Dancers Making Moves

Join us for our first Dancers Making Moves podcast episode with Dawn Gilbertson, as we discuss costume changes, Variety STL, messy brains, relinquishing control, raising kids while being an artist, winning at Monopoly, the MUNY, staying grounded, Napoleon Dynamite, dance as couples therapy, being a resource, "side passions", creating community, and more! Dawn Gilbertson is a dancer moving in all directions! In one week you’ll see Dawn teaching dance at Variety, Stages, COCA, Lifetime, Promise and her own wedding dance company, First Dance StL. Her passion for dancing and the arts has been extended by her love of introducing dance to new people from all walks of life. Whether she’s helping kids prepare for an upcoming musical or helping a couple create a unique dance for this wedding, Dawn delights in watching dance come to life in each of the students she works with. As a former company member, she sits on the Board for Saint Louis Dance Theatre and has chaired many of their galas and mentored trainees in past years. Dawn also volunteers at Whitfield School where she is currently the VP of Communications for the Parent Council. She is a current board member for La Voute as well. Dawn is also an artist of other mediums and spends her free time painting acyclic on canvas. Her Dance education comes from Monona Academy of Dance in Wisconsin, Boston Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet and Point Park College. Degrees in Finance, French and Dance from the University of Iowa. Local work at COCA, The Muny: Bye Bye Birdie (2011) and King and I (2012) as well as their 100th anniversary (2018). The Big Muddy Dance Company (2010-2016); New Dance Horizons, Spring To Dance, St. Louis Dance Festival, Drea’s Dream, and Variety Dinner with the stars. Director of Dance at Variety, Children’s Charity. Productions include. Variety Theatre: Tigerlily in Peter Pan(2013), The Little Mermaid(2014), Mary Poppins(2015), Beauty and the Beast(2016), Wizard of Oz(2017) and Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins again in (2018 and 2019). Married to Jason for 23 years and mother to Tanner, Brielle and Nash!Follow @dancers.making.moves on Instagram and Facebook and learn more about the artists involved in this project at www.dancersmakingmoves.com.

Welcome to Dancers Making Moves, a new podcast exploring individual experiences in pursuing a career in dance. Tune in for captivating dialogue with St. Louis based professional dance artists, hosted by Carly Vanderheyden, as we dig deep into the essence of what it means to be a professional dancer. From classical ballet, to street styles, tap, and contemporary forms, these talented artists are ready to share their personal stories, how their life experiences have influenced their artistic journey, and ways to connect with their work in the future. Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts, and tune in for inspiring stories as we explore the multifaceted and meaningful work of professional dancers. Follow @dancers.making.moves on Instagram and Facebook and learn more about the project www.dancersmakingmoves.com.