Retrace Your Steps

By Ariana Toriz

What's Retrace Your Steps about?

Host Ariana Toriz will interview and discuss experiences and perspectives in the Dance Community and Industry with a new guest each episode. Follow along as she chats it up with her colleagues, peers, and cohorts regarding their History, Appreciation, and Perceptions as it relates to their Dance Career. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ariana-toriz/support

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Retrace Your Steps episodes:

01.11.2024
Yo! It's My Birthright with Bernard Brown [SEASON 3 FINALE]
This could not be a more perfect episode to close out Season 3, y'all! Happy New Year! Today's guest is none other than Professor Bernard Brown. Step in to this warm, thoughtful space and we discuss many common threads between...
11.30.2023
I Picked You, Girl w/Britta Grant
We are nearing the end of the season, and we have another amazingly talented Queer Black Woman to uplift...trumpet sounds...Britta Grant. Britta has had an upward slope in her career and has worked with the likes of Zendaya, Cher, and...
11.02.2023
You Still Need To Show Out with Tinaiya Tank
I know I say this every time...but THIS is a special episode! I have been trying to get Tinaiya Tank to sit down for a chat on the pod since the beginning! She did not disappoint. Ms. Tank shares her...
10.26.2023
The Gooey, Yummy, Softness of the Cookie w/Chatiera Ray & LaRonica Southerland
This has been a season of a lot of firsts, and this episode is no exception! This week we have our first double-guest session with the 2 creators of the CRay Project. Try to keep up because this 3-way dialogue...
10.19.2023
Stolen Lightbulbs & The Freak Of Nature with Gia Calhoun [The Re-Retrace]
It's our 2nd Re-Retrace, and we're throwing it back again to an artist from yesteryear! True to form...we're keeping it Black! In 2021, we recorded this conversation where Gia Calhoun opened up about her struggles with finding her place in...
10.12.2023
RYS After Dark with Kirby Harrell aka Kirby La Brea
On this very special episode, we have a late night recording, appropriately, with Burlesque royalty, Kirby La Brea. We discuss an array of topics including his training at Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Queer Black representation in mainstream entertainment, his appearance...
10.05.2023
Wallflowers with 2020 Vision with Zantino Bustos [The Re-Retrace]
It's our first Re-Retrace episode! We're throwing is back on this Thursday to Season 1, but staying on theme and keeping it Black! Travel back to the year 2020 with Ariana as she goes on location to the San Fernando...
09.28.2023
A Nervous Wreck Drinking Mimosas All Day with Allie Truax
Welcome back Retracers! Season 2 is underway and today Ariana is joined by Allie Truax. These two reminisce on memories of sharing the studio and stage with KWDP. Allie opens up about growing up in Houston, TX, what it was...
09.21.2023
A Jawn at the Jawn Dressed Like a Jawn and Feeling Like a Jawn w/Curtis T. Lassiter II aka Finessa Jawn
This is quite an episode. I hope y'all can keep up! Curtis T. Lassiter aka Finessa Jawn and I sit down and reflect on the impactful experience of working with the one and only Miss Peppermint. We have a little...
09.14.2023
I Love Your Business Card! w/James McQueen
It's an all new season of Retrace Your Steps and we're opening STRONG with James McQueen. In this episode we discuss the difference between the East and West Coast approaches to rehearsing, how James feels about "Shuckin' & Jivin," and...
09.07.2023
Retrace Your Steps Season 3 Trailer
Welcome Back for Season 3! I've been hard at work; curating a line up of amazing Dance artists to sit down and chat with. I'm so excited to share with you all of these fantastic conversations. This season is PREDOMINANTLY...
10.21.2021
"In An Elevator with Merce Cunningham" with Doris Ressl-Acosta [SEASON FINALE]
The Season 2 Finale is upon us! I can't think of a better way to take our bow than with the person so many of you have come to hear stories about. Today, I'm sitting down with none other than...
10.08.2021
"We Make Our Own Potions" with Mayra Pedraza
This episode was truly a pleasure and a joy! What more could I ask for, as we head into the end of Season 2?! My dear friend, Mayra Pedraza, has lived quite a life and she gets very vulnerable as...
09.23.2021
"Congratulated By Sigourney Weaver" with Nhan Ho
I am so impressed with this week's guest for making this happen under such short notice. Nhan Ho is a busy person with faculty positions at both studios and college campuses, as well as a company to run! He is...
09.16.2021
"Banana Daggers & Brise' All Day " with Linnea Snyderman
This busy lady was a tough pony to lasso! Linnea Snyderman and I danced and toured together a few years ago, and I've been relentlessly pursuing her to stop by the Pod for quite some time now. She has a...
09.09.2021
"Stolen Lightbulbs & The Freak Of Nature" with Gia Calhoun
This guest might have a voice that's better suited for Audio than I do! I am talking about the pleasantly poised Gia Calhoun! We got to catch up, reflect on times when we danced together, and chuckle a little over...
09.02.2021
