It's All Relative

Relative Motion
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Performing Arts

The podcast for dance teachers and studio owners who are looking to go behind the scenes in the dance industry and discover strategy and success in everything from studio to stage 

  1. 1d ago

    EP 58: Tiny Technicians- Teaching Our 3-7 Year Old Dancers

    The foundation for strong, confident dancers starts in the earliest years of training. This episode explores how intentional teaching can shape dancers from ages 3 to 7. In this episode of It’s All Relative, Cara dives into teaching 3 to 7-year-old dancers and why these early years are so important for building proper technique, confidence, body awareness, and a strong foundation for future training. Cara introduces the FOCUS method, which focuses on Fun, Obtainable goals, Curiosity, Understanding, and Structure to help young dancers stay engaged while developing meaningful dance fundamentals. Cara talked about: Balancing fun and engagement with proper dance fundamentalsUsing the FOCUS method to support young dancer developmentCreating structure and repetition so dancers feel comfortable in classUsing stories, games, music, and visual cues to teach techniqueSetting small, measurable goals and celebrating progressBuilding proper alignment and body awareness from an early age The FOCUS Method: F: Fun Use stories, games, music, silly voices, movement, and playful energy to keep young dancers engaged while still teaching technique. O: Obtainable Give dancers small, measurable goals they can actually achieve. For a three-year-old, success might simply be standing in a line, following a class routine, or completing a focused plié sequence. C: Curiosity Move beyond constant correction by encouraging dancers to ask questions and become curious about what they are feeling, what they are doing, and why they are doing it. U: Understanding Help dancers develop a deeper mind-body connection instead of simply mimicking shapes. When young dancers understand what they're doing, they become more capable and confident. S: Structure Create predictable routines and consistent classroom processes so young dancers know what to expect. Repetition and structure can reduce anxiety and help children feel comfortable in the studio. Teaching young dancers is about more than keeping them entertained. These early years are where teachers can build the technique, confidence, curiosity, and body awareness that prepare dancers for their next stage of training. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

  2. Aug 11

    EP 57: The Greatest Gift (Revisited)

    Some of the greatest lessons in dance don't come from the studio. They come from the people who teach us how to see challenges differently. We're revisiting one of our favorite episodes of It's All Relative because its message is just as meaningful today as when it first aired. In "The Greatest Gift," Cara Dixon shares a personal story from her own dance training and the life-changing perspective her mom gave her after a difficult ballet class. This episode explores the powerful partnership between dance teachers, dance parents, and young dancers, showing how belief, trust, and encouragement can transform difficult moments into opportunities for growth. Whether you're a dance parent, dance teacher, or studio owner, this conversation offers valuable insight into building resilient dancers, strengthening teacher-parent relationships, and creating a studio culture where dancers feel challenged, supported, and empowered to grow.  Cara talked about:  How one conversation with her mom completely changed the way she viewed corrections and feedback from her dance teacher  Why believing in a dancer's potential is one of the greatest gifts a parent or teacher can give  How parents and dance teachers can partner together to build confidence instead of reinforcing self-doubt  Why advocacy doesn't always mean removing children from difficult situations, but helping them develop perspective and resilience  How trust between families and dance studios creates stronger dancers, healthier relationships, and long-term growth5 Lessons from "The Greatest Gift": See corrections as belief, not rejection. Sometimes the toughest corrections come from teachers who see the greatest potential in their dancers. Changing that perspective can completely transform a dancer's confidence and willingness to grow. Speak belief into your dancer. Parents have the opportunity to shape how their children interpret difficult moments. Encouraging belief instead of reinforcing fear helps dancers develop resilience and confidence. Feelings aren't always facts. Dance is both athletic and artistic, making it an emotional experience. While a dancer's feelings are real, helping them separate emotions from perspective allows them to respond with confidence instead of fear. Choose partnership over protection. The strongest support comes when parents and teachers work together. Trusting a healthy dance program allows everyone to support the dancer's growth rather than creating division between home and the studio. Build trust that lasts beyond the classroom. When dancers know their parents and teachers believe in them, they develop the confidence to embrace challenges, accept feedback, and continue growing long after one difficult class. The greatest gift we can give a dancer isn't removing every obstacle from their path. It's helping them develop the confidence, perspective, and trust to grow through those challenges. When parents and teachers work together, dancers learn that corrections are rooted in care, growth comes through perseverance, and belief from trusted adults can change the course of their journey. Whether you're hearing this story for the first time or revisiting it with us, we hope it reminds you of the incredible impact your words and perspective can have on the dancers in your life. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

