What does an Associate Choreographer do? What does an Assistant Choreographer do? What’s the difference? Is there one? I am so lucky to have the great Jeff Mortensen on the pod to answer these questions! From his work as an associate on Disney’s Descendent franchise to Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Jeff is more than qualified to dive deep into the world of an associate/assistant choreographer. Please enjoy this conversation with Jeff Mortensen.

Show Notes:

Connect w/ Jeff on IG 

Listen to ep # w/ Jamal Sims 

Listen to ep # w/ the In The Heights team

Learn more about the Choreographer’s Guild  

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

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You brought the Qs, I’ve got the A’s!

Here’s what you’ll learn in this week’s episode:

Show Notes:

Van Neistat on Why Veteran Artists Don’t Quit

Van Neistat on Burnout

Watch the raggle taggle dance hour

Listen to ep #147 Audition Burnout

Listen to ep #83 How I Make Big Decisions 

Music Videos:

Cold Hearted Snake by Paula Abdul

My Love is Like Woah by Mya 

Rhythm Nation by Janet Jackson

Windowlicker by Aphex Twin 

Slave For You by Britney Spears  

1,2,3,4 by Feist 

Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars 

If by Janet 

Get Your Freak On by Missy Elliott

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

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If you know me, you know that #voice is extremely important to me… And not just MY voice, but the voice of artists as a whole. That’s why I am extremely excited to introduce you to this week’s guest Mindy Pack. MINDY. DOES. VOCAL HEALTH! In this episode we talk about all of the ways you can hurt and HEAL your voice. We dig into the importance of having a great team and what makes a great coach. We also talk about the role that mental health plays in vocal health and how shame and guilt surround injuries (specifically vocal injuries). Enjoy this conversation with Mindy Pack.

Show Notes:

Work with Mindy Pack 

Buy the voice straw 

(Don’t forget to use the Discount Code:  WTMMVOICE at check out!

Connect with Mindy on IG 

Miley training on treadmill 

Listen to Raab’s episode 

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

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Introducing: Grey Maybe w/ Jillian Schmitz + some special announcements!

Show Notes:

Head over to Grey Maybe for Jillian’s full episode

Join us for WTMM Live: An in person coaching event Dec 3rd & 4th 

Donate to the Words That Move Me Community

WTMM Membership: Join Here  

Follow us on IG & Tiktok 

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This week I am digging into working for free (or for a seriously discounted rate, or… #exposure).  We’ve probably all done it, or encouraged someone else to do it or discouraged someone else from doing it, so let’s untangle this messy subject.

Quicklinks:

Follow us on tiktok & win 2 tickets to the World Choreography Awards on Nov. 15

Listen to episode #74 w/ Miquel Zarate

Listen to episode #108 w/ Maud Arnold 

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

View Full Episode Transcript

In this week’s episode, Imania and I talk about how family based community organizations prepared her for the industry — and the difference between being pushed and supported into greatness.  We also have a refreshing and IMPORTANT talk about the state of the entertainment industry and even the teaching industry with regards to African diasporic movement.  I do very much feel like a beginner in these conversations, about race and the lineage of American dance styles, but having a guide like Imania makes that journey all that much more appealing and also empowering. Please enjoy this conversation with Imania Detry.

Show Notes:

Connect with Imania on IG 

Create a profile on Bopsidy

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

View Full Episode Transcript

This week, we’re talking about a few of the ways audition burnout can happen at different career stages, and then we dig in on how to tell the difference between stress, burnout and good old fashioned FEAR! We’ll also talk about how to avoid burnout by managing your stress and addressing your fears…

Show Notes:

Start your membership with Sugarfoot Therapy 

Listen to all the episodes about “Fear” 

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

View Full Episode Transcript

One mark of a master is that other masters look to them for expertise and support.  In this episode, I talk to movement analyst, Gary Tacon, about how Martin Scorcese looked to him when he needed Robert De Niro, Al Pachino, and Joe Peschi to look 40 years younger on camera for The Irishman. We discuss how he came to be a movement analyst, how he operates on set, we dig in on one of Gary’s most valuable tools and techniques: the body tuning cushion.  You don’t want to miss this episode because it also includes some listener participation that will have you standing taller, looking younger, and feeling freer in your body. Enjoy this conversation with Gary Tacon.

Quicklinks:

Buy the Body Tuning Cushion 

Find Gary’s stunt/film work on IMDb 

Listen to Ep. #78 with the In The Heights Choreography Team! 

Listen to Ep. #136 with Jamal Sims

Listen to Ep. #125 with Mandy Moore

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

View Full Episode Transcript

This is one for the books! Yup! The one and only Kevin Maher and I are getting nostalgic, a little bit catty, and a lotta bit deep this week. We dig into managing difficult personalities on set, we dish out some seriously cringeworthy industry horror stories, and we talk about knowing when to quit… Which, for Kevin, is almost never. Please enjoy this conversation with Kevin Maher.

Show Notes:

Connect with Kevin

Follow Kevin on Instagram 

Listen to Ep #72 Does Dance Save Lives? w/ Dr. Adrienne Wilson Mann

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

View Full Episode Transcript

Asiel Hardison joins me on the podcast today! We’re talking about how a black boy from the southside of Chicago and how he found himself on world tours with Lady Gaga, in super bowl commercials, and choreographing Vegas residencies. Asiel also gives some great insight on instincts and what makes one “good” or “bad”. Please enjoy this conversation with Asiel Hardison. 

Show Notes:

Find Asiel on Instagram

Watch Janet Jackson at the Superbowl 

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY 

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE 

Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

View Full Episode Transcript