The Background Dancer

Is social media a viable option to build a dance archive? How can one stand out in the sea of information while still expressing a voice? U.S based artist Megan Castro set out on her own fascinating journey and has amassed over 29k followers on Instagram since beginning a little over a year ago.  

Continuing in the month of Art Media, this episode discusses the rigors of movement research and searching out like-minded communities. If you've always wanted to archive movement material, maybe it's high time you opened that movement journal! 

• Megan Castro
• Movement Journal
• Creative Archive
• Online Dance Classes

Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly

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Remember when having a journal was actually cool? Instead of filling one up with words and whimsical doodles, how about movement instead? In the advent of the pandemic, Megan Castro set out to create her own version of a journal and has amassed over 29k followers on Instagram since beginning a little over a year ago.  

In the month of Art Media, this episode introduces the nature of one such project and some of the challenges involved temporally, physically and artistically. If you've always wanted to archive movement material, maybe it's high time you opened that movement journal! 

• Megan Castro
• Movement Journal
• Creative Archive
• Online Dance Classes

Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
• Sign up for Dance Masterclass
• Choreographing Your Dance Career by Janaea Rose Lyn
• Try Nord VPN

Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
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• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community

We write almost everyday, in every way. Like a dancer, being an editor also requires having a voice that can inspire across all levels of society. For those who many not find the stage all that appealing, the 'paper' is certainly an alternative means for self-expression. Melinda Gaskin is the Chief Editor of HK Dance Magazine, a young organization advocating for more journalistic voices in a crowded dance space.   

Kicking off the month of Art Media, this episode introduces the pathway to becoming a good writer and how to channel that sense of creativity to a wider audience. Grab your pen (or laptop) and let's find your paper, your stage! 

• Melinda Gaskin
• HK Dance Magazine
• Spill it or Spell it out Blog

Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
• Sign up for Dance Masterclass
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Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
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• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community

Taking a trip down memory lane with my first ever personality test, yeah the one with the birds! Personality tests are not the absolute rulebook, but they can be useful navigators for making smarter career decisions and to better adapt to your work setting. Most importantly, they are just fun and memorable!  

For the final installment of Season One's month of Art Management, let's do a little rope a dope. In this episode, we explore more management roles and help align them with your DOPE personality type. Are you a prospective production manager? or curator? Let's find out! 

• DOPE Bird Personality Test
• DISC Test
• Animal in You

Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
• Sign up for Dance Masterclass
• Choreographing Your Dance Career by Janaea Rose Lyn
• Try Nord VPN

Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
• Answer a survey 
• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community

What is a producer in the performing arts? What does it mean to be scouring for not just an elephant, but a purple one as well! In recent years, the role of producer has received growing attention as more crucial shapers of a highly globalized creative industry. Bilqis Hijjas is an independent producer, art critic, educator and choreographer in Malaysia who has amassed more than a decade of professional experience. 

In the month of Art Management, this episode reveals some of the challenges regarding the democratization of designated roles, alongside secrets to becoming a successful dance producer. Are you amongst the next generation of art enablers? Let's find out!  

• Bilqis Hijjas
• KL Dance Watch
• Critics Republic
• Rimbun Dahan Arts Centre
• MyDance Alliance

Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
• Sign up for Dance Masterclass
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Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
• Answer a survey 
• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community

The second of a two-part series exploring the tools and motivations behind starting a dance company. Prof. Joseph Victor Gonzales features as the first ever guest on the show and is an immensely experienced performer, choreographer and educator. Most notably, he is the founder/artistic director of ASK Dance Company, one of the very few full-time employing companies in Malaysia.

In the month of Art Management, this episode dives deeper into the challenges regarding talent development, international recognition and what the future beholds post-COVID! Do we ask enough pertinent questions that need answering? Let's find out by 'Dancing the Malaysian! '

• Prof. Joseph Victor Gonzales 
• ASK Dance Company
• Books on Malaysian dance
• Dance blog

Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
• Sign up for Dance Masterclass
• Choreographing Your Dance Career by Janaea Rose Lyn
• Try Nord VPN

Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
• Answer a survey 
• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community

The first of a two-part series exploring the tools and motivations behind starting a dance company. Prof. Joseph Victor Gonzales features as the first ever guest on the show and is an immensely experienced performer, choreographer and educator. Most notably, he is the founder/artistic director of ASK Dance Company, one of the very few full-time employing companies in Malaysia.

This episode also kickstarts the month of Art Management. So much of what and why we start something important is due to NECESSITY. Do we ask enough pertinent questions that need answering? Let's find out by 'Dancing the Malaysian! '

• Prof. Joseph Victor Gonzales 
• ASK Dance Company
• Books on Malaysian dance
• Dance blog

Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
• Sign up for Dance Masterclass
• Choreographing Your Dance Career by Janaea Rose Lyn
• Try Nord VPN

Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
• Answer a survey 
• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community

Transitions can be daunting, but dancers need to consider one at some point in their journey. So why not start now? In this episode, we ruminate about the reality and necessity of career transition. Also, some highlights through the show's 10 major categories starting in March!  

• Identity Foreclosure
• Career Transition for Dancers
• Psychological Implications for Young Dancers in Transition

Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
• Sign up for Dance Masterclass
• Choreographing Your Dance Career by Janaea Rose Lyn
• Try Nord VPN

Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
• Answer a survey 
• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community

In this episode, I have a little wordplay derived from the acronym of DANCE. The idea of building community is always a priority, thus who am I hoping to connect with? 

• D - Dedicated Doers
• A - Aspirational Agents
• N - Nuanced Nerds
• C - Consistent Contexts
• E - Educational Entertainers

• Aspiration vs. Ambition
• Context is everything 
• Agency of Change

Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
• Sign up for Dance Masterclass
• Choreographing Your Dance Career by Janaea Rose Lyn
• Try Nord VPN

Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
• Answer a survey 
• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community

As part of a double-episode launch, I now take you through the four major principles of why all this is so important to me, and hopefully also to you. This episode will expand on the tenets of: 

Community Building 

• Enriching social capital by virtue of TRUST
• Establish connectivity by maximizing technology and talent mobility 

Education

• Nurturing more adaptable leaders and impact drivers in the industry
• Leadership as a cultivated trait rather than an inherent gift

Workforce Versatility

• Need for more multi-faceted artists in the everchanging industry
• Developing transferable skills in preparation for post-performance career possibilities 

Career Progression

• Lack of HR support hinders talent and career development throughout cultural organizations
• Analyze and consider your career compatibility at all times 

Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly

Support the show

Like our offers? 

• S2 Summer SALE!
• Check out our new Dance Masterclass YouTube review
• Sign up for Dance Masterclass
• Choreographing Your Dance Career by Janaea Rose Lyn
• Try Nord VPN

Like what we do? Help us grow by

• Visiting The Background Dancer
• YouTube Channel
• Rate and review here 
• Email me at [email protected]
• Answer a survey 
• Sign up here to receive future updates 
• Leave a thought on Facebook and Instagram
• Join the Facebook group and introduce yourself as a member of our community