Dance Careers: Unfiltered – Details, episodes & analysis

Today’s guests are Dr. Chelsea Pierotti and Kirsten kemp. Both Chelsea and Kirtsen help dancers with mental skills to improve their performance and enhance their careers and lives. As y'all know, I love diving deep into the psychology realm, so we got right into it and talked about:

• How defining values can help guide your path
• The fears and insecurities dancers face and actionable ways to overcome them
• How to build your confidence in a positive way

Dr. Chelsea Pierotti is a former professional dancer and currently works as a sport psychologist and high performance coach for dancers and dance educators. As a speaker, workshop teacher, and podcast host, Dr. Chelsea’s mission is to help create more successful dancers through positive mental skills. Visit her website and check out her podcast, a Passion for Dance at https://chelseapierotti.com.

Kirsten Kemp (@kirsten_theconfidentdancer) is a former full-time professional ballet dancer turned High-Performance Mindset Coach for dancers, International Speaker, and Founder of The Confident Dancer. She specializes in helping dancers break through the mental blocks that have been holding them back and build a confident mindset that allows them to feel and perform their best consistently. On top of serving 200+ clients globally, including soloists and principals in top ballet companies and YAGP finalists, she's also the host of The Confident Dancer YouTube channel and podcast, a show with 21k+ subscribers and counting. As a speaker, she's also had the honor of speaking to groups of dancers at top institutions such as Miami City Ballet School, Estonian National Ballet, University of Utah's School of Dance, Texas Ballet Theater School, and many others. theconfidentdancer.com

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Today’s guest is the ever so talented professional dancer @RileyGroot. You may have just seen her dancing next to Katy Perry in her Las Vegas residency, but I know Riley from her time as a student at AMDA college here in LA and have had the pleasure of witnessing her career unfold over the years. She's been on “American Horror Story”, the MTV Video Music Awards with BLACKPINK, Disney’s Christmas Spectacular, the Grammys, Billboard music awards, to name a few. We chat about:

• How being a reliable dancer can provide more opportunities
• Why connections are the most important aspect of your career
• The challenges and mindset shifts to withstand the breaks between gigs
• How dancers can self-advocate to make the changes we need in the industry

Born and raised in San Diego, Riley Groot’s love for dance sparked at age 13 when she began training with the non-profit company, Unity Dance Ensemble. After winning numerous competitive titles, all while touring nationally as an assistant for established dance conventions, Riley moved to Los Angeles, where she continued her study of dance and the performing arts at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Since her graduation she has grown her resume and reputation through the commercial industry as a hard-working and reliable talent. Her credits include “American Horror Story”, the MTV Video Music Awards with BLACKPINK, Disney’s Christmas Spectacular, and The Annual Grammy Awards with J Balvin, to name a few. Currently, she is traveling Asia on Jolin Tsai’s Ugly Beauty World Tour, and when she is not on the road or working in LA, you can find her dancing in her fourth Las Vegas Residency: Katy Perry’s ‘PLAY’, where she leads as dance captain. Riley believes that with every job and opportunity, a new lesson is to be learned. She vows to pass along the powerful insights she has acquired throughout her growing career and hopes to inspire the next generation of dancers, just as her mentors have inspired her.

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Yoe Apolinario has danced for artists like Taylor Swift, Madonna, Usher, Cardi B and many more and is dishing it all in today's episode. She’s also a published author of two works, “Cafe Con Leche” and her newest book “So You Wanna Move to LA” - a vulnerable, inside look at her journey in the dance industry in LA. I’m a big fan of Yoe's positive energy and we chat about:

• Her quest in becoming an author
• The behind the scenes of her 3 year experience as a dancer in Usher’s Las Vegas residency
• The untold challenges dancers face in audition/job scenarios and navigating social media promotion

IG: https://www.instagram.com/yoe.apolinario/
Website: Everythingyoe.com
TikTok: @yoe.apolinario and @yoewrites

Yoe Apolinario is a Commercial Dancer and Movement Artist born and raised in Tampa, Florida. After moving to LA in 2015, she booked commercial work with companies like Sprint, Hyper Volt, and Nike. She’s also had the opportunity to dance for artists like Taylor Swift, Madonna, Usher, Cardi B and many more. Yoe is trained in multiple styles of dance, from Ballet, Popping, Memphis Jookin’ and Clown Dancing, but she is mostly known for her mix of freestyle exploration and contemporary movement.

She is apart of an all female collective called The Council. Together, The Council aims to thrive in sisterhood and community while making space for their art in this industry.

Outside of dance, Yoe is a published author of two works, “Cafe Con Leche” and her newest book “So You Wanna Move to LA” which comes out November 30th, 2023. As her career continues, Yoe hopes to continue to further her movement artistry, continue writing and remain a bright, positive role model for young women in the industry.