"Kabob Injuries & The Everything Else Category" with Sarah Cashmore-Hummel
Make sure you're warm before walking into this Master Class! Try to keep up as I chat it up with friend, fan, and patron of the pod: Sarah Cashmore-Hummel! Most of the of time we stay on topic, but not...
08.26.2021
"Chair Architecture and Tijuana Motel Rooms" with Morgan Davison
You're catching the Final Run of this episode! Morgan and I had an accidental Dress Rehearsal when our first recording did not go great in the editing process. So, it's opening night! Listen as she gushes over the amazing people...
08.19.2021
"Baby Dear Bodies" with Delaney Zieg
In our very first Zoom recording, I reconnect with Delaney Zieg. She's a highly talented dancer, and prime example of pushing yourself to your limits. We chat about the first time she saw The Nutcracker on stage, her tight-knit relationship...
08.12.2021
"Face In The Foot Water" with Melanie Kushida
Melanie Kushida is a fellow Toro, class of 2014! She and I spent a lot of time together in our Undergrad program at CSU Dominguez Hills...but real life came along and took us in different directions. I got her to...
08.05.2021
Season 2 Trailer
The time has come! Season 2 is just around the corner, so tell a friend! We'll be chatting at you soon! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ariana-toriz/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ariana-toriz/support
02.25.2021
SEASON 1 FINALE: Ariana Toriz
It's heeeeere! We are going out with a bang! It's a Grande Adagio with this extended episode! We are rejoined by our VERY first guest, Marco Carreon, but this time he's leading the Master Class. Ms. Ari is in the...
02.16.2021
Ep 12: Josh Alvarez - 12/17/2020
It's our last episode before the finale! What better way to go out then with a fun and fresh conversation with Josh Alvarez? For such a young person, Josh has a lot to offer the Performing Arts world and he's...
02.03.2021
Ep. 11: Kistina Pressler (PART 2!) 12/2/2020
Welcome back to the Sequel! We're completing our conversation with Kistina Pressler. We start with Dance Appreciation and our dear Mrs. Pressler spills about the long list of reasons she loves and appreciates Dance in her life. We finish with...
01.26.2021
Ep 10: Kistina Pressler (Part 1) 12/2/2020
Well, Retracers, we have arrived at another Saga. This time, we sit down with Kistina Pressler, a friend and colleague. In this first part, we only get through our first segment! Kistina shares her connection with Judaism, her guilt about...
01.19.2021
Ep. 9: Ashley L. Jones -11/23/2020 -PART 2!
Welcome back to 2nd part of this Saga! We're finishing up our conversation with Ashley L. Jones. We discuss the values that she hopes to impart on her students, the differences in our experiences and relationships with Ballet, and her...
01.12.2021
Ep 8: Ashley L. Jones - 11/23/2020 - PART ONE!
Happy New Year, Retracers! We're starting off the year with another 2-Parter!! *cue air horn* On this first episode of the year, I sit down with my friend and colleague, Ashley L. Jones! Talk about a renaissance woman...this chick has...
12.29.2020
Ep 7: Coree McKee-Gonzalez - 12/1/2020
Happy Holidays! We hope you're all having a safe and warm Winter. This episode is sure to bring the sun out because I'm chatting with my bright-eyed and perpetually chipper friend, Coree McKee-Gonzalez. I can never go long without smiling...
12.22.2020
Ep. 6: Olivia Hamilton (PART 2) 11/20/2020
Welcome Back for PART 2 of this conversation! Are you on the edge of your seats? We've built up so much suspense! Not really, but I'm glad you're nosey enough to wander on back and eavesdrop on our chat. We...
12.15.2020
Ep. 5: Olivia Hamilton (PART 1) 11/20/2020
Hello Retracers! I was so excited about recording this episode that we went WAY over time. I had some work cut out for me as far as editing because when Olivia Hamilton and I get together we can TALK! This...
12.08.2020
Ep 4: Zantino Bustos - 11/1/2020
Welcome back! On this first day of November, I'm on location in the San Fernando Valley to sit down with my fellow alumni of CSUDH, Zantino Bustos! We cover topics like Male Privilege in the Dance industry, the concept of...
12.01.2020
Ep 3: Jana Taylor - 10/30/2020
Episode 3! I chat with the lovely Jana Taylor! We discuss the need for more positive, supportive learning environments, as well as the battle with inner negative voices. We address the wake up call that 2020 has provided to people...
11.24.2020
Ep. 2: AJ Dirickson - 10/24/2020
EPISODE 2! I'm catching up with my colleague, AJ Dirickson. We chat about degrees of separation, our love for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and the struggles of distance learning in Dance. Join us as we Retrace his pointed Steps....
11.17.2020
Ep. 1: Marco Carreon - 10/11/2020
First Episode! I'm sitting down with my Good Judy, Marco Carreon. We discuss his career in dance, his lessons about burning and building bridges, and reflect back on some good times he's had. Join us as we Retrace his Steps...5,6,7,8... ---...
11.10.2020
Ep. 1 Promo w/Clip
Just a tidbit... --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ariana-toriz/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ariana-toriz/support

