Advertise on podcast: Larkspur Dance & Choreography Podcast

Carlee Bachek is not only the coach of the University of Indianapolis Dance Team, she was also a member, a leader, and the catalyst to get the team recognized as a club sport instead of a student led organization.  You'll hear her insights on leading the team, building the program, team culture, choreography, technique, and all kinds of other coaching advice.  She's also a judge and instructor, so I picked her brain on teaching technique and material, and tips to improve a routine from her viewpoint as a judge.   Follow University of Indianapolis Dance Team: https://www.instagram.com/uindydance/ https://www.facebook.com/University.of.Indianapolis.Dance.Team Connect with Larkspur: Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie  

Denise Heilers is the long time coach of the Forest Park Dance Team.  They hold 23 state titles total in pom, kick, and hip hop.  They are also climbing the ranks on the national stage as well.  With this talent and quality of performances, one would assume that they come from a really large school with tons of resources and a big pool of dancers from which to choose their team.  Nothing can be further from the truth.  Forest Park is considered a small school, even when it's combined with its junior high, but that's one of the attributes that Denise has turned into an asset for her and her team.  She's full of great advice that can be applied to all teams of all sizes, plus lots of motivation and inspiration!   Follow the Forest Park Dance Team on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fpdance/ Connect with Larkspur: Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Danielle Schneider is what I consider a triple threat in our industry:  coach, judge, and state association leader.  She has been a coach in the state of Oregon for many years so she has many ideas on what has worked in the areas of team management and culture.  She is also an experienced and knowledgeable dance team judge, so I picked her brain about improving routines from a judge's point of view.  She also serves on the board of the Dance Drill Coaches Association of Oregon, which is a fantastic organization, so she shared some ideas that we can all apply in our own areas of the country.   DDCA of Oregon: https://www.ddcaoregon.org Connect with Larkspur: Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Gretchen Noack is one of my favorite dance team people!  She's so warm and friendly and so very welcoming to everyone.  She also really knows her stuff, having taught for USA for years, and judging dance teams across the country for even longer.  She shares her unconventional dance story, what makes USA so special and worthy of falling down a YouTube rabbit hole, how to improve technique, and her tips for improving performances and routines.  If you don't know her yet, she's about to be your new best friend!   You can contact Gretchen at [email protected] and at the following numbers:   Work:  866-656-6105 Cell:  714-928-3178 Connect with Larkspur: Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

 Jenny Matthews is from Lafayette, Lousiana, where she began her training at a young age.  She was trained in all genres of dance but her true love is teaching.  She brings over 30 years of experience and has been teaching competitively since 2003. In high school, she was a member of the St. Thomas More Sparklers and won national titles in Pom & Jazz.  She continued her dance training in Baton Rouge, where she was the captain of The LSU Tiger Girls dance team for 2 years, taking home the national title her senior year in Jazz.  After receiving her Bachelor's degree in Business from LSU she coached the Sparklers from 2004-2006 taking home three national championships. She then took a small break to have her three beautiful children David, Sophia and Grace with her husband Dave Matthews.  She started coaching the Sparklers again in 2012 and they are currently the reigning National Champions in Pom.  Her passion for dance, teaching and learning are the forces that drive her.  Her philosophy is based on fundamentals, training and individual growth.  She wants each dancer to fulfill their personal goals.  Her teaching style is fun, energetic and positive.  I so enjoyed talking to Jenny and learned so much from her!   Follow Jenny's team: https://www.instagram.com/stmsparklers/ Follow Jenny's studio: https://www.instagram.com/themovementlft/ Be a part of our collaborative project with Jenny and her team, and country music recording artist Jamie O’Neal: https://www.larkspurdance.com/larkwp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TWGOWeb.pdf Connect with Larkspur: Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie  

Jennifer Whitford is an all around expert in so many facets of dance team.  She's been a dancer, an instructor, a coach at the high school and college level, a choreographer and a judge.  Jennifer is now serving as head coach to The College of New Jersey Dance Team.  She's also a wonderfully kind, generous and helpful human being, and gave so many pieces of wisdom and advice that can be applied today!   Follow The College of New Jersey Dance Team: https://www.instagram.com/tcnjdanceteam/ Follow Jenn: https://www.instagram.com/jennwhitforddance/ Be a part of our collaborative project with Jenn and her team, and country music recording artist Jamie O’Neal: https://www.larkspurdance.com/larkwp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TWGOWeb.pdf Connect with Larkspur: Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Bianca Caryl is the coach of a major powerhouse, the Arizona State University Dance Team.  I think listeners will be pleasantly surprised and inspired by Bianca's approach to competition, building team culture, and her team's purpose.  She shares so much insight and advice from her wealth of knowledge and experience!   Follow ASU Dance Team: https://www.instagram.com/asudanceteam/ Be a part of our collaborative project with Bianca and her team, and country music recording artist Jamie O’Neal: https://www.larkspurdance.com/larkwp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TWGOWeb.pdf Connect with Larkspur: Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Mo Klug has lived on both sides of the country, but eventually settled here in the Midwest where we are so fortunate to have her.  She talks about her varied background and dance experience and shares all kinds of great insights and advice on coaching.  There are so many takeaways from this episode with Mo, the coach of the UDA Virtual Game Day national champions, the University of Nebraska Omaha Dance Team!   Follow UNO: https://www.instagram.com/omahadanceteam/ Be a part of our collaborative project with Mo and her team, and country music recording artist Jamie O'Neal: https://www.larkspurdance.com/larkwp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TWGOWeb.pdf Connect with Larkspur: Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Join us for The Confident Dancer Summit August 6th - 8th, a free online conference for dance coaches and teachers!  You will gain knowledge and skills to teach your dancers to believe in themselves, help your dancers take the stage with confidence, boost your confidence as the educator, learn from a community of like-minded educators so you're not alone, and start your training at the beginning of the season so your dancers grow all year!   I'm joined on the podcast by the host of the summit Dr. Chelsea Pierotti, a sports psychologist for dancers.  She gives details on content, speakers, and the All Access Pass that will grant you lifetime access to the summit presentations and some special perks!   Secure your free ticket to the summit at this link: https://passionatecoach.mykajabi.com/summit-registration?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fpassionatecoach.mykajabi.com%2Fa%2F2147491821%2Fd3SShDWr I can't wait to connect with all of you at The Confident Dancer Summit!    

