The Acrobatic Arts Podcast

In this episode Acrobatic Arts Company Principal Sandra Elliott talks about the exciting Pin Program designed for your acro students. Sandra explains how the program focuses on mastering progressions in a fun way while combining their Acro skills with dance and transitions. Students can develop their musicality, rhythm, timing, and performance skills with this amazing program. Tune in now to learn more and take your students' Acro skills to the next level!

Need some visuals? Check out Sandra's Weekly Mini presentation, What is the Pin Program?, on YouTube!

About Sandra Elliott

With over 30 years teaching experience, Sandra has also been enjoying her role as a course conductor and examiner with Acrobatic Arts since its inception in 2012. She assisted in developing the Module 1 Teacher's Certification Course. In addition, she developed the Graduate Student Teacher's Certification course, the Adjudicator Certification for AcroDancecourse and the Pin Examiner Certification course.

Sandra is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and has her Bachelor of Education Degree, with a major in dance. Throughout her teaching career, she has successfully prepared students for all levels of RAD exams. One of her students achieved her Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal while another student participated in the RAD's Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition (formerly ‘The Genee') who later became a member of the Citie Ballet Company and is currently a member of Ballet Kelowna. Sandra has also been closely involved in the training of many students who have gone on to dance in professional shows including The Music Man (Broadway), Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Movin' Out (Canadian Tour), Cirque Du Soleil (Las Vegas), So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Celine Dion and Taylor Swift. One of those students was the 2013 winner of UK's Got To Dance and a competitor in World of Dance Season 2. He is currently running his own contemporary company ‘Untitled' out of the UK.

Sandra's choreography has won many overall, title and choreography awards. She is passionate about not only developing artistic dancers that have excellent technique but she also loves helping dancers to understand how the things they learn in dance can translate into their personal lives helping them to push themselves to be the best they can be.

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Looking to improve your dancers' aerial skills? Host Loren Dermody is joined by acrodance expert Drew Burgess to discuss everything aerials. Drew shares his tips and practices for nailing front and side aerials while also addressing common technical errors and the mechanics and challenges of this highly valued skill. With Drew's extensive experience and Loren's background in dance education and choreography, listeners are sure to gain valuable knowledge and practical advice.

About Drew Burgess

Ohio native, Drew made his industry debut on Live with Regis during Amazing Kids Week. Upon relocating to California, he
trained at L.A.'s best studios including EDGE, Millennium, Fusion, and the PAC Annex. Drew is highly sought after as a performer, choreographer, guest teacher, dance supervisor, & dance captain. Drew can be seen on teaching & adjudication panels for: Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Dance Teachers Club of Boston, Headliners, DanZa, 10+ Dance Masters of America Regional Chapters, Dance Educators of America, & the Rhee Gold Company. A former competitor himself, Drew's regional titles include Master, Junior, and Teen Mr. Dance of Ohio, as well as, Mr. Dance of the Pacific Coast. Nationally, Drew is a former Jr. Mr. Dance of America and Mr. Dance of America. Drew is certified by test to teach through DMA & DEA in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, & Acrobatics and is an active member in both organizations. Drew is also proud to be Acrobatic Arts Certified (M1-M3) & part of their U.S. Division Staff of Course Conductors & Examiners.

Drew's passion for dance circles the globe with guest workshop classes, technique clinics, & choreography, year-round. His corporate & live entertainment credits include performances with the Radio City Rockettes, Taylor Swift, & The Baha Men. Drew's students have accolades including: Teen Miss Dance of Arizona, Male Dancer of the Year, Miss Dance of Ohio, & Mr. Dance of America. His National Choreography merits include the Sherry Gold Memorial Choreography Award from DMA & Best Small Group & Production from NexStar. Drew has toured worldwide with Rasta Thomas' Bad Boys of Dance as a Swing in Rock the Ballet 2 and Romeo & Juliet. He was honored to serve as the Tap Director for four years at Spisak Dance Academy in Glendale, Arizona; and now resides in Columbus, Ohio and is part of of the teaching staff at Straub Dance Center.

Follow Drew on Instagram: @drewdances

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Some acro classes may have to include several levels to accommodate your studio's schedule.That's ok! In this episode, Kate Evans will walk you through how to teach multiple levels in one class.

The AcroDance Resource Center has lesson plans and station cards to help manage these multiple level classes. Look under “Teaching Tools” for more resources!

Need some visuals? Check out Kate's Weekly Mini presentation, Teaching multiple levels in your class with Kate Evans, on YouTube!

