This is the last faculty Faculty Feature with The Moment Dance convention and we will be hearing from our show creator, Lauren Ritchie, as she is the Mental Skills Educator for dancers, teacher and parents at The Moment. Lauren shares her expertise on confidence, comparison, growth mindset, and the power of self talk as we pursue artistic and athletic growth. 

Lauren Ritchie (MEd, BA, ESFCC) is an established mental skills educator, dance teacher, and choreographer. Her areas of interest and expertise include sports and performance mental training, as well as the intersection of well-being and mindfulness. 

Her work has led to the creation of international teacher training programs, dance and sport conventions, the pioneering show The Dance Podcast, and mental performance-based curriculums for dancers, athletes, and coaches. Lauren’s proficiency in performance preparation and enhancement has led to supporting youth and professionals in dance, theatre, hockey, music, gymnastics, volleyball, and soccer.

Lauren has been a featured speaker for the Women In Sport Speaker Series, Alberta Dance Alliance, Dance Studio Owners Association, House of Jazz (London), and the Toronto Dance Teacher Expo. She has delivered workshops to prestigious schools and programs like Harbour Dance Centre, the Alberta Ballet School, the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, Capilano University, the University of Calgary, and The Bridge Movement.

A true legend! MARGUERITE DERRICKS is one of dance’s most highly recognized and respected working choreographers. She is the first and only choreographer to have received three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography, and is also the recipient of five MTV Movie Awards for Best Dance Sequence.  

Marguerite’s television credits include THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, Netflix’s GLOW, the revival of GILMORE GIRLS, ​and film  blockbusters films like  the AUSTIN POWERS franchise, CHARLIE'S ANGELS, TROPIC THUNDER, MR. AND MRS. SMITH, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, NO STRINGS ATTACHED, and 13 GOING ON 30.

In this episode, Marguerite generously shares her dance journey - from ballet roots to TV, Film, Broadway, Vegas and what I am calling Dance-World-Domination. We talk about how she hires and expectations she holds from the dancers she works with. What came after winning 3 Emmy’s, how to best collaborate amongst creatives, pitching projects, where technology is fitting into her career growth, and her biggest mistakes that taught her the most. 

Please enjoy and share this beautiful conversation with the dance community. 

Lauren Ritchie

Mental Performance and Mindset Educator, MEd, BA, ESFCC.

As a human, you can train three things: your mind, your body, and your craft. Lauren Ritchie has been studying, researching, and educating dancers and teachers on the physical, emotional and mental intricacies of dance. Recognizing the lack of mental skills training in dance, Lauren has created programs and exercises dedicated to educating and empowering both dancers’ and educators’ mental health and mindset to optimize physical and artistic training. From her MEd in Coaching Studies to a BA in Professional Communications, to multiple Yoga certifications and an accredited Art & Science of Coaching Certification, Lauren has a unique blend of education and resources that offer a holistic training approach for dancers.

An established educator, facilitator and speaker, Lauren has delivered workshops to prestigious schools and programs like Harbour Dance Centre, the Alberta Ballet School, the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, Capilano University and The Bridge Program with The Protege Movement. She is the co-founder of the Dance Teacher reTREAT, the creator of Mental Skills Training Teacher Training program and has been a keynote speaker for the Women In Sport Speaker Series, Dance Studio Owners Association, House of Jazz (London), and the Dance Teacher Expo.

Lauren has firsthand knowledge of the attributes required to achieve and sustain peak performance. She was a highly competitive and decorated dancer having classically trained in ballet, jazz, tap and lyrical. After completing her A.R.A.D, Lauren knew she “wanted to dance” but had little guidance and awareness of the true process of transitioning into a professional dance career. This is why Lauren has created and hosts The Dance Podcast; an invaluable resource dedicated to inspire and educate dancers, teachers, and parents through candid conversations with industry professionals. 

Lauren’s engaging and encouraging teaching style has inspired dance teachers and students across the country to be their best – mind, body, and craft.

