larkadmin – Larkspur Dance

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Teri Rowe’s dance team experience goes way back! She has coached and judged dance teams at the middle school, high school, college and all-star levels for over 30 years. Her teams earned numerous state, national and world championships, and she has also served as the President and Vice President of the Washington State Dance/Drill Coaches…

On this episode of the podcast I talked with my dear friend Brett Elder. Brett and I go waaaaaay back. I busted him when he was a coach and I was a camp instructor and he broke the rule about getting food delivered to the dorm. He eventually started working for the company, and the…

When Carrie Smith offered to interview me so I could be the one to share my dance story, I was honored and thrilled! And then I was nervous. Right before I pushed send on the call where we were going to record the episode, I felt downright nauseous. A huge shoutout to any of the…

Kathryn teaches a pom sideline to Sweet Child of Mine, but it will fit a variety of songs.

We are so pleased to be partnering with Support Fund, a fantastic fundraising opportunity for teams that not only raises money, but also teaches team members valuable life skills! Below is an interview I did with Jacob Kent of Support Fund that highlights what this great company has to offer teams and coaches. Melanie: Our…

Have you noticed yet that dancers are a specific type of athlete and that they should be trained like one? At Dancer-fitness.com you can find hundreds of exercises and training plans designed exclusively for dancers. Whether its for more consistent turns, higher jumps or a stronger core, from beginner to advanced, dancer-fitness.com has you covered.…

In Your Parents Basement Productions is one of the industry leaders in music production for dance teams with unbeatable pricing and top notch quality music! Sept 4th – Nov 4th $40 off all music mixes! inyourparentsbasement.com IYPBProductions is a music production company that specializes in music for dance teams! We aim to provide a high…

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Karl Mundt has choreographed some of the most beautiful and memorable national championship routines for so many teams at the high school and college level. Not only is he amazingly talented, he is also amazingly generous and humble. I picked his brain and he provided so much knowledge and information! We talked about his dance…

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I’m joined by Carrie Smith, who was kind enough to offer up her services as interviewer so that I could finally share my own dance story, along with advice and tidbits of info that I’ve learned along the way. We talk about how I got started, my high school and college experiences, teaching dance camps…

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The first episode for Season 3 of the Larkspur Dance & Choreography will be uploaded next Tuesday, September 15th! Here’s a little preview of what to expect for our third season!

Courtney teaches a fun kick combo to Icona Pop’s Clap Snap!

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It’s just me, Melanie, on the podcast today sharing what has inspired me during the pandemic and some more coping mechanisms. I got such a positive response to the first episode I did where it was just me, so I decided to share some more things that have really helped me. So glad others are…

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Carrie Smith’s dance team experience is vast, and includes coaching at Carlsbad High School and San Diego State, working for UDA for many years, and starting the National Dance Coaches Association. She is the perfect combination of insightful and hilarious, and there’s no question that she is amazingly generous and loves talking dance team and…

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For this episode, it’s just me, Melanie, sharing what I have done to cope with the pandemic for myself and my family, in hopes that this might help someone else.

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Toya Ambrose’s dance team experience is vast, including the University of Memphis Pom Squad and with NBA’s Chicago Luvabulls and Memphis Grizzlies. Toya was the Head Coach of the University of Connecticut (UCONN) Dance, Cheerleading, and Mascot Teams, and also the former Head Coach of the 2-time National Champion University of Illinois at Chicago Dancing…

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Andie Stitt has loads of experience in studio dance and has traveled extensively with conventions and teaching. She graduated with a degree in dance from Wichita State and is currently a dance teacher at the University of Kansas. Her choreography has won numerous awards at the local, state and national level. I chat with her…

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Rachel Levetzow, coach of the Ole Miss Rebelettes, talks about how they’ve gotten creative during this pandemic to keep the wheels turning for their team. Her dance story is full of great lessons for all of us. She also shares tips on game day, competition, team culture, cleaning routines, planning your dance year, and shares…

1-DAY CLINICS 2020 View this email in your browser Hi everybody! This is Melanie Dailey with Larkspur Dance & Choreography. I hope you all are staying safe and finding new ways to navigate these unprecedented circumstances. Normally at this time, I would have released information about our summer clinics. We do have host school…

It’s my absolute pleasure to provide line dance instruction for the National Dance Coaches Association Conference in Nashville! I love this organization and the support it gives to the dance team community. And I’m thrilled that the conference will be in Nashville this year! I love that city because a really fun part of my…

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Britney Hinote has a ton of dance team experience both at the high school and college level, and is currently the head coach for the UMKC Dance Team. She shares all kinds of insight and advice on handling this uncertain time, building a great program, choreography, routine cleaning, and improving technical skills.

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This podcast episode with former University of Wisconsin coach Jenna Schneider could not have come at a better time! With her background in public health and her completion of the University of Wisconsin Professional Coaching Cohort in 2019, she is launching Jenna Schneider Coaching and will continue to advise and inspire individuals as they strive…

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David Moore has years of experience in many different forms of performing arts: studio, band, color guard, dance team, and professional dance. He’s full of stories, lessons, and advice on taking class, choreography, and improving performances.

