In this episode, I speak with Sandrine Lafond. A trained dancer from France who worked with Marie Chouinard in Canada, danced for Celine Dion in Vegas, and then performed with Cirque du Soleil. Today, Sandrine is a co-owner and artist with Miyusaka, a kimono and japanese calligraphy business. Introduction and background (0:00:30) Sandrine’s beginnings in France and in dance (0:01:15) The appeal to work and create in Montreal (0:03:40) The decision to make a living as a professional dancer (0:05:52) How do you know when you’re a great artist? (0:07:45) The daily regimen of a trained dancer (0:10:50) Competition or community in the dance world (0:12:42) Balance between being directed and being yourself (0:15:10) Transition from Canadian productions to US productions (0:16:43) What’s it like to be on stage during a Celine Dion concert? (0:18:22) Being in the spotlight vs being in the background (0:20:45) Is talent innate or learned? (0:23:02) Giving it your all and work ethic (0:24:17) Drugs and alcohol in the arts and in dance (0:27:20) Studying clowning (0:30:33) “Little Lady” Sandrine’s one-woman show (0:34:30) The pressure to sell yourself as an artist (0:40:00) Artists and menopause (0:42:52) Shodo: the art of Japanese Calligraphy (0:48:20) Miyusaka: the art of kimonos (0:52:37) Visit Miyusaka on the web: https://miyusaka.com/ Follow Miyusaka on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contactmiyusaka/ Follow Miyusaka on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ContactMiyusaka/ Support Planet B612 on Patreon: https://patreon.com/juliesworld Visit Planet B612 on the web: http://planetb612.fm/ Follow Planet B612 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlanetB612fm