Best Ask A Dancer Podcast Podcasts (2025)

1
CEO Checklists & Co-Pilots: Your New Self-Care Strategy 28:11

4d ago28:11

28:11

Studio owners, this one’s for the do-it-all leaders running on fumes. If you’ve ever felt like the pilot, the crew, the mechanic, and the air traffic control of your business — all at once — it’s time to rethink your flight plan. In this episode, we’re borrowing wisdom from the skies to bring you aviation-grade self-care. You’ll learn: - Why flying…

1
Episode 143: Bonus: 24-25 Season Wrap-Up 39:52

10d ago39:52

39:52

As we shift gears to prepare for the upcoming season, Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan take a moment to reflect on our just-concluded 76th year, from two strikingly unique and unforgettable world premieres—from Resident Choreographer Justin Peck and Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky—to the return o…

1
The Price of Passion: When Studio Owners Stop Paying Themselves 40:11

11d ago40:11

40:11

In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, we’re taking you behind the scenes for a powerful Inner Circle conversation with studio owner and mentor Kelli Leighton. Together, we explore what happens when you shift your mindset from survival mode to service-driven leadership. Inspired by executive coach Craig Burns, this episode dives …

1
Episode 142: The Rosin Box: Ask the Dancer 39:06

17d ago39:06

39:06

Join us around the Rosin Box for our annual listener-contributed "Ask the Dancers" episode. Our intrepid hosts Claire and Aarón and special guest Corps de Ballet Member Lars Nelson answer your questions about rehearsal wear, dancing with Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky, remembering steps, and more—including, "Explain dogs at New York City Ball…

1
ANSWERED LIVE: Dance Studio Owner Questions You're Too Afraid To Ask 45:04

18d ago45:04

45:04

What’s really keeping studio owners up at night? In this first-of-its-kind episode, we’re handing the mic over to Inner Circle mentors Kelli Leighton and Loren Specht to tackle the raw, real, and relatable questions from studio owners just like you. From building teams and stepping out of the classroom to shifting your mindset and revamping your cu…

1
Episode 141: The Rosin Box: Choreographers and their Casts 34:11

24d ago34:11

34:11

Hosts Claire and Aarón are back at the Rosin Box, joined this week by Principal Dancers Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia to talk about the relationship between choreographer and dancer in the creation of new works—especially in the case of Tiler's Concerto for Two Pianos from 2024, which featured Roman. As they share, the process is like a conversation b…

1
You Don't Have To Be A Workhorse To Be Worthy 9:13

25d ago9:13

9:13

Are you constantly pushing, hustling, and burning out—just to prove you're doing enough? In this powerful episode, we’re breaking down the lie that your value is tied to how hard you work. Discover why mindset is truly 80% of the work when it comes to leading your studio with purpose, clarity, and confidence. You’ll walk away with a renewed perspec…

1
Episode 140: The Rosin Box: Center Stage 37:47

1M ago37:47

37:47

The Rosin Box is back with hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Soloist Aarón Sanz delivering insiders' insights into the lives and times of today's NYCB dancers. This week they're joined by Principal Dancer Megan Fairchild, who will be retiring next spring, and Corps de Ballet Member Dominika Afanasenkov, who joined the company just over two years ago. Th…

1
What You NEED TO KNOW About The Dance Teacher Summit's Return! 33:50

1M ago33:50

33:50

After a 5-year break, the Dance Teacher Summit is back — and bigger than ever! Chantel Feola joins us to share what’s new, what’s returning, and why this year’s event is a must for studio owners and teachers. From iconic faculty and business trainings to app-powered networking and the return of the ACE Awards, you’ll get the inside scoop on how to …

1
Why Smart Studios Are Using Video to Double Their Retention Rates 15:22

1M ago15:22

15:22

Today’s studio families want more than just great classes — they want to see growth and feel the progress. In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese reveals: - How strategic use of simple class videos can dramatically boost loyalty and re-enrollment - Easy ways to highlight student achievements …

1
The Rasa Show #9: Ask The Doctor with Shereen Rahman - How Your Diet Can Transform Your Skin 27:12

1M ago27:12

27:12

It's time for another episode of Ask The Doctor with one of my favourite guests, Shereen Rahman. Shereen is a GP & Dermatologist, and is Medical Director of ESS Clinic in London, which offers private skin surgery and aesthetic treatments. We’ve already explored how dance can impact our skin — now, we’re diving even deeper. In this episode, we’re ta…

1
A Conversation with Anne Bogart 37:16

2M ago37:16

37:16

Enjoy this special stand alone episode with Anne Bogart. This is a recorded in-person conversation held in London with the Young Vic and SDCF in January 2025 that is now in podcast form. Anne discusses working in the theatre as a director including delving into her directing practices both as artist and teacher as well as her work through co-foundi…

