It's All Relative

Relative Motion
  • 5.0 (5)
  • 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. 3D AGO

    Ep 36: The Recipe For Success with Kenny Borchard | Part 2

    In this continuation of the conversation, the focus shifts from what dancers do to how they do it and why that difference is everything. The discussion highlights a common gap in training: dancers often wait until the last run to fully perform. But in real-world settings like auditions, that “final moment” might never come. The takeaway is simple. Performance is not a switch. It is a habit. This episode dives into the powerful idea that dancers are not half artist and half athlete, but 100% both at all times. From warmups to full-out combinations, artistry and technique should be developed together, not separately. You’ll also hear insights on: Why “marking” should still include intention, energy, and presenceHow transitions, not tricks, are where dancers truly connect with an audienceThe importance of training dynamics, textures, and movement quality from the very beginning of classHow shifting feedback beyond just technique can transform a dancer’s performanceThe conversation expands into what sets workshops apart, especially in helping dancers learn how to learn, build confidence quickly, and understand the realities of a professional dance career. Key Takeaways & Tips Perform every time. Don’t wait for the last run. Treat every rep like it counts.Train artistry early. Your warmup is part of your performance training.Full-out doesn’t mean reckless. Even when marking, keep energy, intention, and expression alive.Master the in-betweens. Transitions are where connection and storytelling happen.Use texture as a tool. Think of cement, water, peanut butter, and clouds to create contrast in movement.Strengthen your foundation. Focus on foot articulation, coupé, and passé across positions such as standing, floor, and plank.Balance versatility with focus. Explore styles but invest deeply in the ones aligned with your goals.Build confidence through voice. Speaking up in class helps dancers grow beyond technique.When dancers stop separating technique from artistry, everything changes. Training becomes performance. Movement becomes storytelling. And that’s when dancers don’t just execute. They connect, captivate, and get remembered. Connect with Kenny: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennyspic3/?hl=en Website: https://www.joffreyballetschool.com/kenny-borchard/ — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

    24 min

  2. MAR 10

    Ep 35: The Recipe For Success with Kenny Borchard | Part 1

    What Does It Really Take to Build a Successful Dancer? What separates a dancer who plateaus from one who keeps growing? According to Kenny Borchard, executive director of the Joffrey Workshops and artistic director of the Joffrey Ballet School's Dallas Summer Intensive, it comes down to three ingredients. And if even one is missing, the whole recipe falls flat. In Part 1 of this conversation, Cara sits down with Kenny to unpack what he's observed traveling to over 50 schools across the U.S., Switzerland, and Australia, and what it's taught him about the state of dance training today. What You'll Learn in This Episode The Joffrey Workshop pipeline. Kenny breaks down how his weekend workshops connect directly to audition opportunities for the Joffrey Ballet School's summer intensives, and why that continuity matters for both dancers and studio owners. The three-part recipe for dancer success. Hours in the studio, quality of instruction, and student willingness. Kenny explains why you can't rely on just one, and what accountability looks like for teachers and students alike. What auditors are actually watching. Spoiler: it's not just your technique. Kenny shares what stands out (positively and negatively) the moment a dancer walks in the room, and why energy and presence can make or break an audition. The performance quality gap. Why training at 80% and expecting 110% on stage isn't just ineffective. It's also a recipe for injury. Key Takeaways Studio culture varies wildly by region, but the success formula doesn'tTeachers have a responsibility to keep training up, not just their studentsInfusing performance quality while learning, not after, closes the gap between rehearsal and stageReady to Bring This Into Your Studio? Share this episode with your dancers and fellow teachers. And if you want to learn more about the Joffrey Workshops, visit their website to explore upcoming workshop dates near you. Connect with Kenny: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennyspic3/?hl=en Website: https://www.joffreyballetschool.com/kenny-borchard/ — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

