Chasity Tyus danced on two of the best teams in Missouri and is currently the head coach of the Florida State University Golden Girls.  We talk about how she followed her dream to become FSU's coach, and she gives great advice on cleaning routines, preparing for competition and being true to yourself and your team.  

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

Cyndi Kraemer has been involved in dance team for many years and during that time she has been a dancer, coach, judge and dance team association board member.  During this busy time of the season, we often lose track of what's important, and my chat with Cyndi is just what we need to get us to remember our "why."

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

This is a continuation of a very important conversation I had with my friend and former college dance teammate, Nicole Jacobs Silvey.  We finished up our talk on diversity, and she also gives some great advice that she utilizes with her clients through her company, Connection Coach LLC.

Nicole's recommended diversity resources:  

http://www.racialjustice.org

https://www.racialequityinstitute.com

https://www.tolerance.org

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

 

Kimberly Campbell has many years of dance team experience as a performer, instructor, choreographer, coach and judge.  She shares all kinds of advice and insight on building or rebuilding a team, improving choreo and performances, what it was like to be on the first national championship Lindenwood team, and many times the only person of color in a dance team situation.

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

Lynsey Payne is the head dance team coach at Baker University and has built this program into one of the top competitive teams in the NAIA.  We talk about how she has done that through recruiting, team culture, practice schedule and structure, conditioning, and fostering leadership.  We also talk about the strides the NAIA has made in making dance a competitive sport.

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

Dr. Chelsea Pierotti has been utilizing her coaching experience and PhD in Sports Psychology to help coaches and dance teams all over the country.  We talk about coaching philosophy, accountability, choosing leaders, punishment, building confidence and mental preparation.  Her website is filled with all kinds of helpful info.  passionatecoach.com

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

Shelley McCain has been a dance team coach for over 30 years and has built one of the strongest programs in Missouri at Lee's Summit North.  She's also a longtime executive board member of the Missouri Dance Team Association and is relied upon by so many of its members as a mentor and friend.  She shares advice, inspiration and wisdom that will help coaches build their own programs.  

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 attended the NDCA Conference again this past year and had another fantastic experience learning and connecting with other dance team people!  For this recap I'm joined by Lynsey Payne, dance team coach at Baker University, who attended the conference as well.  We go through our notes and share all the inspiration, knowledge, tips and advice we gained from this amazing weekend.  The NDCA Conference this year is May 14-16 in Nashville.  Hope you can join us!  Check out nationaldancecoaches.org for more info.  

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

Susan Dustin was on her pom team in high school, became a Golden Girl at the University of Missouri, and then spent the next several years as a professional dancer at Disney, Branson, Las Vegas, on a cruise ship, and then finally as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette in New York.  She shares behind the scenes details and stories plus invaluable advice and tips for dancers, that anyone can apply to life.  She generously provided audition tips that I'll include below.  Print them out and listen with a notebook because there's lots to learn from Susan!

A lawsuit that was filed by a dancer against a local school district accusing a dance team coach of discrimination rocked the dance team world and gained national attention.  In an effort to contribute  productive and proactive ideas, I sit down and chat with my friend Nicole Jacobs Silvey.  Nicole is a philanthropist, activist, successful career coach, and was my college dance teammate.   I get her thoughts on what it was like to be one of the only people of color on all of her cheerleading and dance teams, and she provides insight and ideas on how to create an environment that is accepting and open to all.  

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