Beyond Dance Podcast

This episode addresses the challenging future of an up-and-coming professional dancer.  College?  Auditions?  The State of Pandemic?  We talk with Britain Feeny about just that!  Joining the conversation, her mom, Caithi Feeney.

Did someone say, Tap Dancer???  Yes, finally we have Jason Janas!!!  His insight into work ethic and approach to life, in general, is a must for everyone to hear.  You won't want to miss this one!

Lisa and Gev talk about milage programs, loyalty programs, and credit cards. Little steps you can take now to maximize the benefits of these rewards.

Gev and Lisa discuss the many different kinds of Insurances that are available for everyday needs. Meghan, from Griffiths Insurance Agency, gives us insight on deductibles, coverages and so much more!

Gev and Lisa talk about some healthy habits to not get caught into a weight gain or sluggish holiday season. 

It's Convention - Competition Season!!!  Gev & Lisa give some insight for dancers during convention classes.  Also some advice on competition from a judges view. Finishing up with some nutritional advice to help you get the best out of your body during the long weekend of exertion and late nights.

Gev talks about what dance as a language means to him and some of the unique ways he goes about the creating process. 

This was an amazing conversation with the one and only Bonnie Story!Bonnie was a choreographer on all three of the Disney Channel's smash hit “High School Musical” films, which won her the prestigious EMMY award and another nomination.She served as co-choreographer for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.Her film credits include: “American Mall”, "America's Greatest Pastime", "Saturday's Warrior", "My Christmas Love", and "Enchanted Christmas".Her television credits include work on many seasons of the hit show “So You Think You Can Dance”, “Touched by an Angel”, and Disney's “Suite Life of Zack and Cody”.

BENJI SCHWIMMER, sorry that had to be all caps!!!!! It's Benji Schwimmer. This was such an amazing episode. He is an award-winning dancer who burst onto the global scene when he won the second season of “So You Think You Can Dance.” The son of two professional dancers – Benji grew up surrounded by the art form, competing since the age of five at his family's home studio in Southern California. Benji is a 14-Time undefeated Modern World Swing Champion (a genre using mixed disciplines including swing, stunts, hip hop, and jazz). He also holds multiple national and world titles in the genres of solo, partner, and group dance divisions. He is the only dancer in the world to have world titles in all. Benji received global recognition upon being crowned the season 2 winner of " So You Think You Can Dance ". Benji's work can be seen on American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, X-Factor, America's Got Talent, and World of Dance. Clients include Adele, Brad Paisley, Demi Lovato, Iggy Azalea, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Ellen, Kelly Rippa, and Kelly Clarkson. He most recently co-choreographed Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, the Quentin Tarantino film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. He has choreographed for several Olympic figure skating teams; most recently Olympian Adam Rippon's 'Bird' piece.  Schwimmer knows the power of dance first hand - how dance can heal and celebrate the milestones of life. He is the co-owner of The Dance Center, a space created to help each student reach their highest potential while enhancing interest and emphasizing the importance of dance and physical literacy. Benji founded D.E.M.A.N.D. (Dancers Everywhere Making a Needed Difference) a non-profit organization that helps the less fortunate and provides health care for dancers with HIV/AIDS and other illnesses, and is a frequent content creator for the Body Positivity movement.

Randi Strong has a varied set of accomplishments and while she is well known for being a Top 5 Female Dancer on Season 5 of the FOX Hit TV Show “So You Think You Can Dance” and the accompanying 40 city national arena tour, she's also gained accolades as an Olympic movement and dance coach, entertainment producer, and entrepreneur. Ignacio 'IGGY' Rosenberg was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has been working in lighting and visual design for 20 years. Before joining Lightswitch, Iggy spent the last decade designing or executing large touring shows around the world for artists including Tesla, Def Leppard, Janet Jackson and The Rolling Stones in Cuba, as well as numerous corporate shows.

