Bluebird Uncaged Podcast

Jenee is a home-educating mom of five and a dancer with Bluebird Uncaged. How she ended up here is a crazy story including an audition she didn't even know about and getting her CDL license!

Anna Gardner Herren and Anna Lindsey are students at the University of Alabama. We met them back in January and they came for our intensive this summer. In this episode, we talk about going to college for a dance degree, setting goals, how to manage your time + steward opportunities well, and more. 

Rebekah Diaddigo shares a few things she's learned to help you get the most out of your summer training program. Got anything to add? Feel free to send us a DM or comment!

From the Radio City Rockettes to the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Regan Hutsell's story is one of perseverance and learning to trust Jesus every step of the way. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ~Romans 5:1-5follow Regan on social media: @reganhutsell

Darvensky Louis is a contemporary dancer, choreographer and teacher based in Atlanta. He's the founder of SequenceOne, a graduate of Kennesaw State University and was recently named one of Dance Magazine's 25 to Watch for 2022. In this episode, we talk about being a Jesus-follower in the dance world and non-traditional career paths. https://www.sequenceone.dance/Follow him on IG: @adaywithvensky and @_sequenceone_

The financial burden of ballet training is definitely something that is not discussed too much. In this episode, I'll give you a few tips to raise the funds to attend your intensive of choice. Remember, ultimately God is your Provider and will provide a way for you to be where He needs you to be. :-)Links promised:Tshirt fundraiser Tickets to our March 12-13 show with Sawnee Ballet TheatreTickets to the New England Inspirational Dance Festival

Louisa  joined our 2014 Uncaged Adventure to Panama, Central America and has danced with Nashville Ballet 2, BalletMet, and Festival Ballet Providence. We talk about navigating the dance world as a Jesus follower, dealing with injuries, and finding joy in this gift of dance. Though currently living in Rhode Island, Louisa will be performing in Atlanta March 25-26 in the Dance Canvas show. Tickets are here

Audition season encouragement!Resource links: Audition tips: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1054114/episodes/7323241 Virtual auditions: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1054114/episodes/7703008Kirsten Kemp Confident Dancer Coaching: https://kirstenkemp.com/Audition Educator: https://auditioneducator.vipmembervault.com/ Announcements:Audition Materclass + photos: https://bluebirduncaged.com/blog/workshops/ (Summer Intensive Application also at this link)Worship Night with Ballet Exaltation: https://bluebirduncaged.com/blog/live/

Rebekah Diaddigo, Jessica Flores, Cara Celeste, and Nayomi VanBrunt share some of their favorite Nutcracker memories. 

Jessica Guda Flores shares her story about dancing, quitting, dancing again, finding dance in unlikely places, and motherhood. 

Dance is a communal art -- it's meant to be experienced in the flesh together.  Life is the same: This adventure is meant to be lived in community. 

Olivia May is the Founder and Artistic Director of Profectus Dance. Check out their website here! Follow them on social media @profectusdance. 

Chuck Will's Widow music video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1YciT0MAKk

Today we have Kirsten back on to talk about mindset coaching from a Biblical perspective, how it can be beneficial for dancers, red flags to look for when choosing a mindset coach and how it can lead us closer to Jesus. Find Kirsten on Instagram and YouTube: @twintalksballet and her personal site KirstenKemp.com

You may know her from her YouTube channel, TwinTalksBallet, Kirsten Kemp trained at the Houston Ballet Academy, got her degree from the University of Utah, danced with Oklahoma City Ballet, and is now a mindset coach for dancers. She loves Jesus and I think you'll be encouraged by her story. Find Kirsten on Instagram and YouTube @twintalksballet and her personal site at KirstenKemp.com

Today we're talking about zoom and virtual auditions! Sarah Hillmer, former ballet mistress with a major company and founder of ImmerseATL shares what directors are looking for in video submissions. And we talk a little bit about what to do if your dream program says "no".

Audition season is upon us! Whether you are looking for a summer intensive or next season's contract, here are a few things I wish I had known for in person auditions.

Leslie Shivers is a dear friend of mine who danced with Ballet Magnificat for 12 years. We talk about tour life, ballerina math, holding dance with open hands, and using dance to share the gospel. Be encouraged!

Jane Kerley talks about growing up in a Christian studio, how she stumbled upon a professional career, and what it's like to help your spouse understand the dance world.

I share my journey so far and how God has used dance to draw me closer to Him.Discussion questions:--What part of Rebekah's story did you relate to the most?--Has there been a time in your life that Jesus became "real" to you?--Is there anything in life that would make you question your existence and purpose if it was taken away?--What do you think you want that you might not really want?--How might you be operating under "if...then" presumptions in regards to God's calling on your life? Is there an area you need to hold more loosely?

This episode was actually recorded a year ago but being that we just collaborated for a virtual workshop, I thought y'all might want to hear from Robyn. :-)

This week Rebekah answers some summer intensive questions we received through instagram and encourages you on your unique journey.

Some ramblings about what I've learned over the past few months relating to dance and Jesus. :-)

Abigail Henninger, the founder and director of Magnum Opus Ballet in Madison Wisconsin, shares about the clear calling on her life to be a dancer and has some great nuggets of wisdom along the way.

Jessica Lohr is a dancer with Ballet 5:8 and an amazing woman + friend. Today, we hear a little bit of her story and talk about cultivating faithfulness in this season of unknowns.

We're all trying to stay in shape and take class in our kitchens these days. Leslie, a former dancer with Ballet Magnificat who also dances with Bluebird, and I sat down to discuss some tips to think about when training at home -- and they might not be what you think ;-)

Welcome to our first episode!! Nayomi VanBrunt, a longtime friend a current dancer with LA Dance Project, talk about what it's like being a dancer during a worldwide pandemic.