    24 min

  3. MAR 3

    Ep 34: The Injury Process

    In this deeply personal episode, Cara shares the unexpected story of tearing her ACL while teaching, and the powerful lessons that unfolded in the weeks that followed. What began as a physical injury quickly became a real-time study in mindset, belief, and leadership. From the initial diagnosis to the emotional spiral that followed the MRI results, Cara walks through how quickly the mind can either weaken or strengthen the body. But this episode isn’t just about an ACL tear.  It’s about what we fuel our dancers with every single day. Because the way we talk about injury, correction, potential, and possibility directly shapes how our dancers respond, physically and mentally. In This Episode, Cara Talks About: What happened the moment her knee gave out while teachingThe difference between symptoms, scans, and self-beliefHow mindset immediately impacted physical strength and stabilityThe emotional rollercoaster between diagnosis and surgeon consultationWhy belief is one of the most powerful training tools we haveThe responsibility teachers carry in shaping dancer confidenceInjury reduction vs. injury preventionWhy foundational strength protects dancers long before injury occursLeadership Takeaways for Teachers 1. Belief fuels performance. Small wins must be acknowledged and celebrated. Progress builds physical response. 2. Be careful what you label as permanent. The language surrounding injury, setbacks, or limitations matters deeply. 3. Strength training is non-negotiable. Injury reduction starts long before an injury happens. Quads, hamstrings, hips, ankles, and core strength protect dancers in high-level movement. 4. Proactive beats reactive. Don’t wait for an injury to revisit fundamentals, alignment, and muscle development. 5. Your mindset models theirs. How you process setbacks teaches them how to process their own. Injuries are part of an athlete’s journey. But they don’t have to define it. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

    22 min

  4. FEB 24

    Ep 33: Leading Well Through Stress

    You can’t lead calm, confident dancers if you’re running on empty. This episode is a real conversation for dance teachers and studio owners who are deep in the busiest stretch of the season. Competition weekends, recital preparation, teaching schedules, family life, it all stacks up quickly. Cara pulls the focus back to the one thing most educators forget during stressful seasons: taking care of themselves first. Instead of adding another overwhelming checklist, Cara shares practical mindset shifts and habits that help teachers regulate stress, protect their energy, and model healthy leadership for their dancers. Because students don’t just hear what we say, they watch how we live it. When teachers are nourished, grounded, and intentional, the entire studio environment shifts. Cara talked about: • Why this time of year is often the most stressful season for dance teachers • How dancers mirror the energy, habits, and mindset of their teachers • The difference between knowing what helps and actually applying it • Why stress can show up as real physical symptoms in the body • Reframing healthy habits as rewards instead of obligations • How leadership starts with how you care for yourself Practical Ways to Lead Well Through Stress Move your body in ways you actually enjoy Teaching all day is giving energy, not receiving it. Find movement that restores you. Fuel your body with foods that support your energy Replace stress-driven habits with options you genuinely enjoy and that nourish you. Hydrate consistently Fatigue, cravings, and brain fog are often signs of dehydration. Protect your sleep and nervous system Reduce late-night scrolling and allow your mind real rest. Create a grounded start to your day Even 15 minutes of quiet, prayer, journaling, or reflection resets your mindset. Surround yourself with the right people Your mindset and leadership are shaped by the environments you stay in. Take care of yourself the same way you care for your dancers. The more supported you are, the stronger your studio becomes. You’ve got this!! — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

    19 min

  5. FEB 17

    Ep 32: Getting Dancers to Leave It All On The Floor

    Dancers can’t leave it all on the floor if they’ve never given it in the studio first. In this episode, Cara breaks down what it really means to ask dancers to “leave it all on the floor.” She challenges dance teachers and studio owners to rethink performance expectations, rehearsal habits, choreography choices, and technique training. If you want your competitive dancers to perform with confidence, control, and passion, this conversation is essential. Cara Talked About: Why dancers cannot perform beyond what they consistently execute in rehearsal The difference between hoping adrenaline elevates performance vs. building performance capacity in the studio Choreographing for confidence, especially as competition approaches Why trust in technique is the foundation of authentic stage presence How over-rehearsing without technique class weakens performance quality The injury risk when dancers suddenly “push harder” on stage than they do in practice Why transitions and style are just as technical as turns and leaps The importance of drilling performance quality in rehearsal, not saving it for stage How outside technique master classes reinforce and deepen studio trainingKey Takeaway If dancers are only giving 70–80% in rehearsal, adrenaline on stage won’t magically fix that, it may actually expose weaknesses or increase injury risk. Technique, stamina, performance quality, and stylistic transitions must be trained intentionally and consistently. “Leave it all on the floor” isn’t a last-minute pep talk. It’s the result of disciplined technique training, strategic choreography, and rehearsals where dancers consistently perform at full capacity. Stage performance should never be a surprise, good or bad. When dancers trust their technique, trust their preparation, and have consistently given 100% in the studio, then stepping on stage becomes freedom, not fear. Train it. Rehearse it. Live it in the studio first. Then they can truly leave it all on the floor. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

