The Confident Dancer Podcast

Visualization is an incredible tool for dancers to help you perform your best consistently and with confidence! In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to use it most effectively more maximum benefit. Happy dancing!

Preparing for a ballet competition? Here are some tips on how to calm nerves, stop comparing yourself to other dancers, and confidently dance your personal best! Whether you are headed to YAGP, Prix de Lausanne, IBC, or another competition of any size or genre, I hope these mental preparation tips will help you to step out on stage with confidence and have a wonderful experience!

Tired of insecurities holding you back as a dancer? Here are 6 tips on how to overcome insecurities in dance so you can start confidently dancing to your fullest potential no matter your skill level and regardless of if you are a recreational, pre-professional, or professional dancer.

Tired of feeling insecure, awkward, and apologetic as you dance? Use these 5 tips to become a more confident dancer now! These simple mindset shifts can help you to start boldly and confidently dancing to your fullest potential no matter your skill level and regardless of if you are a recreational, pre-professional, or professional dancer.

Working with narcissistic leaders in dance and experiencing dehumanization as a dancer are sad realities that many dancers face, especially in the professional ballet world. In today's episode, we are talking about how dancers can reclaim a sense of agency over themselves and their journeys even in the midst of this broken system.

Hi Dancers! I know that not getting the attention or opportunities you want from teachers, choreographers, judges, or directors can be so frustrating and discouraging so I wanted to make this episode to share tips on what you can do in those situations to channel your energy productively in a way that may even get you the kind of results and attention you want.

3:59 - Desperation REPELS

Hi Dancers! Have you ever noticed self-doubt holding you back as a dancer and thought that if you were just a better dancer, you wouldn't feel this anymore? Well... for most dancers, that solution simply won't work so I'm here to give you practical advice that actually does! In this episode, I will walk you through how to start breaking through the self-doubt that's been holding you back. I hope you find it to be really encouraging, confidence building, and helpful! Let me know what you think in the comments!

Hi Dancers! How many times have you heard about the importance of believing in yourself, but felt like that's really easy to say but hard to do? So many dancers, especially aspiring professional dancers feel this! This video contains practical tips on how to believe in yourself, even when it's hard. I hope you find it to be really encouraging, confidence building, and helpful! Let me know what you think in the comments!

Melody Mennite - Principal ballerina formerly with Houston Ballet and currently dancing with Vitacca Ballet. She has toured internationally to perform the classics as well as contemporary work in dance. Some of her classical Principal roles include Odette/Odile, Aurora, Kitri, Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Manon, Juliet, The Sylph in Bournanville’s La Sylphide, Nikya in La Bayadere, Ciao Ciao San in Madame Butterfly, Marie in the ballet Marie, Tatiana and Olga in Onegin, Stephanie and Mary Vetsera in Meyerling, Swanhilda in Coppelia, Valencienne in The Merry Widow, and Lise in La Fille mal Gardee.Melody’s most recent international appearance was in the role of Juliet for the Houston Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet tour to Melbourne, Australia.

During Melody’s professional career she has also originated roles in new classical and contemporary productions by choreographers Christopher Wheeldon, Justin Peck, Stanton Welch, Ben Stevenson, Christopher Bruce, Jorma Elo, Cathy Marston, Paul Taylor, Aszure Barton, Nicole Fonte, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Olivier Wevers, Oliver Halkowich, Jane Weiner, and Garret Smith as well as in her dual role as dancer/choreographer for several films. Melody enjoys all forms of dance and has extensive training and experience with styles rooted in classical ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip hop.

She is passionate about both learning and teaching what she has learned with others. Ms. Mennite has graced the cover of both Dance Magazine and Dance Europe and is celebrated as the Audrey Hepburn of ballet due to her dynamic acting and a predisposition for comedic roles. As an actor Melody has achieved two award winning performances in film and continues to build this part of her resume.

Also from a musical family Ms. Mennite was singing onstage before she ever started training in dance. She has been professionally recorded and released and has performed leading singing roles in regional productions of both West Side Story and Oklahoma.

Melody’s choreography has been featured on film, in music videos, and on ballet stages throughout the United States. In the last ten years she has been commissioned to create thirteen separate works nationally. Her hobbies include spending time in the outdoors, spending time with her son and two dogs, singing/making music, reading, writing, and practicing new ways to make art.

Watch this episode on Youtube! https://youtu.be/9F17DkF13L0

To follow along for daily tips and behind-the-scenes looks at what I'm up to, follow me on Instagram at @kirsten_theconfidentdancer

________________________________________________

THE CONFIDENT DANCER COACHING PROGRAM:

A 1:1 Coaching Program to master the mental side of dance so you can confidently perform to your fullest potential. Perfect for pre-professional, professional, or recreational dancers wanting overcome mental blocks like self-doubt, performance anxiety, perfectionism, comparison, insecurities, etc., and build a truly confident mindset that allows you to perform your personal best with joy.

______________________________________________

ONLINE COURSES:

My online course offerings are a wonderful way to learn the practical steps to retraining your mind so you can thrive and excel in your dancing, all at your own pace and for a more affordable price than individual coaching. Whether your goal is to break through fear and nervousness so you can show up confidently in your auditions or you want to release the self-criticism or self-doubt that's been draining all the joy out of dancing lately, The Confident Dancer Course and rotating mini-courses available are designed to help you do just that.

Learn more and enroll here: https://kirstenkemp.com/online-course-offerings

Hi Dancers! I hope this interview with Jess encourages you with just how much change is possible with the right support! Whether you are a professional dancer or a recreational dancer, if you want to overcome the mental blocks that have been holding you back from truly thriving and dancing to your fullest potential, reach out! You can learn more about my coaching services and apply for The Confident Dancer Coaching Program at https://kirstenkemp.com/