1
Interactive Tools That Make Dance Class Their Favorite Hour of the Week 15:29

2M ago15:29

15:29

Getting students through the door is just the first step — real growth comes from keeping them excited, motivated, and emotionally connected to your studio week after week. In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese shares: - Why loyalty and retention are built in the small, daily moments — not j…

1
Episode 139: New Combinations: When We Fell 33:38

2M ago33:38

33:38

Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan is back for another exciting New Combinations conversation. This week, she's joined by choreographer Kyle Abraham, whose When We Fell makes its onstage debut this spring after premiering as a dance film in 2021. Abraham shares how this fourth work for NYCB represents both the culmination of relationships he'…

1
Plan Dance Classes in Half the Time (Without Losing the Magic) 17:46

2M ago17:46

17:46

What starts as a simple across-the-floor jazz outline… ends up in a 2 a.m. TikTok spiral. We’ve all been there. This week on the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, we’re breaking the cycle of burnout planning and giving you the ultimate shortcut to smarter, faster lesson design. Join Inner Circle Studio Growth Coach, Annie Leese, as she shares: - H…

1
Episode 138: See the Music: Divertimento from 'Le Baiser de la Fée' 11:42

2M ago11:42

11:42

Music Director Andrew Litton invites us to See the Music in this enlightening introduction to the score for George Balanchine's 1972 ballet, Divertimento from ‘Le Baiser de la Fée.' With superlative accompaniment from Solo Pianist Elaine Chelton, Litton demonstrates the many ways in which Igor Stravinsky's "homage to Tschaikovsky" took inspiration …

1
The Studio Admin Fix: 5 Tools That Save You Hours Every Week 17:55

2M ago17:55

17:55

Are you buried under endless admin tasks — chasing down attendance, payments, and scheduling issues — instead of focusing on what really matters in your studio? In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio Podcast, Inner Circle Growth Coach Annie Leese shares: - 5 simple tech tools to streamline your class management, registration, and communic…

1
Episode 137: Hear the Dance: Sonatine 56:31

2M ago56:31

56:31

Silas Farley returns with another Hear the Dance conversation, focusing this week on the George Balanchine pas de deux Sonatine, choreographed in 1975 as the opening ballet for the company's Ravel Festival. Repertory Director Christine Redpath shares memories of performing in that festival and of watching Sonatine's original dancers Violette Verdy …

1
How to Make Reels at Recital that Get People to Enroll 33:09

2M ago33:09

33:09

If you’ve ever walked away from recital week with nothing but exhaustion and a camera roll full of blurry stage lights… this episode is for you. Social media expert Jeanne-Marie Branche joins us to share the exact system she created for studio owners who want to turn recital into their biggest marketing moment of the year. No stress. No crew. No Ca…

1
Episode 136: Hear the Dance: A Suite of Dances (Part 2) 42:49

2M ago42:49

42:49

In this second part of our Hear the Dance journey into Jerome Robbins' A Suite of Dances, Cellist Hannah Holman joins host Silas Farley to provide a deep-dive introduction to the Bach Cello Suites that provide the ballet's exquisite score. As Holman explains, the music is a seminal work for every cellist, with complex challenges and varied delights…

1
Episode 135: Hear the Dance: A Suite of Dances (Part 1) 1:05:11

2M ago1:05:11

1:05:11

This week, Hear the Dance host Silas Farley leads us on a wide-ranging exploration of Jerome Robbins' 1994 ballet A Suite of Dances. First, he's joined by Repertory Director Jean-Pierre Frohlich, who coaches the work; Principal Dancer Daniel Ulbricht, who initially learned the tour-de-force role in 2019; and former Principal Dancer Peter Boal, who …

1
Effortless Growth: Set It and Forget It 7:59

2M ago7:59

7:59

If parents in your area are searching for dance classes online, is your studio one of the first they find? In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Inner Circle mentor Heather Jackson explains how studio owners can use SEO (search engine optimization) to increase their website’s visibility and attract more students—without needing …

1
The Rasa Show Episode #8: In Conversation With Pierre Henry 1:05:04

3M ago1:05:04

1:05:04

In this month's episode, I am delighted to welcome my good friend Pierre Henry to the show! Pierre is very well known on the London salsa and bachata scene as a teacher and DJ. As a talented musician, he has so much knowledge of musicality and he also loves to strike up an online conversation with some controversial social commentary, so I knew he …

1
The Art of Collaboration: dots and Anne Kauffman 57:00

3M ago57:00

57:00

We are excited to bring you this new episode in our podcast series, The Art of Collaboration with Anne Kauffman and dots. This series focuses on directors and choreographers in conversation with some of their collaborators. This series explores the ins and outs of these processes, both finer details as well as overarching ideas about what goes into…