About Kate Evans

Kate commenced her training at the age of 2 and danced throughout her entire childhood under the training of Maria Shanks. She trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and musical theatre. Kate completed all examinations in classical ballet with the RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) and in all genres with Comdance including Jazz, Tap, Theatrical and Ballet.

Following this she trained full time at Brent Street Studios (Sydney) and completed her Certificate IV in Performing Arts.

After graduating from high school Kate was accepted into BA Medicine at University of NSW however deferred, and accepted the position at Brent Street Studios.
Kate recommenced her BA Medicine however transferred her focus into a Bachelor of Psychology after 2 years, completing and attaining the BA in Psychology at the Queensland University of Technology.

Kate has had a professional career and gone on to share her love of the performing arts and acrobatics/aerial arts through teaching students, professionals, certifying teachers, examining and adjudicating, at a range of locations both locally and globally. Kate has always had a passion and love for teaching and commenced teaching in her early teens. Whilst completing her Bachelor of Psychology Kate also attained dance teaching qualifications including Comdance Modern Jazz Teachers Diploma, Comdance Tap Teachers Diploma, Comdance Classical Ballet Teachers Diploma and Comdance Theatrical Teachers Diploma. Kate also attained her Certificate in Ballet Teaching with the Royal Academy of Dance and is currently a registered teacher for the RAD.

Kate now runs and manages her own Performing Arts and Acro and Aerial studio in QLD, Beats Per Minute Performing Arts, and Beats Per Minute Acro and Aerial. With over 22 years teaching experience Kate has trained students from the age of 2 years to Professional in all areas of dance, acrobatics, aerial and singing with many of her former students dancing and teaching professionally around the world in musicals, movies and cruise ships.

Kate is Alixa Flexibility Certified Module 1, 2, 3 and Course Conductor, delivering teacher certification courses to teachers globally. Kate also hold qualifications in Progressing Ballet Technique, Aerial Arts Hammock and Hoop certified teacher, and a Ready Set Dance and Ready Set Ballet licensee.

Module 3 certified, Kate is a Course Conductor and Examiner for Acrobatic Arts, and manages the Australia, New Zealand, and Asian divisions of Acrobatic Arts Examinations faculty. Kate is also Course Conductor and Office manager for Aerial Arts. Kate has a passion for the biomechanics of dance/acro/aerial and endorsing safe and progressive dance/acro/aerial training. Kate is honoured to be be apart of the Acrobatic Arts faculty and thrilled to be sharing her passion and knowledge with the next generation of students and teachers!

Beats Per Minute Performing Arts - https://www.instagram.com/beatsperminutepa/

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Dance Teachers, join Sarah Reis and Loren in this follow-up to Episode 53: Life Lessons in Dance. They delve deeper into the concepts and ideas presented and provide practical insights into the emotional side of dance. This episode will help you better understand the emotional aspect and equip you with the tools to help your dancers put it into practice. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity.

Show Notes

Emotional and Life Development Skills Beyond Dance
Sarah Reis, MEd

We know that dance is a physical activity so it's not surprising we have to constantly work on developing physical domains like flexibility and strength. We also have to work on our artistic development; use of breath, conveying emotion, storytelling. We talk about these things throughout our dance journey but we rarely discuss the emotional development needed to support us as we work on our physical and artistic development. This blog in collaboration with its corresponding podcast identifies some of the emotional development challenges we can work towards on our dance journey. Working on these things will help us become the best version of ourselves.

1. Learn to Set Goals and Develop Reflection Skills: It has been proven, if you write your goals down you are more likely to achieve them. Make sure they are measurable and attainable and break them down into smaller chunks so the process isn't too overwhelming. Learn to reflect and check in on your goals.

2. Develop Time Management Skills and Organizational Strategies: Dance keeps you busy, in order to succeed you will need to manage your time wisely and get yourself organized.

3. Embrace Leadership Opportunities: There are leadership opportunities everywhere in dance; motivating your team, helping out with younger dancers, organizing events. There is a lot to learn when you put yourself into leadership positions, do it often and aim to do the best you can.

4. Learn to Win with Grace and Loose with Grace: Talk to the adults in your life about the value you place on winning and your philosophy behind it. Understand that your philosophy is uniquely yours and you may not agree with other members of your family or on your team. There can be big emotions that come along with winning/losing for some people. Check in with yourself on where you are at emotionally. Check in with your mentors if you need direction navigating big emotions. Motivational speakers always say that your biggest growth comes on the other side of your comfort zone. If you are being emotionally challenged in your losses, use that to push you forward in your training.

