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How do you preserve the history of a dance culture when so much was never documented, and those who lived it have different perspectives? In this special DanceSpeak episode, Galit Friedlander and Princess Lockerooo (Samara Cohen) come together on Instagram Live to discuss her new documentary, WAACKING, and compare experiences within the art form. From Waacking's resurgence in New York to their mentorship under legendary pioneer Tyrone Proctor, they explore the challenges of passing down a culture shaped by oral history and multiple perspectives. They dive into teaching foundations while encouraging individuality, the complexities of codifying a dance style, and how to preserve tradition while allowing it to evolve. Princess Lockerooo also shares the inspiration behind WAACKING, why the film takes viewers to China, and the importance of sharing stories beyond the commercial spotlight. For dancers and educators of all styles, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how we learn, teach, and honor the cultures behind the movement. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Lockerooo on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/princesslockerooo. Learn more about the Waacking documentary at https://www.thewaackingdocumentary.com/ and supporting with a pledge by Nov 20, 2026 at https://waackingkickstarter.com/

Welcome to episode 119 of the DanceSpeak podcast with Samara "Princess Lockerooo" Cohen. You may have seen her audition on SYTYCD, parading (literally) in NYC, DJing in Thailand, or one of many clips where she CRUSHES it with her waackin performances (and battles...and when she holds events). We go through Samara's journey from training as a vocal major in New York's 'FAME' school (aka LaGuardia, aka, the same high school I went to, whaaa?!) to finding dance and training her way to be the best in her lane. We discuss oh so many things, including: working on a project for Madonna, how to take control of your own career, why Waackin is empowering, how she built her brand (hint: it involves clubbing), and how to hone in on what makes YOU...YOU (my favorite topic, always). Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Lockerooo on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/princesslockerooo. Learn more about the Waacking documentary at https://www.thewaackingdocumentary.com/ and supporting with a pledge by Nov 20, 2026 at https://waackingkickstarter.com/

What happens when the very thing you're discouraged from doing becomes the foundation of your career? Featured on HBO's Euphoria, Hacks, and in music videos for artists including Future and Metro Boomin, dancer, pole artist, coach and actress Trisha Fey has built a career on embracing the very artistry she once felt pressured to suppress. In this episode, Trisha shares how she went from a marriage shaped by religious expectations to finding artistic freedom through stripping, and the unexpected lessons about boundaries and self-advocacy that she carried into Hollywood. We get into what commercial dance owes to strip club culture, the complicated line between empowerment and oversexualization, and how Trisha's approach on the set of Euphoria helped open new doors. Along the way, we explore knowing when to push or pivot, advocating for yourself, and making choices that honor who you are. Whether you're navigating a career shift, questioning expectations placed on you, or finding your voice as an artist, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on building a career and life on your own terms. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Trisha Fey on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heytrishafey and through her website www.glowupandbeseen.com Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Kevin Maher (Creative Dir/Choreographer) has spent decades dancing, choreographing, teaching (Madonna, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Bad Bunny), and figuring out what actually matters to him as an artist. We trace his path from hustling through the late-’90s NYC dance scene to performing with artists including Missy Elliott and Mariah Carey, and what happened when the reality of the work didn’t always match the dream. Kevin gets into why he resists labeling his choreography by dance style, what 'being bad' can unlock, knowing when it’s time to move on, and valuing your influences without feeling pressured to put your movement into a box. We also get practical about getting unstuck when choreographing, bringing freestyle into choreography, creating under a time crunch, returning to your basics, and taking class without needing to be great at everything. This one gets into craft, artistic identity, career longevity, and building a dance career that actually feels like your own.

In this special DanceSpeak x No Starving Artists crossover episode, we sit down with Moncell Durden for a candid conversation about the International Dance League and some of the bigger questions its inception brings to the dance community. Through Moncell’s perspective, we dig into what dancers can consider when new professional opportunities emerge, from sustainability and understanding contracts to asking better questions before signing on the dotted line. This isn’t legal advice, but rather an invitation for dancers to think critically, stay curious, and better understand the opportunities in front of them. A thoughtful conversation about IDL that ultimately asks a bigger question: how can dancers become more informed participants in their own careers? Stay tuned and subscribe, as this is the first in a series! Learn more about the No Starving Artists Podcast https://nsadance.com/ Learn more about Moncell https://www.moncelldurden.com/

