The Studio North Podcast

Studio North
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Join Scott & Carmen Forsyth every week as they dive deep into the dance community, go behind the scenes of Studio North, and sit down with some of North America’s most successful dancers, teachers, and choreographers. Whether you’re a dancer, a fan of Studio North, or just interested in the dance community, this podcast is for you!

  1. Derick Robinson on Longevity in the Industry, Facing Rejection, and His Love of Teaching

    FEB 10

    Derick Robinson on Longevity in the Industry, Facing Rejection, and His Love of Teaching

    In this episode, Derick Robinson shares his journey from competitive soccer to dance, reflecting on the pivots, rejections, and defining moments that have shaped his longevity in the industry. From judging opportunities in Macedonia to building community through The Original Gentlemen, Derick offers honest insight into staying true to yourself. We also deep dive into his 14+ year teaching career, what makes his classes special, and why his love for teaching continues to drive everything he does. 0:00: Welcome & intro 02:15: International opportunity judging overseas 07:43: Playing soccer nationally 08:24: The shift from soccer to dance 15:21: The Original Gentlemen  18:52: Bring back friendly competition  24:00: His SYTYCD experience and what it taught him 36:17: Advice for dealing with rejection 46:55: How he’s managed to teach consistently for 14+ years 50:26: Love of teaching 58:28: What’s a Derick Robinson class like? 1:03:19: Staying true to who you are  1:08:20: Where to find Derick online  FOLLOW DERICK Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/derickxclusiv/ Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLKHkWvL4LTukAq7bTeOOJw LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthPodcast?sub_confirmation=1⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7Dh7M22shDInWU7RJlJim5⁠ Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-studio-north-podcast/id1735231812⁠ FOLLOW Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/studionorthpodcast⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@studionorthpodcast⁠ Website: ⁠https://www.thestudionorth.com/⁠ HOSTED BY Carmen Forsyth ⁠https://www.instagram.com/carmen4syth/⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Carmen4syth⁠ Scott Forsyth ⁠https://www.instagram.com/scott4syth/⁠  ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ScottForsyth⁠ ABOUT US Join Scott & Carmen Forsyth as they dive deep into the dance community, go behind the scenes of Studio North, and sit down with some of North America’s most successful dancers, teachers, and choreographers. STUDIO NORTH TV Learn from Canada’s best dancers from your own home ⁠https://www.thestudionorth.tv/⁠ STUDIO NORTH Vancouver ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthVancouver⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorth/⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthmtp⁠ Toronto ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthto/⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthToronto

    1h 11m
  2. Humuza Bazira on Winning Redbull Dance Your Style, Dealing With Pressure, and His Underdog Origin

    JAN 27

    Humuza Bazira on Winning Redbull Dance Your Style, Dealing With Pressure, and His Underdog Origin

    In this episode, Scott sits down with Humuza to chat about his remarkable underdog story. From not making his high school dance team to winning Red Bull Dance Your Style multiple times, Humuza shares his honest reflections on what it takes to win and his mindset to get there. He opens up about what it’s like dealing with so much pressure, balancing choreography with battle culture, and finding his voice through freestyle. 00:00: Welcome & intro 1:46: The beginnings of Humuza's dance journey (including NOT making the team) 03:06: How COVID led to his love of freestyling 04:14: How his origins in choreography helped him in battles 06:48: How he balances being successful in both worlds (choreo and freestyle) 07:38: Origins of Redbull Dance Your Style 09:46: Scott's lasting impression on Humuza 10:58: The importance of having fun when dealing with the pressure of competing at such a large scale 15:56: What preparation for RedBull Dance Your Style looks like 20:40: Advice for dancers 23:49: How to deal with nerves 26:35: Dealing with feedback and the opinions of others 34:12: What it's been like representing Canada 38:57: Dancers Humuza wants to battle 40:08: What it's been like doing industry work 42:32: Advice for younger dancers 44:20: What is Studio North Labs?! 45:49: Humuza’s passions outside of dancing FOLLOW HUMUZA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilymustard/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@humuza LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Dh7M22shDInWU7RJlJim5 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-studio-north-podcast/id1735231812 FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studionorthpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@studionorthpodcast Website: https://www.thestudionorth.com/ HOSTED BY Carmen Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/carmen4syth/ https://www.youtube.com/@Carmen4syth Scott Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/scott4syth/  https://www.youtube.com/@ScottForsyth ABOUT US Join Scott & Carmen Forsyth as they dive deep into the dance community, go behind the scenes of Studio North, and sit down with some of North America’s most successful dancers, teachers, and choreographers. STUDIO NORTH TV Learn from Canada’s best dancers from your own home https://www.thestudionorth.tv/ STUDIO NORTH Vancouver https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthVancouver https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorth/ https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthmtp Toronto https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthto/ https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthToronto

    50 min
  3. Emily Mustard on Confidence, Girlhood & the Art of Teaching Heels

    JAN 13

    Emily Mustard on Confidence, Girlhood & the Art of Teaching Heels

    In this episode, Carmen sits down with Emily Mustard to chat about all things Style & Grace, where her passion for dance began, and creating safe spaces as a heels teacher. Emily opens up about confidence, girlhood, and how her experience as an RMT shapes the way she cares for dancers both in and out of the studio. We also dive into what it’s really like working with her husband, Kelvin, plus a fun rapid-fire to close things out.TIMESTAMPS0:00: Welcome & intro1:35: How Emily & Carmen met and started dancing together in Style and Grace3:34: Emily's dance background6:03: Love of dance vs trophies12:51: Industry experience and how it's shaped her dance journey16:43: How being on Style and Grace has shaped Emily as a dancer and person19:59: Girlhood and growing up together21:55: Favourite Style & Grace memory27:17: Emily’s teaching journey and what drew her to heels32:02: Tips for increasing confidence and creating a safe environment in class38:50: How being an RMT has influenced dance and teaching41:18: How dancers can take better care of their bodies47:31: What it's like working and dancing with her husband, Kelvin52:51: Rapid fire FOLLOW EMILYInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilymustard/FOLLOW STYLE & GRACEInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/styleandgrace/LISTEN & SUBSCRIBEYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthPodcast?sub_confirmation=1Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Dh7M22shDInWU7RJlJim5Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-studio-north-podcast/id1735231812 FOLLOWInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/studionorthpodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@studionorthpodcastWebsite: https://www.thestudionorth.com/HOSTED BYCarmen Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/carmen4syth/ https://www.youtube.com/@Carmen4sythScott Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/scott4syth/https://www.youtube.com/@ScottForsyth

    56 min
  4. Percy on Teaching the Toronto Raptors, Pursuing Multiple Passions, and Dancing With Heart

    12/30/2025

    Percy on Teaching the Toronto Raptors, Pursuing Multiple Passions, and Dancing With Heart

    In this episode, Scott sits down with Percy Anane-Dwumfour to talk about his journey as a dancer, teacher, and multifaceted artist—from teaching the Toronto Raptors how to dance to leading workshops in Rwanda with Giants of Africa. Percy shares how his early influences, faith, and willingness to face rejection shaped his path across dance, visual art, and acting, including landing his first acting role from his very first audition. We also dive into how he balances multiple creative pursuits, prioritizes physical fitness, and what students can expect when stepping into one of his classes at Studio North Toronto. This episode was recorded in 2024. 0:00: Welcome & intro 2:33: Teaching the Toronto Raptors how to dance 8:28: Leading a dance workshop in Rwanda for Giants of Africa 9:34: Cultural differences between Canada and Africa 13:25: Early influences 17:42: How Percy started dancing 23:46: Dance dreams and goals early on 26:08: Percy as a multifaceted artist 28:48: Advice for people pursuing multiple passions 31:25: How faith impacts Percy's pursuits 34:21: Percy's first sketch that began his interest in visual arts 38:58: How to purchase Percy's art 42:15: Percy's first acting gig (from his very first audition!) 46:40: Facing rejection as an artist 49:15: How does Percy balance all his creative persuits? 54:00: The importance of physical fitness in Percy's routine 56:06: Heart House Academy 59:54: How would you define your dance style as a teacher? 1:01:24: What should people expect in your class? 1:04:51: Where you can follow Percy FOLLOW PERCY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantainpercy/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@plantaincampaign Website: https://www.plantainpercy.com/ Art by Plantain: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ArtbyPlantain?ref=shop_sugg_market LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Dh7M22shDInWU7RJlJim5 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-studio-north-podcast/id1735231812 FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studionorthpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@studionorthpodcast Website: https://www.thestudionorth.com/ HOSTED BY Carmen Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/carmen4syth/ https://www.youtube.com/@Carmen4syth Scott Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/scott4syth/  https://www.youtube.com/@ScottForsyth ABOUT US Join Scott & Carmen Forsyth as they dive deep into the dance community, go behind the scenes of Studio North, and sit down with some of North America’s most successful dancers, teachers, and choreographers. STUDIO NORTH TV Learn from Canada’s best dancers from your own home https://www.thestudionorth.tv/ STUDIO NORTH Vancouver https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthVancouver https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorth/ https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthmtp Toronto https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthto/ https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthToronto

    1h 6m
  5. Eldon Linsangan on TikTok Fame, Finding Balance, and Joining Brotherhood

    12/16/2025

    Eldon Linsangan on TikTok Fame, Finding Balance, and Joining Brotherhood

    Episode 21: In this episode, Scott sits down with Eldon Lingsangan for his very first podcast appearance, unpacking his journey from his early days as a breaker to becoming a viral TikTok creator with millions of followers. Eldon opens up about screen time, his strategy for content creation, and what life is really like behind the lens while navigating industry work and his role in Brotherhood. He also shares honest advice for aspiring creators and a glimpse at what’s next in his evolving career. 0:00: Intro & welcome 1:44: Eldon's introduction to dance 4:24: Getting his start as a breaker 7:26: Managing school and dance 9:50: Eldon's start on social media 12:24: The viral dance that started everything 14:12: TikTok choreography 19:23: Online hate 21:19: Screen time vs touching grass 23:17: BTS of content creation 25:52: Early days TikTok drafts 26:38: TikTok's impact on the dance community 30:31: Is it too late to start on TikTok? 33:42: Advice for someone just getting started 35:47: Joining Brotherhood 47:40: What has it been like being on set and doing Industry work 50:45: How do you manage being part of so many different worlds? 52:06: Mistake during Brotherhood set 55:13: What's next for Eldon? FOLLOW ELDON Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deionrojas/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eldonjcl?lang=en LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Dh7M22shDInWU7RJlJim5 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-studio-north-podcast/id1735231812 FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studionorthpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@studionorthpodcast Website: https://www.thestudionorth.com/ HOSTED BY Carmen Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/carmen4syth/ https://www.youtube.com/@Carmen4syth Scott Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/scott4syth/  https://www.youtube.com/@ScottForsyth ABOUT US Join Scott & Carmen Forsyth as they dive deep into the dance community, go behind the scenes of Studio North, and sit down with some of North America’s most successful dancers, teachers, and choreographers. STUDIO NORTH TV Learn from Canada’s best dancers from your own home https://www.thestudionorth.tv/ STUDIO NORTH Vancouver https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthVancouver https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorth/ https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthmtp Toronto https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthto/ https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthToronto

    57 min
  6. Carl Mandac on Growing up in the Philippines, Discovering Dance as an Adult, and His Unexpected Hobbies

    12/02/2025

    Carl Mandac on Growing up in the Philippines, Discovering Dance as an Adult, and His Unexpected Hobbies

    Episode 20: In this episode, Scott and Carmen (and baby Tommy!) sit down with Carl Mandac for peek into his dance journey; from growing up in the Philippines to becoming one of Toronto’s leading choreographers. Carl opens up about discovering dance later in life, the mentors who shaped him, what students can expect in his class, and his unexpected hobbies. We also talk about everything from the differences between Vancouver and Toronto to the origins of 2.0, along with a few fun things you probably don’t know about him.  (This episode was recorded in November 2024). 00:00: Welcome and Intro 02:45: Carl & Carmen's familial connection 03:59: Carl's handiness 04:55: Moving from Philippines to Canada 08:53: How Carl started dancing 13:55: Tips for dancers who got their start as adults 15:22: Teaching journey 19:13: Hobbies before getting into dance 20:31: Dance influences 22:55: How Carl describes his style 30:11: What people can expect in Carl's class 36:33 The story of 2.0 41:27: Things people don't know about Carl 43:44: Differences between Vancouver and Toronto 49:29: Where to find Carl online  FOLLOW CARL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlmandac/ LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Dh7M22shDInWU7RJlJim5 Apple: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-studio-north-podcast/id1735231812](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-studio-north-podcast/) FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studionorthpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@studionorthpodcast Website: https://www.thestudionorth.com/ HOSTED BY Carmen Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/carmen4syth/ https://www.youtube.com/@Carmen4syth Scott Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/scott4syth/  https://www.youtube.com/@ScottForsyth ABOUT US Join Scott & Carmen Forsyth as they dive deep into the dance community, go behind the scenes of Studio North, and sit down with some of North America’s most successful dancers, teachers, and choreographers. STUDIO NORTH TV Learn from Canada’s best dancers from your own home https://www.thestudionorth.tv/ STUDIO NORTH Burnaby https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthVancouver https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorth/ Mount Pleasant https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthmtp/ Toronto https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthto/ https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthToronto

    51 min
  7. Deion Rojas on Getting Scrappy, Teaching as an Introvert, and His Biggest Creative Inspirations

    11/18/2025

    Deion Rojas on Getting Scrappy, Teaching as an Introvert, and His Biggest Creative Inspirations

