Best Maia Mahosky Podcasts (2025)

1
A Dance Therapy Perspective on Teaching Practices with Erica Hornthal and Rae Luskin 30:55

5d ago30:55

30:55

We have the incredible treat of TWO esteemed guests on today's episode - Erica Hornthal and Rae Luskin! After seeking out Erica's Dance/Movement Therapy services to get connected with her own body, Rae is sharing her story of how dance therapy has helped her, and Erica weighs in on the process of helping clients embody their emotions, and how dance…

1
Building Brain-Body Connection with Mariah-Jane Thies 35:32

12d ago35:32

35:32

As a dance teacher, do you throw information at your students and wonder why that same correction you keep giving isn't sticking, or do you work collaboratively with your dancers to unlock the wisdom of their individual bodies? Mariah-Jane Thies, also known as "The Radiant Dance Teacher," is on a mission to help dance teachers and students integrat…

1
Lessons from My West African Dance Experience 21:40

19d ago21:40

21:40

Today's episode combines dance lessons with life lessons, and don't they so often go together?! While I don't feel equiped to speak specifically about West African Dance technique on this platform, I do think that the lessons I learned during my time studying in West Africa are worth sharing with dance educators of all styles and methodologies. Her…

1
Assessing Students' Growth Pt 2 with Chelsea Weidmann 43:20

26d ago43:20

43:20

The dance world is extremely inconsistent when it comes to assessing growth and providing feedback to students in a comprehensive and constructive way. Following our "Part 1" episode with Danielle Aliotta, today's episode focuses on Chelsea Weidmann's experience with providing assessments and feedback within competitive and pre-professional dance s…

1
Assessing Students' Growth Pt 1 with Danielle Aliotta 29:03

1M ago29:03

29:03

The dance world is extremely inconsistent when it comes to assessing growth and providing feedback to students in a comprehensive and constructive way. Today, I have Danielle Aliotta on the show to share her experience as both a public school and dance studio educator, where she focuses on setting goals based on students' baseline abilities, and as…

1
Fall Fun Re-Run + BONUS GAMES! 23:24

1M ago23:24

23:24

Happy Halloween! To celebrate the season, we're throwing it back to some of my favorite fall-themed dance class activities and games from season one. As an added bonus for you long-time listeners, I've added some brand-new game ideas to the end of the episode! Enjoy! Theme Music by GBMystical! www.gbmystical.com Join the Casual Dance Teacher's Netw…

1
Choreography Month 2.0 - Refreshing Your Formations and Transitions 18:36

2M ago18:36

18:36

For the next couple weeks, I'm going to help you work through any aspect of choreography that might have you feeling "stuck." In this episode, I share how I apply the concepts of various choreographic devices to formations and transitions onstage to ensure that the staging, spacing, and flow of the piece feels authentic to the movement and thematic…

1
Choreography Month 2.0 - Coming Up With Movement When You're Feeling Stuck 15:30

2M ago15:30

15:30

For the next couple weeks, I'm going to help you work through any aspect of choreography that might have you feeling "stuck." In this episode, I discuss a number of choreographic devices, and how you can use these devices to come up with TONS of fresh movement material using steps or combinations that you've already used in class or previous choreo…

1
Choreography Month 2.0 - Inspiration for Themes 26:39

2M ago26:39

26:39

For the next couple weeks, I'm going to help you work through any aspect of choreography that might have you feeling "stuck." In this episode, I provide some different examples of ways that you can choose a theme for your dance, and allow that theme to then help you come up with the music, movement, staging, etc for a piece. You can listen to the S…

1
Improv. Practices for the Classroom and Choreography with Angela Gallo 31:09

2M ago31:09

31:09

Are your students comfortable improvising, or do they freeze up at the mention of it? In today's episode, I had the opportunity to talk to dancer/choreographer/dance educator/coach (etc!) Angela Gallo about her own experience utilizing improvisation in her creative process, as well as recommendations for the use of improvisation in the dance classr…

1
Board Games for Dance Class 25:08

2M ago25:08

25:08

I am a firm believer in having as many tools on hand as possible for days when you need to quickly re-engage students, bring the class together, and/or reenforce a concept you're working on in a new way. Today's episode is full of ideas for physical games that you can buy and keep on hand to easily achieve these goals without the work of DIY-ing or…

1
What To Do When the "Dancer" Identity No Longer Fits with Stephanie Case 28:01

3M ago28:01

28:01

It's arguably impossible to become a dance teacher without first identifying as a dancer, but what happens when you feel that that identity no longer suits you? Is it fair to identify as a dance teacher if you no longer dance regularly outside of the classroom? What if you're not regularly teaching classes - can you still call yourself a dance teac…

