Ballroom Chat

In Episode 66 of Ballroom Chat, JT Thomas discusses her dance career, from classically trained dancer to Smooth Champion to Country dancer. JT and Samantha reflect on how timing, in life as in dance is incredibly crucial, how exploring the essence of movement can take your dancing to the next level, and how planning for failure can lead to your success. JT also explains how country ballroom created an opportunity for her to begin a...

In Episode 65 of Ballroom Chat, Alisa Pravdo discusses dance injury prevention and recovery. Samantha and Alisa delve into the common causes of feet and ankle related injuries for dancers and answer some listener questions related to their own injury experiences. Alisa also stresses the importantance of proper strength and conditioning training, cross training, and nutrition for dancers and non-dancers alike.

Alisa Pravdo is an ass...

Duffy Betterton is the owner of Dance Dress Couture, and the Ballroom Box. Samantha and Duffy discuss her entrepreneurial projects and growth as a dance industry vendor. The pair also delve into her dance experience as an amateur in both the ballroom and country ballroom scenes. Find a full transcript of this episode on the Ballroom Chat website.

Follow Duffy Betterton's projects:
Dance Dress Couture
Ballroom Box  (Use code Ballroo...

SENtertainment's owner and founder, Noël, shares his journey from photographing cars as a hobby and passion to becoming a small business owner in the ballroom dance industry. Noël and Samantha discuss learning the ropes from Salsa to Waltz and Peabody and Noël shares some of the behind the scenes technical information  about capturing the perfect dance moment.

SENtertainment is a photography and videography business serving the bal...

Matt Bielli talks about his background in dancing Latin social styles while growing up in Italy, his move to the US, and his choice to separate his 10 dance competitive experience from his passion for Mambo, Salsa and other Cuban style dances. Samantha and Matt discuss his perspective on current rhythm dancing versus Latin dancing and he shares his knowledge and perspective on social Latin styles. Matt also delibrates on the pros a...

Ricci-Lee Hotz and Todd Munson of TM Ballroom Dance Studio discuss how to balance ProAm and Professional competition, their mindset and philosophy when it comes to preparation for competitions and how they set goals and expectations properly both for their students and for themselves. The pair reflect on the importance of finding a good coaching team to support you and guide you, as well as just their take on the Rhythm category an...

In part two of her conversation with Enio Cordoba and Terryl Jones, Samantha asks whether dancesport engages in gatekeeping, Enio discusses the pendular nature of judging, and Terryl explains her approach to bridging the beginner-intermediate gap in Yoga instruction. The group also delves into the ever growing gap between competitive and social dance, and the health benefits of dance, yoga, and pilates as individuals age.

Enio Cord...

In part one of this two part conversation, Enio Cordoba and Terryl Jones sit down to reflect on their early dance careers, discuss the importance of mentorship, and their approach to dance education. The pair explore how the traditional dance studio system often fails to build a sustainable dance community, and explain how we don't know what we don't know.

Enio Cordoba was a US amateur Latin champion, Quarterfinalist at Blackpool a...

Tony Nunez returns to the Ballroom Chat podcast to explore the importance authenticity and inclusivity in ballroom dance. Tony and Samantha discuss the balance between politics and purpose, and Tony shares his philosphy of leading with gratitude. 

Tony Nunez is a World WDSF Professional Smooth Finalist, US-WDSF 9-Dance Silver Medalist, US-WDC 9-Dance Finalist, World and US WDC Mambo finalist, and
World Salsa Vice Champion. Tony is ...

Martina Kornett sit's down to talk about her background, going from ballet to ballroom to now doing counseling, advising and training through the International Dancing Minds. Martina explains her approach to a more holistic training, both in body and mind, including her "Expanse" program. She and Samantha discuss controlling the things you can control being more mindful in the moment, and knowing when it is time to ask for help wit...

Jon Osborn sit's down to talk about mindset going into performance and competitions and the difference between positive and negative self-talk. Jon and Samantha also discuss the key factors to a helpful mindset and how to prepare better for benchmarks and goal setting when it comes to competitions or performances.

Jon Osborn is part of the RJ Performance Group and is a Mental Performance Coach. He holds a Master's Degree in Sports ...

Sid Pocius sit's down to talk about his background in amateur dancesport and his take on the word dancesport itself. Sid and Samantha take an inside look on all of his competitions and discuss the behind the scenes information that competitors should know when they are picking a competition.

Sid Pocius is the organizer of the South Open Dancesport Championship, the Sarasota Challenge, Encore Dancesport Competition, and the Florida ...

Deborah Holmes and Stefan Badea sit down to discuss their non-profit foundation, the HeartSoles Foundation and its mission. The pair also explore how their pro-am dancing relationship blossomed into a friendship and business partnership, and how the dance community has come together to build a stronger and more supportive ballroom family.

The HeartSoles Foundation provides dance shoes, competitive attire and scholarships to dancers...

Koichiro ("Chewy") Suzuki and Yulia Zhukoffsit down and talk about their love of music, the history of Tango and why the connection and embrace of Argentine Tango is so unique, compared to other dance styles.

Koichiro Suzuki and Yulia Zhukoff are professional Argentine Tango instructors that travel extensively across the U.S. sharing their love of tango and music. They are also the owners of the Pittsburgh Tango Connection.

Follow ...

Christian Alva discusses his early career, life lessons that he's learned along the way and his particular approach to teaching and friendship. Christian and Samantha chat about goal setting and appreciating the joy and artistry of ballroom dance.

Christian Alva is a former member of the Utah Valley University Ballroom Dancing Company and current instructor at Ballroom Utah.

Book with Christian Alva:
https://www.ballroomutah.com

Wa...

Viktorija discusses her early career, finding her own expression, and defining how she and her partner Nick want themselves to be seen on the dance floor. She and Samantha also talk about navigating the different relationships and expectations in the dance world, along with tips for young professionals that are thinking about becoming dance instructors, and helpful tips for students trying to navigate their goals and expectations.

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Igor Litvinov discusses his amateur career and his journey becoming a dancer. Samantha and Igor also breakdown his professional show dances for Ohio Star Ball and why choosing music and something that suits your personality is so important to connecting to the audience. The pair also talk a little bit about his decision to switch from competitor to competition organizer, and why he decided to launch the Boxstep app.

Igor Litvinov i...

Oxana Kashkina discusses her journey, from amateur dancer to English Educator to professional ballroom instructor. Oxana and Samantha delve deep into topics surrounding body image, cross-training, teaching methodology, and telling your story on the dance floor.

Oxana Kashkina was an Amateur 10-dancer prior to moving to the United States. She is currently an Open Professional 9-dance finalist, Mambo National Finalist, and took 2nd i...