Studio Small Talk

On this episode, Sarah is joined by Taylor McMahon and Adam Wedesky to discuss their upcoming show Arts for Alz (ticket link below.) Sarah and Taylor take a look back at her journey in the dance world, from touring with a convention to taking on the role of associate choreographer and dive into Arts for Alz and why this show is so important. Plus we hear from Adam as he sails the seas to give us his insight on this amazing show. @StudioSmallTalk @Taylorjmcmahon @adamwedesky https://thetanknyc.org/calendar-1/artsforalz

This week, in honour of the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) finals happening tonight in New York City, we are joined by two finalists, Sabrina Yap and Kaeli Ware. Both of these young dancers have been competing at YAGP since they were young and will be performing as part of the senior soloist competition. Both Sabrina and Kaeli share their dance journeys, taking them away from home and into very prestigious ballet schools, and help them work towards their goals of entering a ballet company. We hear about their lives in the dance world as well as their experiences with YAGP and dance competitions.  @StudioSmallTalk

This week, in honour of the Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP) happening next week in New York City, we are joined by Calvin Royal III. Calvin is a soloist with American Ballet Theatre and a past competitor of the YAGP. We hear all about Calvin's journey in the ballet world, from his slightly later beginnings, to learning how to self motivate and continuing to learn and grow as a dancer in his roles with ABT. Plus we hear about his experiences with the YAGP and how he is still involved with them today. @StudioSmallTalk

This week, we are joined by Katie Kilbourn and Courtney Murray of Borne Dance Company. The artistic director and assistant artistic director discuss the history and the mission of Borne Dance Company. Through fundraising performances and workshops, Borne Dance aims to raise awareness and educate its audience on eating disorders and mental illness, promoting recovery through art. We talk about their recent performance, their workshops as well as some of the struggles of running a dance company. @StudioSmallTalk

In this weeks episode we are joined by co-founders of Think Tank, Adam Wedesky and Taylor DeNapoli. These twosit down to share how a want for a creative space with friends, grew and developed into its own entity. Think Tank allows dancers and artists to come together in a stress-free, collaborative space. We hear all about what makes Think Tank special, and where it is headed in the future. Plus conversations about audition life, surviving New York City and why you have to work for your dreams. @StudioSmallTalk

This week on the podcast, we are learning to trust our guts as we sit down with Jyliann Davis. Jyliann is not only a dancer, choreographer and teacher, she is also the owner, operator and artistic director of Jump, Move, Dance, a studio in Maryland. Jyliann followed her instincts to open a brand new business and is now in her second year. We catch up with Jyliann about the whole process, the ups and the downs, plus we go back through her full dance career. @StudioSmallTalk

This week, we are joined by dancer, choreographer and teacher Danny Davalos. Danny shares his journey from watching Michael Jackson on the television, to moving to Toronto and now as co-founder of the Badass Babes Toronto dance company. Danny has so much to share from his years in the industry. Working with a ton of amazing artists such as Ricky Martin and Shakira, opening a drop in dance studio, his many years as a teacher and starting a company, he has seen it all and knows what it takes.  @StudioSmallTalk @dannydavalos_ 

This week we are joined by Melissa McCann to chat all about her journey through the professional dance world. From her studio in New Jersey, making her way into the Big Apple all the way to touring around the United States, she has so much knowledge and wisdom to share. We talk all about what makes a strong Swing and Dance Captain, how people can smell desperation behind the table and why "A League of their Own" needs to come to Broadway. @StudioSmallTalk

Happy New Year from Studio Small Talk! Today we are revisiting some past guests to get everyone fired up and inspired for the new year! Hearing words of wisdom from past guests Chelsea Seward, Amber Tacy, Lizz Picini, Jen Theissen and Madison Embrey. Plus Sarah shares her own New Years "Dance-olutions" and encourages you to dive into how you are going to make 2019 a GREAT DANCE YEAR! @StudioSmallTalk on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