5. Work to Understand What We Feel and Monitor Feelings: We often know that we are feeling something but sometimes can't exactly pin point what it is. Learn to take inventory of your emotional experiences and it will help you understand the scope of your emotions better. When we understand what we are feeling we can better target ways to manage these emotions. A bonus is that as we begin to understand more emotional depth our ability to share emotion on stage can open up.

6. Celebrate in Others Success: When we are genuinely happy for others we open our spirit to receive success in return because we rise together. You have probably already seen this happen in your dance classes. Ever notice how nobody had their side aerial and then boom! Everyone got it the same week? Isn't it interesting how that happens? We see each other, we celebrate each other, we are inspired and we rise together. It is okay to be feeling emotions such as jealousy… acknowledge it, feel it and work through it. As you are able to celebrate the success of others you will notice that you may even feel healthier. Our emotions affect our gut health.

7. Respect Opportunities to Dance: Respect those that support you and your dance journey by providing the opportunity for you to dance. It is a privilege. Respect your fellow competitors by clapping for everyone, your teachers by thanking them for their time. Respect choreographers by working hard to develop their vision. Respect venues by cleaning up after yourself and others. Create a culture of respect for the discipline of your craft and you will be rewarded.

8. Curate a Positive Attitude: Positivity is infectious. So is negativity. Stop the negative body image self-talk. Kill the gossip. Squish the drama. Open your heart to positivity and be the light.

9. Learn from Everyone: You can learn from everyone. Everyone has something to teach you even if the only thing you learn is patience. Learn from the beginner who asks questions. Learn from the master who has already made the mistakes. Learn from the vibrant star who gets things easily, learn from the quiet dancer who works harder than anybody in the room. Everyone has a unique perspective, learn from everyone. Listen to all of the corrections particularly those that aren't directed towards you.

10. Apologize When Necessary and Take Ownership of Your Mistakes: We are human, we make mistakes. Learn to own your mistakes like the human that you are. Own them, apologize for them and work to be better. Apologizing, and meaning it, helps us heal from the weight of things going on in our life.

11. Learn to Take Compliments and Learn How to Give Genuine Honest Compliments (and Give Them Often): Stop deflecting and down playing the compliments you get. People are giving them to you because they believe them - so should you. Make eye contact, say thank you and internalize that compliment because you are amazing and you deserve it.

12. Learn to Embrace the Difficult Loss as an Opportunity for Growth: This tie into learning to lose with grace mentioned previously. Things won't always be easy but nothing that is truly monumental in our life comes easy. If it was easy everyone would be doing it and if it is easy it's unlikely to be memorable.

13. Develop Resiliency of the Mind: Develop your physical resiliency, your emotional resiliency and your artistic resiliency. You will be tested on this journey so you will need it.

As we take on the journey of life developing a strong emotional connection to ourselves will help us understand who we are and build emotional intelligence. It will be lifelong work, but we are always a work in progress.

About Sarah Reis

In her early development Sarah split her time between gymnastics and dance then later got into circus work and competitive rock climbing. The combination of these skills led her to a performance career as a stunt double in the thriving Vancouver film scene. While enjoying a professional performance career she worked on various projects including cruiseship contracts, print, television, film and nightlife productions. Sarah has always felt it was important to continue her education and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 2006. After graduation Sarah started work as an artistic sport rehabilitation specialist in a Physiotherapy clinic during the day while teaching dance in the evening. At the clinic Sarah primarily designed return to training programs for injured artistic athletes.

Sarah is a certified teacher in acrobatics through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) and is a level three coach in women's artistic gymnastics with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Sarah holds longstanding certificates with many established dance teacher, Pilates and fitness related organizations. Sarah eventually returned to school to study contemporary dance at Simon Fraser University and completed a second degree in Education. Sarah spent some time working in the school district, holding an official teaching license with the BC ministry of Education in the specialty of performing arts and physical education. In 2008 she completed her Master's degree in Human Performance Coaching Sciences from the University of Victoria where she researched in the field of athletic motor development and later developed the curriculum for the International Dance Teaching Standards teacher education program for developing dance educators. Sarah began her doctorate research in Leadership Education but has since switched her focus to Dance Medicine. Within her research Sarah is interested in AcroDance teaching methodology and recently presented at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science.

