In this episode of Passion for Dance, host Dr. Chelsea explores the phrase "leave it at the door" in the dance industry and its relevance in 2025. Joined by guest expert Dr. Audrey Schnell, a psychologist and coach with over 40 years of experience, they discuss handling emotions, building resilience, self-sabotage, and the fine line between pushing oneself and taking necessary breaks. 

Together, they offer valuable insights on teaching dancers to manage negative emotions without letting them interfere with performance and the importance of labeling and processing feelings. They also highlight the dual role of dance as both a source of joy and potential pain, emphasizing the need for self-love and guided encouragement in the pursuit of success.

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/203

Connect with Dr Audrey: https://audreyschnell.com

Episode Breakdown:

00:38 Meet Dr. Audrey Schnell: Expert in Personal Development

04:38 Handling Emotions in Dance

11:15 The Importance of Resilience

21:43 Overcoming Failure and Building Resilience

22:33 Understanding Adolescent Emotions

23:39 Self-Sabotage and Emotional Management

25:10 The Impact of Change and Fear of the Unknown

29:19 Labeling and Understanding Emotions

33:15 Perfectionism in Dancers

36:41 The Healing Power of Movement

41:20 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode, host Dr. Chelsea talks to distinguished dance educator Anabella Lenzu about the shifting focus in the dance community from artistic expression to technical perfection and competitive achievements. Anabella, originally from Argentina and now a teacher in New York City, shares her perspectives on dance education shaped by her multicultural experiences. They explore the importance of incorporating emotional connection in dance training, and how cultural adaptation influences teaching methodologies. Anabella delves into her teaching philosophy, stressing the significance of meaningful gestures over rote repetition and the holistic development of dancers. The conversation also touches on the impact of social media on dance and the essence of performing for live audiences and not just TikTok. Anabella introduces her book 'Teaching and Learning Dance Through Meaningful Gestures,' which merges pedagogical principles with both technical and artistic guidance, making it an invaluable resource for dancers and educators.

Get Anabella’s Book: Teaching and Learning Dance Through Meaningful Gestures

Connect with Anabella: 

https://instagram.com/AnabellaLenzu

https://facebook.com/AnabellaLenzu

https://youtube.com/AnabellaLenzu

Other Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/202

Episode Breakdown

00:41 Meet Anabella Lenzu

02:52 Anabella's Dance Journey and Teaching Philosophy

04:31 The Importance of Cultural Adaptation in Dance

08:03 Challenges in Dance Education Across Different Countries

11:13 Balancing Technical Skill and Artistic Expression

14:49 Practical Exercises for Emotional Connection

18:58 Promoting Dance as an Art Form

22:13 The Importance of Meaningful Gestures in Dance

25:12 Comprehensive Training for Performers

28:11 Visualization Techniques in Dance

31:30 Emotional Connection in Performance

40:23 The Role of Books in Dance Education

In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea addresses the growing pessimism among teenage competitive dancers. She emphasizes the importance of optimism for competitive success and mental resilience, differentiating it from toxic positivity. Dr. Chelsea shares practical strategies for cultivating optimism, including self-awareness, positive self-talk, visualization, and gratitude. She also discusses the impact of an optimistic mindset on performance and recovery from setbacks, using real-life examples from her work. The episode encourages dancers to maintain a positive outlook to enhance their training and competition results.

Be sure to follow the show and check out episode resources at https://passionfordancepodcast.com/follow

https://passionfordancepodcast.com/201

Episode Breakdown

00:08 The Importance of Optimism in Dance

01:51 Defining Realistic Optimism

02:44 A Story of Resilience and Optimism

03:50 Strategies to Cultivate Optimism

11:23 The Role of Self-Compassion

In this milestone episode, host Dr. Chelsea reflects on 200 episodes of the Passion for Dance podcast, sharing key insights and lessons from the four pillars of the show: mindset, motivation, resilience, and community. She emphasizes the need for emotional regulation, the importance of balancing discipline with empathy, training resilience, and fostering a supportive dance community.  Join in to learn actionable strategies for building happier, more successful dancers.

Be a guest on the show! https://passionfordancepodcast.com/voicemail

or email Dr Chelsea at [email protected]

Take the Podcast Quiz: https://chelseapierotti.com/podcastquiz

Episode Breakdown

01:14 Celebrating 200 Episodes

01:41 The Four Pillars of the Podcast

04:48 Mindset: Emotional Intelligence and Confidence

07:02 Motivation: Leadership and Communication

08:54 Resilience: Building Mental Toughness

10:44 Community: The Power of Supportive Networks

11:49 Looking Forward: Connecting and Growing Together

13:16 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of Passion for Dance, host Dr. Chelsea is joined by professional dancer Nia Lonette. The two dive into Nia's journey from Maryland to becoming an acclaimed dancer in LA, featuring her work with prominent artists and appearances at major events like the Grammys. Nia shares valuable tips on handling nerves, staying present in auditions, managing negative thoughts in class, and preparing for a move to LA. They also discuss elements from Nia's new book, 'Industry Survival Guide,' which offers practical advice on creating resumes, taking headshots, and finding community in the dance world. This conversation provides both aspiring and seasoned dancers with actionable strategies to thrive in their careers while emphasizing the importance of mental resilience and continuous self-improvement.

