“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest, Michelle Leagans.  In this episode of Dance Talk with Joanne Carey, Joanne is joined by Michelle Leagans, an educator, choreographer, and author of her newly released book, "Hey Dancers, Let's Talk About it!" Michelle shares her background in dance, starting at a young age and eventually dancing for the NBA and NFL. She discusses her experiences in the dance team industry in Texas and her passion for creating a positive and inclusive environment for dancers. Michelle also talks about her book, 'Hey Dancers, Let's Talk About It,' which aims to open up discussions about important topics in the dance industry. In this part of the conversation, Joanne and Michelle discuss the importance of effective communication in the dance world. They emphasize the need for dancers to choose their words wisely and have open lines of communication with their teachers and peers. They also discuss the quote from Michelle's book that highlights the importance of understanding the why behind dancing, rather than focusing solely on winning trophies. They go on to discuss several chapters from Michelle's book, including why dancers love to dance, the importance of supporting and cheering on teammates, and the significance of taking corrections and being open to feedback. The conversation between Michelle Leagans and Joanne Carey focused on the importance of communication and positive energy in the dance community. They discussed the need for dancers, teachers, and parents to have open and honest conversations to improve team culture. Michelle emphasized the value of journaling as a tool for self-reflection and communication. They also touched on the impact of negative energy and the role of mental health in the dance community. Michelle Leagans Todero began her dance journey at Oklahoma City University, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance. Following her academic pursuits, Michelle embarked on a remarkable performance career, gracing stages for esteemed organizations such as the NBA, NFL, Busch Gardens, and Six Flags. Her talent and dedication soon led her to the realm of choreography, where she found her true calling. Settling in Houston, Texas, Michelle immersed herself in drill team choreography, becoming a sought-after name in the industry. Over the years, she has crafted award-winning contest pieces for over 100 high school teams and continues to choreograph for the NFL Texans Cheerleaders. In recognition of her exceptional skills, Michelle was honored as the Texas Dance Educators Association All State Choreographer in 2018, solidifying her reputation as a leader in her field. Most notably, she lent her expertise to the world-famous Kilgore Rangerettes for their 2024 Revel performances. Driven by her passion for nurturing young talent, Michelle founded Power Intensives, a revolutionary dance program that fuses intensive training with a vibrant party atmosphere. With Power Intensives now spanning 20 locations annually and attracting over 1,500 dancers, Michelle's impact on the dance world continues to grow. She recently published her first book, Hey Dancers Let's Talk About It! Outside of her bustling career, Michelle finds joy and support in her loving family. She resides in Houston with her husband Jaymie and their two shelties. Information on Michelle's Power Intensives visit https://powerintensives.com/ To purchase the book https://www.amazon.com/dp/1998454061?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_B2M2NJMGE6WXQKEMA1MW&language=en-US   Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance  And follow “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts.  Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share.  Please leave us review about our podcast!  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey  "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne special guests, Michelle Loucadoux and Kristen Deiss- co-founders of Danscend In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guests, Michelle Loucadoux and Kristen Deiss  co-founders of Danscend, two women who are trail blazers when it comes to the care of dancers' mental health. Listen in as these three ladies discuss the importance of mental health within the dance world. Michelle & Kristin, each share their personal backgrounds in dance and education, how they met, and then came together to create their organization, Danscend that offers courses, workshop and support for the dance community. You'll hear a discussion about the challenges faced by dancers; the negative self-talk, perfectionism, and body image issues. They also discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on dancers' mental health and the importance of community support. The conversation explores the importance of community, the struggles of advanced dancers, the impact of fear on the mind-body connection, tools for mental wellness, prioritizing self-care, and the power of validation and community. In Danscend, Deiss and Loucadoux have created a resource that they wish was available when they were beginning their dance careers, a resource that will benefit not only their students but also the dance industry as a whole. Michelle Loucadoux and Kristen Deiss are the co-founders of Danscend, a mental health organization focused on the well-being of dancers. They started Danscend in response to the mental health struggles they observed in the dance community, particularly during the pandemic. Michelle has a background in ballet and musical theater, while Kristen started as a ballet dancer but shifted to teaching and higher education. They both have a passion for education and saw a need for mental health resources tailored to dancers. Danscend offers courses, resources, and workshops for dancers and dance teachers, with a focus on creating a supportive and inclusive environment. Dancers face challenges such as negative self-talk, perfectionism, and body image issues. The pandemic exacerbated feelings of isolation and stress. It is important for dancers to prioritize self-care and seek support from their community. Tools for dancers include reflection, journaling, and validating feelings. Interested in the resources Danscend has to offer? Try it for 1 month free. Just enter the code freemonth24 at checkout. ⁠https://danscend.teachable.com/p/about-us⁠ Follow on Instagram @danscendoffical Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast!  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne special guest, Teacher Terrel, creator and author of the Once Upon a Dance Book Series In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest, Teacher Terrel.    