  3. Aug 4

    EP 56: Rebuilding The Room: Recruitment That Works

    The most important recruitment strategy isn't convincing dancers to stay. It's giving them a reason to believe they're growing. In this episode of It's All Relative, Cara Dixon explores one of the most important times of the year for dance studio recruitment and student retention: the window between Nationals and the start of a new season. As families decide whether to return, join a competitive team, or make a change, Cara shares insights from years of working alongside studio owners, judging competitions, and training dancers across the country. Rather than focusing on enrollment tactics, Cara explains why dance student retention, building dancer confidence, and creating measurable dance technique progress are the true foundations of successful recruitment. This episode is filled with practical ideas to help dance teachers and studio owners build trust, strengthen dancer belief, and create a studio culture that families are excited to return to year after year. Cara talked about: Why the recruitment window between Nationals and the new season is a critical time for dance studios and competitive teamsHow dancers and parents evaluate confidence, technical progress, and overall experience before deciding to returnWhy building belief in a dancer's potential is the foundation of long-term student retentionHow visible, measurable dance technique progress creates trust with both dancers and familiesWhy teacher cueing, visual alignment tools, and consistent feedback help dancers achieve faster and more meaningful growth 3 Recruitment Strategies from Cara: 1. Build belief before expecting commitment.  Retention begins when dancers believe in their own potential. As teachers, our role is to help dancers develop confidence by consistently reinforcing what they're capable of achieving, especially when they don't yet believe it themselves. 2. Make technical growth visible and measurable.  Instead of relying on encouragement alone, give dancers tangible proof that they're improving. Help them see and feel measurable changes in their alignment, movement, and technique so their confidence is built on real progress. 3. Create trust through consistent results.  When dancers experience steady progress and families can clearly see the growth throughout the season, trust naturally follows. That trust becomes one of the strongest reasons dancers return year after year with excitement and confidence. Successful recruitment doesn't begin with registration. It begins months earlier by creating an environment where dancers feel seen, believe in their potential, and experience measurable growth every time they walk into the studio. When teachers intentionally build belief, celebrate progress, and make technique improvements visible, families don't just see a dance class. They see transformation. The strongest studios aren't simply recruiting new dancers. They're creating an experience that dancers can't wait to come back to. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

  4. Jul 28

    EP 55: Making The Most Of Dance Teacher Conferences

    Attending a dance teacher conference isn't about collecting more ideas. It's about solving the challenges that matter most for your studio. In this episode of It's All Relative, Cara Dixon shares how dance teachers and studio owners can make the most of dance teacher conferences. Rather than trying to attend every session or absorb every piece of information, Cara encourages educators to approach conferences with a clear strategy, meaningful questions, and a plan for implementation. Whether you're attending the Toronto Dance Teacher Expo, Dance Teacher Web, Dance Life Teacher Conference, or another professional development event, this episode will help you maximize your investment of time, energy, and resources by leaving with practical solutions instead of information overload. Cara talked about: Why attending a dance teacher conference with clear questions is more valuable than simply following a packed session scheduleHow identifying two or three specific challenges helps you choose sessions that solve real problems in your studioWhy the relationships you build with fellow studio owners, teachers, choreographers, and presenters often become more valuable than the sessions themselvesHow trying to attend every session can lead to information overload instead of meaningful learningWhy reviewing your notes and implementing one idea immediately after the conference increases the likelihood of creating lasting change 3 Action Steps from Cara: 1. Go in with questions, not just a schedule.  Before you arrive, write down two or three specific problems you want to solve. Let those questions guide which sessions, conversations, and vendor booths you spend your time on. 2. Set a relationship goal, not just a learning goal.  Meet new studio owners, teachers, or presenters, exchange contact information, and follow up after the conference while the connection is still fresh. Those relationships can become valuable resources long after the conference ends. 3. Build a 48-hour debrief into your calendar.  Schedule time shortly after the conference to review your notes and choose one idea to implement immediately. Acting while the information is fresh makes it far more likely that you'll create lasting change in your studio. A successful conference isn't measured by how many sessions you attend or how many handouts you collect. It's measured by the problems you solve, the relationships you build, and the ideas you actually put into practice. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

