Today we released part two of our interview with Los Angeles-based dancer, Christopher Erk. For 20 years he’s traveled the world as a professional tap dance performer, teacher, and choreographer. Most recently he has toured with Tap Dogs, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, and was a featured Artist in Las Vegas's number one show, Absinthe at Caesar's Palace.

In addition to his dancing, he’s the Founding Artistic Director of the Tap Factor, a production company that emphasizes the global implications of Tap Dance through all-inclusive workshops and performance opportunities that tour internationally throughout the year.

Make sure to check out Chris’s websites in the show notes to see him in action!

https://www.christophererk.com/home and https://www.youtube.com/@christophererk4848

Today we released part one of our interview with Los Angeles-based dancer, Christopher Erk. For 20 years he’s traveled the world as a professional tap dance performer, teacher, and choreographer. Most recently he has toured with Tap Dogs, Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox, and was a featured Artist in Las Vegas's number one show, Absinthe at Caesar's Palace.

In addition to his dancing, he’s the Founding Artistic Director of the Tap Factor, a production company that emphasizes the global implications of Tap Dance through all-inclusive workshops and performance opportunities that tour internationally throughout the year.

Make sure to check out Chris’s websites in the show notes to see him in action!

https://www.christophererk.com/home and https://www.youtube.com/@christophererk4848

Today we released part two of our interview with Leslie Shampaine. She's an award-winning filmmaker and teaching artist. After a 13-year career as a professional ballet dancer, she transitioned into documentary film, producing content for PBS, CBS, the Discovery Channel, and National Geographic.

Her feature documentary, Call Me Dancer, has won 23 prestigious awards, including China’s top documentary prize. It has been showcased at major film festivals, New York's Lincoln Center, and screened by U.S. consulates in India and Nepal.

As a Fulbright Scholar in India, she led workshops and screenings, using the universal language of art to foster cross-cultural dialogue. Her dedication to the arts continues to inspire global connections, bridging cultures and fostering understanding through storytelling and mentorship.

Join us to hear Leslie’s fascinating journey as she recounts how she applied what she learned as a leader in one art form to become a leader in another. https://callmedancer.com/the-filmmakers/

Today we released part one of our interview with Leslie Shampaine. She's an award-winning filmmaker and teaching artist. After a 13-year career as a professional ballet dancer, she transitioned into documentary film, producing content for PBS, CBS, the Discovery Channel, and National Geographic.

Her feature documentary, Call Me Dancer, has won 23 prestigious awards, including China’s top documentary prize. It has been showcased at major film festivals, New York's Lincoln Center, and screened by U.S. consulates in India and Nepal.

As a Fulbright Scholar in India, she led workshops and screenings, using the universal language of art to foster cross-cultural dialogue. Her dedication to the arts continues to inspire global connections, bridging cultures and fostering understanding through storytelling and mentorship.

Join us to hear Leslie’s fascinating journey as she recounts how she applied what she learned as a leader in one art form to become a leader in another. https://callmedancer.com/the-filmmakers/

This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with Lynette Shy. She’s an arts marketer and the founder of Confluence Arts Solutions, a company that helps small to mid-sized arts organizations increase revenue and improve organizational effectiveness.

Prior to founding CAS, she served as the Marketing Director at BalletMet where she helped earn four Emmy Awards, secure 20 times more media coverage and boost revenue for The Nutcracker by 54% in just 4 years.
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Plan to join us to hear Lynette’s tips for growing your arts brand! https://confluence-arts.com/

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with Lynette Shy. She’s an arts marketer and the founder of Confluence Arts Solutions, a company that helps small to mid-sized arts organizations increase revenue and improve organizational effectiveness.

Prior to founding CAS, she served as the Marketing Director at BalletMet where she helped earn four Emmy Awards, secure 20 times more media coverage and boost revenue for The Nutcracker by 54% in just 4 years.

Plan to join us to hear Lynette’s tips for growing your arts brand! https://confluence-arts.com/

Today we release part two of our first Arts Grant Panel interview. Since artists and arts organizations were left scrambling for support this spring due to the budget cuts at the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, we decided to launch our first panel discussion with experts who have experience as grant writers, grantors and grantees. Our goal is to shed light on grant funding and provide suggestions entities should consider when writing for grants.

Joining us are:

David Holmes, an Educational Programming Manager at Candid, where he helps nonprofits and individuals find funding. He also coordinates national trainings and educational programming for the Midwest region. https://candid.org/

Diane Scott, The Director of Artist Services at the Regional Arts Organization Mid-America Arts Alliance, She is the founding director and principal designer of the Artist INC professional development program. Now in its 16th year, Artist INC programs have been offered in eight states and completed by more than 2,500 artists. https://artistinc.art/about/artist-services-team/ and https://www.dianerscott.com/about

Drew Tucker is a vibraphonist, educator, and national arts leader redefining what it means to be an artist and advocate today. As Director of the Jazz Road program at South Arts, he oversees millions in national grant funding to support jazz artists across the country. https://www.southarts.org/about/staff-and-board-directors and https://www.itsnotaxylophone.com/

​If you want to apply for an arts grant, make sure you listen to this interview!

Today we released part one of our first Arts Grant Panel interview. Since artists and arts organizations were left scrambling for support this spring due to the budget cuts at the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, we decided to launch our first panel discussion with experts who have experience as grant writers, grantors and grantees. Our goal is to shed light on grant funding and provide suggestions entities should consider when writing for grants.

Joining us are:

David Holmes, an Educational Programming Manager at Candid, where he helps nonprofits and individuals find funding. He also coordinates national trainings and educational programming for the Midwest region. https://candid.org/

Diane Scott, The Director of Artist Services at the Regional Arts Organization Mid-America Arts Alliance, She is the founding director and principal designer of the Artist INC professional development program. Now in its 16th year, Artist INC programs have been offered in eight states and completed by more than 2,500 artists. https://artistinc.art/about/artist-services-team/ and https://www.dianerscott.com/about

Drew Tucker is a vibraphonist, educator, and national arts leader redefining what it means to be an artist and advocate today. As Director of the Jazz Road program at South Arts, he oversees millions in national grant funding to support jazz artists across the country. https://www.southarts.org/about/staff-and-board-directors and https://www.itsnotaxylophone.com/

​If you want to apply for an arts grant, make sure you listen to this interview!