The Mix: A Fusion Dance Podcast

The Mix: A Fusion Dance Podcast
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Performing Arts
  • Weekly

Welcome to The Mix - a fusion dance podcast, where we dive into the world of blending dances and all that comes with it We’re talking about everything from: the highs of nailing that perfect combo to the lows, dance chemistry, musicality, emotional and mental challenges, and more. And if you’re new to the dance scene, don’t worry: we’ve got you covered with practical tips to help you get started, feel comfortable, and most importantly, have fun. So, come on in, we can’t wait to dance with you!

  1. Oct 26

    #36: What Makes a Dance Weekender Actually Worth It

    If you've ever come home from a dance weekender, festival, or congress with sore feet, a full heart, and a million thoughts about what worked and what didn't, this one's for you. We attended the Los Angeles Bachata Festival and Camp Hollywood (Swing). In this episode, we're talking about what makes a dance weekender truly great, why house parties hit differently, and what it means to dance honestly. In this episode, we talk about: What the key ingredients of a dance weekender are: workshops, socials, performances, and sometimes concerts Why a great dancer isn't automatically a great teacher, and how to spot instruction that's worth your money How crowded ballrooms can hurt the learning experience in workshops Why outdoor social dancing feels like a backyard party, and why that makes it less intimidating and more community focused What "bird energy" is, and how taking up space, moving with intention can add a magnetic quality to your dancing How true connection happens when partners actually listen and respond to each other What makes a weekender successful: great music, quality instructors with real insight, and smart marketing that gets people in the door What makes a house party special: comfort, community, and human connection We’d like to hear from you! What dance weekender events have been the best for you and why? ———————————— RESOURCES: • FU (Fusion University) is here!  To be the first to know about our classes, practicas, demos, assessments, social community events, and more, sign up for our email newsletter here at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6 • 📌 FAQs: We’ve answered the same questions 50+ times about Fusion University (because we love you), but you can check out FAQ here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iHFXnIC8lxQcxDACRpjZQ2_-QkktxOgnbCt_1tKELDs/edit?tab=t.0 • Wondering on where to social dance in LA?  Stay up-to-date on all the upcoming events in the LA area here: https://bit.ly/Social-Dance-LA  — RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW US! 👍 This helps us support and reach more people just like you! Listening on APPLE Podcasts? https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastApple Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Listening to this on SPOTIFY? Go to https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastSpotify . Tap on the star icon underneath our podcast description to rate and help us out! (Rating is available on mobile app only). — CONNECT WITH US! Instagram: www.instagram.com/fusiondancepodcast  Tiktok:  www.tiktok.com/@fusiondancepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fusiondancepodcast  📧 Email us your podcast topic ideas and suggestions at fusiondancepodcast@gmail.com  FOLLOW FUSION UNIVERSITY (FU): Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572519666676  Instagram http://instagram.com/fusionuniversity  Email Contact: FusionUniversityLA@gmail.com  Join FU’s email newsletter at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6

