Step Up Your Studio – Details, episodes & analysis

In this powerful episode of Step Up Your Studio, we’re joined by the incredible Ashley Andrews - Broadway choreographer, performer, and creative leader behind major productions like King Kong, Diana, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Sunset Boulevard. Ashley brings decades of industry experience and unfiltered advice for aspiring performers, studio owners, and dance educators.

From how to nail a Broadway audition, to the importance of being a triple threat, and why your attitude offstage is just as important as your talent, this conversation is packed with golden insights.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• 🎭 What casting directors are really looking for in a dancer
• 💡 The mindset shift that could change your audition outcomes
• 🎤 Why being a singer AND a dancer is no longer optional
• ✅ The grooming, attire, and preparation mistakes that cost dancers roles
• 💼 How resumes and headshots can make or break your audition
• 🔄 Why consistency, humility, and teamwork matter as much as talent

In this inspiring episode of Step Up Your Studio, we welcome the incredible Julie Kay Stallcup, a beloved veteran of the dance education world and longtime friend of Dance Teacher Web.

Julie shares her journey from building one of the most successful studios in California - Revolution Dance Center with over 1,300 students and 30+ employees - to transitioning out of ownership and stepping into a mentorship role. Discover how she grew her business with intention, built a strong team culture, and learned to let go with love by passing on her legacy.

Inside This Episode:

• The unexpected way Julie entered studio ownership
• How she scaled to 144 weekly classes and two studio spaces
• Tips for hiring a strong team (Hint: Hire people smarter than you!)
• Why vision board meetings changed everything
• The importance of preserving your studio’s culture and community
• How to keep students and teachers creatively inspired—even during the “grind season”
• And the beautiful parallels between studio leadership and planting seeds for growth

Whether you're a seasoned studio owner or just starting out, Julie’s story will remind you why you started - and how to lead with heart, passion, and purpose.

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more inspiration, stories, and strategies to help you step up your studio!

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Step Up Your Studio is the go-to podcast for dance studio owners and teachers ready to grow, thrive, and lead with impact. Hosts Steve Sirico and Angela D’Valda Sirico share actionable tips, expert interviews, and real-world strategies on marketing, leadership, teaching, and more — all to help elevate your studio to new heights.

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, we sit down with Jamie Adams, founder of Gotta Dance in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Jamie shares her incredible 18-year journey—starting a dance studio in her basement and growing it into a thriving, state-of-the-art facility that now serves as a cultural hub for her entire community.

Whether you're just starting your studio or looking to scale, this episode offers inspiration and actionable insights on:

• What it takes to build and own your studio space
• How to stay true to your vision and values
• Creating retention and marketing magic through family-centered events
• The power of investing in your staff’s growth and education
• Why a non-competitive studio model works—and how it’s thriving
• Encouraging a studio culture rooted in joy, inclusion, and confidence

Jamie’s story is filled with honest reflections, smart strategies, and a powerful reminder: if the dream keeps calling, it’s time to take the leap.

🔗 Ready to take your studio to the next level? Get access to 1,000+ videos, lesson plans, business tools, and more at DanceTeacherWeb.com — the ultimate resource for studio owners and teachers.

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, we sit down with Claudia Reed (SVP of Sales) and Lorianne Hagen (Senior Sales Manager) from Weissman—one of the most trusted names in dance wear and costuming for over 65 years.

Together with hosts Steve and Angie, we explore what it truly means to build a studio brand that resonates—from your logo and communication style to the customer experience and beyond.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• How to define and refine your studio’s brand identity
• Why customer experience is your studio’s best marketing tool
• Tips for performing an effective brand audit
• Tools Weissman offers to streamline and inspire your costume selection
• Actionable advice for enhancing parent communication and studio loyalty

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, Steve welcomes the dynamic Courtney Ortiz — professional dancer, seasoned competition judge, educator, and host of Making the Impact – A Dance Competition Podcast. Courtney shares her incredible journey from Broadway to adjudication, dives into current trends in the competitive dance world, and offers actionable advice for studio owners and teachers navigating competitions, student growth, and creative integrity.