When not touring as a public speaker, Sarah is the director of a large dance competition and manages a physiotherapy clinic among other small businesses. Sarah has spent the last decade touring worldwide presenting at various universities, dance conventions and conferences and can also be seen live from Los Angeles with CLI Studios. With a strong creative pull Sarah has been choreographing AcroDance lines and productions for more than twenty years and continues to be passionate about student development when she is home and able to teach in her hometown. Module three certified, Sarah is an examiner and course conductor here at Acrobatic Arts.

www.danceteachingstandards.com

In this Episode, Sarah Reis, MEd talks to dancers about some of the emotional challenges they might face while dancing and how to work through them. Sarah reminds us all that dancing is not just about moving your body, it's also about being creative and telling stories with your movements. Just like how we work on being more flexible and strong, we also need to work on our emotional growth as dancers, allowing us to truly become the best dancers we can be!

Show Notes

Emotional and Life Development Skills Beyond Dance
Sarah Reis, MEd

We know that dance is a physical activity so it's not surprising we have to constantly work on developing physical domains like flexibility and strength. We also have to work on our artistic development; use of breath, conveying emotion, storytelling. We talk about these things throughout our dance journey but we rarely discuss the emotional development needed to support us as we work on our physical and artistic development. This blog in collaboration with its corresponding podcast identifies some of the emotional development challenges we can work towards on our dance journey. Working on these things will help us become the best version of ourselves.

1. Learn to Set Goals and Develop Reflection Skills: It has been proven, if you write your goals down you are more likely to achieve them. Make sure they are measurable and attainable and break them down into smaller chunks so the process isn't too overwhelming. Learn to reflect and check in on your goals.

2. Develop Time Management Skills and Organizational Strategies: Dance keeps you busy, in order to succeed you will need to manage your time wisely and get yourself organized.

3. Embrace Leadership Opportunities: There are leadership opportunities everywhere in dance; motivating your team, helping out with younger dancers, organizing events. There is a lot to learn when you put yourself into leadership positions, do it often and aim to do the best you can.

4. Learn to Win with Grace and Loose with Grace: Talk to the adults in your life about the value you place on winning and your philosophy behind it. Understand that your philosophy is uniquely yours and you may not agree with other members of your family or on your team. There can be big emotions that come along with winning/losing for some people. Check in with yourself on where you are at emotionally. Check in with your mentors if you need direction navigating big emotions. Motivational speakers always say that your biggest growth comes on the other side of your comfort zone. If you are being emotionally challenged in your losses, use that to push you forward in your training.

5. Work to Understand What We Feel and Monitor Feelings: We often know that we are feeling something but sometimes can't exactly pin point what it is. Learn to take inventory of your emotional experiences and it will help you understand the scope of your emotions better. When we understand what we are feeling we can better target ways to manage these emotions. A bonus is that as we begin to understand more emotional depth our ability to share emotion on stage can open up.

6. Celebrate in Others Success: When we are genuinely happy for others we open our spirit to receive success in return because we rise together. You have probably already seen this happen in your dance classes. Ever notice how nobody had their side aerial and then boom! Everyone got it the same week? Isn't it interesting how that happens? We see each other, we celebrate each other, we are inspired and we rise together. It is okay to be feeling emotions such as jealousy… acknowledge it, feel it and work through it. As you are able to celebrate the success of others you will notice that you may even feel healthier. Our emotions affect our gut health.

7. Respect Opportunities to Dance: Respect those that support you and your dance journey by providing the opportunity for you to dance. It is a privilege. Respect your fellow competitors by clapping for everyone, your teachers by thanking them for their time. Respect choreographers by working hard to develop their vision. Respect venues by cleaning up after yourself and others. Create a culture of respect for the discipline of your craft and you will be rewarded.

8. Curate a Positive Attitude: Positivity is infectious. So is negativity. Stop the negative body image self-talk. Kill the gossip. Squish the drama. Open your heart to positivity and be the light.

9. Learn from Everyone: You can learn from everyone. Everyone has something to teach you even if the only thing you learn is patience. Learn from the beginner who asks questions. Learn from the master who has already made the mistakes. Learn from the vibrant star who gets things easily, learn from the quiet dancer who works harder than anybody in the room. Everyone has a unique perspective, learn from everyone. Listen to all of the corrections particularly those that aren't directed towards you.

10. Apologize When Necessary and Take Ownership of Your Mistakes: We are human, we make mistakes. Learn to own your mistakes like the human that you are. Own them, apologize for them and work to be better. Apologizing, and meaning it, helps us heal from the weight of things going on in our life.