1
No-Prep Dance Class Games for All Ages! 20:42

3M ago20:42

20:42

I don't care what style/age group/program/level/genre of dance you teach...I'd bet there's been some time in your teaching career that you "gamified" your teaching in some way. Yes, games can be a fun "filler," but I also think we shouldn't undermine the value of teaching through games, even for older/more experienced dancers! Here are a couple of …

1
What's in My Dance Bag? 15:32

3M ago15:32

15:32

As an experienced casual dance teacher, what have I learned to ALWAYS keep in my bag to be prepared for class every week? Find out on today's episode! Listen to the "Props and Tools" Episode Here Listen to the "What's in My Dance Bag - Recital Edition" Episode Here Theme Music by GBMystical! www.gbmystical.com Join the Casual Dance Teacher's Networ…

1
The Making of a Dance Fitness Class with Mariana Santos 27:47

3M ago27:47

27:47

Are you a current dance fitness instructor, or thinking of teaching dance fitness classes or offering them at your studio as an added revenue stream? If so, today's episode is for you! I sat down with Mariana Santos, founder of Brazily Fitness, to talk about creating a unique dance fitness brand, building confidence through dance, working with a wi…

1
Planning Your Dance Season for Peak Performance 19:12

4M ago19:12

19:12

In today's episode, I'm putting together some bits and pieces of what I learned throughout last season - both in the classroom and on the podcast! - to help you structure a season plan that will build your dancers' skills and athleticism so that they peak for performance time! Listen to the "Curriculum Building" Episode Here Listen to the "Jumps Tr…

1
Emergency Preparedness for Dance Teachers with Andy Roszak 1:04:29

4M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

As much as we hate to acknowledge it, all of us have probably given some thought to what we'd do if an emergency situation of some sort were to arise in our dance classroom. Sadly, many of us have had to deal with these situations first-hand. That's why I was really thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Andy Roszak JD, MPA, EMT-Paramedic, …

1
Back to School Icebreakers for All Ages 17:58

4M ago17:58

17:58

As frequently requested, here is a quick run-down of some of my favorite ice-breaker activities to get students of all ages familiar and comfortable with each other - and you - in the first few weeks of a new class season. You can listen to the episode on name games Here Theme Music by GBMystical! www.gbmystical.com Join the Casual Dance Teacher's …

1
Rediscovering Your Creative Identity with Jess Grippo 26:10

4M ago26:10

26:10

Well friends, I told you we'd be taking some time this season to delve into identity and personal development this season, and I didn't waste any time getting to it! I had the honor of sitting down with Jess Grippo to talk about her practice of Creativity Coaching, and even get a little mini-session just for me! In this episode, you'll learn about …

1
Season 2 Opener - Weird Personal Story Time (and why I'm telling you)! 16:59

4M ago16:59

16:59

Ahhh, here we are at the start of season two! Time to dive back in - but wait?! I have some personal news to share with you! Listen to a quick life update to catch you up to speed on where I'm coming from with this new season, and the direction(s) the show may (or may not) take moving forward! Who knows at this point?! Not me! Enjoy :) View this ep…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Designing Dance for Theater with Tiffany Rea-Fisher 42:22

7M ago42:22

42:22

In today's special bonus episode of The Casual Dance Teacher's Podcast, I chat with decorated choreographer Tiffany Rea-Fisher about her work as a choreographer for Classical Theatre of Harlem, including (but not limited to!) how the process of choreographing for theatrical productions differs from concert dance, how Tiffany's background as a compe…

1
Season One Finale! 9:08

8M ago9:08

9:08

Oh my goodness, it's the end of season one of the Casual Dance Teacher's Podcast! We're wrapping up with a quick recap of the amazing highlights of season one, how you can keep up with The Casual Dance Teacher's Network during our brief hiatus, and what's to come! Big thanks for a great first season, and see you in season two! Theme Music by GBMyst…

1
Deciphering Dance Media with Danielle Guillermo 32:46

8M ago32:46

32:46

How can I stay up-to-date on the latest dance news without falling down a social media rabbit-hole? How can I convey current dance events to my dance students without taking up all our class time? What trends are happening in the world of dance, and the way that we consume dance media? In this episode, I delve into all of these questions and much m…

1
Teaching Adult Beginner Dance Students with Lindsey Dinneen 27:42

8M ago27:42

27:42

Are you interested in offering dance programming for adult dancers either picking up dance for the first time or continuing their education after time away from dance? Do you currently offer adult programming but feel that it's not quite working or you have questions and challenges to work through to improve your teaching? Lindsey Dinneen is here t…

1
Tips for Teaching Mixed-Age Dance Classes 20:10

8M ago20:10

20:10

The great debate - should you organize your dance class levels by age, or by technical level? Today's episode isn't really about defending one side or the other on this one, but I'm sharing my insight on the strengths of breaking up classes by skill level, even if that means including a wide range of ages within a class, followed by some tips for t…

