The Acrobatic Arts Podcast

What does it actually take to go from a golden buzzer moment to the America's Got Talent finale? Jill Ford is back and this time she is giving us everything the cameras didn't show. From rehearsing in hotel hallways to four days of prep for the finale, from managing 22 kids and nine dogs on a live stage to keeping it all together when the dog trainer blew out her knee minutes before the final performance, this episode is the behind the scenes story that nobody outside that production knew. Jill talks about pitching themes to producers, getting costumes made in 30 minutes, the pressure of live rounds with no edits, what school looked like for the younger dancers, and what this whole experience taught her that she could not have learned any other way. If you thought the first episode was good, buckle up!Full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.acrobaticarts.com/blog/ep-145-jill-ford-the-coach-behind-the-agt-finalistsAbout Jill Jill was originally from Regina, Saskatchewan where she danced competitively in the areas of ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics and baton twirling for 17 years. She went on to teaching  dance, baton and acrobatics  in her home city  and now resides in Edmonton, Alberta where she has opened her own studio specializing in Acrobatics and Baton Twirling.  She completed her bachelor of Education (k-5) at the University of Regina which has furthered her expertise as an acrobatic and dance  teacher. Jill has travelled the  world  as an athlete and coach representing Canada at 8 World Baton Twirling Championships and now continually is committed to keeping young children involved in the areas of acrobatics, dance and baton twirling.  She is very happy and honoured to be part of the Acrobatic Arts staff and loves sharing her passion and knowledge with students and teachers!Jill's credentials include: Bachelor of Education, Canadian Dance Teachers Association Certified Teacher, Canadian Baton Twirling Association Level 2 Coach, Inductee of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.Listen to other episodes with Jill Ford:Ep. 44 More Than You Think: The Benefits of Acro Exams with Jill Ford: https://youtu.be/Rh1gw-9674IEp. 68 Top 3 Tips for Front Aerials with Jill Ford: https://youtu.be/GvzYonPFHH8Ep. 86 Breaking Down the Handstand Forward Roll: Strategies with Jill Ford: https://youtu.be/xSAcCMtASpcEp. 138 Golden Buzzer: From the Studio to the Stage with Jill Ford: https://youtu.be/dm1XRkjKkBk?si=40kpqIZxvo_iCQ_9If you’d like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcroartsTwitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com  

She auditioned for Cirque du Soleil for seven years before getting the call. Now she's the one deciding who makes the cut. Dance Casting Specialist and Talent Scout Marqui Kumavat reveals what actually catches her eye in an audition room, why technique alone won't get you hired, and the business side of a dance career most young performers never learn. Plus, your shot at a backstage experience with Cirque's Drawn to Life at Accelerate Acro Convention.Full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.acrobaticarts.com/blog/ep-144-what-cirque-casting-directors-actually-look-for-with-marqui-kumavatAbout MarquiDance Casting Specialist and Talent Scout, Cirque du SoleilMarqui began her performance career early, booking her first major role at just 11 years old in the iconic Radio City Christmas Spectacular, where she later became Swing, Dance Captain, and Assistant Choreographer. Her journey eventually led her to Cirque du Soleil, where she currently serves as the Dance Casting Specialist. With Cirque, Marqui has held several key creative roles, including Senior Artistic Advisor for The Beatles LOVE and Dance Master for both Mystère and LOVE. Her choreography, staging, and direction has helped bring Cirque’s artistry to stages and global platforms around the world spanning performances at the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, Life Is Beautiful, The Today Show, and special collaborations for The Beatles, Loungefly, HP, and MGM.Beyond Cirque, Marqui’s stage experience includes performances with Royal Caribbean, The Walt Disney Company, Universal, Feld Entertainment, and special events such as One Night for One Drop alongside Hans Zimmer and Walk the Moon. As an educator, she has had opportunities to teach at Steps NYC, TAPS Professional Program, Tremaine Dance Conventions, NYCDA, and CLI Conservatory.If you’d like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcroartsLearn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com 