Yura Min has been ice skating for 20 years, 10 of which she spent ice dancing. She is hoping to make the 2022 Olympic Games by qualifying this month in Germany. -2018 Olympian -4 Time South Korean National Champion

Alan Salazar has trained extensively in the disciplines of Ballroom, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, and Hip-Hop.  Alan has performed and choreographed for TV (Star Search, FOX Really Awards, High School Musical 2, Paula Abdul's Live to Dance, PBS' A Capital Fourth (Mark Ballas & Chelsie Hightower), So You Think You Can Dance(Choreographer for Soloist's Witney Carson, Brittany Cherry, and Jenna Johnson and Assistant Choreographer to Mark Ballas), International industrials for USANA, Alphagraphics, Nuskin, Landesk, and professional dance companies (Odyssey, Origins, Latin Revolution, VIBE, Divinity).

Jacob had an enormous amount of advice on learning to save money, investing and preparing for the future financially.  Have a listen!!!

Jen Pendleton, mother, artist, teacher, choreographer. In this episode, Jen talks about how overcoming physical challenges, and being honest with your art can make you a better dancer, artist, and human being.

This episode is with the icon Jacob “Kujo” Lyons!  A b-boy legend and a mentor to numerous hip hop artists. Kujo talks about longevity, how to take care of your body, and how being deaf in one ear and having partial hearing loss in the other shaped him into the person and dancer he is today. 

Gev and Lisa are discussing food intake, nutrition, obesity, weight loss, movement, and overall good health habits to help maintain and develop a healthy life.

Micah Clark:  Part 2!!!!  Micah had so much information for us that we broke it up into two parts.  In this episode, we talk with him about the "Vegas" experience.  You won't want to miss it...

Micah Clark:  Locking, Popping, House, Breaking, Hip Hop Foundation, Stepping and so much more!!!! Micah gives us an amazing insight into the world of battles and the whole hip-hop culture.  This episode was so good we decided to break it up into two Episodes!!!!  This one covers so much info on hip-hop, the next one covers all the Vegas info.....

Gev and Lisa are back at it again for #15.  They grab all the highlights from the previous 14 episodes into one great overview.  Don't miss it!!!!

Ava's professionalism and personality reflect why she is so sought out in the industry!  Currently on set, working on a Christmas film to be released in 2022 with Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds and Octavia Spencer.  This episode has so much insight for dancers!

Jacob Jonas is a true polymath: not only an artistic director, choreographer, teacher and dancer, but a photographer, filmmaker, producer and curator”, as said by Dance Magazine.  This episode is off the charts on how Jacob approaches artistry, choreography and being a visionary.  It was incredible listening to his process and his journey to present date.

S. K. Menelle,  Published author, dancer, dance educator.  BA at Point Park University and currently working on MBA in arts administration at Point Park University.@wearethemurdervictimswholived

Krisha Marcano has a BFA in dance and an MBA in entrepreneurship. Her dance credits include: Fosse, Motown, Chicago,  Aida,  Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham,  Micheal Mao Dance Company just to name a few. Krisha shares her advise on how to make better business decisions as an artist, and how to build a stronger financial foundation for a more successful and independent career. 

Natalie is originally from Seattle, Washington, where she received training in all styles of dance. After moving to Los Angeles to attend Chapman University, she began working in television, industrials, and music videos. Natalie is currently based out of New York City and is looking forward to her tenth season with the world famous Radio City Rockettes, performing in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, and had the honor of being a part of the debut cast of the 2014 Spring Production "Heart and Lights."

Scott Myrick, dancer, choreographer, master teacher, discusses a new project he is working on in Boston.  Also, how networking and making connections can help you launch your career.

Our very own Gev Manoukian, discusses his unique, exciting and versatile career.

Elizabeth Parkinson: Joffrey Ballet, Broadway, Company, Master Teacher, she has done it all! This conversation is so enlightening, you will love it.

Dominic Giudici, Radio City, Disney, Wicked, Holland America, and Hamilton to name a few, talks about the in and outs of the dance industry through his experiences.

Beyond Dance Podcast talks with our very own Lisa Friend Certified Functional Nutritional Coach about different choices in food for better health.

Lisa Copolla from Go2Talent Agency talks about everything you need to know on how to get an agent, establish a great working relationship, and what agents want from dancers.

The incredible Mary Ann Lamb talks about challenges she had to overcome and how to turn setbacks into an incredible career. 

The one and only Comfort Fedoke talks about her career, the ups and downs and how finding her lane helped her to be more successful in this business!

Lisa and Gev answer some of your questions about dance career, challenges, nutrition and health!