Listen in as we chat about how Terrel's love for dance and how dance contributes to the lives of others, making it her mission to spread its joy. The COVID-19 Pandemic lockdown was pivotal in inspiring Terrel to find new ways to keep dance alive and create- thus the Once Upon a Dance book series was born! Terrel shares her love for dance and her motivation to be a positive force for dance through her work. She also talks about her process of creating the book series, which she created along with her ballerina daughter. Along with finding illustrators and handling the layout. All royalties from her books have been donated to nonprofit charity partners that support the arts. Terrel's goals for the future are limitless so get in line to collaborate with her. The possibilities for this creator are endless! Teacher Terrel arrived in Seattle after a Peace Corps stint teaching English and dance. Complementing decades of teaching dance, she worked in early childhood education and for non-profits supporting kids. Terrel was recognized by her local City Council for "embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment to children in our community" for her work with young dancers. She serves on Pacific Northwest Ballet's Board of Directors and on a National Dance Education Organization committee. Once Upon a Dance offers movement, breath, joy, connection and imagination through stories. Their catalog (25 books across four series) offers positive role models, whimsical stories, and diverse characters. Alongside movement and dance, the books feature themes of empathy, friendship, the value of practice, self-acceptance, sibling relationships, anger management, and working toward goals. Stories are lovingly crafted, and royalties are donated to charity partners. A few highlighted honors: • 40+ Book Awards • Family Choice Award • Mom’s Choice Gold Award Recipient • PenCraft Award: First Place • Firebird Book Award: First Place • Royal Dragonfly Book Award: First Place • Pinnacle Book Achievement Award - Best Book Juvenile Fiction • Outstanding Creator Awards: Best Children's Book, Top 10 Author of 2022 • Kirkus Reviews Starred Review Follow on Instagram @once_uponadance Visit  DanceStories.com to learn about the mother-daughter team, browse books, or discover learning resources. https://onceuponadance.com/www.CreativeMovementStories.com Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast!  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne special guest, Jordan-Elizabeth Long In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest, Jordan-Elizabeth Long, Principal Soloist with Miami City Ballet. Jordan is a returning guest to Dance Talk and brings with her lots of milestones, accomplishments and life changes since we last spoke. Tune in as we catch up and chat about  her continued journey in dance and the important role classical music played in her childhood which brought her to a career in dance. Jordan also emphasizes the importance of early exposure to the arts and the impact of supportive teachers and parents. She also candidly discusses her experience with scoliosis. Jordan shares how she is managing scoliosis as a dancer and the importance of spinal health as well as her gratitude for her teacher who never let her give up. She also recounts her journey through the COVID-19 pandemic (when I first chatted with her) pursuing higher education while dancing, and the resilience of the performing arts industry. Jordan reflects on her recent promotion to principal soloist and the recent emotional reunion with her former colleagues in Sweden. She offers words of advice for dancers going through difficult times and emphasizes the fulfillment that comes from pursuing a career in dance. Jordan-Elizabeth Long was born in Blacksburg, Va. She began her ballet training with Carol Crawford Smith and continued with Terri Post at the Southwest Virginia Ballet. In high school, she trained in South Florida with Magaly Suarez. Upon completion of high school, she was invited to join the Dutch National Ballet as a demi-soloist. In 2010 she joined the Royal Swedish Ballet, where she was promoted to soloist. During her time in Europe, her repertoire included leading roles in The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Sleeping Beauty. Long has been awarded the Gold Medal at the World Ballet Competition USA, been a finalist at the Shanghai International Ballet Competition, and was awarded the Louis Gallodier Prize at the Royal Swedish Ballet. She has appeared in galas and festivals in the USA, Dominican Republic, Russia, Romania, and Hong Kong. In 2014, Long joined Miami City Ballet as a Soloist then promoted to Principal Soloist in 2023 Follow on Instagram @jordan.elizabeth.long                                    @miamicityballet Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast!  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne special guest, Jodee Nimericher, Executive Director of the prestigious American Dance Festival, located at Duke University in North Carolina.  In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest, Jodee Nimericher, Executive Director of the American Dance Festival. Listen as Jodee shares her personal dance journey, from starting dance classes at a young age to discovering her passion for arts administration. The conversation explores the importance of dance in inspiring and connecting people, and the role of the American Dance Festival in promoting and supporting the dance community. This episode highlights the impact of live performances and the need for community engagement in the arts, something ADF is proud to be a leader. Jodee highlights the impact that these powerful performances and programs have on the community as well as on all those working on the fesitval, herself included. Summertime is special in North Carolina! Jodee also shares insights into the process for artists to be represented and encourages dancers to take the initiative to reach out. Check out all the upcoming events and programs at the American Dance Festival. You'll want to be a part of this vibrant art scene in North Carolina that this Executive Director continues to curate with passion and purpose! Jodee Nimerichter is an arts administrator and film producer and currently serves as the executive director of the American dance Festival. She began working for American Dance Festival in 1991 as an intern and in 1997 worked on the production of the festival's documentary series Free to Dance which earned an Emmy nomination in Research. In 2003 she became the festival's associate director, managing dance festivals in South Korea and Russia and building dance exchange programs in South Africa, Poland, Argentina, and the Philippines.  