By popular demand, this one's back. Sandra Elliott, Acrobatic Arts Principal and the eye behind our syllabus, joins Loren to answer a question every dance teacher needs to ask: are your dancers developing evenly on both sides? One sided training doesn't stay small. It builds into twisted bridges, unstable landings, and injuries that follow a dancer for life. Sandra breaks down how it happens and what to do about it, starting in your very next class. If you teach dance, don't miss this one. A full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.acrobaticarts.com/blog/ep-143-spotlight-series-balanced-development-with-sandra-elliottAbout Sandra With over 35 years teaching experience, Sandra has also been enjoying her role as a course conductor and examiner with Acrobatic Arts since its inception in 2012. She assisted in developing the Module 1 Teacher's Certification Course. In addition, she developed the Graduate Student Teacher's Certification course, the Adjudicator Certification for AcroDance course and the Pin Examiner Certification course. Sandra is currently the Principal of Acrobatic Arts responsible for administering aspects of different courses along with ongoing training of new and existing examiners with the company. Sandra is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and has her Bachelor of Education Degree, with a major in dance. Throughout her teaching career, she has successfully prepared students for all levels of RAD exams. One of her students achieved her Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal while another student participated in the RAD's Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition (formerly ‘The Genee') who later became a member of the Citie Ballet Company as well as Ballet Kelowna. Sandra has also been closely involved in the training of many students who have gone on to dance in professional shows including The Music Man (Broadway), Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Movin' Out (Canadian Tour), Cirque Du Soleil (Las Vegas), So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Celine Dion and Taylor Swift. One of those students was the 2013 winner of UK's Got To Dance and a competitor in World of Dance Season 2. He is currently running his own contemporary company ‘Untitled' out of the UK. Sandra's choreography has won many overall, title and choreography awards. She is passionate about not only developing artistic dancers that have excellent technique but she also loves helping dancers to understand how the things they learn in dance can translate into their personal lives helping them to push themselves to be the best they can be. Previous Episodes featuring Sandra Elliott Ep. 118 – Assistant Teachers: The Secret to Studio Growth with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/t0a3urn5Ti8Ep. 106 – Advanced Acro: Tumbling Unlocked with Sandra Elliott & Vicki Fletcher - https://youtu.be/Y519uEvllz8Ep. 104 – Acro Exam Ready: Examiner's Top Tips (3-5) with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/iq1xj2rplf0Ep. 77 – Adjudicator Certification for AcroDance with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/MreAM8Ys5foEp. 57 – Exploring the Acrobatic Arts Pin Program with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/a9T7V_dEaWAEp. 37 – One-sided Dancers: Is it a Concern? with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/IpFzA0hAzSYEp. 32 – Common Corrections in Exams Primary to Level 3 with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/JlUoYpgRYrc If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Drew Burgess is back, and this time he's diving into handstand walking, the skill he says tells him everything about a dancer the first time he sees them attempt it.He breaks down progressions for every level, starting as early as a plank, and shares the hand squeezing trick that gets dancers to stack their hips like a rocket. There's also a studio wide challenge idea to keep every class pushing for more reps and more steps. If you teach acro, this one gives you something to use in class tomorrow. A full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.acrobaticarts.com/blog/ep-142-handstand-walking-with-drew-burgess About Drew Drew Burgess is a nationally recognized choreographer, adjudicator, educator, coach, and consultant specializing in dance and acrobatics. He serves on faculty and adjudication panels for prestigious organizations including Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, Impact Dance Adjudicators, Kids Artistic Revue, Rainbow National Talent Competition, and Encore Performing Arts, among others. As a former competitive dancer, Drew held multiple regional titles including Master, Junior, & Teen Mr. Dance of