  5. Jul 21

    EP 54: Burnout: The Competitive Teacher Reset

    Burnout doesn't always look like exhaustion. Sometimes it looks like losing the passion for the work you once loved. Learn how competitive dance teachers can recognize burnout, recover with intention, and return stronger for the next season. In Episode 54 of It's All Relative, Cara shifts the focus from dance technique to something every dance teacher, studio owner, and competitive dance coach experiences but rarely talks about: teacher burnout. Following the intensity of Nationals and the competition season, Cara explores the difference between ordinary exhaustion and true burnout, why competitive teachers are especially vulnerable, and how intentional rest is essential for sustainable leadership. This episode is filled with practical strategies for preventing dance teacher burnout, creating healthy recovery habits, and building a sustainable rhythm that allows teachers to continue serving their dancers without sacrificing their own well-being. Whether your season revolves around competitions, recitals, productions, or performances, this conversation is a reminder that taking care of yourself is one of the most important investments you can make for your studio. Cara talked about: The difference between teacher exhaustion and burnout, and how to recognize the warning signs before they become overwhelmingWhy competitive dance teachers often wear busyness and overwork as a badge of honorHow intentional rest helps teachers return with more creativity, energy, and purposeWhy planning recovery is just as important as planning the competition seasonHow a rested teacher creates a healthier studio culture and models sustainable habits for dancersThis episode is a reminder that the strongest dance teachers aren't the ones who never stop working. They're the ones who know when it's time to pause, recover, and return with renewed purpose. Burnout isn't a sign that you care too much. It's a sign that you've been pouring into everyone else for too long without refilling your own cup. As you prepare for the next season, give yourself permission to rest with intention. Your creativity, leadership, and your dancers will all benefit from the teacher who comes back restored instead of simply exhausted. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

  6. Jul 14

    EP 53: The Nationals Debrief

    Nationals are over, but the real opportunity is just beginning. Learn how to turn judges' critiques into a strategy that transforms your next competition season. In Episode 53 of It's All Relative, Cara Dixon shares why Nationals feedback may be the most valuable resource dance teachers and studio owners aren't fully using. While many studios celebrate awards and rankings before shifting into summer mode, Cara explains why competition critiques, dance adjudication feedback, and judges' comments can become the blueprint for stronger technique, better choreography, and more intentional dance training. Rather than focusing only on scores, this episode teaches you how to identify patterns in competition feedback, uncover the root cause behind recurring corrections, and build a dance training curriculum that prepares dancers for an even stronger season ahead. If you're a studio owner, dance teacher, or competitive dance coach, this episode will help you transform Nationals into your biggest learning opportunity. Cara talked about: Why Nationals feedback is one of the most valuable tools for improving dance technique and studio trainingHow to identify recurring patterns in judges' critiques instead of focusing on individual routinesThe difference between aesthetic corrections and root-cause technique correctionsHow to transform competition feedback into a structured dance curriculum for the next seasonWhy strengthening dance fundamentals before choreography leads to stronger competition performances 5 Key Takeaways from Cara Review your Nationals feedback with fresh eyes. Don't just listen for scores. Compare Regionals and Nationals critiques to identify repeated corrections and technical patterns across your dancers.Look beyond the correction itself. Ask whether a judge's comment is an aesthetic correction or whether it's revealing a deeper technical issue, such as alignment, pelvic placement, turnout, or muscular engagement.Turn critique into curriculum. Instead of drilling choreography, build your next season's technique classes around the recurring fundamentals that judges consistently identified.Train the foundation before the choreography. Use the summer and early months of the season to rebuild technique, alignment, breath, timing, and movement quality before adding performance demands.Use outside feedback as an advantage.  Judges provide an unbiased perspective. Rather than viewing critiques as criticism, use them to refine your training system and create measurable growth for the next competition season..Nationals should never be the finish line. They should be the starting point for your next level of growth. The most successful studios aren't simply collecting trophies. They're collecting data, recognizing patterns, and using every piece of feedback to create smarter training and stronger dancers. By shifting your mindset from scores to strategy, you'll enter the next competition season with greater clarity, stronger technique, and a curriculum designed to help every dancer reach their highest potential. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