  2. Oct 12

    #35: Are You Really Dancing…or Protecting Yourself?, featuring Jackson Xia

    What if dance is actually giving you access to a part of yourself that you haven’t felt safe expressing? In this episode of the Fusion Dance Podcast, we sit down with Jackson Xia for a personal conversation about dance, emotional growth, intimacy, and the surprising ways movement can help us understand ourselves. Jackson has explored everything from breaking, locking, and house to hustle, krump, pole, bachata, zouk, and Chinese classical dance. And along the way, he discovered: Different dances can unlock different parts of who we are. Some helped him find confidence. Others gave him access to joy, freedom, anger, sensuality, or human connection. In this episode, we explore: Which dance he discovered that helped him express joy, freedom, sensuality, and anger that he couldn’t express in words Why is anger sometimes the emotion that gets permission to exist, especially for men Why he avoided romantic relationships for a decade and how following in partner dancing begin to change the way he understood intimacy and closeness Why joy is one of the most vulnerable emotions to feel and what happens when you've learned that good things don't last And what does it mean to have an honest dance with someone?  ———————————— RESOURCES: • FU (Fusion University) is here!  To be the first to know about our classes, practicas, demos, assessments, social community events, and more, sign up for our email newsletter here at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6 • 📌 FAQs: We’ve answered the same questions 50+ times about Fusion University (because we love you), but you can check out FAQ here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iHFXnIC8lxQcxDACRpjZQ2_-QkktxOgnbCt_1tKELDs/edit?tab=t.0 • Wondering on where to social dance in LA?  Stay up-to-date on all the upcoming events in the LA area here: https://bit.ly/Social-Dance-LA  — RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW US! 👍 This helps us support and reach more people just like you! Listening on APPLE Podcasts? https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastApple Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Listening to this on SPOTIFY? Go to https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastSpotify . Tap on the star icon underneath our podcast description to rate and help us out! (Rating is available on mobile app only). — CONNECT WITH JACKSON! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyful.jackson.yay Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackson.inabox  CONNECT WITH US! Instagram: www.instagram.com/fusiondancepodcast  Tiktok:  www.tiktok.com/@fusiondancepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fusiondancepodcast  📧 Email us your podcast topic ideas and suggestions at fusiondancepodcast@gmail.com  FOLLOW FUSION UNIVERSITY (FU): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572519666676  Instagram http://instagram.com/fusionuniversity  Email Contact: FusionUniversityLA@gmail.com  Join FU’s email newsletter at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6

  3. Sep 30

    #34: The Fastest Way to Expand Your Dance Vocabulary

    What if the next dance style you learn could completely change the way you currently dance?  Not every class is going to give you the same benefits. Sometimes you need more musicality. Sometimes you need better connection. Sometimes you need to get out of your comfort zone and learn an entirely different movement.   In this episode, we get into cross-training for dancers, and which styles can help you strengthen specific skills.  Whether you're a Westie, salsa dancer, hustler, Lindy hopper, tango dancer, or ballroom dancer, we're breaking down what you might want to try next. We talk about what dances we recommend to stretch you or to compliment your current style: Which dance can deepen your close embrace and groundedness or add new textures, timing, and footwork.  Which dance can teach you patience and the art of pausing Which dance expands your musicality, rhythm, and movement vocabulary.  Which dance help you with openness and momentum from a partner Why every dancer benefits from listening beyond melodies and lyrics and getting more comfortable dancing to rhythm, percussion, and instruments. Cross-training is about learning different dance languages so you have more ways to communicate with your partner.  And that brings us to another big piece of the conversation: feedback.  Practicas give dancers a place to experiment, rotate partners, and actually talk about what they're experiencing: connection, technique, musicality, and more. Shout out and THANK YOU to Sammy @dudeist_priest__  who helped us out and edited this podcast episode! ———————————— RESOURCES: • FU (Fusion University) is here!  To be the first to know about our classes, practicas, demos, assessments, social community events, and more, sign up for our email newsletter here at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6 • 📌 FAQs: We’ve answered the same questions 50+ times about Fusion University (because we love you), but you can check out FAQ here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iHFXnIC8lxQcxDACRpjZQ2_-QkktxOgnbCt_1tKELDs/edit?tab=t.0 • Wondering on where to social dance in LA?  Stay up-to-date on all the upcoming events in the LA area here: https://bit.ly/Social-Dance-LA  — RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW US! 👍 This helps us support and reach more people just like you! Listening on APPLE Podcasts? https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastApple Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Listening to this on SPOTIFY? Go to https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastSpotify . Tap on the star icon underneath our podcast description to rate and help us out! (Rating is available on mobile app only). — CONNECT WITH US! Instagram: www.instagram.com/fusiondancepodcast  Tiktok:  www.tiktok.com/@fusiondancepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fusiondancepodcast  📧 Email us your podcast topic ideas and suggestions at fusiondancepodcast@gmail.com  FOLLOW FUSION UNIVERSITY (FU): Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572519666676  Instagram http://instagram.com/fusionuniversity  Email Contact: FusionUniversityLA@gmail.com  Join FU’s email newsletter at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6