    20 min

  6. FEB 10

    Ep 31: Crushing the Season as a Competition Mom with Kate Pagano

    In this episode, Cara is joined again by physical therapy assistant Kate Pagano to unpack what true competition mom success actually looks like, and why so much competition-season stress has nothing to do with a dancer’s performance. Together, they explore the emotional patterns, boundaries, and communication habits that can unintentionally add pressure, and how parents can support their dancers in ways that build confidence, resilience, and long-term success. This conversation brings clarity for studios, educators, and families navigating high-stakes competition environments. Cara and Kate talked about: Why competition stress is often driven by adult anxiety, not dancer readiness.How competition moms can unintentionally carry their dancer’s wins and losses.The difference between supportive involvement and emotional over-identification.Why a parent’s nervous system directly impacts a dancer’s experience.How clear studio boundaries reduce tension during competition season.What real success looks like beyond placements and awards.Key Tips for Competition Moms: Regulate yourself before trying to regulate your dancer.Let the studio lead technique and training.Give dancers space after performing instead of immediate feedback.Separate identity from results.Trust the long-term development process.Competition mom success isn’t about control, it’s about clarity. When parents stay grounded, respect boundaries, and trust the process, dancers gain confidence, independence, and longevity in the art form. The strongest competitive dancers are supported by calm, consistent adults who know when to lean in, and when to step back. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

    26 min

  7. FEB 3

    Ep 30: Pinpointing Technique 'Symptoms' vs Diagnosing Injuries with kate Pagano

    In this episode, Cara is joined again by physical therapy assistant Kate Pagano to break down a critical distinction every dance teacher needs to understand: the difference between technique symptoms, root causes, and actual injuries. Together, they unpack why repeating surface-level corrections doesn’t create change, how misreading pain can lead to injury, and where the teacher’s responsibility must end. This conversation brings clarity, boundaries, and smarter strategy to technique training, especially during competition season. Cara talked about: Why most common corrections (straighten your knees, stretch your feet) are symptoms, not solutions.How repeating the same corrections signals that the root cause isn’t being addressed.The difference between surface-level feedback and deeper classroom responsibility.Why dancers’ anatomy, mobility, and strength patterns vary, and must be considered.How poor cueing keeps dancers stuck on a correction treadmill.The danger of teachers overstepping into diagnosing injuries.Where the line exists between training technique and medical responsibility. Key Teaching & Safety Tips: Ask why a correction isn’t sticking before repeating it again.Look for patterns across dancers, not just individual issues.Teach dancers the difference between effort, discomfort, and injury pain.Stop training when pain is sharp, sudden, or limiting movement.Refer dancers out early instead of letting injuries linger.Maintain clear boundaries: teachers train technique, clinicians diagnose injuries.When teachers stop chasing symptoms and start asking better questions, dancers become safer, stronger, and more resilient. You don’t need to diagnose, you need to notice, respond, and refer when necessary. That clarity protects dancers, teachers, and the long-term health of your studio. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

    31 min

  8. JAN 27

    Ep 29: When Competition Judges Get It 'Wrong'

    When competition results don’t match what you saw on stage, here’s why it happens and how to win anyway. In this episode, Cara breaks down one of the most frustrating moments for dance teachers and studio owners: when competition results don’t align with what was performed. Instead of reacting emotionally or placing blame, Cara walks listeners through the real mechanics of judging, the human limitations behind the table, and the systems that influence scores. This conversation reframes competition results as data, not definitions, and gives educators a grounded way to support dancers while still pushing technical growth. Cara talked about: How subjectivity and objectivity collide in dance competition judging.The reality that judges are human, making hundreds of decisions across long, exhausting days.How category size, performance order, and visual comparison affect scoring.Why two qualified judges can score the same routine very differently.How competition scoring systems and alignment methods impact final placements.Why scores are often the least accurate measure of dancer development.Key Takeaways & Teaching Tips: Shift focus from placements to written critiques and audio feedback.Look for patterns across adjudications, not one-off comments.Choose specific technical priorities instead of reacting to every note.Reinforce strengths mentioned by judges, not just corrections.Keep competition conversations calm, factual, and growth-focused.Use technique class to address issues, not rehearsals.Help dancers understand that competition is information, not identity.At the end of the day, competitions are a snapshot, not the full picture. Scores don’t define your dancers, your teaching, or your studio’s success. When judges get it wrong, the real work is helping dancers stay confident, curious, and committed to growth. Use competition as a tool, not a verdict, and keep your focus where it belongs: strong technique, healthy mindset, and long-term development. — Connect with us! 🎧 Relative Motion: https://www.instagram.com/relativemotiondance/ Youtube Relative Motion: https://www.youtube.com/@relative_motion

    22 min
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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
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 It's All Relative
  • Show Website
    It's All Relative