The Dance Up!

Join Dr. James D Walters, Assistant Professor of Dance Danielle Lydia Sheather, and Shelly Isler Studio Owner, Instructor, Choreographer, and Director as we dive into opening a studio from the ground up. Being a "yes girl" and the many ways that our training prepares us - or does not - for the field. We discuss how a local dance studio developed a conditioning program, the evolution of training, and how we can encourage education at every level. Hear how Shelly stays inspired and motivates her students by discussing the ladder of training towards individualized end goals.

Musical contributions by Alexandra Ausman, Graphic Design by Dr. Kelsey Elliot. Views expressed in this podcast solely reflect the authors' and guests' views and not any organization to which an affiliation might be present.

Join Dr. James D Walters, Assistant Professor of Dance Danielle Lydia Sheather, and Magda Kaczmarska dance artist, researcher, creative aging advocate, Global Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, and the Founding Director of DanceStream Projects as we dive into dance, creative aging and brain health. Listen to Magda's beginnings in both dance and science and her personal journey through injury and learning to enable her whole identity. We discuss finding our individual voice in dance, the financial parity that dancers face, and the ways in which we can learn to change the systems and models currently used to research brain health - particularly as they relate to both Parkinson's Disease and Dementia. We engage in conversations about navigating the infrastructure of both dance and health care and how knowledge is power in a world where collaborative efforts and having multiple , diverse voices in the room can be of benefit to the future of brain health and dance.

Musical contributions by Alexandra Ausman, Graphic Design by Dr. Kelsey Elliot. Views expressed in this podcast solely reflect the authors' and guests' views and not any organization to which an affiliation might be present.

Join Dr. James D Walters, Assistant Professor of Dance Danielle Lydia Sheather, and Alec Barbour Theater Actor, Fight Director and Intimacy Director, and Certified Stage combat Teacher as we dive into the excitement of stage combat and the necessity for intimacy coordination. Listen to how these too tools can become necessary elements for physical and mental health but also how they can become necessary to enhancing sotrytelling and fight dynamics. Learn how contact improv can in some ways be similar to fight choreography and how fight choreography can be drastically different from traditional dance choreography and seen as, "ugly ballet with dangerous props." Consider how art literacy can play a role in these idioms and how rubber stamping productions with these vital tools can be detrimental to the performance but also to the wellbeing of folx involved!

Musical contributions by Alexandra Ausman, Graphic Design by Dr. Kelsey Elliot. Views expressed in this podcast solely reflect the authors' and guests' views and not any organization to which an affiliation might be present.

Join Dr. James D Walters, Assistant Professor Danielle Lydia Sheather, and Bits Shannon MS RN PMHNP-BC as we dive into mental health and the performing arts whether that be from the elite or amateur level. We discuss our collective interest in what it means to be a performer and effective methods to treat the whole person, including relationship building, menu of options, and being clear about potential side effects. The episode parallels vocal, equestrian, and dance training as Bits shares her interest in both voice and horses. We also hope for change with bills like Travel to Treat and hope that more legislation can pass to help guide mental health access while on our or even out of state.

Musical contributions by Alexandra Ausman, Graphic Design by Dr. Kelsey Elliot. Views expressed in this podcast solely reflect the authors' and guests' views and not any organization to which an affiliation might be present.

Join Dr. James D Walters, Assistant Professor Danielle Lydia Sheather, and Kaley Jensen as they dive into discussions about Peter's Law, Training for Artistry not just technique, and overcoming injury with strength, mobility, and stability. Learn about Kaley's Mindset to Move and consider our beliefs that there is strength in collaboration through bridging gaps between the healthcare and dance industries because, "we're not meant to do this alone."

Note: this episode was recorded prior to Mr. James Clouser's passing. We dedicate this episode to him, his artistry, and the legacy he left behind. You can learn more about his legacy here.

Musical contributions by Alexandra Ausman, Graphic Design by Dr. Kelsey Elliot. Views expressed in this podcast solely reflect the authors' and guests' views and not any organization to which an affiliation might be present.

Join Dr. James D Walters, Assistant Professor Danielle Lydia Sheather, and Elena Carter with American Midwest Ballet, as they discuss what might be better: a Professional Training Program or a University Dance Degree. Be encouraged by Elena’s early start with competitive Hula dancing and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Hear how the pandemic made Elena a more resilient dancer and listen as we consider ways to effectively care for dancers including bringing a sprung floor on tour! 

Musical contributions by Alexandra Ausman, Graphic Design by Dr. Kelsey Elliot. Views expressed in this podcast solely reflect the authors' and guests' views and not any organization to which an affiliation might be present.

Join Dr. James D Walters, Assistant Professor Danielle Lydia Sheather, and Jinah Parker Multifaceted Artist, Educator, and Wellness Practitioner as they discuss health and wellness from an integrative approach for dancers at any age. Learn about Jinah's journey from a young dancer to her pursuit of a PhD in Mind Body Medicine. Discover how her projects SHE: A Choreoplay, BITCH Fest, and her own podcast Come Hell or High Water: Stories of Women Overcoming have fed her creative mind and intersected her life. Listen as we consider ways to effectively change how the healthcare and dance industry communicate.

Musical contributions by Alexandra Ausman, Graphic Design by Dr. Kelsey Elliot. Views expressed in this podcast solely reflect the authors' and guests' views and not any organization to which an affiliation might be present.

Join Dr. James D Walters, Assistant Professor Danielle Lydia Sheather, and Jacob Regan Dancer, Choreographer, Graduate Student, and Contact Improv Aficionado as they discuss how hip hop and Capoeira were early influences into Jacob's training. Discover how contact improv became a part of his journey and how his early diagnosis with Tourettes Syndrome became his "superpower" . Learn how Jacob navigated his undergraduate career and eventually became a graduate student at Sam Houston University. We may also discuss things such as gaming, D&D, and how learning choreography is an act of improvisation itself!

Musical contributions by Alexandra Ausman, Graphic Design by Dr. Kelsey Elliot. Views expressed in this podcast solely reflect the authors' and guests' views and not any organization to which an affiliation might be present.

Join Dr. James D Walters, Assistant Professor Danielle Lydia Sheather, and Jesse Factor Former Graham Dancer as they discuss early introductions to movement and the fascination that surrounds the bodies athletic and artistic abilities. Learn about Jesse's multifaceted career, injuries sustained and the transition to higher education. Join our conversation as we consider the physical and mental aspects of dancers' injuries, both their own and their peers'. Uncover how when confronted with the fact that we are indeed not invincible we can build community to find a way through.

Musical contributions by Alexandra Ausman, Graphic Design by Dr. Kelsey Elliot. Views expressed in this podcast solely reflect the authors' and guests' views and not any organization to which an affiliation might be present.

Join Dr. James D Walters, Assistant Professor Danielle Lydia Sheather, and Carly Swanson discuss the pursuit of a Doctor of Physical Therapy under the 3+3 curricular model and how a supportive environment in dance growing up allowed for discovery and hobbies outside the studio. We discuss how dance can live holistically in one's body and life and how we can decide how it best fits in our wolds. In addition, we dive into identifying what we don't know as a positive means for caring for the dancer so that appropriate referrals can occur as well as the necessity to find health practitioners who are well versed in movement practices.

Musical contributions by Alexandra Ausman, Graphic Design by Dr. Kelsey Elliot. Views expressed in this podcast solely reflect the authors' and guests' views and not any organization to which an affiliation might be present.