1
Teaching Dance Through Meaningful Gestures with Anabella Lenzu 31:56

9M ago31:56

31:56

You can have all the drills, exercises, and teacher "hacks" in the world, but if there's not meaning and intention behind everything you and your students are doing in the dance classroom, what's it all for?! Acclaimed dancer, choreographer, scholar & educator Anabella Lenzu joins us to explain her philosophy and theory of dance education, and how …

1
What's in My Dance Bag? Recital Edition 17:21

9M ago17:21

17:21

Wrapping up our "recital prep" unit on the podcast, I thought it would be fun to share a breakdown of everything I make sure to have with me in my dance bag during tech week! As a mega-planner, I feel like I'm pretty thorough, covering everything from snacks to spare bobby pins - so give it a listen to make sure you're fully stocked and prepared go…

1
Choreography Cleaning Games and Activities You Might Not Have Tried Yet! 17:39

9M ago17:39

17:39

Next up in our "recital prep" unit on the podcast are some of my favorite ways to get recital dances clean without boring your students (too much 🙂). What's your favorite? Let me know in The Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook! Theme Music by GBMystical! www.gbmystical.com Join the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on Facebook Here Follow me on…

1
The Casual Dance Teacher's Recital Prep Checklist 24:52

9M ago24:52

24:52

We're kicking off a new "recital prep" unit on the podcast with today's episode taking you line by line through my mental checklist of items I need to cover with my students to make sure both I and they are fully prepared going into tech week! This includes lighting and sound cues, entrance and exit logistics, hair, makeup, and costume requirements…

1
Crafting Creative Solos with Jason Pickett 34:13

9M ago34:13

34:13

Dancer, educator, choreographer (and more) Jason Pickett, who you may better know as @heyitspickett on social media, is here to talk us through his process for creating innovative and meaningful solos for dance students. I personally find solos so challenging to choreograph because I can't lean on the use of different formations and/or layering of …

1
Fostering a Healthy Dance Business with Alison Foster Jones 36:34

10M ago36:34

36:34

Today I'm breaking my own "we don't need business advice; we're casual dance teachers" rule by having dance studio owner and business coach Alison Foster-Jones on the show to share her story and tips on growing a studio from 5 students in a rec. room to hundreds of students across multiple studio locations! Alison has such a great message of levera…

1
Valentine's Day Special: Love Notes to The Art of Teaching Dance 18:28

10M ago18:28

18:28

Love is in the air! <3 In honor of Valentine's day, today I'm reading listener-submitted notes on why YOU love teaching dance! Cozy up with your Valentine's treat of choice and join me in celebrating our collective love for the art of teaching dance together! Theme Music by GBMystical! www.gbmystical.com Join the Casual Dance Teacher's Network on F…

1
Dance Photography 101 with Ian Howe 28:17

10M ago28:17

28:17

Ian Howe is Back! And today we're talking dance photography! The burning question on my mind - what made the man with 500 jobs decide to start a dance photography business on top of all that? Then we get into some more practical questions like: What are the basics needed to do your own dance photography? How to pose dancers quickly and efficiently …

1
How to Fill that Awkward Transition Time Between Classes 27:37

10M ago27:37

27:37

I know I can't be the only teacher that just dreads that awkward transition time when you're dismissing one class and the next is waiting to begin! How will I dismiss everyone safely, take attendance, switch my playlist, answer questions, check my notes, and grab a drink of water without the next class descending into chaos?! Well, I might not have…

1
Mental Training for Dancers with April Lorenzi 23:45

11M ago23:45

23:45

Ok, so if you read the title, you won't have to guess what the "Secret Dance Technique" is, as I suggest in the intro to this episode - it's MENTAL technique! April Lorenzi literally wrote the book on it, so she's here to share some her tried-and-true tips for helping your students (and yourself) enhance their confidence, resilience, memory - and, …

1
Building on Technique While Teaching Choreography 16:52

11M ago16:52

16:52

It's that time of year...the pressure's on to teach recital choreography, and so often that means "sacrificing" the class time previously spent on technique and conditioning. Naturally, we have to continue working technique and conditioning in order for the choreography to look its best at recital time...sometimes, that can mean running the choreog…

1
Fundamentals of Tap with Christine Denny 30:34

11M ago30:34

30:34

Whether or not you teach tap dance specifically, you're in for a treat with this episode with the fabulous Christine Denny! Denny is a renowned tap teacher, choreographer, and performer with a career spanning over 25 years and covering virtually every facet of the dance world. Learn about the intricacies of tap dance and what makes teaching tap uni…

1
Designing a Genuinely Inclusive Dance Program with Veronica Vasquez Garcia 29:02

11M ago29:02

29:02

Veronica Vasquez Garcia is the creator of Moves Made 4 Me, a developmental movement program that combines life skills with dance, as well as the founder of Elevate Collective Solutions, a consulting business that helps organizations implement inclusive practices, and JMM Dance Co, a nonprofit dedicated to raising mental health awareness through SEL…

