Dancer's Choice

Hey yall! We are back this week to share a special episode with guests, Gio & Melissa Gotay of Unveiled Productions! Unveiled Productions is a videography company based out of Nashville, TN with a mission to create compelling stories through dance and film with messages of finding hope in hopeless situations. Directed by Melissa & Gio, they join the podcast to share their testimonies of starting as dance professionals, to working through injuries and a pandemic, stepping into positions as business owners, and ultimately making a career change to pursue their greatest purpose of doing ministry through the lens of dance on film.   This episode is filled with so much passion, heart, & encouragement for dancers out there wanting to make a difference and unlock their true calling in this industry. To further connect with Gio & Melissa: Instagram: @giogotay Instagram: @melissamgotay To Watch Unveiled Productions: https://youtube.com/@unveiled_productions?si=TijxHIqHIRlGB0Kr (https://youtube.com/@unveiled_productions?si=TijxHIqHIRlGB0Kr) Instagram: @unveiled_productions

You loved her before, so we brought her back for a part two! In this episode, Dawsen and guest, Ally Miller, dive deep into all things nutrition. We go everywhere from macro tracking and how it can be a helpful tool to sleep and its importance in our daily lives (and secret: you're probably not getting enough of it). Grab a coffee, get your hot girl winter walk on, and buckle up for this weeks episode!

WELCOME BACK to the Dancer's Choice Podcast! In the spirit of the holidays, food, and football we thought there was no better episode to share again other than that with the lovely ALLY MILLER- Nutritional Therapy Practitioner! This episode is JAM PACKED with advice on how dancers can adequately nourish their bodies for performance, train for pro auditions, feel more comfortable in their skin, and achieve fitness/physique goals WITHOUT the dieting! Not to mention, Ally shares with us her incredible testimony of how she went from taking time off dance & serving our country to pursuing a career as an NFL cheerleader and now coaching dancers through Nutritional Therapy. CLICK HERE to further connect with Ally & don't forget to check out HER PODCAST on Spotify!

If you're a dance mom, LISTEN UP! This week Riley and Dawsen asked THEIR MOMS what advice they'd give to current dance moms and share on the podcast what their moms wish they knew before diving into the competition world. & on the other end, the girls sit down to share what THEY LEARNED from their moms growing up in the studio!! a sweet episode, LOTS of advice and counsel, and a whole lot of info (and love) for our current "moms of dancers" out there :)

Hey y'all! Welcome back to the Dancer's Choice Podcast! This week Riley and Dawsen sit down with fellow dance judge and choreographer, Malea Boggess, to discuss her upbringing from performing to coaching at competitive dance teams. Malea has been dancing since the age of two, and is now a choreographer for multiple competitive studios in Northern California. She trained and danced competitively in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, and hip hop. By age thirteen Malea booked a tour alongside dancers from America’s Best Dance Crew. During her high school years she was a member of the Rocklin High School dance team and was a student director in the dance program both her junior and senior years on top of dancing competitively on her studio’s elite team. Malea then attended Sacramento State where I was apart of the Hornet Girlz Dance Team for one season under the direction of Jolie Roberts. Towards the end of Malea's college career she was also apart of Chapkis Dance Family under the direction of Greg Chapkis and a part of Kreativ Mndz LA under the direction of both Kolanie Marks and Antione Troupe. She now spends time assistant coaching a high school dance team, choreographing, and traveling the country to judge during competition season. One of the biggest things Malea stands for is a positive and healthy environment. When teaching and working with dancers her goal is to always help dancers feel confident, mentally and physically, and to make sure they feel safe.  This is a GREAT episode for younger dancers wanting to listen in and hear where their current competitive training could take them into the near future :)

In this episode, Dawsen sits down to discuss how your personal life and professional life connect while working/performing on a cruise ship. From not having much privacy to most of the crew knowing whats going on in your/the cast's life, its pretty hard to separate the two. We know that having a work/life balance is important, but while working on a cruise ship, it seems to be pretty tough to do that.

