I started my career in dance in 1996 as a dancer for Culture Shock San Diego. My only formal training was staging and choreography at Mesa Community College with Angie Bunch. She promoted me to Artistic Director for CSSD in 2000. That same year, my teammate and best friend passed away from cancer. This gave me the drive to pursue dance seriously. I had an agent briefly but failed to become a professional industry dancer. Eventually I became known for my thematic dance medleys with CSSD. Later, I produced and became the CEO of the event Bustagroove aka Body Rock Dance Competition. I also produced Body Rock Junior, several talent shows, a dance play, and a dating game! I no longer perform due to age/physical injuries but remain active behind the scenes. Before COVID, I judged events regularly and remained a mentor for over 25 years. I recently completed my Masters in Family Therapy. So I also love talking with people and host my own Youtube Channel and Podcast called Boba Talk. Since COVID, I have been offering talks on present issues in our dance community. I’ve also been hosting learning and healing circles as a Creative / Mental Health Coach.  

#OfLikeMindsPodcast #Dance #Educator

Intro.: 0:00

Upbringing and where you grew up?: 0:31

Learning dance not in a studio setting.: 4:37

Elementary/Middle/High School comparison.: 7:52

Being thrust into leadership.: 10:30

What if you didn't go to Zamorano?: 11:56

Experience in middle school.: 13:20

How did you keep up with dance transitioning from middle to high school?: 17:00

When did you learn dance in the studio?: 18:00

What kept you dancing through all the doubt?: 19:12

What was the first studio you were involved with?: 20:44

Your first class with Angie Bunch? How that changed your mentality?: 24:21

Notable OG Culture Shock, Jabbawockeez taking Angie's class.: 29:08

Transition to Culture Shock San Diego.: 30:21

What the team aspect was like during the mid 90's.: 33:00

Pros & cons of team environment before vs now.: 35:44

Dealing with dance getting taken away from you.: 39:41

Competing with yourself to constantly grow.: 46:27

What were your feelings when the term "urban" was finally removed?: 50:31

Fellow dancers evolving during covid.: 56:02

How covid, social distancing and online learning affect dancers negatively?: 58:36

What drove you and inspired you to help create Bustagroove? (now known as Body Rock).: 1:00:41

Bringing Hip Hop in the Theater. Bustagroove to Body Rock name change explained.: 1:06:20

Inspiration for creating "Boba Talk".: 1:12:26

If you could say anything to your thirteen-year-old self what would it be?: 1:16:16

Julian Sena was born and raised in San Diego, CA and started dancing at the age of 5. He has been a part of various dance groups such as 220, The GOOD Project, iDK, iAM, EAM, and Eastlake Dance Company, and he’s also taught dance classes around the world. His credits include BTS, Billie Eilish, Beats by Dre, Cirque Du Soleil, Janet Jackson, Nieman Gatus, Albert Posis, and many more.   Currently, Juju is a part of Beyond Babel, a theatrical dance show produced by Hideaway Circus and Keone and Mari Madrid. In April 2019, he founded and produced his very first show, Platform Dance Showcase, and plans to hold more events to bring the dance community together. In addition to that, he still teaches while making time to grow and develop his craft.  

#OfLikeMindsPodcast #Dance #Educator

Intro.: 0:00

What it was like growing up?: 0:55

What was your intro to dance?: 2:51

Transition moving from Mira Mesa.: 4:48

Eastlake dance scene.: 5:54

First time in a leadership position.: 8:33

A new wave of dancers stepping into the scene.: 9:28

Post high school.: 11:33

Bouncing back stronger.: 14:31

Hitting a sweet spot.: 16:49

Commuter life.: 18:41

Time management and efficiency.: 20:54

Directing style then vs now.: 23:05

Importance of having mentors.: 27:59

Taking a break from directing.: 30:33

Navigating postgrad life.: 34:43

More about Beyond Babel.: 37:47

Reason & inspiration for creating Platform.: 39:51

Adjustment to Covid.: 42:27

A complete 180 and lifestyle shift.: 45:00

How has isolation affected you?: 48:19

Transition moving back home.: 50:38

Deviating off of your plan.: 52:26

Outlook on the world & arts post covid.: 54:50 

Covid affecting events moving forward.: 1:01:36

Embracing online events.: 1:04:44

What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 1:06:29

Kyle Lau is a director, writer, and producer, currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Kyle has worked on a variety of television series, including FRESH OFF THE BOAT (ABC), DEAD TO ME (Netflix), and FAMILY GUY (FOX). A graduate of UCLA, Kyle has directed content for RedBull, Jack Daniel’s, and has had films featured in various festivals across the globe. He most recently staffed as Story Editor on Comedy Central’s AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS.

