Angelica Zuenko had her eyes set on a professional ballet career from a young age. When she moved away from her parents and was put into a highly competitive, professional program, Angelica encountered some setbacks that ultimately led to her putting her career on hold. Tune in to find out how she overcame her setbacks and what this young, talented performer has her eyes set on now. ✨ About Our Guest: Angelica Zuenko Angelica Zuenko is one to watch out for. From training to be a professional dan...
Mar 21, 2024•40 min
Author, Director and Podcaster, Anna Harsh joins DanceTalks to enlighten us on her passion in life, Italian cultural dance! Anna has travelled across Italy as well as the United States sharing her passion and doing extensive research on the art form. Anna's company, Allegro Dance Company, has travelled to perform at fesitvals and events across North America in the hopes of sharing Italian cultural dance with many others. Anna is also an author of two books as well as the host of a podcast called...
Mar 14, 2024•33 min
Louis DeFelice joins Al to talk all things ballet. From where Louis started to how he got to be an audio technician to a Yale graduate to ultimately a professional ballet dancer and entrepreneur. Louis gives some insights into the ballet world and why it has him hooked. From its rich history to its athletic challenges, Louis never fails to find ways to keep the art form interesting and engaging for himself. ✨ About Our Guest: Louis DeFelice Louis DeFelice is a Professional Ballet Dancer origianl...
Mar 07, 2024•46 min
Longtime DanceBUG Channel friend, Shawn Byfield is back and he did not come to play. Shawn and Al dive deep into the competitive dance world. They discuss what changes they would like to see and how the competitive scene needs to adapt to current times. Shawn also promotes his new book, You Came To Slay" and provides a few 5 essential skills that every dancer needs to be able to slay this dance season. ✨ About Our Guest: Shawn Byfield Shawn Byfield is a leader in the entertainment industry. As o...
Dec 21, 2023•43 min
Is it possible to go back to something that you were once great at? After dancing with Paula Abdul and the Joffrey Ballet, Miller decided to quit dance altogether. Now, 25 years later, he is documenting his journey back into the dance world. Join us as we dive in deep with Miller about his stacked resume, his docuseries, Back to Great and ultimately, his return to dance. ✨ About Our Guest: Miller Daurey Miller Daurey is an ex-pro dancer from California and got his break on the hit TV show Star S...
Nov 09, 2023•39 min
Al sits down with Self-Published Author, Wendy Coates to discuss the journey of creating her sucessful children's book, Dance Eva Dance. After experiencing rejection in the publishing world, Wendy explains that her determination and belief in her book is what led her to the success she has today. Tune in to hear Wendy explain the process of creating a book, the motivation behind the story and much more. ✨ About Our Guest: Wendy Coates Wendy Coates is a Dance Mom turned Self- Published Author. We...
Nov 02, 2023•24 min
Victoria Wells-Smith discusses how she got into the world of theatre from a young age. She sheds light on Terra Bruce Productions which just finished producing Let's Dance the Musical in Canada. Victoria also spills the tea on what's next for Terra Bruce Productions. ✨ About Our Guest: Victoria Wells-Smith Victoria Wells-Smith is a producer, director, choreographer, writer and actor who has worked across Canada. She is the choreographer and Creative Producer for Let's Dance the musical which is ...
Nov 01, 2023•28 min
Dr. Niraj Mehta's outlook on dance and functional movement as an Oncologist is something not to be missed. Dr. Mehta explains how movement and repeating steps, otherwise known as choreography can decrease chances of dementia and increase your quality of life. Niraj, or Raj as his friends call him, is extremely passionate about dance. He explains how he got into movement and dancing and what his program, Making Moves Universal aims to accomplish. ✨ About Our Guest: Dr. Niraj Mehta Dr. Niraj Mehta...
Aug 31, 2023•29 min
Jamie is known for their candid and direct approach when expressing thoughts and opinions about the dance world. They are a refreshingly straightforward voice unafraid to tackle the dance community's most pressing issues. In this interview, Al and Jamie explore a few significant challenges that Jamie believes are currently affecting the dance scene. They also talk a little bit about Jamie's dance background and her thoughts on the effects of social media on kids. ✨ About Our Guest: Jamie White J...
