Advertise on podcast: DSO Connect - By & For Dance Studio Owners

This week Robin talks with Personal Dance Trainer and owner of BodyKinect, Kendall Baab all about how to keep our dancers well with strength training, cross-training, injury prevention, and more. Kendall is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and a BASI Certified Pilates Instructor with a dance specialization. She is also a Certified Health Coach through Dr. Sears' Wellness Institute. Kendall works with dancers all over the United States on strength, conditioning, and flexibility to enhance performance and prevent injury. To learn more about Kendall and to inquire about working with her, connect with her on Instagram @trainwithkendall or visit her website: https://www.bodykinect.org/

When it comes to dancer drama, prevention is key. Veteran studio owner Suzanne Citere talks to Robin and Casey this week all about what she's learned over the years about how to handle dancer conflicts when they bubble up, plus what the pandemic has taught her, and what she learned from being a "clueless" horse show mom.

35-year studio owner veteran Rhonda Foote joins Robin and Casey this week to talk about how she creates performance opportunities for her Outreach Company dancers all year long. PLUS, her shows are ALL donation-based to raise money for local families and children in need. Learn about how Rhonda channels her impressive energy to create memories, connection, and support for her community.

Kristin Deiss and Michelle Loucadoux are on a mission to change the dance industry one dance teacher at a time. They created Danscend to bring mental wellness to the forefront of dance training by providing a space for education, application, and community to dancers, educators, and professionals. Through their extremely affordable resources for teachers and dancers, they tackle topics like performance anxiety, body image, self-talk, perfectionism, and so much more. To learn more, visit www.danscend.com 

As dance studio owners, we just can't escape some tricky conversations. Whether it's parent complaints about casting or level placement, or drama between students, we have to be able to face these discussions with a level head. This week on the pod, Casey and Robin share recent instances in their own studios where they've had to handle delicate topics with parents and students. Got a sticky situation at your studio? Get some advice and clarity (and vent about it!) in the DSO Connect Community group on Facebook! Just answer the questions to join. We can't wait to meet you!

This week Amanda and Heather join the podcast with Robin and Casey to talk about professional development for studio owners: why it's so important, experiences we've each had at various events, and all about the DSO Connect 2022 Studio Owner Retreat, June 27th-29th in Phoenix, Arizona! We can't wait to see you there!

Casey and Robin are back this week to talk all about Open Marley Night - an event that Robin created years ago as a sort of Open Mic night for dancers. Plus, they share tips on how to find great guest artists for your studio.

Susanne Puerschel, former international ballerina and founder of R.I.S.E. Media joins Casey and Robin this week to talk about...well, a whole lot! From cultivating a growth mindset in our studios, to dancing in the metaverse, to shifting the dance education industry away from toxicity, this episode is packed with food for thought.

It's our 100th episode! We're quite proud to have made it to this podcasting milestone, and so eternally grateful to all of our listeners! THANK YOU for joining us for this ride! In this episode, Casey and Robin chat about what we've learned along the way, customer loyalty, and our favorite episodes. We want to know what YOUR favorite DSO Connect Podcast episodes have been! Share with us in the DSO Connect Community on Facebook (answer the questions to join!)

This week Casey shares her mental health journey and how she manages her symptoms as a business owner.

Shawna Kwan opened her studio Elan Dance Arts in London, Ontario with a focus on adults. Over the last 15 years she has grown a loyal following of adult students in both dance and fitness classes. From logistics to marketing to curriculum, she's been through the trial and error process with her adults, so she knows what works! To reach out to Shawna to learn more about her Dance Fit program, email her at [email protected]

It's the new year, which means tax season is upon us! DSO Connect Community member and fellow studio owner Lynda Hammett joins us in this month's Coffee Chat call to answer all of our tax and finance questions. Not only is Lynda an amazing studio owner and foster mom, but she also works at an accounting firm AND is going to school to become an accountant. Have more questions for Lynda or the general studio owner community? Share them in the DSO Connect Community group on Facebook! Make sure you answer the questions to join. Don't miss next month's Coffee Chat on Friday, February 4th at 11am Eastern.