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

We've really done our job when people don't understand or realize the grit, blood, sweat and tears that go into sustaining a career in the arts. It's hard work! I'm diving in and debunking these 5 misconceptions that people may have about dancers.

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Rachael is a past guest on the podcast and is such a badass. Any kind of job you can think of as a dancer, she has done it - world tours, super bowl halftime shows, feature films, TV shows, the grammy’s, and most recently, was an actress in Top Gun: Maverick. We chat about everything from the writers and actors strikes, to recognizing the ebbs and flows of being a working artist,  the nuances of working as a guest choreographer in someone else's studio, and saying no to jobs with grace.

Website - https://www.rachaelmarkarian.net/
Online Workbook - https://www.rachaelmarkarian.net/store
IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachaelmarkarian/

Rachael Markarian is a successful, multi-hyphenate artist with over 20yrs of experience working in the Entertainment Industry as a Pro-Dancer, Actress, Choreographer and Master Teacher. Her dance career began in Los Angeles and took her around the world, touring and dancing for artists like Rihanna, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Pink, Cher, Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Panic at the Disco and several others. Additionally she’s performed in numerous Music Videos, Awards Shows (The Grammy’s, American Music Awards, Billboard Awards, MTV Movie & Music Awards), Print Campaigns, Commercials (Target, Farmer’s Insurance, MAC Cosmetics, Microsoft, Absolut Vodka, Chevy, Toyota, H&M) and Super Bowl Halftime Shows (Beyonce/Destiny’s Child and
Katy Perry/Lenny Kravitz/Missy Elliot).

Rachael’s Film credits include TOP GUN: MAVERICK, BANDIT, ON A WING AND A PRAYER, RUSH HOUR 3, NO STRINGS ATTACHED, BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, MASCOTS, THE STALKING FIELDS and SOUTHLAND TALES to name a few.
Her television credits include roles on TALES OF THE WALKING DEAD, ALL AMERICAN, SWEET MAGNOLIAS, FIRST WIVES CLUB, QUEENS, THE FIRST LADY, THE MS. PAT SHOW, JOHNSON, LEGION, THE MORNING SHOW, GILMORE GIRLS, GLEE, TRUE BLOOD, DOLLFACE, CSI, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, AMERICAN PRINCESS, PARKS & RECREATION and more.

Rachael has choreographed Film, TV and Commercial projects including I WANT YOU BACK (Amazon Prime), TARGET, TACO BELL, CABI CLOTHING, FARMER’S INSURANCE, WELLA HAIR, and several others. She’s also a Faculty Member on NRG DANCE PROJECT Convention and for CLI STUDIOS, as well as a Guest Choreographer, Master Teacher & Mentor at several studios throughout the US and Canada. Additionally, she created THE DANCER’S EDGE, an in-studio Intensive bringing LA, NYC & ATL Master Teachers & Choreographers into studios across the country providing them with Classes, Choreography & Industry Seminars to help
support their journey into the professional world.

Rachael used her skills and success as a dancer and parlayed them into her acting career. Proving that dancers can have success in multiple fields, and that a hybrid artist is one that brings versatility and unique qualities to the table. She enjoys pursuing her passion and working in the industry, while also consulting and mentoring young artists.

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Getting cut and not understanding why? This episode will create a lot of clarity as to why you aren't getting that feedback we so crave as humans and artists. Also concrete suggestions for things to do create that closure and clarity for yourself.

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

If you’ve ever asked yourself “What do I post??” or “How Often do I post??”, then this is the episode for you. Today’s guest, Amy Leisner, after working for Discount Dance, started her own company, A18 Media, a social media agency for dance studios and professionals.

We chat allll the things:

• Repurposing
• Bio basics
• Story highlights
• Pinned posts
• hashtags
• and everything in between

I love this chat because it is SO pertinent for dancers right now who are wondering the who, what when and how for posting on social media. we also chat about some of the roadblocks to posting, and why you should use each post as an experiment.

Dance studio content prompts: http://www.a18media.com/cp
Instagram: https://instagram.com/a18media
Website: https://a18media.com

Amy Leisner is the founder of A18 Media - an online marketing agency for the dance industry. She grew up dancing at studios in her small town in Wisconsin and went on to earn her degree in dance from Columbia College Chicago

She then became a traveling preschool dance teacher in Southern California. It was during this role that she discovered the power of great marketing to fill up her classes, and so she went back to school and earned her degree in Advertising.

After spending time working for marketing agencies throughout Southern California for clients both in and out of the dance industry, she built a successful freelance copywriting business, which has evolved into a full-service marketing agency for the dance world. Amy loves helping dance business owners feel confident and excited about their marketing by demystifying it and co-creating simple strategies that lead to big results!

