How did we live before podcasts? Short, on-demand broadcasts by experts or just passionate practitioners on subjects I find intriguing, engaging, humorous, educational, inspiring, or pretty much any other descriptor. Incredible. But, did you know that there are a bunch of dance-focused podcasts? Pop in those earbuds your bestie got you for the holidays; here's a list of podcasts to listen to that are all about dance!
Bluebells Forever Podcast
Join Sheri Lewis as she interviews Bluebell dancers past and present. Bluebell dancers are an elite cast of dancers known for their statuesque presence, beauty, and strong dance technique.
This dance podcast provides you, as a listener, with an opportunity to educate yourself on all things showgirls. No, not the 1995 Elizabeth Berkley movie; I'm speaking of the dancers who grace the stages of Paris, Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, Hong Kong, and beyond. Host Sheri Lewis originated this podcast in May of 2020 when she found herself with a little extra time on her hands due to COVID-19-related restrictions placed on her Seattle dance studio. Last summer, Sheri, along with over 300 other former and current Bluebell dancers, reunited in Paris to celebrate 75 years of shows at the Lido de Paris. "The stories intrigued and made me really appreciate the honor I was given to be hired for and work for this amazing company and wanted to share the wonderful and diverse stories" of the dancers. Her weekly podcast introduces listeners to dancers from around the globe. They share stories and discuss the places they live and dance, like Paris, London, Australia, and Poland. More in-depth discussion topics include eating disorders, the AIDS epidemic, depression, sexuality, and the European vs. American thoughts on dancing topless. Sheri has interviewed three dancers in their 80s, one of whom's granddaughter's reached out to Sheri to thank her for telling a story she had never known!
Listen on Apple Podcasts / Listen on Spotify
Dance Boss Podcast
The Dance Boss Podcast is for my fellow dancers, entrepreneurs, and dream catchers with purpose leaning on their hearts. Each week I give you strategies, tools, and motivation to bring your dreams to life, make an impact, and earn additional revenue for you and your families by building a successful online business.
After listening to another podcast on our list, The Dance Boss Podcast, Erin Pride "knew she had a message to share." Two years ago, Pride purchased a $50 microphone from Amazon and started recording her thoughts on dance education. Over time, the podcast has broadened its focus toward helping listeners monetize skills within and related to the dance field and embrace their inner entrepreneur. Additionally, Erin provides insight into finding the advantages of the digital world, which is so important right now with the decrease in job opportunities related to in-person dance training and performance.
Listen on Apple Podcasts / Listen on Spotify
The Dance Podcast
Inspired by big dreams, big letdowns, and authentic conversations, The Dance Podcast is a series of interviews designed to inspire, share, and connect dancers and educators.
Lauren Ritchie was a competitive dancer who experienced a rough transition from high school into the professional world of dance. "I was SO confused about where to start, what my options were, and how to create a long, successful career. I desperately wanted help and mentorship." So, Lauren earned her master's in education (M.Ed.) in coaching studies emphasizing mental skills training for dancers. As she worked with dancers, she realized that many were experiencing the same issues that she had. She says that these dancers had a "craving for mentorship" when deciding which of the many paths to take when pursuing a dance career. "I figured what better way than to start connecting the dance community through conversations. Through stories, advice, and real, candid conversations - The Dance Podcast interviews dancers, choreographers, agents, performing arts executives, sports psychologists, and industry professionals to help empower the next generation of dancers." Interviewees include Los Angeles talent agent Julie McDonald of McDonald/Selznick Associates, Emmy nominated choreographers Stacey Tookey and Chloe Arnold, and Canadian Hip Hop legend Bradley Rapier.
Listen on Apple Podcasts / Listen on Spotify
DanceWell Podcast
DanceWell Podcast is dedicated to exploring 360-degrees of health and wellness for dancers. We believe that health and wellness isn’t just about physical well-being, but encompasses the whole self.
About four years ago, Ellie Kusner (MSc) and Marissa Schaeffer (PT, DPT, CSCS) sought to create a podcast that would appeal not just to dancers but also to practitioners like physical therapists and trainers. They’ve noticed a rise in dance medicine-related podcasts to listen to over the last few years so they make sure to set themselves apart by offering tips and conversation on how to apply new research related to dance science. “We make sure that we are familiar with current research and sometimes we include various amounts of discussion about research, but what we really want to focus on is how each topic is affecting dancers in their daily lives as performing artists and people. We want listeners to leave each episode inspired with ideas for how to use their new knowledge in really practical ways.” Recent podcast topics include attention and focus in performance, dancing postpartum, training specificity, and help for your Sacroiliac (SI) Joint. Kusner and Shaeffer share their own knowledge along with special guests who can provide even more in-depth information. For instance, Dr. Liz Henry (PT, DSc, OCS, COMT, FAAOMPT, CCTT)--I’ve never seen so many letters after one person’s name--joined the show that focused on the SI Joint. New podcasts are released every two weeks.