  4. Sep 17

    #33: I Danced 20 Hours a Week for a Month. Here’s What Happened

    What happens when you dance 20 hours a week for an entire month? One of us did an experiment and found out firsthand. And well… you learn A LOT. We’re going behind the scenes of an intensive month of dance training, and the surprising lessons that came out of it. In this episode, we talk about: Why “you have to train to engrain.”  How learning to lead made us a better follower in partner dance, and why its important to understand what your partner is experiencing on the other side of the dance. Why safety comes before creativity: when a complicated or flashy move isn't worth it on the dance floor The problem with overdancing: why trying too hard actually makes the dance harder for you. Why technique matters more than creativity Why the most versatile dancers make the best dancers: Learning different styles exposes you to different ways of connecting, moving, and interpreting the music’s rhythm, melody, instruments, and lyrics Why you should speak up when something hurts. (Hint: Your partner's fun should never come at the expense of your body). And maybe the biggest takeaway? Sometimes it's better to be boring than unsafe. Because once trust is broken on the dance floor, it's hard to get it back. ———————————— 🙏Shout out and THANK YOU to John Monday @johnmondaymusic who helped us out and edited this podcast episode! RESOURCES: • FU (Fusion University) is here!  To be the first to know about our classes, practicas, demos, assessments, social community events, and more, sign up for our email newsletter here at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6 • 📌 FAQs: We’ve answered the same questions 50+ times about Fusion University (because we love you), but you can check out FAQ here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iHFXnIC8lxQcxDACRpjZQ2_-QkktxOgnbCt_1tKELDs/edit?tab=t.0 • Wondering on where to social dance in LA?  Stay up-to-date on all the upcoming events in the LA area here: https://bit.ly/Social-Dance-LA  — RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW US! 👍 This helps us support and reach more people just like you! Listening on APPLE Podcasts? https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastApple Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Listening to this on SPOTIFY? Go to https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastSpotify . Tap on the star icon underneath our podcast description to rate and help us out! (Rating is available on mobile app only). — CONNECT WITH US! Instagram: www.instagram.com/fusiondancepodcast  Tiktok:  www.tiktok.com/@fusiondancepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fusiondancepodcast  📧 Email us your podcast topic ideas and suggestions at fusiondancepodcast@gmail.com  FOLLOW FUSION UNIVERSITY (FU): Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572519666676  Instagram http://instagram.com/fusionuniversity  Email Contact: FusionUniversityLA@gmail.com  Join FU’s email newsletter at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6

  5. Aug 19

    #32: Why Trophies Don't Make Better Dancers (A Review of the ThrowDown Dance Event)

    This week we're taking you behind the scenes of our trip to The ThrowDown, a fusion dance weekender and competition in the bay area (Oakland) in California. Yes, we competed. Yes, we made finals…but that wasn't the shiny highlight of the weekend. Instead, we found ourselves asking much bigger questions: What actually makes someone a great fusion dancer? How should competitions judge dancers in fusion? What role does feedback play in helping communities grow? In this episode we discuss: - Why traveling outside your local dance scene is one of the fastest ways to grow and how traveling exposes you to possibilities your local scene can't always provide. - Why inspiration is contagious and often what many dancers are missing to see what's possible - We unpack our honest thoughts on everything - from social dances, the music, classes, , competitions to judging, registration logistics, DJ battles, etc. and how they were ran - How Fusion University's practicas unexpectedly prepared us for competition and feedback. - Why clear judging criteria matter if we want to shape the future of our dance - How the dance scene grows when organizers are willing to experiment. If you've ever wondered whether competitions are "worth it," or you've been feeling stuck in your local dance scene, this conversation might be exactly that different perspective you've been looking for. ———————————— RESOURCES: • FU (Fusion University) is here!  To be the first to know about our classes, practicas, demos, assessments, social community events, and more, sign up for our email newsletter here at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6 • 📌 FAQs: We’ve answered the same questions 50+ times about Fusion University (because we love you), but you can check out FAQ here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iHFXnIC8lxQcxDACRpjZQ2_-QkktxOgnbCt_1tKELDs/edit?tab=t.0 • Wondering on where to social dance in LA?  Stay up-to-date on all the upcoming events in the LA area here: https://bit.ly/Social-Dance-LA  — RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW US! 👍 This helps us support and reach more people just like you! Listening on APPLE Podcasts? https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastApple Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Listening to this on SPOTIFY? Go to https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastSpotify . Tap on the star icon underneath our podcast description to rate and help us out! (Rating is available on mobile app only). — CONNECT WITH US! Instagram: www.instagram.com/fusiondancepodcast  Tiktok:  www.tiktok.com/@fusiondancepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fusiondancepodcast  📧 Email us your podcast topic ideas and suggestions at fusiondancepodcast@gmail.com  FOLLOW FUSION UNIVERSITY (FU): Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572519666676  Instagram http://instagram.com/fusionuniversity  Email Contact: FusionUniversityLA@gmail.com  Join FU’s email newsletter at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6

