dchild=1&keywords=stamped+from+the+beginning+by+ibram+kendi&qid=1601947001&sprefix=stamped+from%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1

Shoutout to the sponsor of this episode:

Dance Team Union:  check out their new virtual championship series, a brand new experience held virtually!  You can compete with teams all over the country and there is no streaming fee for your fans!  You'll still get a master class, awards, interviews, highlights, and fan vote!   Be bold, be authentic, be YOU!   https://www.danceteamunion.com

Notes from this episode: https://www.larkspurdance.com/uncategorized/flourish-yvonne-cole/

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

Rob Miller has influenced and guided the most successful and significant dance team coaches through Proactive Coaching, an organization that  works with coaches to help them create character-based team cultures, provide a blueprint for team leadership, develop confident, tough-minded competitors, and train coaches for excellence and significance.  He is one of my favorite speakers, and I'm so thrilled that he's on the podcast!  We talked about what makes a team great, the six levels of coaching, how to use words when coaching, teaching character, confrontation styles and building confidence.  Listen with a notebook because these are not only great coaching lessons, but life lessons as well!  

You can learn more about Proactive Coaching at this link: https://proactivecoaching.info

And contact Rob at this email:  [email protected]

Shout out to the sponsors of this episode:

Glam’r Gear:  empowering dancers with easy maneuvering luggage, complete with sturdy garment rack and privacy curtain! Use the code LARKSPUR to receive 5% off (some exclusions apply)  https://glamrgear.com

Dance Team Union:  check out their new virtual championship series, a brand new experience held virtually!  You can compete with teams all over the country and there is no streaming fee for your fans!  You'll still get a master class, awards, interviews, highlights, and fan vote!   Be bold, be authentic, be YOU!   https://www.danceteamunion.com

Notes from this episode: https://www.larkspurdance.com/uncategorized/rob-miller/

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

 

Lindsey Lococo is the coach and choreographer for the University of Illinois - Chicago Dancing Flames, but her fantastic choreo can also be seen on other high performing teams.  She shares with us her choreo process, what she does to keep things fresh for game day, how she cleans routines, and she also shares some great stories and lessons that she's learned along the way.  Feeling stressed?  Lindsey has a really calming effect, which is just what we need during this time!  Take a breather, and still learn a ton of great stuff, with Lindsey!  

Shout out to the sponsors of this episode:

Glam’r Gear:  empowering dancers with easy maneuvering luggage, complete with sturdy garment rack and privacy curtain! Use the code LARKSPUR to receive 5% off (some exclusions apply)  https://glamrgear.com

Support Fund: a fantastic fundraising opportunity for teams!  It's a hybrid between selling items and a donation platform, and teaches valuable life skills while raising money for your team! https://www.supportfund.com

You can find Lindsey and the UIC Dancing Flames at the following links:

Website: https://uicflames.com/sports/2017/1/4/uic-dance

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

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

Notes from this episode: https://www.larkspurdance.com/podcast-notes/lindsey-lococo/

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

T.J. Maple's dance team story is full of perseverance, hard work, and an untiring pursuit to better himself and the teams he works with.  He also has an ability to create some of the most stunningly visual routines that win national titles.  He is so generous with his knowledge and experience, and gives us so many good pieces of advice and tips on team building, team culture, his choreography process, how he cleans, and what to do if you need to get inspired.  I've been a big fan of his for a long time, and after talking to him and getting to know him a little better, I'm an even bigger fan!  Thanks so much to T.J. for all he does for the dance team world!  

Shout out to the sponsors of this episode:

iSlide:  the only brand in the world that allows you to customize footwear the way that YOU want.  Stand in what you stand for. https://www.islideusa.com

Glam'r Gear:  empowering dancers with easy maneuvering luggage, complete with sturdy garment rack and privacy curtain! https://glamrgear.com

Notes from this episode: https://www.larkspurdance.com/podcast-notes/t-j-maple/

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

We're very excited about new FLOURISH themed episodes for this season's podcast that will involve other important aspects of our lives besides dance.

 In our first FLOURISH episode, I welcome back my dear friend Iris Lynne Sherman, who gave us all some great advice from her long and varied career as a performer during a Season 1 episode.  This time we engage in some very real and honest talk about the social, racial and civil unrest that has been brought to the forefront by recent events in our country, and she gives her viewpoint as a person of color.  We're both hoping that this will open up all kinds of dialogue and will inspire other people to have more conversations like this.  

In light of the desire to keep this conversation going, we've started a book club!  Please join us in reading Stamped From The Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi, recommended by Iris to help us all become more educated and mindful when it comes to issues dealing with race in our country.  We will   have Iris back on in a couple of months to discuss the book, and would love to hear your input!  You can reach out to [email protected], and you can also find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  Hope you join us!  

https://www.amazon.com/Stamped-Beginning-Definitive-History-National/dp/1568585985/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UDRI45700UAZ&dchild=1&keywords=stamped+from+the+beginning+by+ibram+kendi&qid=1601947001&sprefix=stamped+from%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-1

Notes from this episode: https://www.larkspurdance.com/podcast-notes/flourish-iris-lynne-sherman/

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

Teri Rowe's dance team experience goes way back!  She has coached and judged dance teams at the middle school, high school, college and all-star levels for over 30 years. Her teams earned numerous state, national and world championships, and she has also served as the President and Vice President of the Washington State Dance/Drill Coaches Association. She was honored as a Lifetime Member in 1999 and selected to the WSDDCA Hall of Fame in 2012.  She is one of the founding members of the National Dance Coaches Association, an organization that continues to offer support and invaluable tools, resources and networking opportunities for dance team coaches all over the country.  On this episode, she offers so much advice and insight on coaching and its many facets including perfecting choreo, motivating dancers, dealing with different age groups, and how to maintain your own sanity and drive.  I love learning from this energetic force that is Teri Rowe and you will too! https://nationaldancecoaches.org

Shout out to the sponsor of today's episode Dancer Fitness!  They provide hundreds of exercises and training plans designed exclusively for dancers, beginner to advanced!  And it's affordable too!                  https://www.dancer-fitness.com

Notes from this episode: https://www.larkspurdance.com/podcast-notes/teri-rowe/

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

Karl Mundt has choreographed some of the most beautiful and memorable national championship routines for so many teams at the high school and college level.  Not only is he amazingly talented, he is also amazingly generous and humble.  I picked his brain and he provided so much knowledge and information!  We talked about his dance story, how he choreographs, his tips for cleaning, and we delve into the all important mental aspect of dance.  Karl also shares his top 3 favorite routines that he's created and imparts great words of wisdom that are so relevant, especially during this uncertain time.  Karl's website is https://www.innovatedance.com.

Shout out to the sponsor of today's episode Support Fund, which is a fantastic fundraising opportunity for teams!  Thanks for supporting the podcast! https://www.supportfund.com

Notes for this episode: https://www.larkspurdance.com/podcast-notes/karl-mundt/

https://www.larkspurdance.com/podcast-notes/karl-mundt/

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 joined by Carrie Smith, who was kind enough to offer up her services as interviewer so that I could finally share my own dance story, along with advice and tidbits of info that I've learned along the way.  We talk about how I got started, my high school and college experiences, teaching dance camps across the country, judging, becoming the choreographer and spokesperson for Toby Keith's Whiskey Girls, my professional career in Nashville, and my company Larkspur Dance & Choreography.  

Shout out to the sponsor of today's episode In Your Parents Basement Productions!  Thanks for supporting the podcast. https://inyourparentsbasement.com

Notes for this episode:

https://www.larkspurdance.com/podcast-notes/melanies-dance-story/

 

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