Dance education is evolving , and studio owners are standing right at the center of it.

As our industry evolves, the studios that will thrive are the ones willing to look beyond technique and toward something deeper: leadership, curiosity, collaboration, and belonging.

In this powerful conversation, Olivia Mode-Cater and Inner Circle Program Director Lisa DeMaio sit down with Alicia Graf Mack, newly named Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, to explore what it truly means to prepare dancers for the future, not just the stage. This conversation was originally recorded earlier in the Transform My Dance Studio journey and is being re-shared to close out the year, as Alicia steps into this powerful new chapter of leadership.

This episode dives deep into what dance education must become in order to truly serve today's dancers and tomorrow's leaders. From pedagogical practices rooted in care and curiosity, to collaborative training models, to the role of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in dance spaces, Alicia challenges studio owners to think beyond technique and toward transformation.

This conversation is about legacy, not just in titles or institutions, but in the ripple effect studio owners create every single day through their teaching, leadership, and choices.

If you're ready to raise dancers who are confident, adaptable, and prepared for a changing industry, this episode will challenge and inspire you.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why pedagogical approach matters more than the steps you teach

• How curiosity and collaboration shape stronger, more resilient dancers

• What it means to prepare dancers for a 21st-century career

• How dance builds confidence, leadership, and life skills

• Lessons Alicia learned from iconic mentors Arthur Mitchell and Judith Jamison

• Why belonging is essential for excellence in dance education

• How studio owners can take practical steps toward equity and inclusion

• Where the dance industry is heading and how studios can lead the way

• Why longevity in dance requires becoming a multi-hyphenated professional

Alicia Graf Mack is the Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and a former principal dancer with the world-renowned company. She previously served as Dean and Director of the Dance Division at The Juilliard School from 2018 to 2025, becoming the first Black person and youngest individual to hold the role. A celebrated artist, educator, and leader, Alicia has performed with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet, and collaborated with artists including Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, and John Legend. She is the host of the podcast Moving Moments and is dedicated to shaping the future of dance through leadership, education, and storytelling.

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You don't need more strategy. You need more capacity.

If you've ever wondered why you're working harder than ever but not seeing the growth you expected, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Leadership mentor and capacity expert Lisa Fabrega returns for a conversation that every studio owner needs to hear before stepping into a new year of growth.

Lisa breaks down the six "visibility levers" that determine how you show up as a leader, how you attract the right families, and how you sustain momentum without burning out. From pricing to team to positioning, she reveals why many studio owners aren't stuck—they're simply focusing on the wrong thing.

If visibility feels exhausting… if you're attracting the wrong clients… if your big ideas collapse under the weight of execution… this episode will show you exactly where to look and how to find your next right step. You'll walk away with clarity, direction, and permission to stop doing everything and finally focus on what matters most.

• The "domino effect" and why solving one problem often solves 10 more

• The six visibility levers and how they directly impact your studio

• Why some visibility strategies drain you while others energize you

• How to identify your biggest bottleneck (your "Domino")

• The pricing and sales mistakes that quietly erode your confidence

• How misaligned messaging attracts the wrong clients

• Why capacity is the real key to sustainable growth

• How to stop leaking energy into comparison, overworking, and overwhelm

• What to focus on for the next 30 days to create real change

Lisa Fabrega is a writer and inner-leadership mentor for high-performing womxn who are ready to step into the highest expression of their work. For 15+ years, she has coached Oscar nominees, 7-figure founders, transformational coaches, and corporate leaders who are shaping their industries from the inside out.

Lisa specializes in expanding her clients' capacity with work that blends deep inner transformation and practical strategy. She leads global leadership retreats, runs her renowned Empress Circle mastermind, and writes powerful, soul-shifting teachings that activate leaders to step into their fullest potential. She is also the author of Love Cartography.

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In this reflective solo episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater takes studio owners on a powerful journey through the biggest lessons of 2025—and the mindset shifts required to thrive in 2026. From the collapse of one-size-fits-all marketing to the rise of authentic content and the return of belonging, Olivia breaks down the trends shaping the dance industry and the internal leadership work every studio owner must embrace.

She shares the three actions that helped top-performing studios escape hustle culture, the hidden truth about the "re-tiering" of your customer avatar post-COVID, and why leaning into video, humanity, and personal branding will become non-negotiable in 2026. Olivia also offers a vulnerable look at her own mistakes, the power of pruning, and a simple year-end exercise that will reshape your leadership for the year ahead.

If you've felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, or unsure why this year felt different, this masterclass-style episode will bring clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose heading into the new year.

What You'll Learn:

• Why 2025 marked a fundamental shift in student behavior, engagement, and expectations.

• The three things successful studios did to break free from busyness and burnout.

• How the "customer avatar reset" is impacting enrollment—and how to adapt your marketing.

• Why authenticity beats AI every time (and what kinds of content families trust now).

• How automation frees you to be more human—and why enrollment is now an emotional experience.

• Why Canva posts are dead and video is essential for visibility and connection.