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/199

Connect with Nia Lonette:

https://www.nialonette.com

https://www.instagram.com/nialonette

Episode Breakdown

01:29 Meet Nia Lonette

02:37 Transitioning to the Professional Dance World in LA

04:57 Building Confidence and Overcoming Nerves

06:53 Early Lessons and Mentorship

13:13 Handling Nerves in Class and Auditions

23:02 The Importance of Being in the Moment

26:26 Resilience in the Professional Dance World

31:26 Insights from the Industry Survival Guide

34:54 A Day in the Life of a Professional Dancer

39:39 The Power of Emotions in Dance

41:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dr. Chelsea tackles the challenges dancers face during the intense competition season including losing and offers valuable insights into three aspects worse than losing: regret, blame, and lack of improvement. Dr. Chelsea shares personal stories and actionable strategies to help dancers and educators focus on growth, accountability, and effort, redefining success beyond competitive outcomes. 

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/198

NEW TO THE SHOW?! Check out this New Listener Resource to dive into building mental toughness as a dancer.

Episode Breakdown:

00:37 The Reality of Losing

01:27 Three Things Worse Than Losing

03:30 Regret: The Worst Feeling

06:41 Blame: The Destructive Force

10:11 Growth: The Ultimate Goal

11:48 Redefining Success

In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea speaks with Jared Redick, a third-generation professional ballet dancer and current Dean at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Mr Redick shares his extensive dance journey and expertise as a leader in the dance community offering valuable insights on the balance between hard work and discipline. He also shares his approach to leadership in dance education, emphasizing empathy, communication, and individualized goal setting to build more resilient and successful dancers. 

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/197

Episode Breakdown

00:19 Meet Jared Redick: A Journey in Dance

09:55 The Importance of Mentorship and Kindness

17:39 Balancing Discipline and Compassion in Dance Education

24:31 Effective Communication Strategies

26:30 Goal Setting and Motivation

28:53 Leadership and Empathy in Teaching

31:04 Practical Classroom Techniques

35:37 Balancing Dance and Life

40:44 Connecting with the Dance Community

42:01 Conclusion and Resources

Connect with Jared Redick

https://www.instagram.com/jared_redick/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-redick/

In the third installment of 'Emotional Intelligence for Dancers,' Dr. Chelsea delves into coping strategies for managing emotions over the long term, helping dancers recover from disappointment and frustration. She emphasizes the importance of reflection, after-action reviews, and maintaining a balance outside of dance. Practical tips include journaling, non-screen relaxation routines, and ensuring physical wellness. Dr. Chelsea advocates for the integration of these practices to foster resilience and emotional stability, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling dance experience.

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/196

NEW TO THE SHOW?! Check out this New Listener Resource to dive into building mental toughness as a dancer.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence for Dancers

00:45 Coping Strategies for Long-Term Emotional Management

02:22 Reflection and After Action Reviews

05:38 Journaling for Emotional Growth

07:54 Post-Performance Relaxation Routine

09:00 Maintaining Balance Outside of Dance

11:20 Physical Wellness and Long-Term Care

12:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Passion for Dance, Dr. Chelsea continues her series on emotional intelligence for dancers, focusing on strategies for managing negative emotions. She provides five proactive techniques including mindfulness, building a support system, practicing gratitude and self-affirmations, simulating high-pressure situations, and developing a pre-performance routine. Additionally, Dr. Chelsea offers in-the-moment tips for dealing with negative emotions during performances and stresses the importance of consistent practice for long-term emotional resilience and regulation.

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/195

NEW TO THE SHOW?! Check out this New Listener Resource to dive into building mental toughness as a dancer.

Other Episodes Referenced:

Episode 192: Dance in the Moment: Harnessing Mindfulness for Performance Excellence

Episode 181: How Dancers Can Be More Focused and Successful in Class

Episode 41: Developing a Pre-Performance Routine for Confidence

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Emotional Intelligence for Dancers

00:23 Proactive Strategies for Managing Emotions

08:10 In-the-Moment Techniques for Negative Emotions

10:42 Consistency and Long-Term Benefits

11:37 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

In this episode of 'Passion for Dance,' Dr. Chelsea, discusses how emotions impact a dancer’s ability to focus, move, and connect with the audience. With competition season in full swing, she delves into the importance of understanding and identifying both positive and negative emotions. Dr. Chelsea explores how emotions like anxiety, frustration, and determination can affect performance, concentration, movement quality, and authenticity on stage. This is part one of a two-part series, so tune in next week for strategies on managing emotions effectively.

Episode Resources: https://passionfordancepodcast.com/194

Download Your New Listener Resource

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction to Passion for Dance

00:26 Understanding Emotions in Dance

01:49 The Role of Emotions in Performance

03:58 Impact of Emotions on Movement Quality

05:46 Connecting with the Audience

08:22 Identifying Helpful and Unhelpful Emotions

14:01 Conclusion and Next Steps