Living the Dream

We’re at the perfect time of year to pause, reflect, and rejuvenate your dance spirit. Join us for a special Living the Dream edition filled with positivity and purpose.Featuring Meredith Powell, Kiana Simler, Lauren Ritchie and Rebecca Brettingham-Filice - these inspiring voices will explore how to build positive mindsets in the dance classroom and share real tools for bringing mindfulness into our teaching, and our lives.

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We’re heading north for our next Living the Dream as we sit down with successful Canadian studio owner and longtime dance education leader, June Lawrence! From studio stories to leadership lessons, we’re going up close and personal to hear June’s journey, her philosophies, and what she’s learned in a lifetime of living the dream. 

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Join Rhee and Laura for a deep dive with Andrea Trench, creator of Discover Dance, a leading early‑childhood and preschool dance program used worldwide. We’ll talk about her journey as a teacher, business-woman and discover why this is the age level we should be our best at. And we'll talk about the classroom, too.

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Today we sit down with Michelle Soutier, owner of Miller Street Dance Academy in North and South Carolina. We’ll dig into how she grew from a small-town studio with a few hundred students to serving 3,000+ dancers each week - the decisions, systems, and mindset that made it possible.

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From Canada to NYC, tap stages to jazz festivals, and generations of rhythm in his blood - Ryan Foley is carrying the legacy forward while forging his own path. Today we sit down with Ryan, a second-generation dance artist, educator, and performer who has made his mark across North America’s tap dance scene. From his family-owned Performing Dance Arts studio to performances with the Toronto Rhythm Initiative and festivals around the globe, Ryan’s journey is one of artistry, mentorship, and pure passion.

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Join us for a powerful episode featuring the board members of Dancers Against Cancer. For over a decade, D.A.C. has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to dancers, educators & their families battling cancer. We discuss the history & mission of D.A.C, how your studio can get involved, teaching young dancers to use their healthy bodies to help others, and more!

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For over 52 years, The Studio in Brampton has shaped dancers, built community, and proven the power of strong leadership—times three! Join us for a special Living the Dream episode as we sit down with directors Ann Bettonvil, Kristi Breen, and Susie McColl to explore what makes their leadership trio thrive after decades in business. They discuss how they share responsibility and support each other, as well as what’s happening in Canadian dance education today.

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What started with just a few students in 1997 has grown into a thriving performing arts business serving over 700 children. Wayne and Muffy Hoover share how they built it—together. Topics include: Building a multi-disciplinary arts center, making a husband-wife team work, and much more. If you're in the dance, music, or theater world—this one’s for you!

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We sit down with Mary Bridgette Mele, owner of IndepenDance Studio in Gainesville, FL—where she’s been shaping young dancers and building community since 2009. Recently, Mary Bridgette turned her longtime dream into reality by building her own custom studio space—and we’re diving into the full story. From vision to blueprint, challenges to triumphs, this is a journey every studio owner will want to hear. Discover what it really takes to bring a dream studio to life—and what she’s learned along the way.

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She’s not just preserving a legacy—she’s building one of her own. We sit down with Nan Giordano, Artistic Director of Giordano Dance Chicago and daughter of jazz dance icon Gus Giordano. With 40 years at the helm, Nan has become the world’s leading authority on the Giordano Technique—educating dancers across the globe and mentoring the next generation of artists and educators. From founding a game-changing certification program to bringing dance education into under-resourced schools through GDC’s Jazz Dance/Science & Health outreach initiative, Nan’s impact is felt in classrooms, on stages, and in communities worldwide. Legacy. Vision. Purpose. This conversation will leave you inspired to lead with heart and give back through your art.

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