WELCOME BACK TO THE DANCER'S CHOICE PODCAST !!! This week Riley sits down with creative, Vanessa Eirekat, to discuss what life looks like exploring different medias and career paths outside of simply dancing. If you're interested in becoming an entrepreneur, mentoring young artists, creating a balanced life for yourself, or seeing what else exists in this industry besides "being the dancer" then this episode will be a breath of fresh air for you! Vanessa Eirekat is a proud alumna of Point Park University, where she received her BFA in Dance with a minor in Communications. Her versatile dance training stems from working with profound choreographers and mentors such as Jennifer Archibald, Tyce Diorio, Christopher Huggins, Jason McDole, Garfield Lemonius and more. She has had the opportunity to perform at the Joyce Theatre in NYC, receive an acceptance into the Cirque Du Soleil dancer database, work with Nickelodeon, perform back-up and more. Her experiences have allowed her to launch a thoughtful mission surrounding the arts...Vanessa is the founder of Vanessa's Creative Connect - a space where private dance processes and creative media connect. She collaborates with creatives of all forms to help them thrive through their art. These processes include dance mentorships, photography, video content creation, and graphic/logo design. Vanessa has always believed artists have the advantage of wearing many hats. We understand how a variety of art forms align and compliment one another! To Further Connect with Vanessa: Instagram: @vanessaeirekhat Vanessa's Creative Connect: https://www.vcreativeconnect.com Hiphop Mentorship- Winter Sessions: https://www.vcreativeconnect.com/winterwaitlist

Welcome back all! This week Riley & Dawsen are inspired to sit down and reflect on everything dance has taught them and how it applies to the real world and stages of life they are in now. We've all heard a teacher say it before..."even if you don't dance professionally, ______ will help you in whatever you pursue" so let's talk about it ! We hope this inspires dancers to reflect on their personal journeys and brings relief to any parent listening to know that their dancer is learning more than just dance steps along the way :)

CALLING ALL DANCE COMP JUDGES, ADJUDICATORS, & FRIENDS OF THE COMPETITION WORLD !!!! Welcome back to the Dancer's Choice Podcast :) This week, Riley and Dawsen sit down with Dance Professional, JASON PICKETT, for a part two discussion about the competition dance scene- specifically the role judges play in weekend events. -Is there a lack of education and training in our field? WHY? -What does it take to be a judge and HOW can professionals approach this position with an emphasis on QUALITY? -How can we avoid "passive judging" within these large companies/events? -Are judges today ADDING value to dancers' education and training or are we just chasing a paycheck? In this episode, WE TALK ABOUT IT ALL !! Don't agree? Unpopular opinions? Let's start a conversation: @dancerschoicepodcast TO FURTHER CONNECT WITH JASON: Instagram: @heyitspickett Artists Who Eat: @artistswhoeat No Starving Artists: nsadance.com

WELCOME BACK FRIENDS !! It's officially football season which means it's officially TOPCAT SZN !! This week the girls sit down to unpack Dawsen's FIRST GAME DAY as an NFL Cheerleader (go panthers). Riley's asking all the questions we want to know and Dawsen answers opening up about all the highlights and all the learning moments. What's it like switching from stage performance to stadium performance? How does a dancer have to alter their training to take on the 3+ hour games? Are there similarities from past gigs or is NFL pro dance in a whole other world? Dawsen is an open book! If you're curious what the "day in a life" looks like for a Pro Dancer, LISTEN UP !!

Another Week, Another GUEST! This week the girls are THRILLED to be bringing on a phenomenal professional in the industry- KALEY JENSEN! Kaley Jensen, a wife and mother, is also a professional dancer, adjunct professor, Pilates teacher trainer, choreographer, cross-fitter, and creator of the Mentoring Program for Dancers: Mindset to Movement. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Kaley attended Brigham Young University as a dance major and business minor. She performed and toured with the Theatre Ballet Company all four years, and trained on scholarship at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and Ballet West. While there, she received academic and international talent awards at the World Dance Movement in Italy. She later pursued her Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Arizona, where she met her future husband and further developed her passion for performing, educating, and choreographing. After her first year, a severe car accident left her with a broken back, but she recovered and returned to dance with the help of a dedicated Pilates regimen, a discipline that soon became a new passion. Since moving to Dallas in 2017, Kaley has completed her Pilates training and has been teaching and choreographing locally for studios and dance departments, including Richland College and, more recently, Collin College. She also presented at the national AGO conference for two consecutive years. Her professional dance credentials include performances with Bruce Wood Dance, Zion Dance Project, Ballet North Texas, Collin County Ballet Theatre, Ballet Dallas, and most recently, Full Circle Dance. Some professional highlights include performing the lead in the original work by Silas Farley of New York City Ballet, Dew Drop and Sugar Plum Fairy in "The Nutcracker," the role of Phoenix in "Phoenix Rising" by Zach Ingram of Alvin Ailey, and the principal in the award-winning "HIVE" by Tiffanee Arnold. Through her example and mentorship, Kaley loves empowering dancers to reignite their passion and turn their dream careers into a vivid reality. TO FURTHER CONNECT WITH KALEY: mindset2move.com CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR MENTORSHIP !!