Nimerichter was appointed as the director of the American Dance Festival in 2012 and became executive director in 2016. Since 1934, the American Dance Festival has been a recognized leader in modern dance presenting dance performances, and offering educational opportunities and community programs, while maintaining an international reach. The American Dance Festival (ADF) is thrilled to announce its 2024 season with a full summer performance schedule from June 13 to July 28 and additional performances in April, September, and October. With 49 performances by 24 acclaimed dance companies and choreographers from around the globe, featuring 11 world premieres, 12 ADF commissions, and 12 ADF debuts, ADF celebrates the diversity of modern dance and its community. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, April 23rd, with prices ranging from $18 to $70 and can be purchased through ADF’s website or the Duke University Box Office. More detailed information about performances, venues, tickets, and performing companies, including photos, videos, and press reviews, are available at americandancefestival.org. https://americandancefestival.org/ Follow on Instagram @amerdancefest Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast!  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne and special guest, Betti Franceschi.  In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with a very Special Guest, 90 year old Betti Franceschi. She is an artist, painter, sculptor, and now new author.  Betti joins me on her very first podcast interview where we talk about her lifelong love of ballet, dance, and art.  A life-long stutterer, Betti talks about her constant search for grace in all things she does.  She candidly shares that stuttering is seen as a lack of grace, but let me assure you- this beautiful lady is FILLED with grace and exudes it! Listen in as we laugh and share stories and learn about her new photography book that embodies the longevity of the elder dancer titled, Ageless Dancers. You are going to want to get this book and if you're like me, you are going to want to listen to this inspirational and light-filled lady over-and-over again! Betti Franceschi is an artist who has done a double major in school and in life: fine art and ballet. Born in 1934 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she studied ballet with Marguerite de Anguera at Indiana University, Bloomington, fine art with Roger Anliker at Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon), and art history with Rosalind Krauss at Hunter College. Her Still Point drawings—vertical-hatched, tightly realistic nude close-ups of dancers' centers—were published in London as a book (The Still Point, 1987) designed by Simon Rendall, which won six nominations to the National Trust Show in London and Frankfurt, and were exhibited at Sadlers Wells in London, the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York, and the Philharmonic Center in Naples, Florida, among other venues. Her explosive, almost abstract, zen-calligraphic Signature Drawings (1983–1986) of dancers in motion, have been exhibited in several venues, including the New York State Theater, home of the New York City Ballet. Her early work was mostly portraits, then turned to focus on movement, with figure drawings and paintings, and later sculptures of dancers. In 2016 her interest in gesture brought her to photography for her Ageless Dancers project, a series of elegant, joyous portraits of dancers in the latter years of life. Her work has been reviewed in the London Evening Standard, The New York Times, the Saratogian, the New York City Ballet Playbill, and Dance Magazine. Franceschi lives in New York City. Follow on Instagram @brsfran19Learn More:https://www.bettifranceschi.com/ Purchase Betti's book:https://brilliant-editions.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/copy-of-refractions-2-ralph-gibson Join Betti April 18th in NYC for her book launch Jason McCoy Gallery41 East 57th StreetNew York, NY 10022 Thursday, April 18, 2024 - 5:00pm https://brilliant-editions.com/ Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast!  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey Dates:Tickets:"Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest, Megan Williams.  In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest, Megan Williams, whose long and varied career as a dance artist brought her from Julliard to dancing with the Mark Morris Dance Group.  She candidly shares her experience as a teacher and choreographer along with the challenges and rewards of aging in the dance world. Megan shares about her upcoming show, 'Smile Though Your Heart is Aching'  taking place at the Mark Morris Dance Center in April 2024. Megan Williams  is an independent dance artist, choreographer, teacher and repetiteur, with a BFA from the Juilliard School, and an MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. Her choreography has been produced by 10 Hairy Legs, DANCE NOW NYC at Joe’s Pub and Dance Theater Workshop, and by the Rivertown Artist’s Workshop, Barnspace, MIXT Co., Purchase College, Marymount Manhattan College, Connecticut College, and Interlochen Arts Academy. In addition to performing her own work, she can be seen dancing with choreographer Rebecca Stenn and in Netta Yerushalmy’s Paramodernities project. She performed and toured internationally in the 1980’s with the companies of Laura Glenn, Ohad Naharin, and Mark Haim, among many others. In 1988, she joined the Mark Morris Dance Group, dancing for 10 years, touring worldwide, teaching, and appearing in several films, including Falling Down Stairs (with YoYo Ma), The Hidden Soul of Harmony, The Hard Nut, and Dido and Aeneas. Ms. Williams continues her affiliation with Morris as guest performer, creating the role of Lady Capulet in Morris' 2009 Romeo and Juliet: On Motifs of Shakespeare and dancing in Bijoux at the 2014 Bessie Awards, guest rehearsal director, and guest faculty at the Mark Morris Dance Center. She has staged Morris' work on the Purchase Dance Company, Vassar Repertory Company, Fieldston Dance Company, the Boston Ballet, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and on students at the Juilliard School, George Mason University, Les Etes de la Danse (Paris), Interlochen Arts Academy, and Cal State Long Beach among others. Ms. Williams has been Morris’ assistant in a variety of settings including ballet, Broadway and television. From 2000-2013 she served on the modern dance faculty of the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College, State University of New York and taught as a guest lecturer at Connecticut College in 2017. She was featured in Dance Teacher Magazine in 2010, 2014, and 2019. She teaches Dance for Parkinson’s Disease in Rye, NY, and is on the renowned Dance for PD flagship teaching team. She has recently served on the faculties of Marymount Manhattan College and Hunter College teaching Anatomy for Dancers. She has served on the board of directors of the Martha Hill Dance Fund since 2011 and is proud to have a producing credit on the documentary film Martha Hill: Making Dance Matter. She was a 2019 Center for Ballet and the Arts Artistic Partnership Initiative Fellow at NYU (CBA). She is currently on the ballet faculty of Sarah Lawrence College. Instagram @meganwilliamsdance https://www.mwdanceprojects.com/ Purchase Tickets below Smile, though your heart is aching is  a world premiere evening length dance and live music event with choreography by Megan Williams in collaboration with composer Eve Beglarian.https://megan-williams-dance-projects.ticketleap.com/smile-though-your-heart-is-aching/ Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast!  