Melissa opens up about her first and favorite roles in Cats. And what happened on the national and international tour of "FAME: The Musical" that changed her career and training!

Melissa, or "Dina," as Lady Gaga called her, has ventured into commercial dance, feature film, and world tours. She has gone on tour with Lady Gaga and was a featured dancer in her video for "Marry The Night," as well as touring the world with A.R. Rahman, a multi-Grammy award winner and film composer who penned "Jai Ho." Other performances she is proud of are television shows such as "So You Think You Can Dance," "Dancing With the Stars," and feature films like "Gnomeo and Juliet" and "Step Up."

Julio Fuentes is a Vancouver based dancer, MT performer, and choreographer. Although dance came to him at the later age of 19, he has since then fallen in love with dance and has been training & teaching throughout Canada. So, what's it like to take your 1st ballet class as a grown man? How do you break into the Cdn MT industry? Julio shares his dance stories, audition rituals & the powerful lessons he has learned from an injury. We talk body, mentorship, and the winding path of tries, fails & experiences in this dance world!  

Lisa La Touche never imagined Tapping her way through a dance career, but through a lot of love and hard work, Lisa has performed in Shuffle Along on Broadway, Stomp off-Broadway and educates around the world. We talk about her Plan A vs Plan B career strategy, how she locally created the opportunities that she was in search of, and about the inner voices & Artists Will that guided her journey. She has mentored by the incredible Sean Cheeseman and has worked with some of the Tap communities best like Savion Glover, Bril Barrett, Trey Dumas and Jumaane Taylor. Lisa also speaks to the Tap Legends like Gregory Hines, Buster Brown, and Jimmy Slide.  

What are the best & worst parts of being in a company? What is it like to be the only boy dancer, in the studio and at school? How do you get over the Europe to dance?  Jake Casey shares his thoughts and experiences. Casey was a 2013 NYC Finalist for the Youth American Grand Prix and joined Cincinnati Ballet in 2014 in the Corps de Ballet. In 2015, he choreographed a piece for the Inaugural Cincinnati Ballet Choreography Workshop. During the Summer of 2015, Casey danced at the National Choreographer’s Initiative in Irvine, CA. As a guest teacher and artist, Jake has instructed and danced at institutions all around the country, even virtually with CLI studios!

Let's talk about building an International festival, teaching dancer's with a new vocabulary and the debatable line between Bravery and Stupidity! Emily Bufferd talks about NYC show BUSINESS and PERFORMING arts. A Producer, Choreographer, Teacher, and Performer, Emily Produces The Young Choreographer’s Festival. She also teaches at Joffrey Ballet School and Broadway Dance Center in NYC where she takes fresh approaches on how to train, support and talk to dancers.  Emily has also been featured by Dance Spirit, Dance Informa, and Dance Mogul Magazine, as well as on the television show ‘Inside NYC Dance’.

Kathryn McCormick is a world class dancer who is recognized for appearances on SYTYCD, as a competitor and all-star, Step Up Revolution, and Like Air. Beyond the stage, Kathryn mentors the next generation of dancers to navigate the dance world and know their worth. We talk about how she got her agent, what grounds her when self doubt and fear show up, and her most powerful performance ever!

Mentorship is a powerful way to receive guidance and advice from the people who you admire and respect. So many of us crave mentorship, but what how do you approach a mentor? What do you do when you have one? And do you need one? With 5 steps, Lauren dives deep into the strength, approach, and relationships with a Mentor. 

Casey Garvin is the ultimate Triple Threat - singing, acting and dancing on the Broadway stages. Currently in Miss Saigon, Casey shares his journey from the audition, to rehearsals, tech onstage and opening night! What do you do when you bomb an audition? What's is like to work with  comedy masters like Zach Braff? How do you maintain your body? What did he wish he would have known about NYC? Listen up as we take you from the studio to the stage on Broadway. 