#OfLikeMindsPodcast #UCLA #Producer

Intro.: 0:00

Where you grew up and what that was like?: 0:26

What was it like growing up in the bay?: 0:59

Your experience at Hillsdale High School.: 2:26

Pros & cons of a small school environment.: 6:00

Particular teacher who had a lasting impact on you?: 8:33

Balancing extra curricular's and schoolwork.: 10:07

Committing to film.: 12:33

Working towards college and then achieving it.: 15:00

Getting accepted, how did that affect you going forward?: 18:44

Transition to college freshman year.: 20:52

How you decided your major?: 22:32

Not getting into Film school.: 26:39

Notable jobs during undergrad.: 28:31

Experience working on FOX's Family Guy.: 33:08

Navigating postgrad.: 37:49

Writing vs Directing.: 40:50

What are you currently up to?: 42:57

FRESH OFF THE BOAT.: 46:52

What would you share with aspiring artists.: 52:19

Importance of leveraging your social media.: 56:52

Current feelings towards the entertainment industry.: 59:18

What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 1:02:05

Chris Martin was born in Oakland, California, and raised in Boulder, Colorado. Chris's passion for dance is visible in his two decades of unwavering commitment to this craft. He has gained great international acclaim, teaching regularly at workshops and studios in over 40 countries and states. Chris is a member of internationally renowned team Choreo Cookies, through which he learned the value of being a part of a team that works towards a common goal of perpetual growth. He is currently an instructor at Building Block, a dance studio committed to helping students’ achieve their goals through the development of personal regiments. Chris freely shares his knowledge with the communities he is lucky enough to meet. He greatly values each and every one of his varied life experiences, which remind him to stay patient, kind, light hearted, and not take life too seriously.  

#OfLikeMindsPodcast #Choreographer #Dancer

Intro.: 0:00

Where you're from, and what it was like?: 0:16

Particular sport that stood out to you growing up?: 2:30

Did your approach to soccer change?: 4:19

How did you find dance? First style in dance?: 6:04

Direct correlation between soccer and break dancing.: 7:33

Getting into the battling realm in break dancing.: 8:44

Support from family during transition from sports to dance.: 10:02

Big sister influence on you.: 11:33

Transition moving to Socal.: 13:07

Transition from dancer to choreographer.: 15:09

Training regimen when you moved to San Diego.: 17:01

Moving to Norway for half a year.: 18:21

Finding pros and cons of how other professional dancers worked.: 19:54

Class etiquette/culture in Norway.: 21:27

How you found your movement?: 23:09

Getting noticed in San Diego.: 25:33

Fluctuation of class attendance.: 27:38

Your journey on Cookies.: 30:43

Transition having to look like other people.: 34:00

Transition from company member to Director.: 36:11

Pros & cons of working internationally vs locally.: 38:05

Directing Ill Habits and working with kids.: 40:33

Using dance as a vehicle to learn life lessons.: 42:49

Getting married to Viv and having a baby!: 44:56

Adjustment as a full time artist during Covid.: 48:04

More on Project Home.: 51:04

Still an opportunity for people to participate?: 53:26

Outlook of the arts. How can artists successfully navigate through the pandemic?: 54:55

Sacrifices made behind the scenes.: 59:05

What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 1:02:47

Born with the last name “arts” and passionate about dance for as long as she can remember, Marie Arts brings with her an extensive background in choreography and dance education. Marie has taught ballet, variations, modern, jazz, musical theater, acting, choreography composition and improvisation, for decades throughout the United States, for professionals and students, as well as having awarding winning national choreographer status. Her past achievements include Artistic Director with a full season professional contemporary ballet company, visiting Professor of Dance, as well as owning several award winning dance studios in southern California and throughout the country.