11. Learn to Take Compliments and Learn How to Give Genuine Honest Compliments (and Give Them Often): Stop deflecting and down playing the compliments you get. People are giving them to you because they believe them - so should you. Make eye contact, say thank you and internalize that compliment because you are amazing and you deserve it.

12. Learn to Embrace the Difficult Loss as an Opportunity for Growth: This tie into learning to lose with grace mentioned previously. Things won't always be easy but nothing that is truly monumental in our life comes easy. If it was easy everyone would be doing it and if it is easy it's unlikely to be memorable.

13. Develop Resiliency of the Mind: Develop your physical resiliency, your emotional resiliency and your artistic resiliency. You will be tested on this journey so you will need it.

As we take on the journey of life developing a strong emotional connection to ourselves will help us understand who we are and build emotional intelligence. It will be lifelong work, but we are always a work in progress.

About Sarah Reis

In her early development Sarah split her time between gymnastics and dance then later got into circus work and competitive rock climbing. The combination of these skills led her to a performance career as a stunt double in the thriving Vancouver film scene. While enjoying a professional performance career she worked on various projects including cruiseship contracts, print, television, film and nightlife productions. Sarah has always felt it was important to continue her education and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in 2006. After graduation Sarah started work as an artistic sport rehabilitation specialist in a Physiotherapy clinic during the day while teaching dance in the evening. At the clinic Sarah primarily designed return to training programs for injured artistic athletes.

Sarah is a certified teacher in acrobatics through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) and is a level three coach in women's artistic gymnastics with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Sarah holds longstanding certificates with many established dance teacher, Pilates and fitness related organizations. Sarah eventually returned to school to study contemporary dance at Simon Fraser University and completed a second degree in Education. Sarah spent some time working in the school district, holding an official teaching license with the BC ministry of Education in the specialty of performing arts and physical education. In 2008 she completed her Master's degree in Human Performance Coaching Sciences from the University of Victoria where she researched in the field of athletic motor development and later developed the curriculum for the International Dance Teaching Standards teacher education program for developing dance educators. Sarah began her doctorate research in Leadership Education but has since switched her focus to Dance Medicine. Within her research Sarah is interested in AcroDance teaching methodology and recently presented at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science.

When not touring as a public speaker, Sarah is the director of a large dance competition and manages a physiotherapy clinic among other small businesses. Sarah has spent the last decade touring worldwide presenting at various universities, dance conventions and conferences and can also be seen live from Los Angeles with CLI Studios. With a strong creative pull Sarah has been choreographing AcroDance lines and productions for more than twenty years and continues to be passionate about student development when she is home and able to teach in her hometown. Module three certified, Sarah is an examiner and course conductor here at Acrobatic Arts.

www.danceteachingstandards.com

Preschool programs are fundamental and they are the foundation of a successful studio! In this episode, Loren Dermody shares her years of experience, top tips, and resources that will help you not only build, but quickly scale a credible program!

Loren Dermody envisions living in a world where everyone dances, loves, laughs, lives their passion, and listens to Prince every single day!

A renowned and sought-after coach and choreographer, Loren started studying dance, acrobatics, and baton twirling at a very young age in Regina, Saskatchewan. Throughout her competitive career she competed nationally and internationally in dance and baton twirling as an individual and in groups. Hard work and dedication brought her and her teammates incredible success including a Gold Medal at the World Baton Twirling Championships in Padova, Italy and recognition as inductees into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Over the last 30 years, when she's not choreographing award-winning routines for hundreds of dancers and athletes in dance, baton and acrobatics, you can find her traveling the world, upgrading her certifications, attending professional development events, workshops, and conferences that keep her on top of the most recent developments and current trends in the industry.

In addition to holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Studies from the University of Calgary, Loren is a CBTF Certified Coach & Judge; WBTF Certified Judge; Certified Yoga & Meditation Teacher; ADAPT Jazz and Tap Certified Teacher; Certified RWID Instructor; Certified PBT Teacher; Alixa Flexibility Module 3 Certified Teacher; Acrobatic Arts Certified Teacher, Course Conductor, & Examiner; Level 1 Certified Trainer in the Genius of Flexibility Method; Level 2 NCCP Accredited Coach; Y.P.A.D Certified Teacher; member of IADMS; member of the Yoga Alliance; and a member of the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (Jazz & Acrobatics).

Loren has been with Acrobatic Arts since the beginning and is excited to contribute her creativity, years of experience, and her love for teaching alongside the most talented staff in the world!

Need some visuals? Check out Miss Loren's Weekly Mini presentation, How to Grow your PreSchool Program, on YouTube!