They have dance for over 20 Seasons with Alvin Ailey - and done it withmastery and grace. From Injury prevention, to what dancers and parents need to know- Glenn and Linda share how dancers create longevity and happiness within their career, Linda Celeste Sims began her dance training at Ballet Hispanico School of Dance and is a graduate of LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. In addition to a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts award, Mrs. Sims won Outstanding Performance at the 2014 New York Dance and Performance Awards (“The Bessies”).   Featured on the cover Dance Magazine, and in annual “Best of” lists, she has performed as a guest star on So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, and The Today Show. Glenn Allen Sims began his classical dance training at the Academy of Dance Arts in Red Bank, New Jersey. He attended The Juilliard School under the artistic guidance of Benjamin Harkarvy. In 2004, Mr. Sims was the youngest person to be inducted into the Long Branch High School’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. He has been seen in several network television programs, including BET Honors, Dancing with the Stars, The Today Show, and So You Think You Can Dance. 

Julie McDonald is co-owner of McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA). She is the pioneer in the field of dance and choreography representation, having formed the first talent agency in 1985 devoted exclusively to dance. While breaking ground by representing her clients across all mediums of entertainment, she became an advocate for better terms and working conditions for dancers and choreographers and devoted herself to raising the visibility of the art and craft of commercial dance and especially choreography. In 2000 she and Tony Selznick formed McDonald Selznick Associates. (MSA). Their clients represent a who’s who in the world of dance and have been nominated for or have won numerous Emmy, Tony, and MTV awards. MSA clients have directed and/or choreographed Las Vegas spectacles, Broadway productions, television prime time dramas and sitcoms, awards shows including the Emmys, Grammys, and Oscars, and numerous films spanning the past three decades. Ms. McDonald co-created the American Choreography Awards (1994-2004), an event honoring choreography achievement in media. She was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Choreographers Carnival and Dance under the Stars Choreography Festival for pioneering the representation of dancers and choreographers. She is on the Board of American Dance Movement a funding organization that builds healthy communities by expanding access to dance and movement. She is also on the Boards of Center Dance Association at the Music Center, and Dance Magazine.

Born in LA and raised in a pivotal period of street culture, clowning and growing aggression, Jo'Artis Ratti is one of the original creators of Krump. We talk about what KRUMP means, how it grew into an international phenomena, documentaries and dancing on tour with Madonna. It's a conversation with history, reality, and inspiration for all dancers and the dance community!

This episode is dedicated to the Evolution of You; the wandering, curious soul committed to big dreams and personal growth!

Chris Hale is Associate Director and Director of Education at Pushing Progress Contemporary Dance in NYC. He started out in the industry as a Triple Threat and at a young age,  established himself at one of the world's leading Dance Drop-In studios, Broadway Dance Centre. Chris talk about how he built up his classes in one of the largest dance communities in the world,  how his perceptive of a dancer's body and its functionality has evolved, and OF COURSE, we connect about Liz Gilbert and the act of following our Curiosity. 

The Texas native is known as the "It Girl" of music videos and tours, she has appeared alongside chart-topping artists, including: Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Chris Brown, Nick Jonas, Meghan Trainor, and many more. Brittany speaks powerfully on what happens when you get fired, how to treated your fellow dancers, and the most effect way to build your career. Perry-Russell has made an incredible transition from lead dancer to actress and can now be seen in Netflix hit 13 Reasons Why! Listen now!

Erin is an online business coach for dance educators and host of the Dance Boss Podcast. She is a Jersey girl all the way, graduated from Montclair State University with a B.F.A. in Dance and received her Masters in Dance Education from New York University. Erin helps dance educators niche down, build an online business, and bring in additional revenue for them and their families. Erin began her coaching journey as a dance education coach, providing resources and training to help dance educators run more successful classrooms. Now Erin helps her fellow dance educators pursue their dreams and start an online business that impacts the masses.  To learn more about Erin visit erindpride.com, and you can hang out with Erin on Instagram and Facebook.