1
2024 Recap - My Top Takeaways and Tidbits! 23:45

12M ago23:45

23:45

Wow - what a year! Since launching in June, I've learned SO MUCH from my amazing line-up of distinguished guests, and from connecting with listeners and fellow "Casual Dance Teachers" through our Casual Dance Teacher's Network Facebook page and Casual Dance Teacher's Podcast Instagram account! To recap this phenomenal year, here's a casual and low-…

1
"Diversify" - Building a Dance Career that Fuels You with Ian Howe 27:36

12M ago27:36

27:36

The word of the day is "Diversify!" Hear from Choreographer, Studio Owner, Competition Adjudicator, Teacher, Photographer, Performer...basically ALL THE THINGS...Ian Howe as he discusses how he leveraged the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic to build a dance career that fuels his passion and "scratches all the itches," and his advice on how…

1
When am I Supposed to Lesson Plan?! 14:35

12M ago14:35

14:35

So by now we've established that we SHOULD have at least a general curriculum and lesson plans for each of the dance classes that we teach...but as busy dance teachers, when are we supposed to sit down and come up with these plans? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this, but I have a few tips and tricks for how to make the most of your time to…

1
Don't Sell Yourself Short - Dance Business Coaching with Audra Queen 33:57

1y ago33:57

33:57

There are a LOT of dance teachers and coaches out there, but most specialize in coaching technique, steps/skills, consistency...few specialize in coaching artistry specifically! Amie Bush does just that with her company, Artistry Dance Coaching, and today she's treating us to an inside scoop on what she looks for from an artistry perspective as bot…

1
Ho-Ho-Holiday Activities for Dance Class! 22:50

1y ago22:50

22:50

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Time for season's greetings, holiday cheer, and students (and teachers!) who are already mentally checked out and ready for a break from dance classes! 😆 I've got you covered! Here are plenty of simple and fun ways to incorporate the holiday theme into your dance classes while still keeping students working…

1
Coaching Artistry in Dance with Amie Bush 22:34

1y ago22:34

22:34

There are a LOT of dance teachers and coaches out there, but most specialize in coaching technique, steps/skills, consistency...few specialize in coaching artistry specifically! Amie Bush does just that with her company, Artistry Dance Coaching, and today she's treating us to an inside scoop on what she looks for from an artistry perspective as bot…

1
Trick Steps - Do We Even Need Them?! 14:51

1y ago14:51

14:51

Ugh, trick steps; I love to hate 'em! As casual dance teachers, should we be teaching our students trick steps? Do they have a place in EVERY style of dance? Can we create a curriculum that focuses on fundamentals and classical training while still incorporating "tricks?" Join me as I rant - I mean discuss - the wild world of teaching trick steps a…

1
Competition Prep for Recreational Dancers with Olivia Lou 31:18

1y ago31:18

31:18

Olivia Lou is a dance educator and competition adjudicator here to tell us how to prepare any and all students to attend a dance competition - regardless of their level of training or the number of hours a week they spend in the studio. We talk about the pros and cons of competitive dance, how to mentally and physically prepare students for the exp…

1
Applied Behavior Analysis Practices for Dance Teachers 19:32

1y ago19:32

19:32

Today's episode is a follow-up on episode number 22 with guest Isaac Iskra. After reflecting upon that conversation, I decided (on a last-minute whim that forced me to record and edit this episode in record time!) that I had some follow-up thoughts on my own experience that I wanted to share. The tips that I share in this episode are informed by th…

1
An Autistic Perspective on Choreography and Dance Education with Isaac Iskra 24:34

1y ago24:34

24:34

In today's episode, Isaac Iskra, founder of Nefelaba Dance Theater, shares his experience in developing his craft as a dancer and choreographer with Autism. In addition to walking us through his own journey both in pursuing a dance career and gaining a formal autism diagnosis in his twenties, Isaac shares his thoughts and advice on providing accomm…

1
Body and Mind Self-Care for Dance Teachers with Rachel Jenks 38:26

1y ago38:26

38:26

Today Rachel Jenks, aka "The Booty-Kicking Ballerina," shares her story of completely running her body into the ground in pursuit of her dream career as a professional ballet dancer, followed by her long journey of recovery, starting with mental healing, which eventually led her to physical healing as well. Rachel also shares plenty of practical ti…

1
Consent-Informed Dance Education with Nicole Perry 27:51

1y ago27:51

27:51

Nicole Perry is an intimacy director, intimacy coordinator, and dance choreographer who's worked in film, theater, and dance to empower and educate performers on understanding and working with their personal boundaries. Join me as I get the very basics on what consent in the dance classroom is all about, and then delve into what a consent-informed …

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