Hey y'all! Solo episode with Riley this week calls for a much needed chat about the current trend on the market- WHY IS EVERY DANCER AND THEIR MOM PURSUING FITNESS COACHING RIGHT NOW ??? Is it just us or does it seem like every dancer is taking on the "side hustle" of a working at a fitness boutique or pilates studio? Having worked in fitness since 2021, Riley sits down to share the reality of working in the health & wellness industry as a dancer. Riley shines light on what the media tends to romanticize in fitness, opens up about the pro's and con's of boutique fitness/online certifications, and aims to educate listeners on the little things nobody tells you to consider before training to become a coach. Fitness is a great pursuit for dancers, and could be the best choice you make for your career, BUT it's important to understand all it entails, the commitment, and the realities that a highlight reel on instagram will never tell you. Insert...this week's episode. Enjoy & let us know your thoughts !! xoxo

THE PODCAST TURNS 1 !!! We have made it to ONE WHOLE YEAR of Dancer's Choice! In today's episode, Riley and Dawsen sit down to unpack what the last year has looked like, celebrate this new milestone, and share many other milestones that have happened the last few months recording together! DANCING ON THE BIG SCREEN??!! BOYCOTTING THE OLYMPICS??!! A DANCERS CHOICE WEDDING ??!!! Get ready to hear all the ONE YEAR TEA xoxo

Welcome back to the Dancer's Choice Podcast! This week we are joined by the one & only, Mina Witte @minapro!! In today's episode, the girls break down the importance of collaboration, as all artists truly all share their styles with one another. From Irish Step, touring internationally, moving onto ballroom dance, teaching, owning a studio, and running her very own competition, Mina opens up about how it's possible to do it all! Most importantly, she shares how to be a good human, embrace changing seasons in your dance journey, and how to let go of the ego and embrace community instead! Mina Witte uses dance to enrich the lives of others and create lasting impact. With two decades of performance, choreography and teaching experience, Mina began dancing at the age of 4 — Mina has trained in Ballroom, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary and Irish Step Dancing.  The Certified Ballroom Instructor and dance adjudicator has performed in Dublin, Ireland as well as with Artists such as Gaelic Storm and Big Bad Voodoo Daddies.  In addition, Mina holds multiple championship titles in Ballroom and Irish Step Dancing. Mina’s commitment to dynamic excellence and talent for growing dancer’s passion and skill creates high demand for her teaching style and philosophy as owner and director of Studio 303 and Le Carnaval Ballroom Dance Competition Mina Witte is an industry leader who remains dedicated to professionally mentoring, coaching, and developing performers. To further connect with Mina Witte: Instagram: @iamminapro Le Carnaval Dance Classic Studio 303: https://www.studios303.com Elevate Registration: https://letselevatedance.com/shop/ THANK YOU MINA <3

Welcome back to the Dancer's Choice Podcast! Today, the girls are blessed to sit down and chat with artist, Myles Canonge!  Myles Canonge is a dynamic artist whose faith in Christ is the cornerstone of his life and work. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Myles honed his craft at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, where he graduated with a B.F.A. in dance and performance. Driven by a passion for performance, Myles ventured to Los Angeles to pursue a professional career in dance. His journey has seen him grace the stages of world tours and the screens of film and television, captivating audiences with his talent and dedication. Myles continues to inspire others through his art, embodying the belief that faith and creativity are intertwined in a beautiful dance of expression and purpose. You Are Appreciated Podcast THANK YOU MYLES <3