The dance community has been dealt quite a blow with the cancellation of contests around the country. I’d still love to connect with you all through this thing that we love, so I’ve created the first playlist in a series I’ve entitled The Social Distancing Showdown. Like a handful of us still active in…

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Chasity Tyus danced on two of the best teams in Missouri and is currently the head coach of the Florida State University Golden Girls. We talk about how she followed her dream to become FSU’s coach, and she gives great advice on cleaning routines, preparing for competition and being true to yourself and your team.…

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Cyndi Kraemer has been involved in dance team for many years and during that time she has been a dancer, coach, judge and dance team association board member. During this busy time of the season, we often lose track of what’s important, and my chat with Cyndi is just what we need to get us…

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This is a continuation of a very important conversation I had with my friend and former college dance teammate, Nicole Jacobs Silvey. We finished up our talk on diversity, and she also gives some great advice that she utilizes with her clients through her company, Connection Coach LLC. Nicole’s recommended diversity resources: http://www.racialjustice.org https://www.racialequityinstitute.com…

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Kimberly Campbell has many years of dance team experience as a performer, instructor, choreographer, coach and judge. She shares all kinds of advice and insight on building or rebuilding a team, improving choreo and performances, what it was like to be on the first national championship Lindenwood team, and many times the only person of…

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Lynsey Payne is the head dance team coach at Baker University and has built this program into one of the top competitive teams in the NAIA. We talk about how she has done that through recruiting, team culture, practice schedule and structure, conditioning, and fostering leadership. We also talk about the strides the NAIA has…

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Dr. Chelsea Pierotti has been utilizing her coaching experience and PhD in Sports Psychology to help coaches and dance teams all over the country. We talk about coaching philosophy, accountability, choosing leaders, punishment, building confidence and mental preparation. Her website is filled with all kinds of helpful info. passionatecoach.com

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Shelley McCain has been a dance team coach for over 30 years and has built one of the strongest programs in Missouri at Lee’s Summit North. She’s also a longtime executive board member of the Missouri Dance Team Association and is relied upon by so many of its members as a mentor and friend. She…

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I attended the NDCA Conference again this past year and had another fantastic experience learning and connecting with other dance team people! For this recap I’m joined by Lynsey Payne, dance team coach at Baker University, who attended the conference as well. We go through our notes and share all the inspiration, knowledge, tips and…

Larkspur Dance & Choreography is pleased to provide this new opportunity for high school dancers in Missouri and Kansas! Why attend the College Dance Team Expo? Learn collegiate level material from dancers on talented and successful college dance teams! Get valuable feedback from college dancers and coaches that will help prepare…

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Susan Dustin was on her pom team in high school, became a Golden Girl at the University of Missouri, and then spent the next several years as a professional dancer at Disney, Branson, Las Vegas, on a cruise ship, and then finally as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette in New York. She shares behind…

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A lawsuit that was filed by a dancer against a local school district accusing a dance team coach of discrimination rocked the dance team world and gained national attention. In an effort to contribute productive and proactive ideas, I sit down and chat with my friend Nicole Jacobs Silvey. Nicole is a philanthropist, activist, successful…

Solo Schedule Team Schedule Solos/Duos/Ensembles Results Team Results

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Get ready for lessons in dance team history and geography and loads of great tips from one of the most astute and helpful judges I know! Julie was a member of the first Lindbergh Flyerettes team to compete nationally. She shares from her wealth of knowledge and experience and passes on her guiding philosophy.

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Melissa McGhee is the coach of two time national champions The Ohio State University Dance Team. Get ready to be inspired by this humble, hard working, down to earth, helpful and generous coach as she talks about team culture, preparing for competition and the surprising source of support that she leans on year after year.…

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Nick Clement is the owner of NKC Choreography, which specializes in high kick intensives and pom, kick and team performance choreography. Nick is a former Disney dancer, but now works full time with dance teams and has been an instrumental part in the success of many teams on the national level. He shares so many…

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Many, many years ago, I, too, was a dance team coach! On this episode of the podcast, I sit down and chat with one of my former dancers, Gina Artese. Gina is a professional dancer and actress in New York, with an impressive resume that includes Black Swan, Center Stage, 30 Rock, and The Unbreakable…

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One of the first people who came to my mind for an interview when we started this podcast was Erin Alvarado, head coach for the Texas Tech Pom Squad, and I’m so glad she agreed to do it! You will be too, because she knows a ton about about building a successful program, and she’s…

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I can’t think of a better way to wrap up Season 1 of the podcast than by having a chat with Valerie Potsos, coach of the University of Michigan Dance Team! This experienced and down-to-earth expert gave a ton of insight, advice, and practical tips that can be applied to any team at any level.…

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There was a reunion of epic proportions in St. Louis this month! I got to see my longtime friend for the first time since ’95! It was great catching up with April, and she was kind enough to sit down and record an episode with me, passing along all kinds of great advice and insight…

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Gail Holder has been involved in the dance team world for over 40 years as a performer, instructor, coach, contest director and judge. Dance team has always been an avenue for her to help, educate and inspire. She’ll share advice and insight on dealing with rejection, how to approach competitions, and teaching leadership skills to…

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Just in time for tryouts, Kathryn from Avila and Briana from UMKC will give you tips and insight on preparing mentally and physically for and succeeding during auditions. We also delve into the major differences between high school dance team and college, what to do if you’re injured or burnt out, and they also offer…

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Kara coached the Eureka Golden Line for almost two decades leading them to placements at the state and national level. She has some great insight on delegating, what made her teams successful, the proper mindset in your dealings with parents, and how to build leaders.

We’re excited to be partnering with the Sion Storm Dance Team and the Oak Park Pommies to host 2 one day clinics!

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Jenny is head coach of the University of Iowa Dance Team, but got her start on amazing teams like Wayzata and the University of Minnesota. She shares her perspective on the hands-on and practical details of coaching like planning your year and cleaning routines, but we also delve into what she considers to be the…