  7. Jul 7

    EP 52: The Art of Showing Up

    Great dance teachers don't just teach technique. They shape confidence, character, and lives. This episode explores the art of showing up and why your influence reaches far beyond the dance studio. In Episode 52 of It's All Relative, Cara Dixon takes a break from teaching dance technique to celebrate something equally important: the art of being a great dance teacher. Through personal stories, teaching experiences, and practical classroom strategies, Cara reminds dance educators that their greatest impact often comes from the moments no one sees. Whether you're a dance teacher, studio owner, or dance educator, this episode explores how effective dance teaching, dance teacher leadership, and student mentorship go beyond corrections and choreography. Learn how consistency, patience, encouragement, and intentional teaching create dancers who grow both technically and personally. Cara talked about: Why teaching dance is a unique skill that goes far beyond being a talented dancerHow great dance teachers study both movement and the individual behind the movementThe often overlooked teaching skills that build trust, confidence, and long-term dancer growthWhy consistency, patience, and positive correction have a lasting impact on dancersHow intentional leadership shapes not only stronger dancers but stronger people 4 Practical Teaching Tips from Cara: Reset the energy of the room by using simple activities or breathing exercises when dancers need to refocus.Replace "no" with "let's try this" to make dance corrections more encouraging and solution-oriented.End every class with a meaningful closing ritual that helps dancers reflect, connect, and leave with purpose.Practice regular teacher self-reflection by celebrating your wins and identifying moments that made a difference in your students' growth.If this episode encouraged you, take a moment to reflect on the teacher who changed your life and remember that, for many of your students, you're becoming that person too. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

  8. Jun 30

    EP 51: The 3 Shifts That Happen Inside RM Live (That You Can't Get Online)

    Why do some breakthroughs only happen in person? Discover the three transformational shifts that help dance teachers build confidence, strengthen technique, and become more impactful educators at RM Live. In Episode 51 of It's All Relative, Cara Dixon explores why in-person dance teacher training creates breakthroughs that simply can't be replicated through online learning. While online education offers convenience and flexibility, Cara shares why RM Live provides something even more valuable: real-time coaching, hands-on learning, meaningful community, and renewed confidence as a dance educator. Through years of teaching, certifications, and working with dance studios across the country, Cara reveals the three internal shifts that consistently happen inside RM Live. If you're a dance teacher, studio owner, or dance educator looking to improve your teaching, strengthen your dance technique instruction, and gain confidence in the classroom, this episode will show you why learning in person can completely transform the way you teach. Cara talked about: Why in-person dance teacher training creates breakthroughs that online learning cannot replicateThe three transformational shifts teachers experience inside RM LiveHow hands-on coaching helps teachers move from understanding dance technique to truly feeling and teaching itWhy community, collaboration, and shared experiences accelerate growth for dance educatorsHow confidence in your teaching voice directly impacts dancer confidence, technique, and long-term success 3 Transformational Shifts from RM Live: From knowing to feeling by experiencing dance technique firsthand instead of only understanding it intellectually.From isolation to community by connecting with dance teachers who share similar challenges, goals, and experiences.From self-doubt to teaching with confidence through personalized coaching, real-time feedback, and practical curriculum development.RM Live is more than a dance teacher conference. It's an immersive experience designed to help educators grow in confidence, refine their teaching, and create lasting change in their studios. When teachers experience technique, receive personal feedback, and build meaningful relationships with other educators, they return home equipped to inspire stronger, more confident dancers. Ready to experience these three transformational shifts for yourself? Learn more about RM Live 2026 and reserve your spot at www.therelativemotionexperience.com/rmlive2026. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

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About

The podcast for dance teachers and studio owners who are looking to go behind the scenes in the dance industry and discover strategy and success in everything from studio to stage 

Information

  • Creator
    Relative Motion
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 It's All Relative
  • Show Website
    It's All Relative