Ohio, Mr. Dance of the Pacific Coast, and the national titles of Jr. Mr. Dance of America and Mr. Dance of America. He is certified by test to teach through DMA and DEA in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Acrobatics and maintains active membership in both organizations. Drew is also Acrobatic Arts Certified (M1-M3) and is honored to be part of their staff as a USA Division Course Conductor and Examiner. He is also a proud faculty member of Accelerate: The World's Largest AcroDance Convention. Drew's professional performance credits include working with the Radio City Rockettes, Taylor Swift, and The Baha Men. He toured internationally as a professional dancer in Rasta Thomas' Bad Boys of Dance, performing in both “Rock the Ballet 2” and “Romeo & Juliet” as a multi-track swing in each show. His choreographic achievements include the Sherry Gold Memorial Choreography Award from DMA, Overall Choreography Awards for Small Group and Production from NexStar, and Industry Dance Awards Nomination from KAR. Drew's students have earned distinguished honors including Teen Miss Dance of Arizona, Miss Dance of Ohio, Mr. Dance of America, positions with the Radio City Rockettes, Walt Disney World, D1A Texas Tech Pom Squad, NFL Cincinnati Bengals (“Ben-gals”) Cheerleaders and Female Junior Solo Gold & Silver Medalist from IDO World AcroDance Championships. Currently based in Columbus, Ohio, Drew is on the weekly teaching staff at Straub Dance Center and Drake Dance Academy. He previously served as Tap Director at Spisak Dance Academy in Glendale, Arizona for four years. Drew has filmed educational content for CLI Studios and recently worked as a Guest AcroDance Coach for The Ohio State University Dance Team. He continues to share his expertise through year-round guest workshops, technique clinics, and choreography sessions worldwide. Listen to Drew's Previous Episodes Ep 56 Analyzing and Refining The Aerial with Drew Burgess - https://youtu.be/d58YRZ_Lgts Ep 60 Maximizing Potential: Cross Training in Acro with Drew Burgess - https://youtu.be/vjCbbwtp0WU Ep 80 Balancing & Limbering Fighting the Good Fight with Drew Burgess - https://youtu.be/PDdXl7ON3xA Ep 107 Acro Chat Coaching, Creativity, & Connection with Drew Burgess - https://youtu.be/IYS18yM0GA4 If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

By popular demand, we're bringing back one of our favorite conversations. Katie Schaar has danced and choreographed for Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, the Grammys, the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and world tours for P!nk, Katy Perry, and Taylor Swift. She's also the co-creator of Sugarfoot Therapy and founder of MOTI Physiotherapy in LA. In this episode, Katie shares how she built a career that spans performing and choreography, what she learned from mentors like Mia Michaels and Tice Diorio, and why she believes movement diversification is one of the best things a dance teacher can teach. She also gives real talk on emotional resilience for young performers and the value of income diversification for working artists. Since this episode first aired, Katie has kept building. She's continued running teacher training workshops for Sugarfoot Therapy across the country, both virtually and in person. MOTI Physiotherapy also continues to grow, expanding access to specialized sports and orthopedic rehab care in LA. If you're a teacher mentoring dancers toward the next stage of their journey, whether that's a professional career or simply a healthier relationship with the art form, this episode is packed with practical wisdom. A full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.acrobaticarts.com/blog/ep-141-spotlight-series-building-a-lasting-career-in-dance-with-katie-schaar About KatieKatie Schaar has nearly two decades of experience as a Los Angeles-based dancer, choreographer, & dance teacher. Credits include Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, the American Music Awards, MTV VMA's, the BRIT Awards, the Grammy's, films The Muppets and Rock of Ages, the 2015 Super Bowl Halftime Show, and world tours for P!NK, Katy Perry & Taylor Swift. She has a BA from Loyola Marymount University, where she studied Communications Studies and Dance. Katie co-created Sugarfoot Therapy, a physical therapy-based conditioning & injury prevention program for dancers; and she is the founder and Director of Operations at MOTI Physiotherapy in LA. Sugarfoot Therapy Teacher Training Workshops: https://sugarfoottherapy.com/teacher-training-workshops/Sugarfoot Therapy: www.sugarfoottherapy.comMOTI Physiotherapy: www.motipt.com' If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com