Listen on Apple Podcasts / Listen on SoundCloud
Movers and Shapers: A Dance Podcast
Movers & Shapers is a podcast with the mission to provide the dance community an opportunity to hear from its contributing artists through personalized interviews. Discussions span from early encounters with dance to future hopes and plans, thereby revealing artists’ lesser-known stories along the way to finding personal success.
Dance podcast host Erin Carlisle Norton is, in her words, a "choreographer, dancer, movement educator, administrator, and Artistic Director of The Moving Architects." Norton started this podcast in 2015 shortly after moving to New York City to familiarize herself with figures in the NYC dance scene. Erin says that "the podcast is significant because the individuals who are interviewed reflect not only a cross-sector of the dance field, but represent diverse communities and experiences. Also importantly, the podcast recognizes and shares the stories of individuals in the dance field that may not necessarily be 'famous' or even widely recognized, but who nonetheless have shaped and influenced the field in their community with ripple effects beyond." So far, Norton has recorded over 100 episodes interviewing a broad range of dance artists, including "choreographers and dancers such as Pavel Zustiak, Douglas Dunn, Jody Sperling, Christine Dakin, and Sara Rudner; media artists Tomer Heyman, Lois Greenfield, and Nel Shelby; dance writers Wendy Perron, Sondra Fraleigh, Jennifer Stahl, and Eva Yaa Asantewaa; educators Jeff Friedman, Diane Jacobowitz, and Michelle Manzanales; and administrators Robin Staff, Denise Saunders Thompson, and Alejandra Duque Cifuentes."
Listen on Apple Podcasts / Listen on Spotify
Lost in the Shuffle Tap Dance Podcast
Join Hillary-Marie in the Lost in the Shuffle Tap Dance Podcast as she shares her top tips and tricks for Tap Teachers in hopes of growing the tap dance community one passionate tap dancer at a time by supporting the tap teachers who educate them.
Hillary-Marie started her podcast to "give tap teachers around the world a free resource to support them in their classes on a weekly basis." Her dance podcast provides space for teachers to continue to educate themselves. Episodes cover topics like proper flap technique, teaching tap online, and why the same tap step has multiple names. More so, she dives into what her listeners want by hosting "Tap Teachers Questions Answered" episodes. Whether these questions are common or situation-specific, Hillary-Marie kindly provides insight. Since many of the podcast episodes are about pedagogical practices, I believe that teachers of all dance idioms would benefit from a listen.
Listen on Apple Podcasts / Listen on Spotify
Words That Move Me
The dance podcast where movers and shakers like you get the information and inspiration you need to navigate your creative career with clarity and confidence. Master mover, Dana Wilson, taps into 15 years of industry experience, and talks to some of the best in the entertainment biz, who have been there and done that so that you don’t have to… do it alone.
Maybe you’ve seen her dancing with Justin, or viewed her popular YouTube tutorial on teaching your best Zoom class, but you’ve probably seen Dana Wilson and know that she’s awesome. Back in 2018, she started a dance-focused podcast that aims to help “ALL creatives navigate their careers with clarity and confidence.” Originally, this successful podcast was meant to be a book. And now, over 50 podcasts later, Dana’s topics include technique vs. style, the roles and responsibilities of assistants, plus conversations with dance stars like Joe Lanteri and Marguerite Derricks.
Listen on Apple Podcasts / Listen on Spotify
Dance Muse
Coming soon! Be on the lookout for a new podcast that aims to bring positive inspiration to the performing arts. "Dance Muse is a non-profit initiative created to empower all dancers to break limits and to nourish the creative inner spirit of the performing arts through inspirational storytelling and innovative digital content." Their first episode will focus on body positivity with dancer Colleen Werner.
In my communication with each podcaster, I found one common trait–passion! They use this passion to inform, educate, inspire, and motivate their listeners. They also create space for guests to tell their stories with their own voices. The podcasts featured are only a handful of the dance-focused podcasts currently available. I encourage you to find one that figuratively and literally speaks to you and have a listen!