1
Episode 134: The Rosin Box: Students on Stage 1:05:12

3M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

This week around the Rosin Box, hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Soloist Aarón Sanz are talking about students on stage, with the help of two dancers at either end of that journey: 12-year-old (soon to be 13!) Theo Rochios, a current student at the School of American Ballet, and Soloist Harrison Coll, who is a substitute teacher at SAB. They share some…

1
Effortless Growth: Referral Programs That Work 16:09

3M ago16:09

16:09

Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most effective ways to grow your dance studio—but only if you have a system in place to encourage and reward referrals. In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Inner Circle mentor Heather Jackson shares how to set up a referral program that practically runs itself. Discover simple, proven ways…

1
Episode 133: The Rosin Box: Dance Pop Culture 48:12

3M ago48:12

48:12

The chat around the Rosin Box this week is all about dance in pop culture, with hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Soloist Aarón Sanz joined by Corps de Ballet Members Naomi Corti and Grace Scheffel. From Center Stage and web series like city.ballet and Strictly Ballet—featuring, among others, NYCB's own Mimi Staker and Alec Knight—to memoirs by legends …

1
Effortless Growth: The Power of Evergreen Content 16:18

3M ago16:18

16:18

Marketing your dance studio doesn’t have to mean constantly creating new content. In this episode of the Transform My Dance Studio podcast, Inner Circle mentor Heather Jackson, owner of Kaleidoscope Dance, joins us to break down the power of evergreen content—marketing materials that continue to attract and engage potential students long after they…

1
Episode 132: The Rosin Box: First Steps 43:05

3M ago43:05

43:05

We're back at the Rosin Box for another candid conversation with hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Soloist Aarón Sanz. This week, they're joined by Corps de Ballet Member and budding choreographer Laine Habony to talk about NYCB's First Steps program. This singular initiative gives current company dancers the opportunity to create new works on their pee…

1
Delegate to Elevate: One-And-Done Resource Creation 18:20

3M ago18:20

18:20

What if you could create something once and have your team use it over and over again? In this episode, Shawna Kwan explores how to build resources—like systems—that save you time in the long run. Learn the best formats, tools, and strategies for making sure your resources stay updated without you having to redo them constantly. Work smarter, not h…

1
Delegate to Elevate: Studio Management By Proxy 22:08

3M ago22:08

22:08

You don’t have to run your studio alone. In this episode, Shawna Kwan shares key roles you can delegate to trusted team members, from front-desk staff and admin assistants to customer service and operations managers. Learn how to find the right people, what responsibilities to give them, and how to create a system that keeps your studio running smo…

1
Delegate to Elevate: Outsourcing Your Marketing 17:41

4M ago17:41

17:41

Marketing is essential—but it doesn’t have to take up all your time. In this episode, Shawna Kwan walks you through how to outsource social media, advertising, and content creation without losing your brand’s voice. Learn what tasks to delegate first, how to vet the right marketing professional, and the key systems that make outsourcing seamless. I…

1
600th Episode: SOLD-OUT Summer Camps 47:37

4M ago47:37

47:37

The Transform My Dance Studio Podcast is celebrating its milestone 600th episode! This special edition takes a moment to thank its dedicated listeners who continue to find inspiration, knowledge, and practical strategies through the podcast. In this episode, Program Manager Lisa from the DSOA Inner Circle is joined by Inner Circle Growth Coaches Jo…

1
Delegate to Elevate: Hiring a VA 15:23

4M ago15:23

15:23

Feeling overwhelmed by admin work? A Virtual Assistant (VA) could be the game-changer your dance studio or business needs. In this episode, host Shawna Kwan, Inner Circle Community Leader and powerhouse studio owner of Elan Dance Arts, breaks down what a VA can do for you—from managing emails and scheduling to customer service and social media. She…

1
Mastering Recital Planning: Divide, Conquer, & Shine 16:15

4M ago16:15

16:15

In this episode, Teamwork Makes the (Recital) Dream Work, Sharon Uyar, CEO of Fusion Dance Center and Inner Circle Mentor, explores how effective team delegation can transform your recital planning process. Discover strategies to delegate tasks and projects with confidence so you can focus on enjoying the show while your team runs the event like a …

1
The Rasa Show #7: Ask The Doctor with Shereen Rahman - Dancing & Your Skin 26:10

4M ago26:10

26:10

This month, my good friend Shereen Rahman is back for another episode! Shereen Rahman. Shereen is a GP & Dermatologist, and is Medical Director of ESS Clinic in London, which offers private skin surgery and aesthetic treatments. In our last episode, we talked all things health and dance related. This month, again we will be talking about dancing an…