Heather  has performed on stage and screen as an actor, dancer and singer. Her journey has lead her to weave in and out of the commercial and company sectors of dance. She recently choreographed the Lifetime Biopic "Britney Ever After". As an on set choreographer Heather has choreographed for The CW Network's iZombie (season 2& 3), A&E's "Bates Motel",  Hallmark Network's "Harvest Moon", and many more! The premiere of her new full length contemporary dance piece "The Tunnel" will be presented by New Works at The Roundhouse Theatre, April 2017 in Vancouver. HLG shares her insights as an adjudicator, what it's like to work as the only head female in a male, and how she has made a long career grow and flourish in Canada.

Andrea Dvorak was deep into her Ballet training when she started to struggle with identity, self worth and relationship with food. When she could no longer walk, she knew she needed help. We talk about she was able to deepen her artistry and compassion as she recovered and share some tidbits of wisdom to anyone working through their emotions.... which is all of us, right?!

David Hofmann, better known as 'Sharkcookie', is a renowned dance photographer with over 600k follows on instagram alone! David shares how he took his career from the movie industry into the dance community, what he believes makes a great photo shoot, and how experimenting and failing is the best thing you can do for your craft.

The best kind of reunion - old duet partners!! Scott Maybank had a late start in his training, but that didn't let him shy away from pursuing the top Ballet schools across Canada. Over his ten year career Scott worked for Ballet British Columbia, West Australian Ballet and the Queensland Ballet, eventually retiring in his hometown of Edmonton after dancing with Alberta Ballet. With the help of the Dancer Transition Resource Centre, Scott is now a Chiropractor committed to helping Dancers feel healthy & work efficiently. From the worst thing you can do to your body, to best physical & mental practices- Scott shares his how to create a successful career with a lot of laughter! 

Jeff Mortensen is a multi-talented dancer, gymnast, assistant choreographer, and performer. Jeff shares his unique journey through So You Think You Can Dance, to Cirque Du Soleil, to performing and assisting on renowned productions like Disney's The Descendants and Rocky Horror Picture Show. Jeff gives quick and applicable advice on what you can use as inspiration in your career and solid tips when on set!

Headshots, Resumes, Reels, Agent introductions- we cover it all with Melissa Panton! Although a performer at heart, Melissa was always interested in the business side of entertainment. While building credits as a choreographer in Toronto, she began studying Arts Administration at Humber College, and gathering experience in production, casting, and stage management. Melissa is now the principal agent in Vancouver, BC and gives LOADS of advice about getting and working with an agent!

Chris Scruggs is an Alberta Ballet Company member, who shares his love music, movement and people both in and outside the dance community! He started his training with the Maryland Youth Ballet, later attending summer programs with Washington Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Chris finished his training at Indiana University, graduating with a dual degree in Ballet Performance and Political Science. Chris opens up about his career obstacles, how to properly audition for a Ballet Company , and what he regrets most in his training. 

What is is like to follow an internationally acclaimed choreographer for 8 years? Filmmaker Tomer Heymann shares his latest documentary capturing Ohad Naharin, one of the world's most influential choreographers who created his own "movement language", Gaga. When he was 22, Ohad was invited to perform with the prestigious Martha Graham dance company and attended Juilliard and the School of American Ballet simultaneously. But Ohad was not happy until he could do exactly what he wanted. Moving back to Israel, Naharin became the Artistic Director of the Batsheva Dance Company, developing Gaga within his own ensemble. Listen now as Tomer shares his insights, perspective, and love for both Ohad and the dance community! 