Intro.: 0:00

How dance came into your life?: 0:36

The impact of ballet on your dance career.: 1:36

What was it like dealing with injuries?: 3:06

Teacher recognizing your potential as an educator.: 5:41

Generational differences in class etiquette, mentality, etc.: 7:38

Suggestions to new teachers in ballet & modern.: 10:21

Being an educator and a mentor to your students.: 13:28

What your support system was like at home?: 15:42

Being a woman in a dance room.: 17:37

Shedding light on the stereotypes of ballet dancers.: 20:18

Importance of diversifying in styles of dance.: 23:05

Particular style (outside of ballet) that stood out to you.: 27:14

Dancing for a leisure vs dancing for a career.: 28:22

Mental, spiritual and emotional grind of dance.: 30:44

Always putting your best foot forward.: 33:01

Passing down great teaching ideologies.: 37:17

Define what a dancer is.: 38:59

Definition of a choreographer.: 40:31

Your definition of teacher/educator.: 41:51

Define director.: 43:10

Best & most challenging things about: dancing, choreography, teaching & directing.: 44:49

Living through the mirror and always comparing ourselves to others.: 48:38

Body image and being self conscious.: 51:43

Artists adjusting to our current world.: 54:28

What role dance plays in your life currently.: 56:40

Advice to those just starting their dance careers.: 58:37

What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 1:01:30

Matt Marquez is a digital media professional living in Los Angeles. Originally from Frankfurt, Germany, this LA transplant enjoys songwriting, baking, and remember what long walks on the beach were like pre-pandemic.

Intro.: 0:00 

What your upbringing was like?: 1:01 

What academia was like growing up?: 5:28 

How deep into music were you? Extra curricula's?: 8:28 

What was the outlook on college like?: 10:53 

Transition into college.: 13:48 

Extra curricula's at UCLA during Freshman year and all of undergrad.: 17:02 

Your involvement with Samahang Pilipino & Culture Night.: 24:11 

Deciding not to pursue music.: 26:39 

What it was like as a creative writing and producing music for Culture Night.: 31:49 

Postgrad journey.: 37:46 

What you are up to currently?: 42:53 

Matt's involvement curating my channel.: 45:37 

Postgrad gym workouts at Wooden.: 47:35 

What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 48:48

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Chloe Corpuz started dancing at the age of 3 in various styles. Her vigorous dance training throughout her childhood ultimately led her to pursue higher dance education at UCLA, as well as a professional career as a Los Angeles Laker Girl. Shortly after graduation, she took a leap of faith and moved to New York City where she was a member of the highly coveted Knicks City Dancers, danced with Gwen Stefani at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, performed in Times Square on New Year's Eve, and more. While in NY, she also found a love for fitness and is currently a group fitness instructor at Equinox.

Intro.: 0:00

What it was like growing up?: 0:22

When did you start dancing and with what styles?: 1:54

Idea of UCLA being an option for higher education.: 3:37

The experience of auditioning at University of Arizona.: 5:27

Were you signed with an agent?: 7:00

Transitioning to UCLA.: 7:51

What was it like being a Laker Girl.: 10:11

Compare and contrast concert vs commercial dance.: 15:18

Extra curricular activities at UCLA?: 18:59

About FASTco and being a Bruin Ambassador.: 21:15

How important it is to fully focus and commit to dance.: 23:41

Graduating early and beginning postgrad life.: 26:56

LA vs NY.: 28:54

Lakers vs Knicks differences stylistically.: 34:31

Dancing for a living in New York.: 36:36

Transition during Covid.: 37:55

Current things you're doing now.: 40:54

Pros and cons of going to school for dance.: 44:01

Do you see New York in your future plans?: 46:26

Challenges teaching class through zoom.: 48:04

Sister and parents influence on you.: 49:50

What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 52:00

Una Kim is the founder and HBIC of Keep Company, a cruelty-free footwear brand established in Los Angeles in 2005.    

A Korean-American, born and raised in Baltimore, Una graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Princeton University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.  She cut her teeth in NY doing trend forecasting and marketing consulting (with a special focus on youth culture and women) for Fortune 500 companies, where her work won several awards including marketing’s illustrious Gold Effie.     

Her extensive involvement in the 90’s punk/DIY/indie rock community during her formative years served as one of the biggest influences in her life, shaping her political, moral, social and creative framework. Through music, skateboarding and other pockets of sub-culture, she was empowered and inspired to become an entrepreneur, deeply rooted in authenticity, community and family.