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest, Alicia Graf Mack, Dean and Director of the Dance  Division of The Juilliard School.  In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest, Alicia Graf Mack who was recently recognized as a Dance Magazine Award Honoree.     Join us as we talk, not only about her inspiring career, its longevity and the set backs she has overcome, but she graciously pulls back the curtain on her gratefulness, spirituality and family that grounds her along with sharing her deep connection to the responsibility of an artist in the world. You will agree that Alicia Graf Mack brings this to all she does.  Be inspired by this kind, gentle, thought provoking and intelligent woman who not only loves to dance, but she loves teaching and loves to inspire the success of her students no matter which path they choose.  Listen in and be 'moved in these moments.' Alicia Graf Mack enjoyed a distinguished career as a leading dancer of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.  She has also been a principal dancer with Dance Theater of Harlem and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and she had danced as a guest performer with Alonzo King's LINES Ballet, Beyonce, John Legend, Andre 3000, and Alicia Keys.  Graf Mack graduated magna cum laude with honors in history from Columbia University and holds an MA in nonprofit management from Washington University in ST. Louis.  In 2007, Smithsonian Magazine named her American Innovator of the ARTS and Sciences. She is the recipient of the Columbia University Medal of Excellence, an award given each year an alumnus who has demonstrated excellence in their field of work.  In 2008, she delivered the keynote address to the graduates of Columbia University's School of General Studies.  As a dance educator, Graf Mack most recently taught as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Houston and was a visiting assistant professor at Webster University.  She is co-founder of D(n)A Arts Collective, an initiative created to enrich the lives of young dancers through master classes and intensives.  She began her inaugeral season as director of the Juilliard Dance Division in 2018. Follow on Instagram @aliciagrafmack @movingmomentspodcast https://www.juilliard.edu/dance/faculty/graf-mack-alicia Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance Follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast!  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey  In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Joan Myers Brown during Women's History Month. Listen in with Ms. Brown (who is 92 years young) shares her story that began as a young dancer living in segregated America who became determined to create opportunities for black dancers. Ms. Brown emphasizes the power and essence of dance as a form of expression and the life lessons it teaches. She is a lady who will inspire you to do and be your best! Joan Myers Brown (affectionately known as “Aunt Joan” or “JB”) is the founder of The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts in 1960 and The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO!) in 1970.  She serves as honorary chairperson for the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), established in 1991, an organization that she laid the groundwork for in 1988 with the founding of the International Conference of Black Dance Companies.  She is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, which bestowed upon her an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts; is a member of the dance faculty at Howard University in Washington, DC; and awarded an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. In May 2015, she received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from The University of Pennsylvania. Listed in Who’s Who in America and described as an “innovator and communicator,” Ms. Brown has made significant contributions to arts communities locally, regionally, nationally and throughout the world.  Joan Myers Brown’s undisputed status as a leader in the national and international arts communities were acknowledged when she was selected to receive the 2012 National Medal of the Arts, the nation’s highest civic honor for excellence in the arts. President Barack Obama presented the prestigious honor at a ceremony that took place in July 2013 at the White House. President Obama cited Ms. Brown for carving out “an artistic haven for African American dancers and choreographers to innovate, create, and share their unique visions with the national and global dance communities.” In May 2020, Ms. Brown celebrated two landmark achievements – PHILADANCO!’s  50th year and the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts’ 60th year.  She as recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Recognition from the Martha Hill Awards Gala. Find out more about Joan Myers Brown and Philadanco: https://philadanco.org/about/ @philadanco @philaschoolofdancearts @joanmyersbrown ⁠⁠⁠Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey  In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with  Special Guest: Valerie Green. Valerie shares her dance journey and what lead her to the work she does today as well as her choreographic process. Valerie also shares the wonderful, healing work she has been dedicated to- providing performances and workshops for underserved populations, including at-risk youth, trauma survivors, the formerly incarcerated, addiction rehabilitation patients, older adults, and those with differing abilities, immigrant communities and more. This is a person dedicated to helping lives. Valerie's new work 'Rite' premieres Feb 29th-March 2nd at The Center at West Park:165 West 86th Street, New York, NY 10024 centeratwestpark.org Tickets: https://danceentropy.networkforgood.com/events/65644-rite-premiere Valerie Green: Artistic Director of Dance Entropy and the Founder and Director of Green