Aug 24, 2023•29 min
Ezra Sosa talks about the struggles he faced growing up as a gay male dancer in Utah, his experience touring with Jojo Siwa and his time on So You think You Can Dance as well as Dancing with the Stars. ✨ About Our Guest: Ezra Sosa Ezra Sosa is a professional dancer originally from Utah where he started dancing at the age of 2. His talents and abilities have landed him titles such as NYCDA Regional's winner and three-time BYU national Pre-Teen Latin Champion. You might recognize Ezra from Season ...
Aug 03, 2023•29 min
Ashley Schofield joins us to talk about her journey as a dancer and the paths that ultimately led her to become a creative and skilled choreographer. ✨ About Our Guest: Ashley Schofield Ashley Schofield is a choreographer and teacher from Toronto, ON. After a successful career on stage as a dancer, Ashley decided to turn to her other passion, choreography. She is the founder and choreographer for Opus Dance Collective, a contemporary company housing pre-professional and professional dancers. Her...
Jul 27, 2023•36 min
On this episode Alison Stroming talks about life as a professional dancer, model, and entrepreneur. She also shares her big aspirations as well as a sneak peek into some of her upcoming projects! ✨ About Our Guest: Alison Stroming Alison Stroming is a professional dancer, model, and entrepreneur. Born in Recife, Brazil, and raised in the heart of New York City, she started her formal ballet training at nine years old at the School of American Ballet. She is the founder of AS Dancewear, an Americ...
Jul 20, 2023•26 min
On this episode Andrew 'Pyro' Chung tells the fascinating story that is his life and career journey. He explains how he got the name 'Pyro', he gives us his background in dance (spoiler alert: he is self-taught!) and how dance became such a huge part of his identity. He gives his two cents on why Toronto is not on the radar as a dance hub of the world and he speaks about his new role as a Talent Agent at Da Costa Talent. ✨ About Our Guest: Andrew "Pyro" Chung Andrew Chung, better known as ‘Pyro’...
Jan 19, 2023•56 min•Season 2Ep. 6
▶️ Watch full episodes FOR FREE on: https://dancebugchannel.com/ On this episode Dr. Chelsea Pierotti joins us to discuss what it means to have a healthy mindset. She touches on what makes dancers unique in comparison to other competitive athletes, she speaks about resilience through emotions and what the difference is between mental health and mental strength. She also talks about how taking an individual approach to competitions may make you a better dancer in the long run. Chelsea will be tel...
Jan 12, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 5
▶️ Watch full episodes FOR FREE on: https://dancebugchannel.com/ In this episode, Marny Florence discusses her start in dance and her progression from dancing on stage, to choreographing for others, and ultimately hosting events! Marny talks about the countless jobs she had just to build her resume and about some of the experiences that have gotten her to where she is today. She is currently living her dreams as Co-Host on the “Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live” US tour and shares the magical story...
Jan 05, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 4
▶️ Watch full episodes FOR FREE on: https://dancebugchannel.com/ In this episode, Conner discusses adaptive dance and accessibility in the dance world. Although dance may look different for some people, there is still joy, passion and fun to be had by all. Conner discusses the Rollettes, an all-female wheelchair dance team and how their choreography has been adapted by both standing and seated dancers. Conner also tells us where to find the Rollettes in action and how to support them! Conner Lun...
Dec 29, 2022•23 min•Season 2Ep. 3
▶️ Watch full episodes FOR FREE on: https://dancebugchannel.com/ In this episode, we learn that despite not starting in the arts as a young kid, Jamie Hodgins has made a name for himself in the dance industry. Jamie opens up about his start in dance, the opportunity that changed his life forever, why it's important to have something to fall back on, and his new business venture - Reel Talent! Jamie also talks about the hunger you need to make it in the industry. He believes that if you want some...
Dec 22, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Watch video episodes FOR FREE on: https://dancebugchannel.com/ In this episode, Clarice Ordaz gets real about what it takes to become a professional dancer. She talks all things So You Think You Can Dance, touring with Taylor Swift and being in the iconic opening dance number of La La Land. Clarice shares her take on the competitive dance world and discusses the disconnect between the pressures to win and the desire to have self-growth and improvement. About our guest: Clarice Ordaz Clarice Orda...
Dec 01, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 1
