FUN & ENTERTAINING CONVERSATIONS FOCUSED ON LIVING OUT OUR DREAM IN THE DANCE EDUCATION WORLD
Rhee Gold with co-host, Laura Giacomelli, host these bi-weekly live-streamed discussions, proudly sponsored by Jackrabbit Dance. Bringing together studio owners, dance educators and legends in the industry, Rhee leads engaging conversations that will help you laugh, learn and truly experience the passion and joy of the dance life.
OUR MOST RECENT BROADCASTS
Living the Dream Episode 25 – Mothers in Business
Studio owners who are building a business while raising a family won’t want to miss this conversation. Connie O’Reel and Dee Reusch join us for an honest discussion about women’s business ownership, motherhood, confidence, and real studio life. They’ll share what confidence looks like on an ordinary Tuesday, how they manage doubt without falling apart,…
Living the Dream Episode 24 – Studio Owner Tips
In this episode, Lisa Schmiedeke of Ms. Lisa’s Dance shared how she built a preschool program that truly feeds her studio. She broke down what drives parent buy-in, keeps families enrolled, and creates sustainable class structures that support long-term growth. Sponsored by Jackrabbit Dance.
Living the Dream Episode 23 – Growing Your Legacy
In this episode we sit down with April Nelson of Spisak Dance Academy—Arizona’s longest-running dance school with a legacy that spans generations. From 1960 to today, Spisak Dance Academy has embraced timeless values and evolving trends. April will share stories of inheriting the studio from her mother, building a loyal team of homegrown educators, and…
Living the Dream Episode 22 – Exploring Asase Yaa
In this episode we welcome two inspiring leaders from Brooklyn’s Asase Yaa School of the Arts: Zakiya Harris, Artistic Director, and Kofi Osei Williams, CEO of Asase Yaa Entertainment Group. Through dance, music, and cultural exploration, they’re nurturing young people with confidence, creativity, and heart.
Living the Dream Episode 21 – A Teacher’s Approach
Debbi Dee is a teacher’s teacher and a true technician with unstoppable energy. We’ll explore her approach to teaching, choreography and master‑teaching work. Plus favorite stories from a career on stage, on camera, and in the studio.
Living the Dream Episode 20 – Building a Career with Purpose
From viral stages to international tours, Jason Pickett is bringing real talk on building a career with purpose. Jason is a professional dance educator, choreographer, and founder of No Starving Artists, a company that mentors dancers with mindset, business, and performance strategies.
Living the Dream Episode 19 – More than Steps
From Radio City Music Hall to the BBC, Dre Torres is a tap force to be reckoned with—and she’s joining us for a powerful new episode of Living the Dream. Dancer. Choreographer. Educator. Mentor. Dre brings rhythm, energy, and heart to everything she touches—and now she’s sharing her story with us. We’ll dive into her…
Living the Dream Episode 18 – Positivity and Purpose
We’re at the perfect time of year to pause, reflect, and rejuvenate your dance spirit. Join us for a special Living the Dream edition filled with positivity and purpose.Featuring Meredith Powell, Kiana Simler, Lauren Ritchie and Rebecca Brettingham-Filice – these inspiring voices will explore how to build positive mindsets in the dance classroom and share…
Living the Dream Episode 17 – Leading By Example
We’re heading north for our next Living the Dream as we sit down with successful Canadian studio owner and longtime dance education leader, June Lawrence! From studio stories to leadership lessons, we’re going up close and personal to hear June’s journey, her philosophies, and what she’s learned in a lifetime of living the dream.
Living the Dream Episode 16 – The Magic of the Minis
Join Rhee and Laura for a deep dive with Andrea Trench, creator of Discover Dance, a leading early‑childhood and preschool dance program used worldwide. We’ll talk about her journey as a teacher, business-woman and discover why this is the age level we should be our best at. And we’ll talk about the classroom, too.
Formerly known as Coffee Talk, we’ve rebranded—same real conversations, same Rhee and Laura, now with even more ways to tune in. This is the beginning of something special—and we’d love to have you take this journey with us!
Can’t join us live? Watch previous episodes here or catch the podcast on Apple or Spotify within 2 days of the broadcast.
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Jackrabbit Dance takes the stress out of running your studio - simplify class scheduling, tuition billing, parent communication, reporting, and more. If you’re ready to stop worrying about juggling it all and start focusing on running your studio with ease, get started with Jackrabbit today.
CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS BROADCASTS
Coffee Talk: Season 3, Episode 28
Check out this special Coffee Talk episode featuring Michael Taylor.
Coffee Talk: Season 3, Episode 27
Check out this special Coffee Talk episode featuring Ashley Canterna Hardy
Coffee Talk: Season 3, Episode 26
Check out this special Coffee Talk episode featuring Brian & Faye Foley
Coffee Talk: Season 3, Episode 25
Check out this special Coffee Talk episode featuring Michelle Soutier
Coffee Talk: Season 2, Episode 22
Check out this special Coffee Talk episode featuring Hedy & Liza Perna & Patty & Aubrey Neal
Coffee Talk: Season 2, Episode 21
Check out this special Coffee Talk episode featuring Anna Marie Leo & Ashley Litwin
Coffee Talk: Season 2, Episode 20
Check out this special Coffee Talk episode featuring Drew Burgess, Michael Taylor, and Andrew Nemr.
Coffee Talk: Season 2, Episode 19
Check out this special Coffee Talk episode featuring Melissa Hoffman.
Coffee Talk: Season 2, Episode 18
We are excited to welcome Michelle Loucadoux, representing Danscend, an organization committed to bringing mental wellness to the forefront of performing arts training by providing a space for education, application, and community for performers.