This week Carly & Hannah sit down with friends, colleagues, and founders of the Seattle Dance Collective. Both dancers with Pacific Northwest Ballet, the pair decided they wanted to create more on their own. The four discuss the importance of access to the arts, how Ballet is changing, and the ups and downs of directing a company. Website: https://www.seattledancecollective.org Instagram: @seattle_dance_collective

This week Carly & Hannah sit down with fellow Baltimore native, Miranda Quinn. As a Juilliard Graduate and current member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, the three discuss how you can’t judge a book by its cover, and how even linear dance paths are full of challenges. They also learn more about growing up with a studio owner for a mom, and how the pandemic changed her dancing. Miranda Quinn: @mirandaming4 Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email...

This week is a must listen for all educators! Hannah and Carly talk with consent educator and expert Sarah Casper, creator of Comprehensive Consent. The three talk about how consent manifests in this studio, how teachers can teach important skills, and consent in online environments. Sarah:  @comprehensiveconsent https://comprehensiveconsent.com/find-out-more/ Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email to [email protected]! Follow us on...

This week, Hannah and Carly talk with Paige Fraser, a professional modern dancer and former dancer with Ailey II and Visceral Dance Chicago. Paige, an advocate for dancers with scoliosis, shares the importance of taking care of your body in a holistic way. Hannah and Page bond over both being diagnosed with scoliosis as young dancers, and dive deep into their own experiences. The three women also talk about the importance of being open to new opportunities throughout a dance career. Paige:...

This week, Carly and Hannah have the privilege of talking with Courtney Celeste Spears, a dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. The three women talk about following your own path, being open to new opportunities, and choosing happiness above all else. They also discuss the absolute importance of the arts during the COVID pandemic, and their hopes for the arts in the aftermath. Courtney: @bahamaballerina courtneycelestespears.com Links:  ...

Carly & Hannah continue with the trend of chatting with Carly’s friends and colleagues this week with fellow dance educator & choreographer, Caitlin McAfee. The episode starts off the rails, as these 3 women are extremely passionate. They reign it in to learn more about Caitlin’s upbringing, her tumultuous relationship with Ballet, and how it has affected her teaching. They discuss the differences of teaching in studios vs. public schools, and the importance of real, genuine self...

This week, we sit down with Carly’s dear old friend, Christine Sampson. As a former NBA, & NBA All Star Dancer they dive deep into that career path. They discuss the multiple requirements of always being in the spotlight, and representing a brand. Carly and Hannah admire Christine’s endlessly positive attitude, and learn more about her teaching style. She shares tips for students looking to break into the dance team world, as well as business advice..she also owns her own production...

This week, Hannah and Carly have the pleasure of chatting with Hallie Hunt, contemporary dancer, choreographer, and educator. They discuss her serious ballet training as a teenager as well as her transition to the contemporary dance world. Hallie now runs her own contemporary dance company, Adaptations Dance Theater, and teaches on Maui, Hawaii; the three dive deep into her life as a professional there. (Photo by Sarah Quarles) Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send...

Hannah and Carly get to dive deep into the competition dance world this week with dance teacher and judge, Miranda Zimmerman-Spada. They discuss the importance of having conversations with varied opinions and view points. They also discuss the benefits of competitive dance, and how it has shaped them as dancers and humans. Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email to [email protected]! Follow us on instagram @countmeinpodcast, and rate on iTunes! Miranda:...

Casey Herd has worked with just about every ballet company you can think of! A former principal dancer of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Dutch National Ballet, Hannah and Carly ask him a lot of questions on the nitty gritty of the ballet world. Casey discusses his experience training in ballet as a young boy, and his new organization, Ballet Rising, which is joining a movement ‘to make ballet a truly global art form that welcomes all to take part. Don’t forget to write a review in Apple...

Carly and Hannah chat with choreographer, dance educator, and all around boss Mary Roberts. They dive deep into equality and pay for dancers of all ages and backgrounds, different cultures of dance across different states, as well as commercial vs. collegiate dance. Hannah gets to “nerd out” about education a bit, and they continue the conversation regarding social media and young dancers. Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email to [email protected]! Follow...

This week, Carly and Hannah sit down with Founder & Owner of Rhythm Works Integrative Dance with Tricia Gomez. They learn about her path California and building several of her own companies. Hannah and Carly have the opportunity to learn more about educating children with learning differences, and how movement can change learning in so many ways. Tricia shares knowledge and wisdom, while crediting how collaborative her process has been. Tricia Gomez: @rhythmworksid Rhythmworksid.com ...