She has worked for Talyor Swift, Nick Jonas, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Kylie Minogue, CeeLo, Michael Buble, Glee, Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, Fresh Beat Band, X Factor, Cirque Du Soleil and many more. Liana Blackburn has been seen dancing in films such as Behind the Candelabra, Footloose and Seventeen Again and performed with Ms.Britney Spears in her resident show “Piece of Me” at Planet Hollywood in Vegas. Liana shares her incredible story from audition surprises to asking for what you truly want. After a scary incident while touring, Liana had to get real about the food she was eating (you mean french fries isn't a food group?!) and start to use food as a source of healing. Liana has now founded The Daily Dancer Diet, an online journal of inspiration and education!

Originally from Canada, Lukas McFarlane chose to jump the pond and make a commercial dance career for himself in London! His life took a drastic turn when he won the reality show Got To Dance and became famously known as #onesock. So, he had money, fame, titles and opportunities - that should mean happiness and success, right? He opens up about his journey after the show, shares where his career is now blooming with how his company, Untitled, shapes his choices, dreams, and artistry. 

Menina knows, "Talent is such a small percentage of a dancers success". Ms. Fortunato is a Portuguese and French Canadian, who has been killing it in California since 2001 with an Entrepreneurial spirit and taking every obstacle into an opportunity. She can be seen in several commercials for Pepsi with Britney Spears, and Lux Shampoo with Keira Knightly. She has extensive work behind the camera as well in production, choreography and casting on various projects including AMERICA's GOT TALENT, THE X FACTOR.  She is also the CEO of MENINA ENTERTAINMENT that produces music videos, instructional videos, and The Hollywood Summer Tour with the intention to educate, prepare and inspire serious dancers wishing to pursue a career in the commercial dance industry.

Kristina Eustace was a competitive dancer with dreams of taking her training into a professional career, but a medical diagnosis quickly changed her options. Now, Kristina runs a public education Dance Program and has changed the lives of hundreds of dancers and "non-dancers". We talk about how physical health can change your journey, how politics are a part of dance and schools, and how we can advocate for Dance and grow its value within communities. 

You may recognize her name from SYTYCD Next Generation as she choreographed Tate McCrae's audition solo, but that is just one of the credits on Michelle Dawley's list of achievements. Michelle has danced in Sonya Tayeh's company, worked on Glee, tours with Empire of the Sun and has danced with Selena Gomez,  Pitbull, Kesha, Janelle Monae and more! Michelle talks about her visa process, making a long distance relationship work, and how gratitude can build the best career you could dream of!

In 2014, she completed a certification for dance medicine from the Westside Dance Physical Therapy in New York, where she studied with physical therapists who oversee the health of the New York City Ballet and other prominent professional dance companies. She earned a master’s degree in spiritual psychology from the University of Santa Monica, emphasizing in consciousness, health and healing; and dual bachelor degrees in dance and communications from California State University, Fullerton. We talk about how to train like an elite dancer, what cross function training can do to build healthier bodies and what we can do to build an even stronger community of dancers and artists!!!

First introduced to Canada on SYTYCD Season 1, Kevin has danced with today's biggest names like Meghan Trainor, Paul McCartney, and Rasta Thomas. Kevin shares how his dance journey has taken him from Cruise Ships, to Broadway, to World Tours with Cirque Du Soleil. 

Whether it is in your training or personal life - the stories we tell about ourselves can launch you forward, or pull you back. So, what's your story? Lauren talks about her own experience with stories and sparks some self-reflection moments to get you closer to your truest, boldest, most awesome self. 

EMMY Award Winner Tyce Diorio has been a powerful force in the entertainment industry since he was a teenager. Originally from Brooklyn, Diorio moved to Los Angeles to dance with legends like Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Mya, *NSYNC, Kelly Osbourne, Céline Dion and Toni Braxton. In addition to performing on numerous TV shows and films, Diorio also starred in the Tony Award winning Broadway hits Fosse and Chicago. We talk all about finding you VOICE as a dancer, how to have longevity and how to become a master of rejection!

