The Engaged Core: A Dance Podcast

Jun 28 2021
The Engaged Core: A Dance Podcast artwork

Host and veteran teacher, Alana Hill, explores the symbiotic relationship between dance teachers and students. Through interviews with past students, dance parents, and peer teachers, The Engaged Core puts into perspective how vital teacher/student relationships are in the dancer’s success. Plus, bonus features for dancers, teachers and parents. We all know dance is a complicated art form, literally and figuratively. The Engaged Core connects the dots for those who love the art form and want to make it all make sense.New episodes will drop every Tuesday. For additional content, visit our YouTube Page to see videos of our guests in action. Are you a teacher looking to inspire your students? Join The Engaged Core Teachers Groups on Facebook.

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Episode Seventeen: Setting Teachers up for Success in the Classroom and Instilling the Love of Dance in Pre-Schoolers w/ “Miss Vikki” Weinberger

Jun 28 2021 65 mins  
In this week’s episode, Award winning dancer and choreographer, Vikki Weinberger, discusses her love of teaching and gives tips on pre-school dance education, an area in which she continues to excel. Are your pre-school classes making you want to pull your hair out? This episode is for you! Vikki Weinberger has had a lifelong passion for rhythm and dance. Originally from Livingst

Episode Sixteen: Balancing Artistic Passion with Academic Expectations w/ Briana Cheng

Jun 21 2021 39 mins  
In this week’s episode, recent college graduate and scholar Briana Cheng, discusses the importance dance played in her scholastic journey. This is a great episode for dancers struggling with pursuing artistic passion in the face of academic expectations. Briana Cheng’s dance journey started at Triangle Dance studio where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and contemporary.

Episode Fifteen: Choosing the Love of Dance over the Fear of Failure w/ Rachel Matson

Jun 14 2021 44 mins  
In this week’s episode, recent EDC Alumni, Rachel Matson discusses how her unwavering love for dance helped her overcome her fear of failure. Rachel Matson started her dance journey many years ago at Ballet Petite, before seeing a Hip Hop dance class and deciding to leave the ballet slippers in the dust. Rachel has studied Hip Hop and Commercial dance at Joy of Motion in HYPE’s

Episode Fourteen: Creating Brave Spaces and Mentally Supporting Our Dancers w/ Dr. Damon Silas

May 31 2021 51 mins  
A very important conversation about creating healthy, brave spaces for dancers and teachers because we all need support! Dr. Damon Silas has been a psychologist for over 15 years, working with a wide range of populations and issues including but not limited to juvenile delinquents and at-risk youth; children and adolescents on the autistic spectrum; and the Active Duty military pop

Episode Thirteen: Why All Athletes Should Take A Dance Class w/ Steven Attah

May 24 2021 27 mins  
Athlete, Steven Attah, discusses what made him decide to join a dance class and how what he learned made him a better athlete. Steven Attah’s exposure to the dance world consisted of studying in the Bullis Dance Ensemble during his high school years. An avid athlete, Steven benefited from the coordination and balance dance brought him during his varsity football and track & f

Bonus Episode: Demystifying Dance Education and How I went from MTV’s The Grind to Dance Educator

May 17 2021 37 mins  
In this special episode, The Engaged Core Founder and Host shares more about her story and answers questions from listeners. This is a must-listen for dance teachers everywhere!Have a question or a topic you'd like covered in a future episode or is there a guest you want to hear on The Engaged Core? Leave us a message now on SpeakPipe! Interested in being a part of our NEW Facebook

Episode Twelve: Establishing Boundaries and Navigating Expectations in the Dance Space w/ Dani Seltzer

May 10 2021 50 mins  
Dancer and College Student, Dani Seltzer, discusses how a diagnosis with POTS during her high school years threatened to interrupted her love of Hip Hop dance. This is a lively but important discussion for dancers and teachers seeking to establish healthy boundaries while navigating external expectations. Dani Seltzer started her dance journey at the Washington School of Ballet bef

Episode Eleven: Pushing Back on Dance Traditions and Embracing Inclusivity, Pt. 2 w/ Nicole S. Robinson

May 03 2021 57 mins  
In this Season Two Premiere, Teacher and Dance Education Advocate, Nicole S. Robinson discusses some ways in which we, as educators, can make our classrooms more inclusive, equitable, and accessible. This is Part 2 of our discussion with Nicole. To hear Part 1, checkout Episode Six. Nicole S. Robinson is a dancer, teacher, choreographer and dance education advocate from Riverside,

Episode Ten: "I Can't...I Have Dance!" w/ Asha Rosaline

Mar 29 2021 56 mins  
In the Season One Finale, dancer and college student, Asha Rosaline Yates, discusses how the sacrifices she made in her dance training provided a foundation for her dance career and beyond. Asha Yates started her dance journey at Joy of Motion Dance Center where she studied Hip Hop dance for many years. In addition to being in the youth performing companies, Groove Elements and Hyp

Episode Nine: Dancing From Your Heart w/ Gianna Moore

Mar 22 2021 29 mins  
Gianna Moore, dancer and former competitive gymnast, discusses how dance gave her a place to express her emotions when words were too hard. Gianna spent the bulk of her primary school years training at Hill’s Gymnastics where she reached USAG’s Level 9. Upon retiring from Gymnastics, Gianna attended a summer dance program with Elite Dance Studio, before joining the Bullis Dance