Hannah and Carly went live on Instagram and recorded their short conversation about Ballet NOT being the foundation of all dance. This is part of the common dance vernacular, and they are both guilty of saying it in the past. They discuss how damaging this is, and how we as dance educators need to do better. They did not start this conversation. Carly & Hannah are super grateful for other dancers, and educators having these conversations so they too can learn more. Please check out: ...

This week, Hannah and Carly chat with fellow Marylander and ballet dancer, Emily Runkle. Emily shares her experience of starting ballet as a tween, as well as how she played catch up in order to dance professionally. She touches on building camaraderie in the studio and how she learned to love teaching. The women dive deep into the journey of staging an evening of original ballets, all the way from the first inkling to the final performance. Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts,...

Carly and Hannah are going international again! They sit down with Heather Star Benson, who is originally from ATL and now resides in London. The women discuss how the UK differs from the states, and Heather’s well traveled stateside career. They dive deep into Heather’s love of Horton, and how she is one of London’s only Horton Technique instructors. They discuss the challenges of relocating to another country, as well as the benefits from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Don’t forget...

Carly and Hannah sit down with former Ailey Dancer, and current member of Parsons Dance, Deidre Rogan. They discuss her journey from college into professional dance companies, and expectations from directors. They also discuss the challenges of juggling multiple jobs in NYC. Hannah and Carly are thrilled to learn more about Parsons’ outreach, and how they share dance with students with learning differences. Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email...

This week, Hannah and Carly chat and laugh with performer Patrick Garr, who is currently touring with Hamilton. Patrick excitedly talks about his journey through performing arts school and college, and describes how and when he truly learned to act. The three discuss the NYC dance community, and how it compares to his hometown in Kentucky. He also shares his ultimate teaching goal: inspiring his students while sharing in the messiness of being human.  Don’t forget to write a review in Apple...

This week Carly and Hannah sit down with 13 year Giordano Dance Company member, Maeghan McHale. They learn how she started dancing and the influence of her big sister. They discuss not having the “ideal” body, and reflect on resiliency being a dancer’s most important quality. They dive deep into Maeghan’s life since leaving Giordano and finding her love of teaching. Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email to [email protected]! Follow us on...

This week, Hannah and Carly talk with Carrie Millikin Euker, longtime teacher, performer, and adjudicator. They discuss Carrie’s upbringing in ballet, how she learned to teach, and her teaching style. They discuss how teaching is different in cities across the country, and Carrie shares what she learned by working with dancers with special needs. Finally, Carrie touches on what it’s like to be a new ‘dance mom.’ Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email...

This week Hannah and Carly excitedly chat with Briana Ashley Stuart all the way in Brussels, Belgium. Originally from Michigan, Briana shares a lot of tips for moving, dancing, and freelancing abroad. The three discuss the ‘goal’ of dancing and career paths in the arts. She also shares her teaching style and class culture, is universal no matter what you age you are. Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email to [email protected]! Follow us on...

This week, Hannah and Carly talk with Andrea Trench, founder of Discover Dance and dance educator of all ages. The three focus heavily on dancing with children under the age of six, and Andrea offers several strategies for teachers. They also discuss how important a teacher’s job is and why pedagogical training is key.   Resources: Creative Dance for All Ages by Anne Green Gilbert Brain Brain-Compatible Dance Education by Anne Green Gilbert Don’t forget to write a review in Apple...

In their April episode, hosts Hannah and Carly have plenty to chat about! They discuss the challenges of teaching from home, as well as some unexpected positives. Hannah shares some learning from home tips, easy for any caretaker to implement. Hannah also shares some other podcasts to check out, and of course her monthly article.   Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email to [email protected]! Follow us on instagram @countmeinpodcast, and rate on iTunes! ...

This week Carly and Hannah go down memory lane with one of Hannah’s former duet partners, formerly Peter Pan in the National Tour of Finding Neverland, and currently Tantomile in National Tour of Cats!, Melody Rose. They share fond anecdotes and memories of Melody’s work ethic and talent, as well as their former Ballet Teacher Ashley Canterna-Hardy. They discuss the grind of NYC auditions, how to get your equity card, and how to make the most of your conservatory experience. Melody shares the...

This week Carly and Hannah sit down with dancer, choreographer, adjudicator, and founder of Fearless Dance Intensive Sheena DiMatteo. They learn Sheena has choreographed close to 100 routines this season alone, and they learn more about the process and how to organize that amount of choreography. They discuss the importance, or value, of winning and receiving an award, and should that be necessary for growth? They also discuss the challenges of growing up with a highly successful brother and...