  6. Aug 5

    #31: Why Is Partner Dance So White? And How to Fix It, featuring Dave Harris

    Is partner dancing losing its roots? What happens when we stop caring or asking about where a dance came from? This week, we're joined by Dave Harris for one of the most thought-provoking conversations we've had on the podcast. We dive into the intersections of dance, culture, history, identity, and what it really means to create an “inclusive place” - not just in theory, but in actual practice. This isn't a surface-level conversation. It's an invitation to get curious on why there aren’t enough people of color in dance, challenge assumptions, and think more deeply about the future of fusion dance. What we talk about in this episode: 1) Why aren't more people of color in partner dance? The barriers that often go unseen. Why saying "everyone is welcome" is *not* always enough. Practical ways organizers and communities can create spaces where more people genuinely feel they belong. 2) Why dance, cooking, writing, and even sex have more in common than you think 3) When does fusion become colonial without organizers & teachers realizing it? A thoughtful discussion on cultural exchange versus cultural extraction. Why intention matters - but education matters too. How honoring history can actually make us better dancers and humans What gets lost when we separate a dance from the culture that helped shape it. 4) The hidden mental load of being "the only one" What it's like to walk into a room where you're the minority. The invisible emotional labor many dancers carry before they even step onto the dance floor. Why belonging is about far more than receiving an invitation. How empathy begins by listening to experiences different from our own. 5) Questions every dance community should be asking: What voices are missing? What kind of culture are we creating? —for today's dancers and the next generation? This conversation may challenge you. It may make you uncomfortable in moments. And honestly? That's okay. Some of the most meaningful growth happens when we're willing to stay curious instead of becoming defensive. Whether you're a dancer, teacher, DJ, organizer, or someone who simply cares about building a stronger dance scene, we hope this episode sparks important and much needed conversations. ———————————— RESOURCES: • FU (Fusion University) is here!  To be the first to know about our classes, practicas, demos, assessments, social community events, and more, sign up for our email newsletter here at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6 • 📌 FAQs: We’ve answered the same questions 50+ times about Fusion University (because we love you), but you can check out FAQ here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iHFXnIC8lxQcxDACRpjZQ2_-QkktxOgnbCt_1tKELDs/edit?tab=t.0 • Wondering on where to social dance in LA?  Stay up-to-date on all the upcoming events in the LA area here: https://bit.ly/Social-Dance-LA  — RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW US! 👍 This helps us support and reach more people just like you! Listening on APPLE Podcasts? https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastApple Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Listening to this on SPOTIFY? Go to https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastSpotify . Tap on the star icon underneath our podcast description to rate and help us out! (Rating is available on mobile app only). — CONNECT WITH US! Instagram: www.instagram.com/fusiondancepodcast  Tiktok:  www.tiktok.com/@fusiondancepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fusiondancepodcast  📧 Email us your podcast topic ideas and suggestions at fusiondancepodcast@gmail.com  FOLLOW FUSION UNIVERSITY (FU): Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572519666676  Instagram: http://instagram.com/fusionuniversity  Email Contact: FusionUniversityLA@gmail.com  Join FU’s email newsletter at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6

  7. Jul 22

    #30: Why Experienced Dancers Are Quietly Leaving

    It’s SEASON 2 of The Fusion Dance Podcast!  We took a hiatus because we have been understaffed and overworked but we are back with more hot takes this time.  Is fusion dance losing its spark? We have an honest conversation about the future of fusion, what makes dancers stay (or why many leave), and how DJs have more influence than you might think. From behind-the-booth lessons learned while DJing across the country to bigger questions about community growth, the concept of inclusivity, and vision, this episode challenges some of the thoughts people have about dance.  In this episode we talk about:  The DJ technique that instantly wins over a dance floor. Why some fusion scenes stop growing (including LA's)The uncomfortable truth about why dancers leave. Are we making fusion too beginner-friendly? What great organizers understand that others miss. Our vision for the future of fusion dance.  Whether you're a dancer, DJ, organizer, or simply love thoughtful conversations about partner dancing, this episode is sure to get you thinking. RESOURCES: • FU (Fusion University) is here!  To be the first to know about our classes, practicas, demos, assessments, social community events, and more, sign up for our email newsletter here at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6 • 📌 FAQs: We’ve answered the same questions 50+ times about Fusion University (because we love you), but you can check out FAQ here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iHFXnIC8lxQcxDACRpjZQ2_-QkktxOgnbCt_1tKELDs/edit?tab=t.0 • Wondering on where to social dance in LA?  Stay up-to-date on all the upcoming events in the LA area here: https://bit.ly/Social-Dance-LA  — RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW US! 👍 This helps us support and reach more people just like you! Listening on APPLE Podcasts? https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastApple Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Listening to this on SPOTIFY? Go to https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastSpotify . Tap on the star icon underneath our podcast description to rate and help us out! (Rating is available on mobile app only). — CONNECT WITH US! Instagram: www.instagram.com/fusiondancepodcast  Tiktok:  www.tiktok.com/@fusiondancepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fusiondancepodcast  📧 Email us your podcast topic ideas and suggestions at fusiondancepodcast@gmail.com  FOLLOW FUSION UNIVERSITY (FU): Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572519666676  Instagram http://instagram.com/fusionuniversity  Email Contact: FusionUniversityLA@gmail.com  Join FU’s email newsletter at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6

  8. 11/03/2025

    #29: We Traveled To The Middle East! (& What It Taught Us About Dance)

    Welcome back to another episode of The Fusion Dance Podcast! Today, we’re going on a little journey - halfway across the world, actually. In this episode, Trang shares her unforgettable adventure through the Middle East and what it revealed about connection, culture, and the way we move with one another through dance. You’ll hear about : The unexpected challenge of finding partner and social dances in a region where it’s not so common.If people there dance differently or the same —and what stood out most The #1 BIG epiphany Trang had, on how this trip to the Middle East connects to partner and fusion dance So grab your headphones, and let’s dive into the insights that a trip across the world (and a few missed dance socials) can teach you. ———————————— RESOURCES: • FU (Fusion University) is here!  To be the first to know about our classes, practicas, demos, assessments, social community events, and more, sign up for our email newsletter here at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6 • 📌 FAQs: We’ve answered the same questions 50+ times about Fusion University (because we love you), but you can check out FAQ here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iHFXnIC8lxQcxDACRpjZQ2_-QkktxOgnbCt_1tKELDs/edit?tab=t.0 • Wondering on where to social dance in LA?  Stay up-to-date on all the upcoming events in the LA area here: https://bit.ly/Social-Dance-LA  — RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW US! 👍 This helps us support and reach more people just like you! Listening on APPLE Podcasts? https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastApple Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Listening to this on SPOTIFY? Go to https://bit.ly/FusionDancePodcastSpotify . Tap on the star icon underneath our podcast description to rate and help us out! (Rating is available on mobile app only). — CONNECT WITH US! Instagram: www.instagram.com/fusiondancepodcast  Tiktok:  www.tiktok.com/@fusiondancepodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fusiondancepodcast  📧 Email us your podcast topic ideas and suggestions at fusiondancepodcast@gmail.com  FOLLOW FUSION UNIVERSITY (FU): Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572519666676  Instagram http://instagram.com/fusionuniversity  Email Contact: FusionUniversityLA@gmail.com  Join FU’s email newsletter at https://forms.gle/6GaYzigG1FjVU5vQ6

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About

Welcome to The Mix - a fusion dance podcast, where we dive into the world of blending dances and all that comes with it We’re talking about everything from: the highs of nailing that perfect combo to the lows, dance chemistry, musicality, emotional and mental challenges, and more. And if you’re new to the dance scene, don’t worry: we’ve got you covered with practical tips to help you get started, feel comfortable, and most importantly, have fun. So, come on in, we can’t wait to dance with you!

Information

  • Creator
    The Mix: A Fusion Dance Podcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Mix: A Fusion Dance Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Mix: A Fusion Dance Podcast