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Literally everything you need to know about being a Universal performer!
This is the debut of a brand new episode type for the podcast: Career Spotlights. Kate Coleman and Jolene Fisher are former students of mine who have both been performing at Universal Studios in Hollywood for many years. I figured the name of this podcasts is "dance careers", so I may as well start talking about different kinds.

We chat:

• how they got their jobs (different roles, same park)
• what a "day in the life" is like (how many shows, rehearsal process, etc)
• makeup + hair secrets for daily performances (some in the water!)
• all the benefits of performing at Universal (flexibility, community & live theatre, oh my!)

Kate Coleman works as an associate choreographer and rehearsal director for Mixed eMotion Theatrix. She's had the incredible opportunity to perform in various parts of the world, from New Zealand and France to Argentina and Morocco. Her diverse experiences include dancing with the LA Contemporary Dance Company and her work in exciting film and television productions such as Mysterious Benedict Society, Rutherford Falls, and VEEP. Kate's creative touch extends to choreographing for theatre productions like In Circles, Daughter of the Wicked and the Serpent, earning recognition from the LA Critics Circle. Her choreographic talents have even made their way into series like T-Rex Ranch and the Netflix animated series CoCoMelon Lane. You can also catch her dancing at the TriWiz Spirit Rally in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Originally from Ontario, Canada, Jolene Fisher is an AMDA College and Conservatory Dance Theatre Alumni, and a Lambton College Office Administrative Executive Diploma Alumni. Some of her credits include: Lead Role of Helen at WaterWorld Universal Studios Hollywood and Japan, Dancer in “The Men In My Life” starring Rochelle Aytes, Dancer in “Kings & Queens” Music Video by Mina Tobias, Choreographer for “Another One” by Mina Tobias feat. Gabi DeMartini and Kai Lucas, Background Actor and Assistant Choreographer in “Scrambled” starring and directed by Leah McKendrick, Dancer at Fast and Furious Pit Crew Universal Studios Hollywood, Lead Role of Martha May and Dancer at Grinchmas Universal Studios Hollywood, Dancer for NBL London Lightning Dance Team, Dancer for Harout Balyan Live at the Dolby Theatre, Dancer for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Lead Dancer/Director/Singer/Songwriter in “Outcast” by Jolene Fisher, Lead/Director/Singer/Songwriter in “Mess” by Jolene Fisher, and Lead/Director/Singer/Songwriter in “Running” by Jolene Fisher. @jolenefisherinc

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

Self-care isn't selfish. It's paramount. Charity Baroni joins me on the pod to discuss her prolific career as a dancer in LA (2 Taylor tours?!, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, etc), and why recognizing we are all human drove her career further along than anything else. We also dive in to the realities of being a tour dancer, what it was like watching the ERA'S tour as her former dancer, and the mental well-being of professional dancers.

IG @Charitybaroni
Charitybaroni.com 

Charity Baroni was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. She moved to Los Angeles in 2008 and hustled hard, built relationships and thrived in the entertainment industry as a professional background dancer for almost a decade! She performed and toured with artists such as Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift all over the world, and also performed with artists such as Beyoncé and Maluma in music videos, live performances with Flo Rida, danced on the Grammys with Katy Perry and more. She performed on multiple live shows and awards shows: Billboard music awards, MTV movie awards, X Factor, CMT awards, Radio Disney Awards, Cowboys Thanksgiving half time show, SYTYCD Australia, and Buzzfeed to name a few.

She learned and experienced a tremendous amount during her time based in LA and journeyed back home to Nashville to share her professional experiences in her choreography, teaching and mentoring other dancers, as well as performance coaching artists. Her choreography credits include working with Lainey Wilson, Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd, Sara Evans, Mitchell Tenpenny, Lukas Nelson, Zayn and more. She has also worked with and taught the USA women’s gymnastics national and Olympic team as their dance teacher at national team camps and has choreographed several of the gymnast’s floor routines.

She recently pursued mental health and education and received her BA in Counseling and is a licensed and certified counselor. Through all of her experiences, she has learned how to hold onto truth, boldness, light and fun and reminds people to focus on the importance of mental and emotional health. She does this especially when sharing her passion of dance and life in the entertainment industry with others!

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt

You ever go to post something on social media and then start scrutinizing every minute detail.. and then eventually just give up and not post it at all? Yup. This is something we ALL can relate to as artists. And it's even more at the forefront nowadays with social media's "compare and despair". 
In this episode I break down 3 key things you can remember to change your mindset, focus on what matters most and thrive in your career in the arts. 

DM me 'perfectionism' to make a plan to beat this and we can thrive - together.

Hey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/Supporter

Connect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt