Of Like Minds

Kevin Belisario

Each person's unique experience is actually a universal language. Of Like Minds Podcast will be the platform where I listen, connect and share these stories through their narrative.

  1. 04/12/2021

    Veteran Artist & Educator feat. Kevin Kane | Of Like Minds Podcast | Kevin Belisario

    Kevin is a veteran artist and educator who has dedicated his career to promoting diversity and access to the arts for all young people, and using arts education as a tool for individual and social transformation. He is a long time Angeleno, but originally from the working-class suburbs of Philadelphia. The first in his family to attend and graduate college, Kevin received his Ph.D. in Cultural Studies, with an emphasis in Arts Education, from Claremont Graduate University; an MFA degree in Dance Choreography from the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance (WAC/D); and a BFA degree  in Theatre Arts from Hofstra University. He is currently the Director of the UCLA Visual and Performing Arts Education (VAPAE) Program in the School of the Arts and Architecture, teaches Intro to Theatre classes to 9th graders at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), and designed and directed the award-winning UCLA Summer High School Dance Theatre Intensive program for ten years. As an actor, Kevin portrayed the role of Claude in the European tour of Hair, John Wayne in Making a Disaster at Highways Performance Space, was a featured performer in Flashpoint: Stonewall at the Alex Theater (LA) and Carnegie Hall (NYC), and appeared in several roles in regional and touring companies of A Chorus Line; in addition, he took on featured roles in the film Crazy/ Beautiful and the television program ER, among others. Kevin was also the co-screenwriter for the film Northern Lights, starring Diane Keaton, based on a one person show that he co-wrote and directed. Deeply committed to public education and connected to the Los Angeles Unified School District, Kevin also holds a CA Clear teaching credential and taught English Language Arts, theatre arts and dance for eight years at John Marshall High School, where he founded the Theatre Workshop Program. Through working with hundreds of talented young artists as part of the Theatre Workshop program, Kevin developed unique methods for creating original multidisciplinary performance projects in collaboration with youth. Over the past two decades, Kevin has conceived, created, and presented at least 25 full-length devised, dance theatre, and multimedia video productions that have explored a range of socially relevant themes and topics.    #OfLikeMindsPodcast #UCLA #Professor Intro.: 0:00 Check in, being back on campus.: 0:30 Adjusting to Covid.: 2:10 Potential to return to in person learning.: 5:41 Importance of in class learning.: 13:45 Effective teaching styles incorporated via zoom.: 25:08 Story time with Kevin!: 33:29 What it was like growing up? Arts Education's role in your life.: 41:35 What made you want to give back?: 51:52 What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 57:48

    1h 3m
  2. 04/05/2021

    Dance Life feat. Kris Wagner | Of Like Minds Podcast | Kevin Belisario

    Kristopher Wagner, native to San Diego, began dancing at just 2 years old, later taking his career to a professional level at age 8! He began to dance competitively at Rising Star Dance Company, where he trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, tap and hip hop. He found his love for Hip Hop when he joined Flipside in 2005, under the instruction of Phillip Geniza. He has been represented by Clear Talent Group for the past 13 years and has much success in the industry. Now, he continues to share his knowledge and experiences to the next generation in the San Diego community. #OfLikeMindsPodcast #Dancer #Creative Intro.: 0:00 How you started in dance?: 0:55 Impactful teachers growing up.: 2:40 Being an artist and dancer during COVID?: 7:39 Pullback in terms of training, creating?: 12:20 Teaching dance during COVID.: 15:00 Teaching online and adjustments that worked and didn’t work?: 17:31 What it was like dancing professional as a kid?: 21:31 Being surrounded by older dancers and their influence on you.: 29:00 Being a dancer on the team and then eventually becoming director.: 33:02 Shift in San Diego dance community in 2012.: 39:17 Importance of being well rounded as a dancer.: 43:00 Particular style of dance that is the most special to you?: 46:47 Differences of movement between San Diego & LA?: 48:22 Cattle calls, training with people in LA?: 55:17 Typecasting.: 59:52 Unseen sacrifice.: 1:04:40 Wear n tear on our bodies.: 1:07:03 What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 1:08:30

    1h 13m
  3. 03/15/2021

    Protecting Your Energy feat. Ysa Penarejo | Of Like Minds Podcast | Kevin Belisario

    Born and raised in San Diego, California, Ysa fell in love with dancing at 4 years old. Ysa trained in jazz, lyrical, ballet and contemporary dance. Ysa soon would make the transition into commercial, acting, and modeling by the age of 10. Some of her work in acting includes “Toulane” in American Girl Mckenna Shoots for the Stars, “Camryn Coyle” in Netflix Original Project Mc2, “Maisie” in Brat series Red Ruby, and her upcoming recurring role in Stargirl Season 2 releasing in the Summer of 2021.   In the midst of her acting career, she continues to dance with Choreo Cookies, a professional adult hip hop team and new dance company, Vessel. Ysa hopes to inspire those around her to fight for what they want and to approach life with authenticity, compassion, and love. #OfLikeMindsPodcast #Actress #Dancer Intro.: 0:00 Check in.: 0:27 How Ysa & I met plus Choreo Cookies.: 1:11 First performance with Cookies in Houston 2019!: 6:10 Dance origins.: 9:09 Pushing thru a full time workload as a 9 year old.: 12:53 Personal life affecting the enjoyment of acting.: 17:48 Stargirl & and the amazing cast.: 22:17 Revitalizing her love and passion for acting.: 25:17 Booking your first gig and how that affected you.: 27:14 Family supporting her pursuit of the unconventional.: 31:14 Schooling in an untraditional way.: 34:37 Dealing with people who have hidden agendas.: 41:00 Evolving during covid.: 45:49 Car alarm goes off!: 48:51 Adapting your practice during covid.: 49:42 Your role in Project Mc2 and how that's affected you.: 56:32 What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 1:04:50

    1h 9m
  4. 03/08/2021

    Principal Dancer and Health & Wellness Coach feat. Kris Terry | Of Like Minds Podcast | Kevin Belisario

    Kris Terry, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, began his journey with dance at the age of 15 at a local dance studio. After a few short years, he decided to continue his dance training at Ohio University, where he earned a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. Soon after graduating, he decided to move to Los Angeles to begin his career as a professional dancer and has never looked back.  Throughout his career thus far he has toured and performed with artist such as Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Demi Lovato, The Weeknd, and Kelly Rowland. He has also made appearances as a principal performer in “The Bobby Brown Story” and Ariana Grandes “Excuse Me, I Love You,” as well as several other commercials and television programs. Kris also loves to share his passion with the next generation of dancers and professionals by teaching dance classes both in the US and abroad. While dance will always be a large part of Kris’ life, he has also found real purpose as a Mental Health and Wellness Coach. His biggest goal is to use dance, teaching, and coaching to spread love and inspiration to anyone who needs it. #OfLikeMIndsPodcast #Dancer #LifeCoach Intro.: 0:00 Initial exposure to dance?: 0:20 What was the regimen like?: 3:15 Importance of being a well-rounded dancer.: 3:57 Decision to pursue dance and what it has been like?: 7:57 Starting dance late?: 11:08 Point Park Summer Intensive.: 15:45 Postgrad journey and moving to LA.: 18:47 A chip on your shoulder.: 23:20 Audition scene and what that's like?: 26:57 Actions in the audition space.: 30:54 Booking that first gig.: 35:11 Touring with Demi Lovato & tour life.: 40:58 Performing with Ariana Grande.: 44:41 A look at the rehearsal process.: 45:37 Feeding your soul individually as a creative on tour.: 48:53 Mental Health & Wellness.: 52:38 What would you say to someone who is still searching for a passion?: 1:00:44 What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 1:05:00

    1h 9m
  5. 03/01/2021

    A Story To Inspire (Brachial Plexus Injury) feat. Anthony Quidachay | Of Like Minds Podcast | Kevin Belisario

    Anthony Quidachay is a member of Choreo Cookies and the Media Director for Studio FX. At the age of 3, he suffered a car accident which paralyzed his right arm. Even with a disability, he was able to find his passion for dance, video, and all things nerdy. Through hard work and his will to help others, Anthony hopes to inspire anyone to achieve their goals and to do it... with style. #OfLikeMindsPodcast #MediaDirector #Dancer Intro.: 0:00 Dancer/performer vs. behind the camera work.: 0:49 Which realm did you get into first?: 2:06 Starting in videography.: 3:36 Shadowing and learning from others.: 6:52 Adjusting to covid.: 9:31 ******* Cookies journey. Cheers to year 8!: 12:59 Pros & cons of growing up with your Cookies fam.: 18:00 Was there ever friction or competition amongst your peers?: 21:23 Did you feel animosity from others when you got onto Cookies?: 23:20 Where are you at with dance right now?: 25:20 Translating dance aspect of things into gaming.: 28:20 Giving Ant his props for being a gaming God.: 31:55 Ant being an inspiration during rehearsal.: 33:33 Where you grew up and what that was like?: 34:51 Did you feel supported or weirded out from that mini story?: 38:30 Taking us through your workload.: 41:37 Dynamic change of dance studios moving forward.: 46:06 Biggest things you've learned during covid?: 52:17 What would you say to your thirteen-year-old self?: 55:46

    59 min

About

Each person's unique experience is actually a universal language. Of Like Minds Podcast will be the platform where I listen, connect and share these stories through their narrative.