Space. She is a dancer, choreographer, working over 25 years with dancers of all levels, from the absolute beginner to the consummate professional, Valerie Green has developed her unique teaching style, Dance Your Frame. She has taught master classes and workshops to dancers of varying ages locally in New York, nationally, and in countries as far reaching as Azerbaijan, Armenia, India, and Cuba. Dance Your Frame integrates Green’s own style, emphasizing correct musculature and bone alignment, with the Erick Hawkins technique. She supplements her modern dance technique methods with creative workshops such as Enter The Body: Choreography Workshop. Green has also developed two unique workshops, Skimming the Surface and Movement Playground, through her individual teaching experience and the outreach programs she spearheads in her local community for groups such as older adults, at risk youth and trauma survivors. These movement workshops for non-dance populations are rooted in Green’s philosophy that all bodies can benefit from movement and dance. She also offers one on one sessions in Core Energetics a somatic based psychotherapy modality and facilitates and Somatic Healing Group Green is available to lead classes and workshops at a variety of partner organizations independently, through festivals or in conjunction with VG/DE’s grant programs. Contact Valerie Info@DanceEntropy.org https://www.danceentropy.org/ Follow Valerie @danceentropy ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey  In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with  Special Guest: Liz Gerring chair of the 2024 Martha Hill Awards Gala.  Join us as we chat about Liz's career as a dancer, choreographer and teacher and the legacy of Martha Hill "whose influence in the world of dance education and performance knew no bounds."    Liz Gerring is the Executive Director of Liz Gerring Dance and the chair of the 2024 Martha Hill Awards Gala. Liz was born in San Francisco in 1965 and grew up in Los Angeles where she began studying dance at age 13.  Ms. Gerring studied at the Cornish Institute in Seattle, and in 1987 she received a BFA from the Juilliard School.  She formed the Liz Gerring Dance Company in 1998 and has been presenting her work in New York City and abroad continuously since that time. Ms. Gerring was awarded the Jacob’s Pillow prize in June 2015 and a Joyce Theater Residency the same year. Between 2013-18, Ms. Gerring was commissioned for three works in collaboration with composer Michael J. Schumacher for Peak Performances at the Kasser Theater in Montclair NJ. In 2017/18 she was awarded a City Center Choreographic Fellowship and in 2019 Ms. Gerring was one of five artists to receive the Cage - Cunningham Fellowship from the Baryshnikov Arts Center. Ms. Gerring has been on the faculty of Groove With Me, an after school dance program for girls, since 2018. She lives in New York City and upstate NY with her husband Kirk Radke, her three children, a dog and a cat.  “For most of my life I have been engaged in the pursuit of movement for its own sake. Developing an early interest in abstraction as the primary means to expression, I have focused my work on the body and its presentation through space and time.” -- Liz Gerring ⁠⁠⁠Follow Liz @lizgerringdance https://www.lizgerringdance.org/ For information on the Martha Hill Awards go to https://www.marthahilldance.org/martha-hill-awards and follow @marthahilldancefund "Our goal is to honor a professional in the dance field who exemplifies any or all of those qualities for which Martha Hill was most revered--whether an educator or a creative force who has made a significant contribution to the field of dance 'behind the scenes". ⁠⁠⁠Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey  In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Alex Smith Jr.  Executive Chairman of Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center.   Listen in as we sit down and talk about Alex's unexpected and fascinating journey that lead him to where he is today. A Visual Artist, Graphic Designer, Caretaker and Executive Chairman and a man with an open heart to where he is lead- we are celebrating this man and all he is doing in the community and for the performing arts! THPAC's Black History Month FREE program Saturday, February 24, 4 p.m.   Alex Smith Jr.  was born in Montgomery, AL. His parents, both veterans of the Montgomery bus boycott, migrated to Brooklyn, NY when he was 3 years old. He has resided in Brooklyn ever since that time. Smith is the Executive Chairman of Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC). This association began in 1988, when it’s then executive director, Melvin Davis hired Smith to assist in re-branding the image of THPAC. It turned into a long term business relationship with THPAC which continued until the untimely death of Melvin Davis in May of 1995. At this point Smith was asked by the THPAC board to consider becoming the executive director. He accepted the position along with choreographer Marshall Swiney, who became artistic director of THPAC.  Under Smith’s continuing tenure at THPAC as Executive Chairman, over 300 artists have been presented in performance including: Ron Brown, Camille Brown, George Faison, Louis Johnson, Marlies  Yearby, Fred Benjamin, Urban Bush Women, Dance Theater of Harlem and Philadanco, among many others; seven new programming formats have been added; THPAC’s  Life Time Achievement Awards were established; new relationships with performance venues at Long Island University and the Actors Fund Arts Center were formed;  a development dept. for THPAC was established; new in-house works for THPAC entitled Audre Lorde In Motion, Ramp to Paradise and The Gospel According to THPAC were produced; the administrative staff and THPAC boards were restructured; the relocation of THPAC’s headquarters was accomplished.  Smith is spearheading the production of a documentary on THPAC’s 42 years on the dance scene as well as laying out a digital archival structure for THPAC in association with the NYPL at Lincoln Center. On October 18, 2016 Smith was the recipient of the Bessie Award for outstanding service to the field of dance. Smith is a Brooklyn College graduate with advance graphics design/photography studies from the School of  Visual Arts. He is a graphics designer and a visual fine artist. Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center (THPAC), the oldest presenting organization in Brooklyn, and Central Baptist Church of NYC will present its FREE Black History Month program on Saturday, February 24, 4 p.m. for the community celebrating Black contributions through music, dance and spoken word in observance with Black History Month. The performance features three bible-themed works by choreographer Walter Rutledge, featuring dancers Amina Konate and Tevin Johnson and narration by James Earl Jones. THPAC and Central Baptist Church of NYC are committed to the remembrance of Black history and to uplifting of African Americans. By reaching back through this program, we can envision and grasp a healing future for our community and all of humanity. Audiences, the church congregation and larger community will experience a performance about faith, perseverance and the collective strength communities have when joined together. Find out more https://www.thelmahill.org/ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and  Jamel Gaines of Creative Outlet. In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Jamel Gaines, founder and Director of Creative Outlet.  This year marks a special moment for JGCO's annual program as more than 3,000 New York City Public School students will experience the lessons of Remembering. The Company will travel to Cape Coast and Accra, Ghana giving performances and workshops in Africa. Listen in as we talk about the impact Arts in Education had and continues to have in Jamel's life. The February 15 performance of Remembering is in collaboration with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, City Council Member Crystal Hudson, and NAACP Brooklyn Chapter, and pays tribute to New York City Board of Education principals and teachers. The February 16 performance is in collaboration with the Delta’s Chapter of Brooklyn. The February 17 performance is in collaboration with the Brooklyn Brownstones Organization https://youtu.be/x8JgSjd3S_M?si=HIB-br85c8s4xW0M Tickets are available through the link belowhttps://www.bam.org/dance/2024/remembering Brooklyn Academy of Music on February 15 and 16 at 7:30 PM and February 17th at 2 PM. Jamel Gaines is the Founder and Artistic Director of Creative Outlet.Jamel has dedicated his life to delivering artistic excellence and stirring, soaring performance to audiences everywhere.  With more than 22 years of teaching and choreographing experience, Jamel seeks to inspire, motivate and nurture dancers and artists.  Under his leadership, Creative Outlet has set itself apart as a highly acclaimed performing arts organization with a proven record in training the next generation of professional dancers and artists. Some of Jamel’s more recent choreography includes the crowd pleasing presentation live streamed across the internet during Spike Lee’s Annual Tribute Concert to Michael Jackson (August 2017) televised choreography and dramatic performance by contestants on So You Think You Can Dance. (2010).  In addition, Mr. Gaines has created and staged over 25 repertory and concert productions.  He has had the distinction of working with such distinguished artists as Jennifer Holiday, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Savion Glover, Malik Yoba, George Fasion, Ornette Coleman, Ossie Davis, Olatunje Babatunde, Max Roach, Cassandra Wilson and Rick James. Founder and Artistic Director, Jamel Gaines has dedicated his life to delivering artistic excellence to artists and audiences. Jamel has appeared on Public Television’s American Talent in which he was presented The Teacher Recognition Award, during the Presidential Scholars in the Arts Committee at The Kennedy Center, and has been featured in publications such as Essence Magazine, The New York Times, The Seattle Times and The Daily News.  His work has been staged by the Actors Theater Workshop, The NYC Department of Parks, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, the Paramount Theatre and The Martha Graham School.   Mr. Gaines serves as the director of St. Paul’s Eldad Medad Danced Ministry. His work at St. Paul’s includes “He Got Up”, the commemoration of the African Holocaust and the acclaimed “Black Nativity” for which he won an Obie Award. Gaines began his dance career in the mid-1990s under the direction of Diane and Adrian Brown, and James Grant and Received his BFA from SUNY Purchase. He credits the development of his unique and nurturing approach to teaching and composing to Kevin Iega Jeff. Follow on Instagram @jamelgainescreativeoutlet  Find out more https://www.creativeoutlet.org/⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and  Karisma Jay. In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Karisma Jay founder of the AbunDance Academy of the Arts, teaching and mentoring abundance in the lives of all her students . The AbunDance Academy is the first Black Owned Non-Profit Arts Organization to produce an original production written by Karisma herself. With a healthy and robust curriculum, AbunDance Academy of the Arts offers specialized classes in Dance, Audition Prep, Adult Fitness and Aerial Yoga. Its diverse faculty roster includes highly skilled teaching artists who are passionate about their artistry and the budding artistry of every student. Located in Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights / Lefferts Gardens neighborhood, AbunDance Academy gives students the opportunity to explore their passions without having to travel to another borough. The organization will host the second annual Abundance Awards to be held at the Billie Holiday Theatre in Brooklyn to Benefit The Abundance Academy of Arts on February 4th. Tickets are available through the link below https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-2nd-annual-abundance-awards-tickets-523131930687?aff=oddtdtcreator The AbunDance Awards were created in 2023 and raise funds for the AbunDance Arts Academy, founded by award-winning artist and entrepreneur Karisma Jay to show youths what they can accomplish in the dance world and to honor people of color who have made significant contributions to the field. 2024 honorees include Reginald Van Lee, Assane Konte, Obediah Wright, Karen Thornton, Jamel Gaines, Chloe Arnold, Maud Arnold, Arcell Cabuag, and Nicole Deweever.  Karisma Jay is a Brooklyn native , dancer, actress, singer, director, playwright, choreographer, coach, teacher, entrepreneur and host who has been performing, curating and creating for three decades. She is the recipient of a Dance Teacher Magazine 2021 Dance Teacher Award and a 2023 Women of Distinction Award Recipient. Her work has been featured on Netflix, Lifetime, BET, MTV, NBC, and VH1. In 2013, Karisma joined STOMP. In 2016, Family Circle magazine coined her a “Local Hero,” and Lifetime TV called her “a Female Entrepreneur to Watch.” In 2017, she won the “Power Women in Business” award for her work as Artistic Director/Founder of AbunDance Academy. A recent Summa Cum Laude Dance MFA graduate of Hunter College, she also Guest Teaches Dance/Culture at Hunter. A Guest Teaching Artist at The Juilliard School, LaGuardia High School, Hunter College, Ballet Tech, and Broadway Dance Center, she was also the choreographic apprentice of David Byrne’s American Utopia and choreographer for COMMON's Music Video, "When We Move."  