This week we are looking back over 2018 and revisiting past guests to bring you our Best of 2018 Tales from the Audition room! We hear some great stories, anecdotes and conversations all focused around auditions. We will hear from Kacie Burns, Steven Blandino, Ginny Germakian, Tess Liantonio, Marika Matuszak, Cleo Sykes and Lizz Picini. Plus Sarah shares one of her own most memorable auditions. @StudioSmallTalk

We are back with Louis Reyes Chavez for part 2 of our conversation. This week, Louis shares a recent experience of his time performing on a cruise ship. Louis has recently gone public with these experiences, and is aiming to spread awareness and start the conversation of harassment in the workplace for dancers and performers, specifically on cruise ships.  @StudioSmallTalk @LouisReyesChavez

This week, we are sharing part 1 of our two part conversation with Louis Reyes Chavez. Diving into his childhood, and introduction into theatre and the arts and how they have helped to shape him. We discuss Louis battle with mental illness and his exploration to find himself and how theatre and dance have been there along the way. Plus you will hear a little bit of what we discuss in Part 2 (available next week.) @StudioSmallTalk @Louisreyeschavez

This week we are joined by dancer and blogger, Tess Liantonio. Tess's professional dance career has taken her to the other side of the globe and back again. From training in New York City, to getting through her first cruise contract, Tess has a ton of knowledge that she wants to share with younger dancers and does so through her blog Tess Talks. She aims to be a source for younger dancers and also pull back the curtain on some not so glamorous parts of the job. @StudioSmallTalk @tess_liantonio @tess_talks

This week, we sit down with Michalis Schinas to hear all about his journey from Cyprus, to the United States and around the world. Starting from a young age, Michalis was always interested in dancing and after his first visit to Las Vegas, he knew he wanted to perform in the United States. His journey has taken him through many ups and down, working for his Artist Visa and then his Green Card, but with his passion, drive and perseverance, Michalis has continued to strive for greatness. @StudioSmallTalk @michalisrise

This week, Sarah is sharing her Top 5 Dance Reel Tips! As audition season and the new year approaches, having all your materials ready to go can be on every dancers mind! As Sarah works on her own dance reel updates, she wanted to share some of her tips to making a reel that screams BOOK ME! @StudioSmallTalk

This week we are joined by David Norsworthy to talk about his journey of exploration through the dance world. David's knowledge spans far as a performer, teacher and choreographer, and he shares it all with us while telling his story of gymnastics to competition dance to modern dance, all the way to where is is today as co-founder and co-artistic director of TOES FOR DANCE. Tune in to hear from this incredible dancer! @StudioSmallTalk @david.norsworthy @toesfordance

This week, we sit down with the founders and directors of Guilty Pleasure Cabaret, Bridget Bose and Andrea Palesh. These two ladies have been dancing and working together for their whole lives. From their years growing up in Colorado to presenting a monthly cabaret show in the Big Apple, they have created their own opportunities and gained new skills to take the New York City dance world by storm.  @StudioSmallTalk @gpcabaret

This week, we are sitting down with dancer and yoga instructor Renay Wright. From the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, to Las Vegas to completing her Yoga certification, Renay has seen a lot in the dance world. She has worked as an avid performer in Las Vegas and LA, and has now shifted her focus to yoga, practicing and teaching and sharing her love of Yoga with others. Plus, what job would Renay like to be doing if she wasn't dancing? Find out on this episode! @StudioSmallTalk @jrenaywright

This week we are sitting down with assistant professor of Dance Lauren Gaul. Lauren is on faculty at Pace University in the Commercial Dance program in New York City. We chat all about her decade as a Rockette, why she thinks university is so important for dancers, and she shares some words of wisdom for young dancers entering school and professional dancers in the industry. @StudioSmallTalk @lgfunk2, @officialpacecommercialdance

On this episode, we sit down with dancer, teacher and choreographer Dani Albertina. We talk about her journey moving to New York City, her vast knowledge of the drill team world and how her dual degree in Dance and Family Studies helped shape how she acts as a teacher. @StudioSmallTalk @daniellealbertina