We are so excited to announce the release of this collaborative project between Larkspur, Jamie O'Neal and college dance teams around the country during this pandemic!  Jamie's song The World Goes On was released at the height of Covid, and it inspired us to create beautiful movement, and to reach out and make connections with other dancers since that was a void in all of our lives due to measures taken to combat the Coronavirus.  This talented Grammy nominated artist not only gave us her permission and blessing to utilize her song in this way, but she also talks to us about it and other topics on this podcast episode!  Jamie O'Neal's career has been prolific as a vocalist, songwriter and producer, so I picked her brain about creativity, inspiration, and maintaining a career in the arts.  She's also no stranger to the dance world, and has tremendous respect for what we do as well!   See the collaborative video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viEb7avzmhw Both Larkspur and Jamie O'Neal are extending a warm and heartfelt invitation to all dancers everywhere to be a part of this collaboration!  Kayla and I talk about how you can do just that in the outro of this episode!  More information can be found at https://www.larkspurdance.com  and https://www.larkspurdance.com/larkwp/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TWGOWeb.pdf Jamie O'Neals links: Website https://www.jamieoneal.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jamieonealofficial/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWN4DPj7sMnGfdbhbAI4W2g Shoutout to our sponsors! Glam'r Gear:  You all have heard Kayla and I go on and on about these bags!  They have some really great gear that has been designed especially with the needs of dancers in mind.  My team and I utilized our backpacks all summer long while teaching clinics and working on this project.  There are so many pockets in all shapes and sizes, which comes in handy for sure!  Glam'r Gear is offering a 5% discount on most items if you use the code LARK05!  Check them out at glamrgear.com Apolla Performance:  They outfitted us with some great footwear and my team absolutely loved them and use them to teach at their studios all the time.  I wore a pair inside my sneakers at every clinic I taught this summer and it really helped!  I belong to a choreography and dance teacher network and a teacher nearing the age of 50 was asking for help because she can't wear the tap and jazz shoes anymore that she used to be able to wear.  I was going to recommend Apolla, but about 10 other members beat me to it!  Apolla is offering a 5% discount until August 31st with the code LARKSPUR5.  Check them out at apollaperformance.com    

Gretchen Jost is the coach of the national championship team West Fargo Packatahnas.  We talked about all kinds of great dance team stuff including how she has handled the pandemic with her team, planning a "normal" dance team year, building team culture, teaching skills and conditioning, cleaning routines, virtual competition tips, improving performances before and during competitions, building a routine, tweaking choreo, and her sweetest victories.  There is so much to learn from this knowledgeable and dedicated coach of such a powerhouse team!   Follow the Packatahnas:   https://www.facebook.com/West-Fargo-HS-Dance-Team-120300601385124 https://www.instagram.com/westfargodanceteam/ Shout out to the sponsor of this episode:  Apolla Performance!  Larkspur loves their footwear!   Apolla website: https://www.apollaperformance.com Apolla Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apollaperformance Apolla Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apollaperformance/ Apolla Twitter: https://twitter.com/ApollaWear Connect with Larkspur at the following links: Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie

Mishra Keller has been a competitive cheerleader, dancer, choreographer, instructor and judge so her perspective comes from years of experience.  Her perspective is also unique because she through her company Nutrisults, she offers a holistic approach that beautifully translates into dance teams, individual dancers, choreographers, and coaches.  We talk about choreography, improving routines and maximizing a team's potential in common scoresheet captions.  Her answers are different and I think come at the perfect time as seasons are either gearing up for competition, or wrapping up after competition.  We also talk about doing what is best for all areas of your life through nutrition and fitness, and correcting previous damage that may have been done both physically, emotionally and mentally.  Mishra has a wealth of knowledge to share when it comes to body image and what she has to say will help our dance team community continue on a more inclusive approach and will help those of us who have struggled with this in the past to heal.  So much great info from this dear friend and mentor!   You can find Mishra at community.nutrisults.com She's also on Clubhouse doing all kinds of great things in the Nutrisults Community @holisticmish Mishra's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nutrisults/ Shoutout to the sponsor of this episode:  Glam’r Gear! They have fantastic pieces of luggage the even the tiniest of tots can maneuver!  Precious costumes will arrive to the competitions safely and neatly with Glam’r Gear’s patented design that keeps costumes organized, and has an optional privacy curtain that transforms the luggage into a dressing room!  They also have tap boards and marley covered turning boards to help dancers stay on their toes at home!  And don’t forget to look at their accessories page for some great dance stuff too, like my favorite travel cosmetics bag and a garment bag with pockets to hold smaller costume pieces.  Use code LARK5 to receive 5% off!  Some exclusions apply. Connect with Larkspur at the following links: Website: https://www.larkspurdance.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larkspurdance/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarkspurDance/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkspurMelanie