Beyond the 8 Count

Paige and Brianne
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Beyond the 8 Count is where the dance world gets real. Hosted by sisters, studio owners, and competition directors Paige and Brianne, we dive into the stories, challenges, and conversations that happen behind the scenes of dance. From studio ownership and competition life to teaching, choreography, and the moments nobody talks about, we're saying what everyone is thinking. Whether you're a dance teacher, studio owner, dancer, or dance parent, you'll find honest conversations, plenty of laughs, and an inside look at the industry we love.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Ep. 6 The Dance Competition Stories We Probably Shouldn’t Tell — Part 2

    Part 2 The dance competition chaos continues, and somehow, the stories get even crazier. In Part 2, Paige and Brianne are back with more of the wild, hilarious, frustrating, and completely unbelievable things they’ve witnessed behind the scenes at dance competitions. What happens when competition gets a little too competitive? From parents crossing the line to questionable tactics, judging frustrations, backstage drama, and moments that leave you wondering, “Did that seriously just happen?” we’re talking about the side of dance competitions that you definitely don’t see from the audience. In this episode, we get into: • When competitive parents take things way too far• A shocking story involving a mom, another dancer, and alleged sabotage• The pressure dancers, teachers, and studio owners feel on competition weekends• Judging decisions that leave everyone scratching their heads• Backstage chaos and the things that happen when emotions are running HIGH• Why winning should never become more important than the dancers themselves After years as dancers, teachers, studio owners, judges, and competition owners, we’ve seen A LOT, and we have the stories to prove it. If you’ve ever competed, taught, owned a studio, sat in the audience as a dance parent, or spent an entire weekend living out of a dressing room… this episode is for you. And trust us....you really can’t make this stuff up. 🎧 Listen to Part 1 first, then come back for even more untold dance competition chaos in Part 2. Want to be featured on a future episode? Send us your questions, crazy dance stories, unpopular opinions, or spill the tea at Beyond the 8 Count.

  2. Aug 21

    Ep. 5 The Untold Chaos Behind Dance Competitions That Will Make You Question Everything - Part 1

    Part 1 You see the trophies, rhinestones, costumes, and packed auditoriums, but what actually happens behind the scenes of a dance competition? In this episode of Beyond the 8 Count, sisters Paige and Brianne are spilling the stories from behind the curtain at Dance Nation Competitions. And when you’re the ones running the competition, you see everything. From the chaos happening backstage to studio owners, judges, dancers, parents, technical problems, last-minute changes, and those moments that make you stop and think, Did that seriously just happen? Competition weekends are never boring. Paige and Brianne share some of their favorite, funniest, craziest, and most memorable stories from running Dance Nation and talk about what it actually takes to pull off a dance competition. In this episode, we get into: • The things that go wrong behind the scenes that the audience never sees• The absolute chaos of competition day• Funny and unforgettable interactions with dancers, teachers, judges, and studio owners• What it's really like being the competition director when everyone needs something at once• The pressure dancers feel when they step onto that stage• Why some of the smallest moments end up becoming the most memorable ones• The relationships we've built with studios throughout the years• The stories that could ONLY happen at a dance competition Because competitive dance isn't just scores, placements, and trophies. Behind every routine is a dancer who worked for months to get there, a teacher holding their breath in the wings, a parent somewhere in the audience, and a competition staff trying to make sure nobody realizes something is going completely off the rails backstage. If you've ever competed, taught, owned a studio, been a dance parent, judged a competition, or you've just wondered what REALLY happens behind the curtain.....this one's for you. Come backstage with us. We're spilling the Dance Nation tea. 👀 Listen to Beyond the 8 Count and follow along for more unfiltered stories from inside the dance world.

  3. Aug 14

    Ep. 4 We Thought We Could Run a Dance Competition Better… So We Did

    What does it REALLY take to start and run a dance competition? Turns out… a lot more than we thought! In this episode of Beyond the 8 Count, Paige and Brianne are taking you behind the scenes of how Dance Nation Competitions actually started. From Paige sitting at a competition thinking, “I could run this better,” to somehow turning that thought into an actual business. And, of course, it didn't exactly go smoothly. We're talking about the things you DON'T see from the audience: finding venues, hiring judges, organizing awards, building schedules, dealing with studios, solving problems on the fly, and what happens when everything goes completely off the rails. Including the time Paige injured her knee and somehow ended up leaving the studio in an ambulance, with her first competition only a couple weeks away! In this episode, we're talking about: • How the idea for Dance Nation actually started• What nobody tells you about running a dance competition• The mistakes we made in the beginning• Why having the right people around you changes everything• The absolute chaos that can happen behind the scenes• What we've learned after years of running competitions If you're a studio owner, dance teacher, competition director, dance parent, or just someone who wants to know what REALLY happens behind the curtain, this one's for you. Because the dancers might see a stage, judges and trophies… But behind that curtain? It's a whole different story. Listen now to Beyond the 8 Count.

  4. Aug 8

    Ep. 3 The Story We've Never Told Until Now

    In the world of dance, betrayal can shatter not just careers but also the very passion that fuels them. In this gripping episode, our hosts delve into the emotional turmoil of navigating a studio filled with hidden agendas and loyalty tests. If you've ever faced betrayal in your professional life, this conversation is a must-listen. Join Paige and Brianne as they share their harrowing journey from trusted colleagues to unexpected rivals within the dance studio. They open up about a difficult transition period, revealing the complexities of managing relationships with instructors and parents while maintaining a clear vision for their students. With raw honesty, they discuss the red flags they ignored, the lessons learned, and how to rebuild from the ashes of trust broken. You'll discover: The critical signs of loyalty fractures and how to spot them before they escalate. Effective strategies for keeping instructor and student relationships professional to avoid conflicts of interest. Insight into the emotional weight of leadership and the importance of self-worth amidst external chaos. How to foster a supportive environment that encourages growth and respect among students and instructors alike. The stakes are high: ignoring these lessons can lead to not just a toxic work environment but a deep personal impact that can tarnish your passion for what you love. The opportunity to transform your approach to leadership and relationships in your studio is right here. This episode is essential listening for anyone in the dance community or any professional navigating the choppy waters of trust and leadership. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion that not only addresses the pain of betrayal but also offers a roadmap to resilience and renewal.

  5. Aug 1

    Ep. 2 Running a Dance Studio: Boundaries, Backlash & Business

    Running a dance studio isn't just about teaching great dancers. It's about creating a culture where students, parents, and teachers can thrive. In this episode of Beyond the Eight Count, we're having an honest conversation about one of the biggest challenges studio owners face: navigating parent expectations while protecting the culture you've worked so hard to build. We discuss why clear policies matter, how to handle pushback professionally, and what happens when one toxic situation begins affecting an entire studio. We also share our own experiences as studio owners, including lessons we've learned about setting boundaries, making difficult decisions, and staying true to our mission, even when those decisions aren't popular. You'll discover: • Why having a clear mission statement is one of the most important tools a studio owner can have. • How to enforce policies without feeling guilty. • Why saying "no" gets easier, and why it's necessary for a healthy studio culture. • The impact one toxic parent can have on students, teachers, and the overall environment. • How to separate business decisions from personal emotions. • Practical advice for creating a studio culture built on respect, accountability, and trust. Whether you're a studio owner, dance teacher, parent, or someone passionate about the dance industry, this episode offers an honest look at the realities of running a studio and protecting the environment you've worked so hard to create. If you've ever struggled with boundaries, difficult conversations, or maintaining a positive culture, this episode is for you.

  6. Aug 1

    Ep. 1 Introduction: The Surprising Truth About Running a Dance Studio: Lessons from Two Sisters

    Introduction: Dance isn't just about performing on stage. It's about family, sacrifice, business, and sometimes surviving the unexpected. In this first episode of Beyond the Eight Count, sisters Paige and Brianne share the story behind their family's dance legacy, what it was really like growing up in the studio, and the unexpected journey that led Paige to purchase the studio from Brianne. They pull back the curtain on the realities of dance studio ownership, the parts people rarely talk about, including the emotional weight of leading a studio, the challenges of an ownership transition, and why running a successful dance business is so much more than teaching great classes. Along the way, they discuss how their family's dance legacy shaped who they are today, what really goes into owning and operating a dance studio, the emotional highs and lows behind the scenes, the story of how Paige unexpectedly became the studio owner, and the biggest misconceptions about studio ownership and the dance industry. They also share lessons they've learned that can benefit dance parents, teachers, studio owners, and anyone considering opening their own studio. Whether you're a dance parent, studio owner, instructor, competitor, or simply curious about what happens behind the curtain, this episode offers an honest look at the passion, challenges, and realities of life in the dance world. This is just the beginning of the conversations the dance industry has been waiting to have.

  • 6 Episodes

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Beyond the 8 Count is where the dance world gets real. Hosted by sisters, studio owners, and competition directors Paige and Brianne, we dive into the stories, challenges, and conversations that happen behind the scenes of dance. From studio ownership and competition life to teaching, choreography, and the moments nobody talks about, we're saying what everyone is thinking. Whether you're a dance teacher, studio owner, dancer, or dance parent, you'll find honest conversations, plenty of laughs, and an inside look at the industry we love.

Information

  • Creator
    Paige and Brianne
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Paige and Brianne
  • Show Website
    Beyond the 8 Count