1
Mastering Recital Profit: Cost-Savers & Money-Makers 17:25

5M ago17:25

17:25

In this episode, Recital Cost Savers and Money-Makers, Sharon Uyar, CEO of Fusion Dance Center and Inner Circle Mentor, shares practical tips to reduce production costs and maximize profitability. Discover smart ways to save money without compromising quality and explore new revenue streams to make your recitals a financial success.…

1
Mastering Recital Planning: 5-Star Recitals 18:21

5M ago18:21

18:21

Your yearly recital is more than a performance—it’s your #1 marketing tool. In this episode, Sharon Uyar, CEO of Fusion Dance Center and Inner Circle Mentor, dives into how prioritizing convenience and creating a high-quality recital experience can generate 5-star reviews and referrals from your dance families. Learn how to turn your recital into a…

1
Episode 131: New Combinations: Paquita 30:46

5M ago30:46

30:46

Host and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan is back with another intimate New Combinations conversation, joined this week by Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky. They discuss the origins—both within history and in Ratmansky's own career—of the Petipa ballet Paquita, excerpts of which provide the foundations for his newest ballet for the comp…

1
Mastering Recital Planning: Recital 101 17:33

5M ago17:33

17:33

In this episode of Mastering Recital Planning, IC Mentor Sharon Uyar is breaking down Recital 101 and how to schedule for success. Learn how to create a detailed planning timeline and streamline your workflows with tools that will help you deliver your most organized and seamless recital yet.By Transform My Dance Studio

1
BONUS: Marketing Mastery in Minutes 1:42:54

5M ago1:42:54

1:42:54

Enjoy Marketing Mastery in Minutes, a free training from DSOA CEO Olivia Mode-Cater, now available exclusively on our podcast! This no-replay session is packed with quick, actionable marketing tips to help your studio grow.By Transform My Dance Studio

1
Episode 130: Hear the Dance: The Cage 59:01

5M ago59:01

59:01

Hear the Dance host Silas Farley is joined by Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan and former Soloists Repertory Director Jean-Pierre Frohlich and Repetiteur Diana White for a conversation about Jerome Robbins' The Cage. From its "empowering" choreography to the manners in which the relationship between the Mother and the Novice mimic that of s…

1
Workflow & Systems for Streamlined Operations: Effortless Inventory Management 25:03

5M ago25:03

25:03

In the final episode of Start the Year Smarter: Workflows & Systems for Streamlined Operations, Annie Leese Thistle, Inner Circle Growth Coach and CEO of Performing Arts Academy of Marin, tackles "Effortless Inventory Management." Discover Annie’s expert tips for organizing costumes, props, and equipment to keep your studio running smoothly and str…

1
Episode 129: New Combinations: Mystic Familiar 35:23

5M ago35:23

35:23

In this episode of New Combinations, host and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan is joined by Resident Choreographer Justin Peck in the lead-up to the world premiere of his latest work for the company, Mystic Familiar. Peck shares the thematic underpinnings of this "younger brother" to his 2017 ballet The Times Are Racing, which brings togeth…

1
Workflow & Systems for Streamlined Operations: One-Click Feedback Loops 15:09

5M ago15:09

15:09

Annie Leese Thistle, studio owner and Inner Circle Growth Coach, shares her expertise on creating smarter workflows for your studio. In this episode, "One-Click Feedback Loops," Annie breaks down how to design quick, effective surveys to gather valuable insights from students and parents in just minutes. Tune in for actionable tips to elevate your …

1
The Rasa Show #6: Ask The Doctor with Shereen Rahman - Health Benefits Of Dancing 22:17

6M ago22:17

22:17

In this month's episode, I am very excited to be joined by my friend, and a qualified doctor, Shereen Rahman. Shereen is a GP & Dermatologist, and is Medical Director of ESS Clinic in London, which offers private skin surgery and aesthetic treatments. Shereen joined me to talk all things health and dance related, from how dancing can improve your c…

1
Episode 128: Hear the Dance: Concerto Barocco 1:00:28

6M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

City Ballet The Podcast returns with a new Hear the Dance episode exploring George Balanchine's Concerto Barocco. Host Silas Farley is joined by three former NYCB dancers whose engagement with this foundational ballet continues today: SAB Senior Faculty Chair Suki Schorer, Balanchine Repetiteur Victoria Simon, and SAB Faculty Member Meagan Mann. To…

1
Workflow & Systems for Streamlined Operations: Master Your Metrics 18:05

6M ago18:05

18:05

In this episode, Annie Leese Thistle, Inner Circle Growth Coach and CEO of Performing Arts Academy of Marin, dives into the essentials of mastering your metrics. Learn which numbers matter most and how to review them quickly each week to make smarter, more informed decisions for your studio. It’s all about working smarter, not harder!…

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