The Naked Truth: Real Talk About West Coast Swing

Disappointment is the sadness or displeasure caused by unfulfilled hopes or expectations, and let’s be honest: we’ve all experienced some disappointment in the dance world. Or frustration. Or demotivation. Or a struggle of some kind. In this episode, we sit down once again with Dr. Divy Ravindranath to discuss how our expectations throughout our dance journeys affect our happiness, our feelings and attitudes about dance, and our behaviors towards others. We begin with a discussion about entitlement – what it is, how it works, and how it plays out in our dance world – before jumping to lots of topics about how we perceive our dance experiences. We chat about competitions, how our perception of good dancing changes as we improve, and the challenges of getting more experienced dancers to ask new people to dance. It’s a broad discussion of a variety of topics with a little something for everyone to enjoy.

footnotes
Dunning-Kruger Effect
Inside Out and Neuroscience

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In the second part of our conversation with these two legends, we get a deeper look at their careers and their influence over the global dance community. They shared their views of how the dance has spread globally and their role in making that happen. They talked about how they grounded their routines in West Coast Swing while also pushing the dance and their own creativity. We asked them whether they are mindful of their dancing when they compete, knowing that so many people are looking to them as examples of the dance. We got into a discussion about knowing your history, understanding the past, and how it informs their teaching today. And finally, they told us the story of how they decided to retire from the Classic division, and where they have been going with their careers since. Lots of honest, heartfelt reflections from two of the greatest dancers of our time.

footnotes
Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollman
Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollman – Viva La Vida
Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollman – Stole the Show
Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake – Groove is in the Heart
Robert Cordoba & Kellese Key – Phantom of the Opera
Ramiro Gonzalez and Sylvia Sykes – Street Swing – US Open 1995
Sonny Watson’s StreetSwing.com

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There is no one in our dance world today who is more accomplished, influential, and iconic than Tatiana Mollmann and Jordan Frisbee. And while we may get the chance to attend one of their workshops, see them perform, or even take a private lesson with them, we don’t often get to hang out and chat with them about their experiences and their views. In this episode, we sit down with the 11-time US Open Classic Division Champions to discuss their beginnings in West Coast Swing, their role models and influences, and their reflections on what has made their partnership so successful. They opened up to us about moving forward together after their romantic relationship ended, and what it has been like for them to have romantic relationships while working as dance professionals. We asked them about their daily life and routines, how they train and improve, and how they faced different challenges in their professional and personal lives. Listen to their stories and get to know these legends in a whole new way!

footnotes
Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollmann
Jordan Frisbee & Olivia Dasso – US Open 1995
Parker Dearborn & Tatiana Mollmann – US Open 1996

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While we were at Easter Swing in Seattle, we had the chance to chat with an accomplished dancer, teacher, judge, and performer: the lovely Katie Schneider. We asked her about her experience competing in the Showcase division with Jim Minty, including how they formed their partnership and how they prepared their routines. She shared her thoughts on Showcase routines today and how she judges routine divisions. We got into a discussion of music and how it influences the dance, how the community has evolved in Seattle, and how local swing clubs need to think about bringing in the next generation. She also talked to us about her involvement in Project Swing and how she approaches teaching the program at Century Ballroom. It’s a delightful and thoughtful conversation with a delightful and thoughtful guest!

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In the second part of our conversation with Sarah and Kyle, we talked about a wide range of topics. Sarah shared some of her feelings about the new generation of professionals. We talked about how they approach running SwingCouver, how dancers can support events so they can pay their staff, and a new event that Sarah and Kyle are putting together for next year. They told us the stories behind some of our favorite routines, how they approach choreography, and what they think of the routines currently on the circuit. And we chatted about the dance today, where it’s going, and their excitement and their concerns. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this open, honest conversation with two of our most experienced and accomplished professionals.

footnotes
Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake
Mario Robau & Kellese Key – Alva’s Baby Blues
Robert Cordoba & Melanie Roberts – How Long Can A Fool Go Wrong
Wayne & Sharlot Bott – Johnny B. Goode
Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake – How Long Can A Fool Go Wrong
Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake – Johnny B. Goode
Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake – 9 to 5
Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake – You & I Both
Robert Cordoba & Deborah Székely – Is It A Crime (Sadé)

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