Coach Approach: Coach with Pressure, Not Stress
Part of being a competitive athlete is the stress/pressure that comes with preparation & competition. How we nurture these in our team culture can create an environment that cultivates growth or one that impedes it.
Your Musicality Sundae: A Sweet Strategy for Bringing Music to Life
In competitive dance, musicality can be broken down into two categories: artistry and execution. I like to think of the creation and execution of routine musicality as the “Ultimate Sundae.”
DANCER CHECK-IN: From Practice to Progress: Your #1 Dance Reflection Journal Prompt
Use a reflection journal to help focus on the journey, keeping track of growth because looking at your success AS A WHOLE and not just an end goal, allows an individual to see the merit in even the tiniest improvements!
MINDSET CHECK: Remembering Why You Coach: Leading with Purpose in Dance
Coaching dance isn’t just about winning trophies or perfecting routines. It’s about leading with purpose and remembering the heart behind what you do.
The Dance Team Coach’s Guide to Cleaning Routines
How to organize, what to look for, and different ideas for drilling and setting routines across all styles.
DANCER CHECK-IN: THE POWER OF TEAM REFLECTION
Coaching isn’t just about perfecting routines, it’s about understanding your team. Learn how one quick reflection activity can reveal what your dancers really need right now.
PERFORMANCE TIPS: The Emotion Factor- Turning Choreography into Connection
Nailing the steps is one thing, but connecting your heart to the audience is what makes a performance unforgettable. Movement tells the story, but emotions give it life.
MINDSET CHECK: Remembering Why You Dance- The Power of Purpose in Movement
As the season goes on and practices get tougher, it’s easy to lose sight of that WHY. Between long practices, endless cleaning sessions, & the pressure to perfect every formation and count, the spark that started it all can begin to fade.
Here are 5 reasons why remembering your WHY is so important…
TEAM BONDING: APPRECIATION PARCEL
This holiday season, why not take a break from the grind and do an activity to show each person how they are VALUED as an individual in your dance program by creating APPRECIATION PARCELS.
DANCER CHECK-IN: “GOAL SETTING: ONE MONTH, ONE GOAL CHECK-IN TIME!”
How did you do from the goal you set in October? What do you need to modify? It’s time to get out those journals and check in!
It’s time to get out those journals and check in!
JUDGE APPROACH: “THE WORD PROBLEM”
To all my fellow judges, if I could give one piece of advice it would be to GIVE DETAILED, CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK! This month, Let’s address the why and the how!
MINDSET CHECK: “BALANCING ACCEPTANCE & AMBITION”
Finding the balance between accepting your current role on the team & pushing for more is absolutely possible with the right mindset & focus.
Save this post for when you need a reminder to stay focused, humble, and hungry to grow!
TEAM BONDING: THE COMMUNICATION GAME
Here’s a fun game to play with your team to work on communication!
DANCER CHECK-IN- “ONE MONTH, ONE GOAL!”
This month, let’s visit one of your long-term goals and commit to the immediate goals needed to get the process started. We will do a check in next month to see how we are progressing!
Time to get out those journals!
MINDSET CHECK: PERSONAL POWER STATEMENTS
Preparing your mental game is just as important as your physical game. Unlocking the power of the mind will take your training & performance to the next level & beyond!
CREATING AN IMPACTFUL ROUTINE (PART 3)
Welcome to Part III of Creating Impactful Routines. In this blog post, we will continue to discuss some of my pro tips to help you focus in on what I’ve found to be helpful in building a solid and successful routine. After all, the ROUTINE(S) is what the season revolves around.
CREATING AN IMPACTFUL ROUTINE (PART 2)
Welcome to Part 2 of Creating Impactful Routines. Last post we discussed using all 4 quadrants on the floor, viewing the routine from the judges’/audience’s viewpoint, and the use of coordinated visual interest. If you want to revisit these topics check out Part I (September 15, 2025).
DANCER CHECK-IN: “WHAT IS MY INFLUENCE?”
We all make a difference in our team culture. Whether through words or actions. Whether big, small, loud, or subtle.
How can you make a difference in your team culture?
CREATING AN IMPACTFUL ROUTINE (PART I)
With over three decades of creating and judging for the dance team industry, I’ve learned A LOT!
I’ve created winning routines & I’ve had a few, well…let’s call them learning experiences!
In this blog post, I’ll share some of my pro tips to help you focus in on what I’ve found to be helpful in building a solid & successful routine. After all, the ROUTINE(S) is what the season revolves around.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
“I have multiple upper classmen on my team, what are some leadership positions I can assign besides captains?”