Priscilla Piper interviews Paula Ayotte, a professional dancer and actor who returned to dance professionally at age 57. Paula shares how she started dancing at the discos in the late '70s, which turned into the beginnings of her professional dance career (consisting of dancing in Disney parades and performing as a Las Vegas showgirl). She provides details on her journey through various careers, including earning her Bachelor's in Marine Science and becoming a scientific diver. Paula provides the challenges and fears she faced re-entering the dance world later in life, and the importance of embracing age and experience both on and off the dance floor. This conversation highlights how confidence, audacity, and a willingness to show up—regardless of age—can lead to fulfillment and success. Paula's story encourages listeners to pursue their passions at any stage of life, reject limiting beliefs about aging, and recognize that true beauty and talent come from within.

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Resources Discussed:

The Galen Hooks Method Intensives

-Classic

-Gameplan

Intensives with Liana Blackburn

Teachers/Choreographers Mentioned:

Kayla Janssen

Carol Connors

Brian and Scott Nicholson

Cisco Ruelas

Terri Best

Doug Caldwell

Dancers Mentioned:

Barni Rothman

Studios Mentioned:

Millenium Dance Complex

Dupree Dance Academy

Steps on Broadway

Shows Mentioned:

Etoile on Amazon Prime

Actors Mentioned:

Helen Mirren

Halle Berry

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Music By: Augusto Diniz

Priscilla shares her insight and preferences regarding dance classes, emphasizing the importance of intentional class duration, warm-ups, and cool-downs. She discusses her love for across-the-floor and receiving direct feedback from teachers. Priscilla shares her opinion on how teachers should handle and approach filming in dance classes. This is a great episode for anyone that teaches dance class periodically or regularly as this will give you insight from a student's point of view. The topics discussed in today's episode are a great to assess for yourself, which will help you know how to best select dance classes for yourself in the future.

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Music By: Augusto Diniz

In this episode, Priscilla speaks with Cyd Mag-aso, a registered NICU nurse from Queens, NY, about her inspiring journey as a dancer. Cyd shares her beginnings in dance, which was heavily influenced by her family and Filipino culture. From "dancing her way out of her mother's womb" to officially taking ballet classes in 5th grade, Cyd demonstrated her dedication and passion early on in life through school dance programs. After choosing to pursue nursing and taking a step away from dance, Cyd also discusses her emotional return to dance after a long hiatus. Listeners will gain insight into Cyd's experience with the Galen Hooks Method and the Body Language Retreat with Liana Blackburn, and her valuable advice for those afraid to return to their passions. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the joy and healing aspect that dance brings, as well as the importance of taking steps, however small, towards what you love.

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Resources Discussed:

The Galen Hooks Method Intensives

-Classic

-Gameplan

Retreats with Liana Blackburn

Dancers Mentioned:

Paula Ayotte

Kim Hale

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Cyd's Instagram

Priscilla's Instagram

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Music By: Augusto Diniz

Priscilla shares her personal journey of overcoming challenges with retaining choreography after returning to dance. She discusses how feelings of stress and unfamiliarity caused her to blank on choreo during classes. However, through the use of specific tools from Galen Hooks' "How to Retain Choreography" classes, Priscilla was able to improve her choreography retention, regain confidence, and gained a sense of recognition that was not there before. Priscilla emphasizes the importance of obtaining these skills for dancers at any level, and encourages listeners to utilize the resources available to improve upon this skillset.

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Resources Discussed:

GHM On-Demand Classes

Choreographers Mentioned:

Cost n' Mayor

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Music By: Augusto Diniz

In this episode, Christine De Sanctis shares how she began as a young dancer taking ballet and ballroom classes in the UK. Shortly after moving to the San Diego, Christine made the decision to stop dancing, but rediscovered her passion after attending a "mommy and me" class years later. Christine shares the evolution of her dance journey, from taking hip hop cardio classes to now participating in two dance companies. She also discusses valuing small progress, the importance of community, and how she found fulfillment by creating her own opportunities as a choreographer and creative. She also reflects on redefining success as a dancer and acknowledges the impact of dance on mental health, particularly during difficult times. This conversation highlights how dance became a source of joy, healing, and connection for Christine, which inspires listeners to embrace their passions at any stage in life.

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Resources Discussed:

The Galen Hooks Method Intensives

"We Need Your Art" by: Amie Mcnee

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Music By: Augusto Diniz

Priscilla shares her story of how she began dancing at 3-years-old and why she quit at age 19. More importantly, she explains how incorporating her master's education in social work paired with the experience of returning to dance allowed her to heal from a 10-year-long eating disorder. She discusses how practicing the works of cognitive behavioral therapy in day-to-day life can help reshape automatic negative thoughts and behaviors. Priscilla encourages listeners to recognize their own control over their experiences and come in ready with their "armor" - prepared statements that can be utilized to counteract any negative thoughts, experiences, or conversations (whether in dance class or any other space). This episode concludes with key takeaways for dancers and parents of dancers, highlighting the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with dance and reminding yourself why you make the decision to dance.

Reminder: Please proceed with care and caution. If you have been impacted by the topics we talk about in this episode, please know that this conversation may be difficult to listen to. Only choose to move forward if you are in a mental and emotional place where you can absorb insights and experiences related to these topics.

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Resources Discussed:

Article: "What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?" by American Psychological Association, 2017 [https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral]

Article: "How to Rewire Your Brain" by Grace Weintrob, Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging at Colorado State University, 31 May 2022 [https://www.research.colostate.edu/healthyagingcenter/2022/05/31/how-to-rewire-your-brain/]

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Music By: Augusto Diniz

Watch this episode on Youtube!

Resources Discussed:

The Galen Hooks Method Intensives

"We Need Your Art" by: Amie Mcnee

"The Creative Act" by: Rick Rubin

"The Artist's Way" by: Julia Cameron

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Tiffany's Instagram

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Music By: Augusto Diniz

Priscilla discusses the value of remaining a beginner in different styles from what you have advanced in as a dancer. She shares her light bulb moment that occurred where she decided to always take beginner level classes. She shares insight on how taking these classes can benefit dancers by challenging their bodies and minds, providing new perspectives, fostering humility, and enhancing teaching skills. Priscilla reminds listeners that there is so much vaue in being a beginner and how it gives dancers a unique perspective that they would not have hade otherwise. For those that are beginners in all styles of dance, she encourages them to enjoy the process and maintain that love for dance to keep going in their process.

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Music By: Augusto Diniz