Hello Everyone! I was so excited when Amar Smalls reached out about being on the podcast. He is so funny and extremely talented. We talked about his dance journey, how he ended up in Ailey 2 (so iconic), Jake the snake, his art collective BROKELAND, and how sometimes he feels like Hannah Montanna. AMAR SMALLS (Brooklyn, NY) began his dance training at The Abrons Arts Center Henry Street Settlement in New York City. In 2017, he graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music &...

Hello Everyone! Órla and I had a lovely chat a few months ago about her journy with dance. Since we last spoke she has gotten her artist visa so don't forget to go congratulate her!  Órla Baxendale is a dancer from the UK, who moved to New York City for The Ailey School Scholarship Program. She has performed at New York Fashion Week, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and was recently cast in a new show about immigration in the US. She is a lover of ALL things fashion and creativity and never shys...

Hello Everyone! Wow, I had so much fun listening back to this conversation with Aidan from Feb 2022. We speak about his journy with dance, falling in and out of love with the art form, filming dance and he explains how NFTs can really change the futire of dance! There are so many great moments, this is seriously one of my favorite episodes yet! Aidan Gibney is a New York City based filmmaker and director. Currently working as a director with Coming of Age and Pavillia NYC. As one of NYC’s...

Hello Everyone! Yay! First interview back after a while and it's a good one.  Shiloh Goodin and Sara Brians are theatre-makers and the co-founders of Collectus. With years of witnessing and living the hardship of the creative career, they formed Collectus to give artists a damn break from having to carry it all themselves. They create and run an immersive creative support groups called Pod that has been called "a game-changer," "creative therapy and think-tank combined," and "more powerful...

Hello Hello! It has been more than a minute since I last connected with you, my lovely podcast listeners, but I'm back! Over the last few months, I moved to a new apartment, organized my job's first recitals in 2 years, got covid again, and finally started taking dance classes more regularly. Lots of exciting plans for Dear Dance Season 3, but you will have to listen to the episode to find out more =)

Hello Everyone! It was so fun chatting Christopher Bledsoe back in January. Christopher is a Hip Hop and West Coast Swing Dance Instructor, Singer, Cook, Tennis Instructor, swim instrutor and full on go getter! He really does it all and believes in helping each and every person become the best they can be. When we spoke he was putting the finishing touches on his new cook book. Check out Christopher's website https://www.westie-night-out.com to see everything he is up...

Hello Everyone! I loved talking to Jason Potell a few months ago. Jason is an incredible ballroom dancer and has traveled the world, learning different partner dances, teaching, and organizing events for the ballroom community. When he is not on the dance floor, he works to make his community better. Jason is currently running for Congress in Los Angeles, and he hopes to be a voice for all dancers, artists, and performers across the country! While we chatted, we made really complicated paper...

Hello Friends! Happy Tuesday! Mini Episode coming to you in a Tuesday, how wild! Today I shared some of my thoughts on the Oscars and how there is no award for dance or choreography. What do you guys think about that?!  ________________________________ The Patreon is officially live! Check it out here https://www.patreon.com/essentiallyhaley Don't forget to create your profile on Arts Wrk using my special link (and then I might get a prize!) and definitly add me as a connection once you have...

Hello Friends! Happy Monday! I have a fun bonus episode for you today with my pal Kate Plageman who is actually here visiting in NYC. We chat about all things dance and how her relationship with dance has changed since our chat in season 1. Lots of dancy tangents and fun! ________________________________ The Patreon is officially live! Check it out here https://www.patreon.com/essentiallyhaley Don't forget to create your profile on Arts Wrk using my special link (and then I might get a...

Hello Everyone! My first live show of 2022 was with the incredible Buttons! She is an absolute icon and legend, and this conversation was such a great way to start the year. While we chatted, we tried to make origami stars. Follow Buttons on Instagram @itsfreakinbuttons to see her incredible concepts and videos! ________________________________ I am so excited to share my first ever affiliate link with the Dear Dance family! Check out https://groundgreentea.com/referrals create your account...

Hello Friends! How is February almost over?! I just had a birthday and I've been thinking about aging in the dance world and beyond. Do you struggle with birthdays or do you love them? I would love to hear from you! ________________________________ The Patreon is officially live! Check it out here https://www.patreon.com/essentiallyhaley Don't forget to create your profile on Arts Wrk using my special link (and then I might get a prize!) and definitly add me as a connection once you have your...

Hello! I loved chatting with Jessica Dorcey back in December. Jessica is an outstanding actor and singer who has had a fascinating journey with dance. She shares how she got into the theater world, the process of claiming the identity of "dancer," and an honest and emotional conversation of her relationship with dance right now. Jessica is also a real estate agent killing it in colorado! She broke down how buying a house might be more possible than you think. While we chatted, we made some...