What's Retrace Your Steps about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Retrace Your Steps episodes:

Yo! It's My Birthright with Bernard Brown [SEASON 3 FINALE]

I Picked You, Girl w/Britta Grant

You Still Need To Show Out with Tinaiya Tank

The Gooey, Yummy, Softness of the Cookie w/Chatiera Ray & LaRonica Southerland

Stolen Lightbulbs & The Freak Of Nature with Gia Calhoun [The Re-Retrace]

RYS After Dark with Kirby Harrell aka Kirby La Brea

Wallflowers with 2020 Vision with Zantino Bustos [The Re-Retrace]

A Nervous Wreck Drinking Mimosas All Day with Allie Truax

A Jawn at the Jawn Dressed Like a Jawn and Feeling Like a Jawn w/Curtis T. Lassiter II aka Finessa Jawn

I Love Your Business Card! w/James McQueen

Retrace Your Steps Season 3 Trailer

"In An Elevator with Merce Cunningham" with Doris Ressl-Acosta [SEASON FINALE]

"We Make Our Own Potions" with Mayra Pedraza

"Congratulated By Sigourney Weaver" with Nhan Ho

"Banana Daggers & Brise' All Day " with Linnea Snyderman

"Stolen Lightbulbs & The Freak Of Nature" with Gia Calhoun

"Kabob Injuries & The Everything Else Category" with Sarah Cashmore-Hummel

"Chair Architecture and Tijuana Motel Rooms" with Morgan Davison

"Baby Dear Bodies" with Delaney Zieg

"Face In The Foot Water" with Melanie Kushida

Season 2 Trailer

SEASON 1 FINALE: Ariana Toriz

Ep 12: Josh Alvarez - 12/17/2020

Ep. 11: Kistina Pressler (PART 2!) 12/2/2020

Ep 10: Kistina Pressler (Part 1) 12/2/2020

Ep. 9: Ashley L. Jones -11/23/2020 -PART 2!

Ep 8: Ashley L. Jones - 11/23/2020 - PART ONE!

Ep 7: Coree McKee-Gonzalez - 12/1/2020

Ep. 6: Olivia Hamilton (PART 2) 11/20/2020

Ep. 5: Olivia Hamilton (PART 1) 11/20/2020

Ep 4: Zantino Bustos - 11/1/2020

Ep 3: Jana Taylor - 10/30/2020

Ep. 2: AJ Dirickson - 10/24/2020

Ep. 1: Marco Carreon - 10/11/2020

Ep. 1 Promo w/Clip