• The key numbers every studio owner must know to make confident decisions.

• How belonging is becoming your biggest competitive advantage in a digital-first world.

• Why studio owners MUST develop a personal brand—and how to start without oversharing.

• The power of pruning: how to cut back to grow, reclaim your time, and step into CEO leadership.

• A simple end-of-year reflection ritual that sets the foundation for an intentional 2026.

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This episode is Part 2 of our powerful two-part series with global business strategist and offer-creation expert Roland Frasier. And if Part 1 cracked open what studio offers can be, Part 2 is the masterclass that shows you how to actually build them.

In this jam-packed final installment, Olivia Mode-Cater and Roland go deep into the psychology, structure, and strategy behind high-converting trial offers, premium incentives, and event-based enrollment systems that reliably turn curious families into committed students. If you've ever struggled with no-shows, low-quality leads, or families who want "just to try it out," this episode gives you a radically different way to enroll students AND protect your time, boost conversions and increase the perceived value of your programs.

Roland pulls back the curtain on the same offer strategies he's used across multiple industries to generate explosive results — including the "Dance Deposit Strategy" that boosts conversion rates up to 11X, the premium framework that produced $1.2 million in six days, and the scalable relationship model that turns local fan groups and micro-communities into your most powerful marketing partners.

This is a true masterclass in creating dance studio offers that are irresistible, data-driven, and profitable, without relying on discounts or devaluing your magic.

Whether you run large trial events, 4–6 week mini-mesters, K-Pop pop-ups, adult socials, or full-season programming, this episode walks you through how to structure, price, and scale your offers with confidence and clarity.

• The Dance Deposit Strategy and why refundable commitments convert 11X higher

• How to transform free trials into high-converting, benefit-driven events The psychology that gets families to actually show up

• How to structure 4–6 week programs that lead into full-season enrollment

• Roland's exact formula for offering credits without losing profit Why knowing your customer acquisition cost (CAC) changes everything

• The "scale factor": how to multiply what works using centers of influence

• The wildly effective premium strategy that generated $1.2M in six days

• How to choose premiums your families already want — without breaking the bank

• What hero stories, loyalty programs, and affiliate-style systems can do for retention

• How to turn your families into your studio's most powerful growth engine

If you're ready for the kind of strategic, actionable insights that normally require a conference ticket or private consulting, this masterclass will transform the way you design offers forever.

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In this practical and powerful episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with strategic growth expert Roland Frasier to unpack the science, structure, and psychology behind offers that actually convert. If you've ever felt stuck in the "feast or famine" cycle, struggled with free trials, or wondered why some offers fall flat while others take off, this conversation will completely reframe how you approach enrollment.

Roland breaks down the nine emotional drivers that influence families to choose your studio, the core objectives behind irresistible offers, and how to build a system that eliminates guessing forever. From redefining the free trial to creating micro-success moments that spark immediate commitment, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to craft offers that feel aligned, supportive, and effective.

What You'll Learn:

• The nine emotional dimensions that drive families to choose a dance studio

• Why great offers aren't art, they're architecture and data

• How to avoid offer fatigue and the feast-or-famine cycle

• The real objective of a free trial (hint: it's not what you think)

• How to turn a free trial into a high-converting event

• Why a small deposit increases commitment and reduces no-shows

• The power of scarcity and limited space in your enrollment strategy

• The importance of personal onboarding and connection

• How to guide families with a clear and compelling next-step script

• The magic of a micro-success moment and how a single photo boosts enrollment

Whether you're gearing up for a new season or looking to strengthen your enrollment process, this episode delivers practical strategies you can implement today without demanding more time, energy, or burnout from you.

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In this powerful episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, CEO and DSOA mentor Olivia Mode-Cater dives into the Black Friday strategies that actually work for dance studios and why most studio owners miss this massive opportunity. Using the nostalgic example of Build-A-Bear's holiday marketing genius, Olivia breaks down how to shift from forgettable discounts to irresistible experiences that spark emotion, build loyalty, and bring in new dancers before the new year even begins.

You'll explore the psychology behind seasonal spending, the danger of blending into the marketing noise, and three proven Black Friday offers used by top-performing dance studios inside the Inner Circle. Whether you want to boost retention, increase enrollment, or simply bring more joy into your studio this season, this episode will give you the tools, scripts, and inspiration to make Black Friday a true revenue driver — without discounting yourself into the ground.

• Why Black Friday is one of the biggest family-spending moments of the year

• How Build-A-Bear creates holiday magic (and how you can steal their strategy)

• The dangerous mistake studio owners make with "blanket discounts"

• How to create a holiday experience bundle families feel excited to buy

• The exact steps for offering a Tutu or Costume Bundle that sells

• How to turn leftover recital costumes into profitable holiday gifts

• Why high-value/low-cost Seven-Day Class Passes convert new dancers fast

• How to price and position value using Black Friday psychology

• The reason events should be part of your revenue strategy (and easy event ideas!)