FIRST GUEST OF SEASON TWO WOOHOO!!! Welcome ALL to the Dancer's Choice Podcast! Today, Riley & Dawsen have the privilege of sitting down with Angela Cole! Struggling paycheck to paycheck? Have you always been told you can't make a living dancing? Want to teach, but don't know WHERE or HOW to start? Scared to discuss rates as an artist? ANGELA ANSWERS IT ALL! Angela is a dance artist, choreographer, and teacher based in Providence, RI. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Roger Williams University, where she was the recipient of the Kelli Wicke Davis Outstanding Achievement in Dance Award. Upon graduating, Angela was a 2017 Young Artist in Residence at Bearnstow, Maine, and then went on to perform as a freelance artist while teaching dance and fitness classes. Angela has danced for Natalie Johnson Dance in Cambridge, MA, and co-founded ProviDANCE Project, a contemporary dance collaborative with her artistic partner, Ellen Oliver. Angela is currently a company member at Providence Ballet Theatre, and also teaches dance throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. When not dancing and teaching, Angela is busy creating content for dance teachers through her Instagram page, @fulltimedanceteacher.  To further connect with Angela Cole: Instagram: @fulltimedanceteacher FREE Resources Dance Teacher Intensive/Master Courses THANK YOU ANGELA !! <3

WE ARE OFFICIALLY BACK!!! Welcome EVERYONE to the Dancer's Choice Podcast- the podcast BY dancers, FOR dancers where NOTHING is off limits! Today, Riley & Dawsen take the time to sit down and reintroduce themselves and the podcast- sharing their goals for the show, changes coming this season, and BIG LIFE UPDATES! We cannot wait for you to hear the episodes and GUESTS we have lined up for you this season! ***stay tuned for first one next week ;) IN THE MEANTIME....make sure you are following the podcast on both Spotify / Apple Podcasts as well as Instagram & our NEW YOUTUBE PAGE where you can watch all full-length episodes! New Episodes EVERY THURSDAY !! Thank you all <3

Welcome back to the Dancer's Choice Podcast + welcome to the LAST full episode of Season 1! This week, to acknowledge & respect May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Riley and Dawsen sit down to not only share advice based on their own mental health journeys, but open up about what we as a dance community can do moving forward, when it's not mental health month, to help break the stigma and be the change. This isn't your cliche "take a bubble bath and go to therapy" episode...instead we open up about how to combat mindset struggles, the importance of communication & acceptance, and share ways that we can make studio spaces safer. Not to mention- great opportunities for further education/certifications are discussed (& shared below in this description) We hope you know how loved & appreciated you are. Keep being the change and lifting each other up. <3 xoxo. Further Resources: -Youth Protection Association for Dance: https://ypadnow.com -Stay Here Suicide Prevention Training: https://www.stayhere.live/acttraining -Stay Here x Better Help FREE MONTH OF THERAPY https://www.stayhere.live/freetherapy -Better Help https://betterhelp.com -Mental Health First Aid Training https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

Welcome back to the Dancer's Choice Podcast! This week Riley sits down to open up about the other side of audition conversations...the choice to not. Are you auditioning for the wrong reasons? How do you know what it is you truly want? Is it okay to stop going to auditions when so young? Are you auditioning because YOU want it or because your PEERS/TEACHERS want it? How can you avoid comparison, guilt, & shame when you take the path less traveled? What can dancers do to prepare MENTALLY and EMOTIONALLY for their future endeavors? What reasons should drive your auditions and what signs will tell you it's time to take a step back? A vulnerable, honest, and reflective conversation for any and all dancers no matter what chapter of life you are in.

Welcome back to the solo episodes everyone! We've missed ya! It's been a hectic month but we're getting excited for season two coming up! In today's episode, Dawsen sits down to discuss some audition tips for your pro sports team auditions - or any audition truthfully. She goes into some important topics so get your pens and paper ready! It's a short and sweet episode but packed with some great information to take with you this audition season! Instagram: @dancerschoicepodcast Our Personal: @dawsensaley // @riley.goudy