“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 asthese three ladiesdiscuss 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

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“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey

"Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."