• Your action step: choose ONE proven offer and run with it

If you're ready to stop skipping Black Friday and start tapping into a season of emotion, excitement, and family spending — this episode is your roadmap.

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In this inspiring episode of Transform My Dance Studio, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Inner Circle mentor and long-time studio owner Loren Specht to explore how the holiday season can be your biggest opportunity to build connection and loyalty. Together they unpack Barrett Brooks' framework of trust and excellence—and how those two words can transform your culture, customer experience, and retention.

From creating beloved traditions like the Nutcracker and Holiday Showcase to small-moment magic at the front desk, Loren shares how intentional consistency, community, and care can turn the busiest time of year into your most powerful season for growth.

If you're ready to move beyond holiday stress and step into a season of culture-building, connection, and retention, this episode will show you how to make it happen.

Oliva and Loren dive into:

• Why November and December are the months to strengthen family loyalty. The two cornerstones of studio culture—trust and excellence—and what they look like in practice.

• How predictable traditions create belonging and retention.

• Easy, low-stress event ideas that delight families and spark community.

• How your front desk can build loyalty with a single "hello."

• Ways to anticipate family stress and design a smoother December.

• How holiday events naturally boost word-of-mouth and social-media reach.

• Turning festive events into January enrollment momentum.

• Why consistency, reliability, and emotional connection outperform discounts every time.

• Loren's "bold move" challenge for studio owners this holiday season.

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In this heart-warming and strategy-packed episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Inner Circle mentor and Los Angeles studio owner Jodi Shilling to talk about one of the toughest seasons for studio owners—the holidays. When attendance dips and families get busy, Jodi shares how she keeps her dancers coming back year after year through community, simplicity, and a little festive magic. From The Cracked Nut to pajama week, discover how to transform your December from stressful to joyful—and why "easy" might be your most powerful retention tool yet.

What You'll Learn:

• The honest truth about why holiday retention is always a challenge—and how to plan for it

• Simple, high-impact ways to create festive fun inside class instead of adding more events

• How to balance fun and technique without sacrificing progress

• Why "everyone needs a break"—including your teachers—and how to lead with empathy

• The difference between attendance gimmicks and genuine community-building

• How mentoring and "big-little" programs turn students into lifelong team members

• The "third-space" concept and how to make your studio a true safe haven

• How anticipation, communication, and small delights boost year-round loyalty

• Easy ideas like kindness bingo boards and grateful trees to reinforce gratitude and connection

• Why retention isn't luck—it's leadership

This episode is perfect for: Studio owners ready to trade holiday chaos for connection—and keep their dancers thriving into the new year.

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In this insightful and relatable episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Olivia Mode-Cater sits down with Rosina Andrews, author, educator, and host of The Dance Smarter Podcast, to unpack one of the biggest challenges in the studio calendar—the November slump. Together, they break down why student motivation dips, how family schedules and burnout collide, and the practical ways to protect retention and community when stress levels are high.

You'll walk away with strategies to keep your students showing up, your parents communicating, and your team thriving through the busiest season of the year—without losing your sanity or the studio magic.

What You'll Learn:

• Why November is the "make or break" month for student retention

• The subconscious stress families and students feel before the holidays

• Early warning signs of disengagement (and how to catch them early)

• How to plan smarter rehearsals and avoid burnout and injuries

• The secret to boosting belonging and progress during slower months

• How to turn family chaos into community connection

• Creative ideas for spirit days, parent weeks, and holiday events

• Why over-scheduling kills motivation—and what to do instead

• The importance of communication handbooks and clear systems

• How to keep joy, consistency, and connection front and center all season long

If you're ready to make November a month of connection, not chaos, this episode is your roadmap to higher retention and a happier studio.

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In this empowering solo episode, Transform My Dance Studio host and DSOA CEO Olivia Mode-Cater flips the script on recital season. What if your recital wasn't just a show—but your studio's biggest retention and revenue driver? Olivia dives into how to make your recitals a celebration that's as profitable as it is meaningful. You'll learn exactly how to turn your biggest event into a loyalty-building, memory-making machine that keeps families coming back year after year.

From tiered ticket pricing to program shout-outs and backstage busy bags, Olivia shares five simple yet powerful strategies to boost your bottom line and create a more joyful, stress-free experience for families. If you've ever said, "My recital just breaks even," this episode is your permission slip to think—and charge—like a CEO.

You'll learn:

• Why "break-even" recitals are costing you money and momentum

• The psychology behind premium seating and tiered ticket pricing

• How to use your recital program as prime real estate for new revenue

• The genius of "on-stage shoutouts" and why families love them

• Creative ways to involve teens while adding value for parents

• How to design "Backstage Busy Bags" that delight dancers and drive profit

• The mindset shift that transforms your recital from event to experience

• How every upsell can also increase loyalty and reduce family stress

• Why the small details are what keep families coming back year after year

• Olivia's one action step to make this your most profitable recital yet

If you have been just breaking even or losing money on your recitals, this one is for you!

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