Gia Martello is one of the most recognizable Dance Assistance out there. She stars on the hit show Dance Moms as Abby Lee's right-hand girl. Gia shares how her training with Abby differs from what Maddie, Nia and Kahlani are exposed to. Gia opens up about why she chose to go to Point Park University and not attend the dance porgram as well as what she wishes more people knew about the show and her career.

Ashley Tuttle was invited by Mikhail Baryshnikov to join American Ballet Theatre (A.B.T) at the age of 16. She was a prima ballerina with ABT for 17 years all while joining the acclaimed Twlya Tharp Dance Company in 2000. Ashely received both TONY Award and a Fred Astaire Dance Award nominations for her role with the hit Broadway show "Movin' Out". But what happens when a dancer's roles and contracts end? Ashley talks about transitions, school and humble moments in her journey as a dancer. 

What happens when you get a ballet dancer who sings opera? A Bob Fosse dancin, Tony Award winning wonder. Cady Huffman has over 30 years experience in "the biz" and shares her iconic stories. From working with Fosse to  agents to sabotage stories, Cady shares it all!!

Rosalynn Miller graduated from Point Park University, Conservatory of Performing Arts, with two dance degrees in 2008.  With a duel concentration in jazz dance and dance pedagogy (the art of teaching dance), Rosalynn, affectionately referred to as Roz by her students and peers, quickly landed teaching jobs at various prestigious dance establishments in the Pittsburgh area.  While in college she was Vice President to the student hip hop dance group “Impulse”, first Hispanic President to the United Student Government at Point Park and maintained an apprenticeship through the COPA department all four years of her education.  She fulfilled her apprenticeship working as a hip hop teacher for an after school dance program at McKees Rocks Middle School.

In an effort to continue her dance education, Roz attends an array of dance teacher conventions, seminars, workshops and classes to better serve her students and help strengthen the local dance community. The Dance Teacher Summit in New York, More Than Just Great Dancing with Misty Lown and Dance Masters of Pennsylvania are just some of the dance teacher functions she regularly attends throughout the year.

Roz is the owner and artistic dance director of Synergy Performing Arts Academy located in Canonsburg, Pa. Her students perform in local parades and community charity events.  The Synergy Dance Company trains and competes at a competitive level. Roz’s choreography has received recognition at both regional and national levels and has received multiple award winning titles. Synergy just celebrated their 10th year anniversary.  

Outside of teaching, Roz judges for local dance competitions and talent shows.  She has judged for Showbiz National Talent Competition and On Stage America dance competition. She is proud to be one of the founding 15 members of More Than Just Great Dancing, “MTJGD”, with Misty Lown, the PA Charter member of MTJGD, and a MTJGD certified Coach .  In 2014 Roz was accepted into Dance Masters of America (Pa chapter 10), Dance Educators of America (Pittsburgh chapter) in 2015, and in 2019 she was awarded “Dance Educator of the Year” by GROOVE dance competition at their Myrtle Beach Nationals.  In July of 2019 she was honored to be on the faculty and present business seminars at the NYC Dance Teacher Summit.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and playing with her son, a cancer survivor, Cruz!  

From Cruise ships to the Can-Can, Cara Lee has created a career that includes hip hop commercial work, show girl spectacles, and tv series. This episode includes everything from changing your name for the industry, to how to prepare for auditions, to what it's like to learn an entirely new style of dance in a brand new country!

Raised in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, Calen Kurka started his training in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, and Modern. He moved to NY with big dreams, but few plans or job prospects! Calen shares how his career, and life, have evolved in ways he couldn't have anticipated. He is the founder and Artistic Director of :pushing progress a company, and inspires Dancers at every stage of their career to take a mindful approach to bring their most authentic self into their work and life. 

Moe Brody is at the Hub of Vancouver's dance scene. She has a successful commercial dance career, co-owns Harbour Dance Centre and directs one of the best training programs in the city. Lauren and Moe talk about what your first big move away from home can look like, what it's like getting back into dancing, after taking time away from it, and how you can build a community and reputation that support a fulfilling career.