Dance Rhetoric Podcast Dance Rhetoric

 

Welcome the original Queen "Diva" of Soul Train. Damita is a valuable part of dance history who opened doors for street-style dancers to showcase their talent to the world. She broke barriers as a ballerina and street-style dancer during the Civil Rights Movement.



We met at Lula Washington Theatre and talked about how her life as a ballerina led to performing on Soul Train & American Bandstand, knowing your value, working with the elite, and the importance of learning the business side of the industry + more!


Check out Damita's Dancer Jo Foundation 

Courtni is a compassionate leader of the new generation. Her unique approach to fear has created a groundbreaking journey to her life’s purpose.

We caught up at Highland Park in Los Angeles and talked about her transition from Nashville to LA, navigating industry pressure, respecting the pioneers in dance culture, and more!

Photography credit: Alex Cole

Shea is a brave heart with an eclectic soul who is always ready for discovery and paving new ways for the dance culture to thrive. She is an artist not in it to win it. She lives it by ushering the way for the Icons, Legends, Pioneers, and the new generation.


We caught up in our home town Santa Cruz and talked about her treasured experiences as Chief Operating Officer of OTA Entertainment mini ball series, Waack Fest India, Ballroom, and more.


Photography credit: Anna Linetskaya

An educator and creative empowering the youth in her community to take accountability in self-love and respect for others through dance arts.

We talked about her influence on young women in her role as the director of Mixd Ingrdnts & Mini Mix’d dance company, opening for Amy Poehler at Cluster Fest, her definition of focus, and more!

Photography by: Anthony Mogli

He is the example of living his divine truth. When the noise of society tries to silence his artistry, he shows up and shows out even louder.

We caught up at Mission Dance Theater and talked about Vogue & Tone, manifesting his reality TV show, meeting Billy Porter, what it means to be free, and more!

I It is Leslie's zealous approach to life that has allowed her to experience her wildest dreams. Leslie is taking her career to new heights with natural talents, elite dance training as a Juilliard graduate, and Martha Graham Dance Company performer.

We had the pleasure of catching up at Washington Square Park in New York City and talked about our favorite wines, her role in Martha Graham's 'Diversions of Angels' ballet piece, and what fuels her inner radiance.

Photography source: Martha Graham Dance Company