Intro.: 0:00 

What your childhood was like?: 0:31 

Pressure of having a strong academic presence in the household.: 2:15 

Older brother influence.: 8:59 

Differences between East Coast & West Coast Asians.: 15:37 

Journey to Stanford.: 23:23 

Everyone has value.: 27:07 

It is never too late to start.: 29:05 

How you spend your time on earth.: 30:20 

Lead a meaningful life.: 32:55 

Everything is a process.: 37:18 

Lessons learned from Keep.: 42:10 

Checking in with yourself.: 45:13 

Life after Princeton.: 47:37 

Influence of Punk Rock & Indie Rock.: 51:04 

We don't have to be so hard on ourselves.: 57:27 

Starting Keep Company!: 59:31 

Guilt is wasted energy.: 1:04:19 

Being mean and angry towards yourself and others.: 1:06:58 

Identifying good people and keeping them around you.: 1:09:06 

Dad's definition of love.: 1:12:30  

What would you tell your thirteen-year-old self?: 1:15:22

Jesus Antonio Jimenez was born March 4th, 1993 in San Diego, California. With an affinity for music, Jesus attended a conservatory during his youth. Throughout his journey he was introduced to various forms of creative expression which ignited a passion for film after he directed his first music video.   Jesus graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Arts and Sciences; Television, Film, and New Media with a minor in Theatre. He is best known for writing and directing short films; “Pigs” (2014), and “Among Thieves” (2015), both received multiple awards and international recognition.   Jesus made his theatrical debut with his main stage production, “A Date with Death: Hollywood Confidential” which was performed and featured for the 2016 San Diego International Fringe Festival at the Horton Grand Theatre.   Jesus is an active investor and lives in La Mesa, California. He has since founded; Napoleons Acquisition LLC, San Diego Superior Real Estate LLC and co-owns Nitrate Films Entertainment.

Intro.: 0:00 

How you got into film.: 0:20 

Getting a full ride at San Diego State.: 4:20 

The films you produced and awards you received.: 8:33 

His films, Pigs, Among Thieves and 80 Proof.: 12:11 

A shift of mentality in LA.: 19:54 

Reading and doing research.: 26:53 

Learning to pay himself first.: 33:03 

What is money? Commodities you enjoy.: 35:41 

Silver premium rising.: 40:55 

Education system reform & thinking wealthy.: 46:12 

Federal Reserve Reform.: 54:24 

Create your own bank.: 56:40 

How can we prepare?: 1:01:12 

Learning the concept of trading goods, investing and what holds value.: 1:04:24 

Using credit properly.: 1:05:32 

How to extinguish debt and get something at the end.: 1:07:22 

Fiat currency & The Gold Standard.: 1:09:14 

Father's influence.: 1:17:12 

What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 1:29:00

James is a Filipino-American currently completing his 4th year of medical school in Arizona. Born and raised in Chicago, he left his hometown to pursue his undergraduate degree in Neuroscience at UCLA. Aside from navigating a pre-medical path in college, he seized the opportunity to explore California, dance, bond with his roommates, and further his understanding of his Filipino heritage. After graduating, he went back to Chicago and worked as an ABA behavioral therapist and prepared his medical school applications. He is now applying for residency with the goal of becoming an internal medicine physician.  

He believes the backbone of his successes so far is an independent and self-motivating mindset as well as the strong support from his wife, parents, sisters, dozens of cousins, and friends. His current interests include exploring Arizona, fitness, reading about personal finance, and eagerly tasting any of Justine's recipes, new or old.

Intro.: 0:00 

Growing up in Chicago.: 0:19 

What was it like having two older sisters?: 2:12 

What was the dynamic like with your parents?: 6:34 

Being driven internally to do well academically.: 8:07 

Influence of sister getting into Pharmacy school.: 10:06 

Resources available in high school.: 13:00 

What was the learning environment like in high school?: 15:33 

Flying out to LA for Admit weekend.: 16:57 

Telling parents UCLA is for him.: 21:39 

Choosing Neuroscience as a major.: 23:40 

Balancing schoolwork & extra curricular activities.: 26:11 

Experience of being a SPEAR Counselor.: 28:49 

Study habits, time management being a Neuroscience major.: 30:25 

Postgrad & moving back to Chicago.: 34:04 

Prepping for the MCAT.: 37:52 

Everything coming full circle getting accepted into med school.: 42:18 

Proposal, getting married and wedding shenanigans.: 45:00 

Buster & Lulu's impact on you.: 51:19 

Special appearance from June!: 54:45 

What would you tell your thirteen-year-old self?: 57:29