What does it actually take to keep your body healthy through rehearsals, performances, flights, hotels, and the demands of life on the road? Athletic trainer Adam Quigley has supported artists and tours including Post Malone, Lorde, Tyla, Karol G, the Jabbawockeez, 5 Seconds of Summer, plus broadway tours like MJ the Musical and Moulin Rouge, helping performers care for their bodies through the unique physical demands of touring. In this conversation, Adam shares practical strategies for staying healthy on the road while challenging dancers to think of themselves as athletes. We discuss how to build a warm-up that supports the demands of dance, what to pack on tour, navigating time zone changes and travel fatigue, fueling your body while traveling, and why recovery deserves just as much attention as performance. Adam also shares his philosophy of care, explains why movement is medicine, and offers practical advice for preventing small issues from becoming bigger ones. The conversation also explores the physical and mental comedown after tour - something many dancers experience but rarely discuss, despite how important it can be for long-term health and performance. Whether you're touring internationally, teaching on weekends, traveling for work, or simply want to build a longer, healthier dance career, this episode is packed with practical tools to help you take better care of your body. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home Connect with Adam Quigley on Instagram - www.instagram.com/adamquigley Explore Adam's company website - https://blvperformancetherapy.com/ Listen to DanceSpeak on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

In episode 226, host Galit Friedlander and guest Link (dancer, educator, and one of the most respected voices on hip-hop and house culture) discuss what it means to truly understand hip-hop and house, not just as dance styles, but as cultures shaped by people, places, music, and community. Link shares stories from the clubs that influenced generations of dancers, the mentors who shaped his perspective, and why he never thought of himself as someone who "trained." He simply loved to dance. Together, we explore how understanding who you're learning from can deepen your understanding of the movement itself, why dancing and teaching require different skill sets, and how the social spaces that gave birth to these dances continue to shape the way we move today. Whether you're a street dancer, commercial dancer, educator, or simply someone who wants to deepen your understanding of hip-hop and house, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective that may change the way you approach both the dance and the culture. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/galitfriedlander Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Link on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/link.efc Herbert Holler LPR Party https://www.instagram.com/herbertholler

Aisha Francis has built a career as a performer, choreographer, teacher, and one of the dance industry's most respected heels educators. In this conversation, she shares the unexpected story of how she ended up helping Beyoncé learn to dance in heels, along with the lessons she's learned from decades of working in the industry. We discuss confidence as a trainable skill, the physical and psychological foundations of performance, what dancers often misunderstand about building a career, and why training with intention matters. Aisha also opens up about burnout, losing her love for dance, finding it again through teaching, and the realities of navigating a constantly changing industry. From unforgettable stories on stage to practical insights on artistry, professionalism, and longevity, this episode offers a candid look at what it takes to grow not only as a dancer, but as a performer and person. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Aisha on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/iamaishafrancis and through her website https://aishafrancis.com/ Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In episode 225, Kara Tatelbaum (author of Putting My Heels Down, critically acclaimed choreographer, renowned Pilates teacher, and dance educator) shares an honest look at what it means to continue building a meaningful life in dance when things don’t go according to plan. This conversation explores how dancers can navigate rejection, injury, burnout, financial reality, and evolving identity without losing their connection to movement or themselves. Kara opens up about growing up with physical limitations that teachers constantly criticized, making peace with a career trajectory that looked different than expected, and eventually finding fulfillment in places she never anticipated, including teaching preschool dance after years in higher education, choreography, Pilates, and the professional dance world. Galit and Kara also discuss the difference between being an instructor versus an educator, balancing artistry with survival jobs, the pressure dancers place on themselves to “make it,” and why stories from non-famous dancers still matter. This episode offers perspective for dancers trying to create sustainable careers, expand their definition of success, and feel less isolated in the realities that so many people in the dance world quietly experience. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Kara Tatelbaum on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/karatatelbaum/ and through her website https://karatatelbaum.com/. Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Archie Burnett is a foundational voice in New York’s dance and club culture (House of Ninja, Check Your Body at the Door and world-renowned teacher) - someone who's lived through and contributed to the environments that shaped social dance as we know it today. In this episode, we get into the realities of the club scene, the impact of policy and tragedy on nightlife, and how dancers adapted when everything around them shifted. Archie shares what it meant to learn through observation, community, and experience (long before social media). This conversation goes beyond dance into philosophy, identity, and the mindset that’s carried Archie through decades of life, work, and movement. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Archie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/demoncar0007/ Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In episode 223 host Galit Friedlander and guest May Or (professional dancer with touring and commercial credits and a doctorate in psychology) discuss what it took for May to complete her PhD while working as a dancer, the pressure and perfectionism many dancers experience, and how social media has changed the way dancers are seen in the industry. They also talk about May’s experience growing up as an immigrant navigating language barriers, balancing rehearsals with doctoral coursework, and her perspective on why dancers can pursue more than one path. Follow Galit Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with May Or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maylovespink and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@maylovespink. Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

