In this episode we speak with Kurt Douglas. We discuss what drew him to the Limón technique and the principles behind it, reframing moments of failure, finding a community that serves you, leading by example as a teacher, and more.
About Kurt: Kurt is currently an Associate Professor of Dance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. He received his BFA in Dance from the Boston Conservatory and an MFA in Dance from Hollins University. He has danced professionally with the Jose Limón Dance Company, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Ballet Hispanico, Lar Lubovitch, and Aszure Barton and Artists. Kurt is a reconstructor of Limón’s work and on the board of directors for the Limón Dance Company. Additionally, Kurt has conducted Limón Dance workshops both in the US and abroad, and is on faculty at both Limón for Kids and the Limón Institute.
If you have further questions for Kurt, you can reach him through email at kdouglas@berklee.edu.
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In this episode we speak with Samantha Daly all things Gyrotonic ® and Gyrokinesis ® including the path to becoming an instructor, various types of courses offered, making the shift to virtual teaching, how the method can be a form of rehabilitation for dancers, and more.
About Samantha: Samantha is a graduate of the dance program with Alonzo King LINES Ballet at Dominican University of California. She is a certified Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis instructor and has taught at Marin Gyrotonic, Spiral Studio, and the Seed Center. She currently teaches at San Francisco Gyrotonic in addition to a variety of virtual classes.
Samantha’s Website: spiralingsam.com
Samantha’s Instagram: @spiralingsam
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In this episode we speak with Thomas Vacanti. We discuss the principles of the SAFE BARRE ® technique, finding a cross training routine that connects to our dance practice, carving out time for rest, finding mindfulness practices that bring us inward, and more.
About Thomas: Tom is the dance program director and an associate professor of dance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has a BS in Dance from Skidmore College, an MFA in Performance and Choreography from Smith College, and a Certificate Degree in Costume Design from Boston University. Tom has danced professionally with The Florida Ballet, Tampa Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet Mississippi, Ballet Michigan and Ballet de Panama. He was also chosen by Jacob’s Pillow, to represent the USA in their Russian/American Exchange Program. Tom is currently co-artistic director of Pioneer Valley Ballet in addition to being certified in the SAFE BARRE ® technique.
Thomas’s Website: thomasvacanti.com
Safe Barre: www.maisonmunz.com/
Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange
Instagram: @movementtowardchange
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“You learn to recognize patterns and habits that are interfering with your ability to move and think.”
In this episode we speak with Shannon Lee Jones. We speak about the importance of staying present and slowing down, techniques to calm the nervous system through awareness and connection, distributing tension in the body, and noticing inefficient movement patterns. We also discuss how one can distribute tension in the body, and take care of themselves in order to help others.
About Shannon: Shannon is an Alexander Technique teacher based in Boston, Massachusetts. She is currently an assistant Professor of Dance at the Boston Conservatory teaching Alexander Technique. She received her teacher’s certification with Tommy Thompson at the Alexander Technique Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Alexander Technique International. Prior to moving to Boston, Shannon worked as a professional actress both on Broadway and touring nationally.
Shannon’s Email: sjones@berklee.edu
Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange
Instagram: @movementtowardchange
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In this episode we speak with holistic health coach Becca Scott. We discuss what it means to look at your life from a holistic viewpoint, focusing on how one feels instead of appearance, checking in to see if your goals are serving you, and more.
About Becca: Becca received her BFA in Dance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her certification in holistic health & nutrition from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She currently has a virtual health coaching practice and is passionate about helping individuals gain a better understanding of how to take care of themselves so that they can feel their best and take care of what matters most to them.
Becca’s Website: thisisbeccascott.com
Becca’s Instagram: @coachingwithbecs
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In this episode we speak with Daisy Kate Jacobson. We discuss her journey from dancing at Juilliard to a professional career in dance, the importance of listening to our bodies, navigating injuries, discovering a work/life balance and more.
About Daisy: Daisy grew up in Manhattan Beach, CA where she trained at South Bay Ballet. She received her BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School in 2017 and joined LA Dance Project soon after. At LA Dance Project, Daisy has performed new works by leading choreographers such as Benjamin Millepied, Justin Peck, Shannon Gillen, Kyle Abraham, and Ohad Naharin.
Follow Daisy on Instagram @Daisykate_j
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In this episode we speak Boston-based dance and fitness instructor, Taylor Cocco. We discuss the importance of creating a safe space within the classroom, helping students to navigate the pressures and aesthetic norms within dance, exercising for strength instead of appearance goals, and encouraging dancers to trust their bodies. Taylor also shares with us a new female empowerment workshop she has created, “U-CAN.”
About Taylor: Taylor is a passionate and dedicated individual who has been in the education space for the past 9 years. She has a degree from Dean College in the Arts as well as Suffolk University where she studied public relations and communications. Over the past few years, Taylor has found herself working within the school systems, theater groups, and dance studios all around the New England area. She is currently a judge for local dance competitions, a dance educator, 305 fitness instructor and just found her own company, “U CAN.”
U-Can Academy Website: u-can-academy.com
U-Can Academy Instagram: @u.can.academy
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In this episode we speak with Fritha Pengelly. We discuses what the Feldenkrais method is, the various ways in which it can be beneficial for dancers, working with instead of against ourselves, creating more ease in our actions, finding awareness in our movement patterns, and more.
About Fritha Pengelly: Fritha received her M.F.A. in dance with a focus on anatomy and physiology from the University of Washington. She is a guild certified Feldenkrais practitioner, a Certified Ideal Organization and Profound Strength Practitioner, and a Certified Emotional Freedom Technique Practitioner based in Northampton, MA. She has over 30 years of dance and movement experience performing with Doug Elkins Dance Company, The Chamber Dance Company, David Neumann, and Wire Monkey Dance.
Fritha’s Website: feldenkraisandmovementarts.com/
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In this episode we speak with Tai Jimenez. We discuss the benefits of yoga for dancers, beginning a meditation practice, reaching a flow state of movement, and finding happiness within limitations. Tai also shares challenges that she has faced during her professional career and the creation of a movement meditation called soft pop.
About Tai: Tai is a Professor of Dance at the Boston Conservatory teaching ballet technique. Tai has been a principal dancer with both Dance Theater of Harlem and Boston Ballet. She is also a certified yoga instructor teaching at both JP Yoga and Raquel Mara Movement Collective. She has created a movement meditation called Soft Pop. Additionally, Tai writes about dance, life, and spirituality on her blog taijimenez.com.
Follow Tai on Instagram: taipiyungjimenez
Tai’s Blog: taijimenez.com
Take class with Tai!:
https://www.jpcentreyoga.com/
https://www.raquelmarrayoga.com
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“The pursuit of being anti-racist is a living state of being.”
In this episode we speak with Dominque Dempsey. We discuss dance as a means of cross-cultural communications, embodied knowledge, and a soft-power. We also speak about ways to create a level playing field in dance classrooms, the importance of understanding the history of dance forms, and not placing an emphasis on any one style being the foundation of all dance.
About Dominque: Dominique also known as the dancing diplomat is a student- researcher, choreographer, innovator and collaborator. She is currently a senior at American University Double majoring in international relations and dance. She is extremely passionate about foreign policy, international arts advocacy and dance accessibility. Dominique founded AU’s chapter of movement exchange which strives to offer accessible dance classes to youth in the local DMV community and to those abroad.
Follow Dominque on Instagram: @ddomodd
Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange
Movementtowardchange.org
Instagram: @movementtowardchange
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