Hello! I had SO much fun talking with my friend Ryan Miller back in December. Ryan never planned on being a dancer when he was younger and then even tried to quit but the unverse had different plans for him! While we chatted, attempted to make snowflakes and they sort of turned into facemasks.... check it out in the youtube video!  Ryan is a dancer, teacher, choreographer, program creator.... he seriously does it all. You may have seen him dancing for Lizzo, Rihanna, Madona, Travis Scott, Kim...

Hello Friends! Happy Valentines Day!! This month I am focusing on getting studf done especially with my media. I saw the 50th Dance On Film Festival at Lincoln Center this weekend and was so inspired! My task for this week is to finish the dance on camera course I have and make a solid plan for my own dance film. In this episode I also talk about the Super Bowl Half Time show which has been in the news quite a lot and has brought to light how porrly dancers are paid and treated in this...

Hello! Today I am sharing my conversation with Melissa Bingey. While we chatted, we made diffuser onaments out of air-dry clay. check it out in the youtube video! Melissa is a recent college graduate of Seton Hill University where she majored in Business Administration with specializations in marketing and human resources. During her time in college she began instructing dance at Apples Dance Lab. She has been instructing and choreographing dance for 4 years. Her training includes acrobatics,...

Hello Friends! Happy February!! My birthday month woooo! This month I am focusing on getting studf done especially with my media. My task for this week is to spice up my highlights using the content I already have. I'm challenging you to do it with me! I also finished the book Tiny Dancer by Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel. It was a great super quick read so go check it out! ________________________________ The Patreon is officially live! Check it out here...

Hello! Today I am sharing my conversation with the hilarious Michael Pesko! While we chatted, we made coasters out of air-dry clay. check it out in the youtube video) I was SO lucky to see Michael at Radio City in one of the last shows before the shutdown. If you are in NYC next holiday season, you do not want to miss the Christmas Spectacular! You may also see Michael in the upcoming season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisle! Follow Michael on Instagram @mpesko to see what he is up to. You will be...

Hello Friends! Did you get snow this weekend? We got a good amount in NYC. I had a lazy restful weekend and started the book Tiny Dancer by Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel. I just finished part one so if you want to read with with me go pick it up!  ________________________________ The Patreon is officially live! Check it out here https://www.patreon.com/essentiallyhaley Don't forget to create your profile on Arts Wrk using my special link (and then I might get a prize!) and definitly...

Hello Friends! I wanted to share an update on my movement journy! How have you moved your body today?  ________________________________ The Patreon is officially live! Check it out here https://www.patreon.com/essentiallyhaley Don't forget to create your profile on Arts Wrk using my special link (and then I might get a prize!) and definitly add me as a connection once you have your profile set up! https://artswrk.com/join/HaleyGrove 🌟Let's connect! 🌟 Follow the show @deardancepod (formerly...

Hello! Today I am sharing my conversation with Alexis Sicklick that we recorded in November! While we chatted, we made nutcrackers out of toilet paper rolls, and tbh mine looked pretty scary (check it out in the youtube video) Alexis Grew up dancing and still is an active member of the NYC dance community when she isn't running her own business, being a professional chef, or writing her latest cookbook! We speak about how her training as a dancer still shows up in her life as a chef and her...

Hello Friends! I am jumping into the land of working out... pray for me because I've been very seditary since zoom dance classes fizzled out. In this episode I'm sharing a few online and in person cross training classes I'm going to try. Some are free (yay!) and some cost real human money. If there are any fitness things that work for you or classes in NYC that I missed please let me know because I need to try as much as possible so at least one thing...

Hello! I'm excited to share my conversation with one of my dear friends James Little. This episode was recorded the week of Halloween and James attempted to teach me how to do a cute cow makeup look. He looked amazing but I looked pretty nuts haha (you can see for yourself on youtube). James Is an incredible dancer who is currently performing for Todrick Hall. He is Insanely talented and also a wonderful human who has really taken the time to find who he is as a person and what he has to...

Hello Friends! Have you heard of bullet journaling? Well I'm obsessed and today I'm sharing how I use bullet journaling to organize my life and my dance goals while staying creative. Tomorrow I'll be posting a youtube video where you can see all my spreads and trackers so definitly check that out and let me know if you make your own.   ________________________________ The Patreon is officially live! Check it out here https://www.patreon.com/essentiallyhaley Don't forget to create your profile...

Hello!  I'm excited to share my conversation with the Incredible Carlos Kidd. While we chatted we decorated pumpkins and it was kind of a mess. Just so you know there were some weird technical issues during our livestream. I'm not an audio engeneer but I did my best to edit the strage audio! Carlos Is a professional artist with many different skills! He claims the titles of professional dancer, lifestyle beauty & fashion photographer, director, actor, rapper, and mental health advocate....