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

In this episode, Mandy Yip, CEO, Canadian Division Manager, and founder of Acrobatic Arts gives her outlook on acro for 2023! Mandy shares a sneak peak on new developments that are coming for teachers in 2023, her take on the current top trending acro tricks, and the 4 skills that teachers need the most support on. This is a must listen to episode. Don't miss it!

As the founder and CEO of Acrobatic Arts Inc, Mandy manages the staff and delivery of all training programs, and the Acrobatic Arts syllabus in over 6500 dance studios in over 30 countries. Over 500,000 dancers participate in Acrobatic Arts classes on a weekly basis. Mandy created the Acrobatic Arts training and certification program, and the Acrobatic Arts Curriculum, producing the most comprehensive, researched program available for AcroDance.

A lifelong learner, Mandy has achieved certification in countless courses, including contortion, hand balancing, inclusive learning, tap, jazz, gymnastics, and safe coaching, to name a few. Mandy currently sits on the advisory board for YPAD, and assists with the mission of keeping kids safe in dance through this organization. Highly sought for workshops, Mandy has taught thousands of dance teachers, and provided expert classes around the world. Mandy is known for bringing passion, technique and in-depth practical knowledge to engaging classes.

Mandy's Previous Acrobatic Arts Podcast Episodes:

Ep. 26 Business Success + Keeping Good Company with Mandy Yip - https://youtu.be/JlTqHeXPx_8

Ep. 3 Acrobatic Arts Founder, CEO and Canadian Division Manager - Mandy Yip - https://youtu.be/0M4lZ_t3T4I

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AcrobaticartsCa

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

The finale episode of this year's The Acrobatic Arts Podcast features memorable moments from the 2022 line-up. Top take-a-ways in a countdown of the very best include clips from: Dr. Leisha Strachan, Wendy Holmquist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, Tim Buckley, and Kate Evans. Thank you to our listeners and a huge thank you to ALL our amazing guests this past year!

Coming in January is our New Year's kick-off episode featuring Acrobatic Arts Founder and Canadian Division Manager, Mandy Yip!

Is there something you've always wanted to ask Mandy?

Email your question to [email protected] and we'll try to include it in the episode!

Feel free to also send us your ideas for the topics and innovators from the dance and acro industry that will entertain, inspire, and take your teaching to the next level in 2023!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Acrobatic Arts holds a global search every year for young dancer/athletes committed to elevating awareness and appreciation of their respective disciplines, including acro and aerial, as well as baton twirling.

In this episode, we talk to our 2022 Ambassadors who elevate their chosen disciple through the power of hard work, passion, and dedication. Once you discover who they are, you'll see why they're so inspiring and why they hold the title of Ambassador!

2022 Ambassadors

Acrobatic Arts: Olga Loktev (olenkaloktev) and Ophelia Chan (@opheliasiuting)

Aerial Arts: Freya Moen (@freyamoendance)

Baton Arts: Elizabeth Kozdron (@liztwirls)

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

In this episode, Master Teacher Vicki Fletcher reviews the key elements for a solid and safe back handspring. Learn drills and skills to help with this difficult skill for your littles to advanced dancers! ‍

Vicki Fletcher was born and currently lives in Ontario Canada and has been dancing since the age of 2. She soon realized that her love for all forms of dance was something she wanted to share with others through teaching. She began teaching at the age of 17 and has been doing it ever since. Vicki brings 25 years of teaching experience in jazz,tap,acro,lyrical, stretch and conditioning and musical theatre.

Vicki graduated from Dance Masters of America's Teacher's Training School at Kent State University and the University of New York in Buffalo and is also certified through the Ontario's Gymnastics Federation.

Vicki has adjudicated dance competitions and has taught workshops at many studios in Canada. She feels it is very important to stay current with your training so attends workshops and conventions whenever she can. She has won many awards for her creative and innovative choreography and her students have won numerous awards,scholarships and titles. Many have gone on to pursue their own careers in dance whether it be performing in companies or on cruise ships, studying dance in University and becoming teachers themselves.

Through her years of teaching Vicki has become more and more passionate towards the acro aspect of dance and has had great success in building a strong acro studio. This love for acro and the desire to see it done safely by teachers and students is what makes being a part of Acrobatic Arts so exciting for her.

She is looking forward to working with students and teachers from all over the world who share her passion for acro.

Need some visuals? Check out Vicki's Weekly Mini presentation, Key Elements for a Solid and Safe Back Handspring, on YouTube!

If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!

Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/

Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com