This week on DanceSpeak, I sit down with Brian 'Footwork' Green, a master teacher and influential figure in street and club dance culture whose impact spans generations. Recorded live in August 2025, this episode captures Brian’s unfiltered thoughts on musicality, lineage, and what often gets misunderstood about street dance. We explore competition versus convention culture, the realities of the dance economy, and the difference between who you are and the artistic name you move under. Brian speaks honestly about off-beat dancing, “auto-tuned” movement, teaching, trends, and what gets lost when dance drifts away from the heart. The conversation also touches on race, representation, and identity in dance spaces—layered, nuanced, and rooted in lived experience rather than soundbites. Insightful, funny, challenging, and deeply grounded in culture, this episode is for dancers who love dance enough to think about it, question it, and keep it alive. Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website – https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home – https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Brian on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brianfootworkgreen/. You can purchase Brian's on-line dance classes https://www.theybarelyunderstandhello.com/#classes.

In episode 221, host Galit Friedlander and guest Kim Holmes (widely respected director, choreographer, dance educator) explore the roots of house and hip-hop culture through lived experience, mentorship, and time spent inside New York City’s party and club scenes before these styles became widely visible. Kim shares her journey into dance, discovering house at a young age, and learning directly with pioneers like Marjory Smarth during a formative era that shaped how she moves, teaches, and thinks about longevity. Together, Galit and Kim reflect on what it meant to come up in spaces where culture was built in real time—long before social media or conventions—and how being “the it kids” back then came with both opportunity and responsibility. The conversation also moves into technique, recovery, listening to the body, trusting timing, and how mindset and intuition quietly guide long careers in dance. Originally recorded in 2019, this episode feels especially relevant today as dancers revisit foundations, lineage, and what it truly means to sustain a life in dance beyond trends. Follow Galit: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website – https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home – https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Kim Holmes on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kimd.holmes. Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In episode 220, host Galit Friedlander and guest Chad Geiger (dance agent at The Movement Talent Agency) pull back the curtain on what representation really looks like from the agency side and what dancers often misunderstand about it. We talk about essential pieces of a sustainable dance career: communication, contracts, headshots and resumes that actually serve you, and how your choices off the floor impact your opportunities just as much as your training on it. Chad shares insight on navigating direct bookings, building trust with your team, and why “doing the basics well” is still one of the biggest differentiators in today’s industry. Follow Galit: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website – https://www.gogalit.com/ Fit From Home – https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/courses/fit-from-home You can connect with Chad Geiger on https://www.instagram.com/chad_geiger Listen to DanceSpeak on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

In this episode, Galit sits down with creator and educator Jason Pickett for a real conversation about the shifts happening in today’s dance world. Jason shares his path from Utah’s freestyle community to building a career outside the traditional LA route, and the mindset behind choosing what actually feels right. They dig into the responsibilities of teachers and influencers online, the short-sightedness that's causing dance studios and conventions business, and a shift in what dancers want to do professionally. Jason and Galit also explore whether competitions are watering down dance, how COVID changed the mentality of young dancers, and why the best teachers don’t rely on the “combo.” This episode pulls back the curtain on connecting the generations, talent development, and what it really means to create good dancers - not just good perfectionists. Follow Galit: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gogalit Website - https://www.gogalit.com/ On-Demand Fitness Courses - https://galit-s-school-0397.thinkific.com/collections Follow Jason Pickett: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heyitspickett/ Jason's Website - https://nsadance.com/