🎧 Topics covered include:

• The evolution of jazz and musical theatre in today’s competitions
• What judges are really looking for — and what turns them off
• The truth about competition levels and category placement
• The rising issue of choreography plagiarism and how to protect your work
• Behind-the-scenes insight into the judging process
• Why investing in your teaching staff pays off
• A preview of Courtney’s sessions at this year’s Dance Teacher Web Conference

Whether you're a studio owner, teacher, choreographer, or aspiring judge — this episode is packed with honest insight and expert advice you can apply right away.

🔗 Visit DanceTeacherWeb.com to get access to hundreds of resources, online classes, and info on the Dance Teacher Web LIVE Conference. Your blueprint for studio success starts here!

In this inspiring episode of Step Up Your Studio, host Angela sits down with acclaimed director, choreographer, and movement director Richard Hinds, whose work spans Broadway, the West End, and international stages. From his early days growing up in the studio to choreographing productions, Richard shares invaluable insights on:

• How to prepare young dancers for real-world auditions
• Why versatility is critical in today’s performance industry
• The power of work ethic and teamwork in a professional setting
• Why giving proper credit in choreography matters more than ever
• How studio owners and teachers can stay relevant and connected

Plus, Richard previews his upcoming appearance at the Dance Teacher Web Conference — including a not-to-miss session with Courtney Ortiz on choreography ethics in the digital age.

Whether you're a studio owner, teacher, or aspiring choreographer, this episode is packed with wisdom and heart.

👉 Learn more about the event at: DanceTeacherWeb.com

Episode 013: Richard Hinds on Building a Career in Dance, Choreography & Direction

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, Steve welcomes Michael Tasner, founder of the Parent Marketing Group and longtime supporter of businesses that serve families and children. With two daughters in dance and two decades in marketing, Michael dives deep into what it takes for dance studio owners to grow, retain students, and stand out in today’s digital landscape.

He shares:

• The most effective ways to differentiate your studio in a crowded market
• Why platforms like TikTok and Reddit are underused marketing goldmines
• How to boost retention with small, personal touches
• Simple marketing math every studio should be tracking
• The importance of storytelling and emotional connection in marketing

Plus, hear a preview of the exclusive marketing sessions Michael will present at this year’s Dance Teacher Web Conference in Las Vegas.

If you're a studio owner looking for fresh marketing tactics that actually work, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, we sit down with Brandy Vickers, longtime dance industry expert and Sales Manager at TutuTix, to talk all things recital prep. With over four decades of dance experience and a background in education, Brandy shares actionable tips on how studio owners can reduce stress, streamline ticketing, increase profits, and deliver an exceptional customer experience without standing in line for hours.

You’ll learn:

• Why ticketing is a reflection of your brand
• How to boost revenue through reserved seating & tiered pricing
• Easy ways to sell merchandise and collect donations
• How digital tools can save you time and energy

Plus, Brandy reveals how TutuTix makes it all easier for you—so you can focus on what matters most: your dancers and your show.

Ready to simplify your next recital? Learn more at www.tututix.com and explore the tools that thousands of dance studios trust!

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, we're joined by Steve Gough, General Manager at Harlequin Floors, and Chrissy Ott Richter, Director of Marketing and Communications. Together, they share Harlequin’s journey from a small California startup to an internationally trusted name in dance flooring.

We explore:

• Harlequin’s mission to promote dancer safety
• The evolution of flooring products for studios of all sizes
• Branding tips and actionable marketing advice for studio owners
• Studio trends, including flooring financing, social media tips, and cleaning must-dos
• How Harlequin supports studios through customer service, education, and flexibility

Want to elevate your dance space with the industry’s most trusted flooring? Visit https://us.harlequinfloors.com to explore options, get a custom quote, or connect with a rep near you.

👉 And for more tools, training, and resources to grow your studio, join us at DanceTeacherWeb.com