Jay is dedicated to providing affordable classes and opportunities to perform for young aspiring dancers of color. She conceived, co-wrote, and co-directed the 2022 short film C.R.O.W.N., which tells the story of a young Brown ballerina who has to tame her hair into submission for the biggest audition of her life. The film was inspired by Jay’s own attempts to fit into a ballet world with her thick, curly hair and Afro-Latina curves. Crown sparked an important conversation around embracing one’s differences and loving one’s hair texture and skin tone in ballet. Jay also directed the 2021 short film Just Like YOU to inspire young people to love themselves regardless of their skin color, hair texture, body shape, or background. Follow on Instagram @abundance_company @iamkarisamajayFind out more https://www.abundancearts.org/our-journey ⁠Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

"Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Gabriel Chajnik. Joanne and Gabriel go way back as dancers, colleagues, friends.  It's always a treat when Dance Talk welcomes an old friend to the platform! sit back , listen in, laugh a little as they forget they are recording a podcast and chat about their time working together, their thoughts on the power of dance and Gabriels upcoming project "Jungle Book" in collaboration with classical Indian dance choreographer Sudha Shekhar Devulapalli.  Gabriel Chajnik is the founding director of the new Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater, Gabriel Chajnik was trained under the tutelage of Maestro Hector Zaraspe and is an alumnus of the Juilliard School. Gabriel is a former dancer with American Repertory Ballet. His teaching credits expand from Argentina to Europe and the United States at Brooklyn Music School, Princeton Ballet, the Academy of Dance Arts and Gotta Dance in New Jersey. Gabriel’s work has been featured at Juilliard, the Manhattan School of Music, the Shakespeare Theater in Washington, D.C., Alice Tully Hall, the Clark Theater at Lincoln Center, MMAC, and the Lambs Theater. Gabriel is also the Artistic Director for TranscenDanceGroup, whose TDG Holocaust Awareness performance has reached school students throughout the tri-state area. Gabriel has been honored by the Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon, & Warren Counties. Find out more ⁠https://www.axcbt.org/about-axcbt⁠ Get tickets to Jungle Book February 2-11, 2024  A new ballet based on Rudyard Kipling’s collection of stories about a boy adopted and raised by wolves fulfilling his quest for identity, love and belonging. Directed and choreographed by AXCBT Director Gabriel Chajnik, The Jungle Book is a groundbreaking collaboration with classical Indian dance teacher Sudha Shekhar Devulapalli. This AXCBT production features a fusion of Bharatanatyam and contemporary dance performed by a cast of professional dancers and talented young fellows and trainees, with elaborate costumes designed by José Solis and masks and headpieces designed by Tentacle Studios, whose clients include Lady Gaga, Kesha, and the Royal Ballet. ⁠https://ci.ovationtix.com/35486/production/1160725⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram @⁠https://www.instagram.com/axelrodarts/⁠ Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real." Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Andrew N. Chiang, the executive director of Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. Listen in as Andy shares about his life and 'love at first sight' with his beloved late wife Nai-Ni Chen and the continued mission of the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company that is deeply rooted in the Chinese American immigrant experience and to advance the vision of its founder. Happy Chinese New Year as you join us in celebrating the Year of the Green Wood Dragon! Check out Na-Ni Chen Dance Company at NJPAC https://www.njpac.org/event/nai-ni-chen-dance-company-year-of-the-green-wood-dragon/ Tickets Available for Feb 10 & 11 https://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/1152075?venueId=308&_gl=1*5y38hm*_gcl_au*NjcxODQ0MjgxLjE3MDU1MDM3Nzg.&_ga=2.167876385.1093882650.1705503778-888170708.1705503778 Andy Chiang emigrated to the Bronx, New York, from Taiwan when he was 14, with a single mom who worked as a nurse. A math whiz from a young age, Chiang caught the attention of a teacher who encouraged him to apply to prestigious undergrad programs. Computer science was just beginning to take off when Chiang began at MIT, and he eventually migrated from math into computing. He worked at IBM over several summers, researching automatic programming (or early AI), earning both money and MIT credits. Through his work at IBM, he received his master’s degree as part of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science’s 6-A program. Finishing his studies at the dawn of the personal computer, Chiang resisted the call of Silicon Valley heeded by many of his peers. Instead, he stayed on the East Coast and joined a startup, founded by a fellow MIT alum, that focused on transactional computing in finance, designing systems to be crash resistant. He moved on to working on crash resistance at AT&T Bell Labs before starting a company called Intellimed, an early pioneer in electronic medical records. After selling the company, he worked as an independent consultant on projects in health care and finance.  Chiang had already met his future wife at MIT when she performed for the Chinese Student Club in a dance troupe visiting from Taiwan. (Chen was the troupe’s lead dancer; Chiang was the club’s president.) The two stayed in touch, and Chen eventually emigrated to the US to attend New York University. They married in 1982, and Chen started her namesake company six years later. By the time Chiang decided to step away from consulting and dedicate himself full time to the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, he had also served on a panel evaluating grants for the NEA and on the board of the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation.  Find out more https://www.nainichen.org/company Follow on Instagram @nainichendancecompany Please leave us review about our podcast ⁠Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real." Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share.

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Legendary Ballet Master,  Finis Jhung.  Listen in as he retraces his career that spans decades and continues to inspire generations. Meet the  master teacher as he reflects upon his life, career, and what brings him joy. He continues to inspire dancers of all all ages. And tells us to M-O-V-E our bodies! Finis Jhung's career spans six decades and has left his mark on Broadway, in film, and on stages across the world. While still a dancer, he studied with the greats—Valentina Pereyaslavec, Vera Volkova, Stanley Williams, Erik Bruhn, Rosella Hightower, and David Howard—and danced in the San Francisco Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, and the Harkness Ballet. He danced for presidents and dignitaries and eventually founded and choreographed for his own ballet company. Now in the second phase of his career as a renowned and beloved dance instructor, Finis has taught everyone from prima ballerinas and Broadway stars to adult beginners. His goal is to make ballet accessible to everyone, to create innovative ways of teaching, and to inspire present and future generations of dancers. Not content with life in the studio, he has created more than 50 instructional dance videos, produced 18 music CDs, and authored The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique: A Guide for Teachers & Students—all so that aspiring dancers of every level can learn his techniques, without ever leaving home. In Ballet for Life: A Pictorial Memoir, he shares his own story for the first time, starting from humble roots in World War II Hawaii.Still actively teaching at the age of 86, his greatest joy is helping students find their “inner dancer.” Follow on Instagram @finisjhung Find out more https://finisjhung.com/about-finis-jhung/ ⁠Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey"Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and  Gene Schiavone. In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Dance Photographer Gene Schiavone  about his  career which grew out of a hobby. You will meet this humble man behind the lens who captures moments in time thus memorializing history. Gene shares how he savors the relationships he has made and the individuals he has met, summing up his career by his treasured box of thank you notes, saying in his own words, "You measure your life, in some way,  by how many thank you notes you got."   Gene Schiavone became interested in photography as a child.  With no formal training, he went on to become a sought after Dance Photographer. What began as a childhood curiosity became a budding career,  photographing some of the worlds best ballet dancers. Gene attributes his introduction to the world of ballet to his wife through her involvement with ABT (American Ballet Theater). His informal conversation with renowned ballerina, Julie Kent, piqued his interest in the art form and then began to attend more ballet performances. Around that same time, Gene was given permission to photograph performances of ABT's studio company and after two years was invited to photograph the main company, which led to other requests for similar work. Gene's work and images includes Boston Ballet, Mariinsky Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet, Washington Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and The Radio City Rockettes among others. His images have appeared New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and all the major dance publications both here and abroad. In March 2020, Gene retired from studio photography and is currently working on his first book in collaboration with retired ballerina and dance writer, Gavin Larsen. Gene continues to acknowledge his gratitude for all the dancers he has worked with over the years and for the hundreds of pairs of signed shoes and photos he remembers them by.  Follow on Instagram @geneschiavoneofficial Find out more ⁠https://www.geneschiavone.com/ Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest, Kara Tatelbaum, dancer, choreographer, teacher, coach, and author of her memoir,  'Putting My Heels Down: A Memoir of Having a Dream and a Day Job.' In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest, Kara Tatelbaum  author of 'Putting My Heels Down: A Memoir of Having a Dream and a Day Job.'  As you tune in, you'll see Kara's honest, genuine and humorous style of writing was present in all she does.  Kara brings us inside her journey through the dance world and what it was like to carve out a thriving career in NYC when everything was pointing to 'no.'  This is a delightful conversation with a fun, warm and delightful human being who in her own words is 'caregiver to all of her endeavors. ' Kara Tatelbaum Described by the New Yorker as “having brown curls, bright eyes, kiddish exuberance and looking like the heroine of a children’s book, Really Rosie meets Olivia the Pig,” Kara Tatelbaum brings full-out dancer energy to all of her endeavors, striving for a life of authenticity, grace, and humor. As a sought-after teacher and coach, Kara empowers others to hold on, let go, realize, and expand their own dreams. You can find her spotlight center-stage or cheering from the audience. Turns out she’s comfortable both places. Kara Tatelbaum brings her whole self as dancer, choreographer, teacher, coach, writer, and caregiver to all of her endeavors. Kara lives in NYC with her husband and two children.  Follow on Instagram @karatatelbaum To learn more about Kara and to found out where to purchase her book https://karatatelbaum.com/ Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast!  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."

“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest, Marina Harss, dance writer and author of 'The Boy from Kyiv, Alexei Ratmansky's  Life in Ballet.'  In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest, Marina Harss who recently published her first biography 'The Boy from Kyiv, Alexei Ratmansky's  Life in Ballet.' Join us as we talk not only about this beautiful book that explores the life and career of choreographer , Alexei Ratmansky, but the in depth process and care that Marina took to learn and connect us to this 'boy from kyiv'.  Marina's writing brings the reader inside the heart of this extroidinary talent of Alexei Ratmansky in a way that leaves the reader wanting to know more. Marina Harss is a dance writer, journalist, and critic based in New York City. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Nation, The Guardian, The Boston Globe, The Threepenny Review, Dance Magazine, and Fjord Review. Follow on Instagram @marina.harss To purchase the book ⁠⁠https://us.macmillan.com/search?searchType=products&q=The+Boy+from+Kyiv⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Boy-Kyiv-Alexei-Ratmanskys- ⁠Ballet/dp/0374102619/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=⁠⁠ Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast!  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey"Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."