    Episode 19: In this episode, Scott sits down with Deion Rojas to talk about his journey from scrappy beginnings to becoming one of Toronto’s most respected teachers. Deion opens up about the evolution of the Toronto dance scene, lessons learned in the studio, and the ongoing balance between teaching and staying a student. Plus, we get into his inspirations, what dancers can expect in his classes, and of course—his go-to coffee order. 00:00:00 – Welcome & intro 00:02:05 – How Deion got his start 00:07:27 – The evolution of the Toronto dance scene 00:10:04 – Dave and Right Foot’s impact on the community 00:11:32 – Scrappy beginnings 00:13:02 – Deion’s teaching journey 00:16:58 – Early teaching mistakes and lessons learned 00:23:11 – Inspirations that shaped Deion’s style and approach 00:31:40 – The importance of always being a student 00:32:52 – Finding the balance between dancing and teaching 00:37:45 – What to expect in Deion’s classes 00:41:16 – Vancouver vs. Toronto style 00:50:49 – Favourite coffee drink 00:52:47 – Where to find Deion online FOLLOW DEION Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deionrojas/ LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthPodcast?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Dh7M22shDInWU7RJlJim5 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-studio-north-podcast/id1735231812 FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studionorthpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@studionorthpodcast Website: https://www.thestudionorth.com/ HOSTED BY Carmen Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/carmen4syth/ https://www.youtube.com/@Carmen4syth Scott Forsyth https://www.instagram.com/scott4syth/  https://www.youtube.com/@ScottForsyth ABOUT US Join Scott & Carmen Forsyth as they dive deep into the dance community, go behind the scenes of Studio North, and sit down with some of North America’s most successful dancers, teachers, and choreographers. STUDIO NORTH TV Learn from Canada’s best dancers from your own home https://www.thestudionorth.tv/ STUDIO NORTH Vancouver https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthVancouver https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorth/ https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthmtp Toronto https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthto/ https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthToronto

    54 min
  8. Jac Valiquette on Saying Yes to Opportunities, Leading with Gratitude, and Finding Confidence in Dance

    11/04/2025

    Jac Valiquette on Saying Yes to Opportunities, Leading with Gratitude, and Finding Confidence in Dance

    Episode 18: In this episode, we sit down with powerhouse dancer and choreographer Jac Valiquette to talk about her journey from her first dance class to becoming an inspiring leader in the industry. Jac opens up about teaching, growth, humility, and what it means to build confidence while staying true to yourself. (This episode was recorded on November 21, 2024) 0:00 - Intro 01:06 - Welcome Jac Valiquette 02:18 - Jac’s introduction to dance 10:20 - Opportunities now vs then 13:32 - Jac’s teaching journey 17:26 - Scott’s advice: Take any opportunity you get 22:58 - Gratitude  24:38 - Jac’s advice: New to teaching  28:31 - The perfect dance: Humility and confidence 31:04 - Views don’t equal value 34:06 - Promotion tools 37:02 - The evolution of Kode Red 47:04 - Women in dance: Growing and inspiring 51:40 - What’s next for Jac? 54:32 - What to expect in a class with Jac? 57:14 - Where to find Jac online FOLLOW JAC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacvaliquette/ Kode Red Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kodered_to/ LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthPodcast?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7Dh7M22shDInWU7RJlJim5⁠⁠ Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-studio-north-podcast/id1735231812⁠⁠ FOLLOW Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/studionorthpodcast⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@studionorthpodcast⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠https://www.thestudionorth.com/⁠⁠ HOSTED BY Carmen Forsyth ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/carmen4syth/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Carmen4syth⁠⁠ Scott Forsyth ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/scott4syth/⁠⁠  ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ScottForsyth⁠⁠ ABOUT US Join Scott & Carmen Forsyth every week as they dive deep into the dance community, go behind the scenes of Studio North, and sit down with some of North America’s most successful dancers, teachers, and choreographers. STUDIO NORTH TV Learn from Canada’s best dancers from your own home ⁠⁠https://www.thestudionorth.tv/⁠⁠ STUDIO NORTH Vancouver ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthVancouver⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorth/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthmtp/⁠⁠ Toronto ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thestudionorthto/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@StudioNorthToronto

    59 min
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About

Join Scott & Carmen Forsyth every week as they dive deep into the dance community, go behind the scenes of Studio North, and sit down with some of North America’s most successful dancers, teachers, and choreographers. Whether you’re a dancer, a fan of Studio North, or just interested in the dance community, this podcast is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Studio North
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Studio North
  • Show Website
    The Studio North Podcast