Dance Dad With John Corella

EP 48: How to Audition for Convention Scholarships

Auditions take on a new clarity as John Corella shows how dancers can stay grounded, choose an outfit that supports their presence, rely on their 3 tricks, and move through the journey with steadier confidence.
 
John talks openly about the pressure dancers feel and the emotional weight parents carry. It raises important questions. What helps someone stay centered in a room full of nerves? How does a dancer build confidence when the result is out of their hands? He explains why courage grows in spaces where dancers can try, fail, and continue without shame. He also breaks down what teachers actually notice, from focus and kindness to an outfit that helps them remember you. His take on improv feels especially helpful. The 3 tricks approach gives dancers something reliable to lean on when the moment feels unpredictable.
 
Listeners will leave with a clearer sense of the audition journey and the mindset that helps a dancer stay steady through every high and low.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction to Dance and Auditions
03:03 Navigating the Audition Process
05:52 Preparing for Auditions: Tips and Tricks
08:46 The Importance of Presentation and Focus
12:10 Understanding the Audition Environment
15:10 Improv and Showcasing Your Strengths
18:04 Coping with Rejection and Disappointment
20:57 Post-Audition Reflections and Growth
23:50 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Connect with John Corella:
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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 47: Holiday Episode with Yvette Walts from Dance Moms, AUDC

Yvette Walts opens up about the pressure tied to Dance Moms fame, the panic attacks that surfaced once episodes aired, and the steady purpose that guides her work as a studio owner.
 
John Corella invites her to revisit the intense reality-TV environment that shaped so much of her early public life, and the conversation turns into an honest look at what happens when you see a version of yourself on screen that doesn’t match who you believe you are. How do you process that kind of shock? What helps you find your footing again? Yvette shares the role her community played as she worked through anxiety and self-forgiveness and she reflects on the difference between reacting in the moment and living with those reactions once millions of people have seen them.
 
Yvette also brings forward two decades of insight from owning a dance studio and explains how structure, clarity, and genuine care built a space where more than a thousand students feel supported. What does it take to create a place that feels safe for growth? How do you lead with both expectation and compassion? Through stories from AUDC and Dance Moms and through reflections on panic attacks and leadership, this episode shows the resilience required to stay centered in a world that rarely gives you time to catch your breath.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Yvette Walts Joins John Corella
03:08 Behind the Scenes of AUDC
05:48 Reacting Under Stress on Reality TV
07:30 Regret, Self-Forgiveness, and Online Judgment
08:58 Panic Attacks After Seeing Herself on TV
19:47 From Gymnastics to Owning a Dance Studio
25:08 How Dance Moms Impacted Her Business
32:18 How Her Teaching Style Evolved Over Time
48:12 The Systems Behind a 1,100-Student Studio
49:53 Creating a Full Studio Experience
53:25 Advice for Studio Owners on Brand and Culture
01:00:06 Creative Influences and Final Reflections
Connect with Yvette Walts:
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Connect with John Corella:
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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 46: Defying Gravity for 15 Years With Wicked Dance Justin Wirick

Fifteen years in Wicked collide with grief, queer joy and the quiet rituals that keep a performer brave eight shows a week.
 
With part two of the Wicked movie now in theaters, John Corella celebrates the moment by revisiting his conversation with Justin Wirick, a longtime dancer with the Broadway National Tour of Wicked. What begins as a lighthearted holiday replay opens into a layered, intimate look at creativity, identity, resilience and the emotional depth woven into performing the same show thousands of times.
 
Justin shares how ritual, presence and community have sustained him through the demands of touring life, the pressure of staying fresh onstage and the grief of losing his mother. He reflects on the ways Wicked mirrors the lived experiences of queer performers who spend years learning to celebrate the parts of themselves they once hid. This episode is a reminder that the courage to keep showing up for your art and for your truth is its own form of defying gravity.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Welcome and Wicked Movie Celebration
02:00 Justin Wirick on Nerves and Finding His Voice
05:30 Fifteen Years in Wicked and Touring Life
12:44 How Justin Finally Joined Wicked After Three Offers
17:41 Wicked Choreography: Stage vs Film
23:54 Justin’s Rituals for Calming Nerves Before Every Show
37:04 Choosing Joy and Staying Fresh After Thousands of Performances
41:08 Performing Through Grief After Losing His Mom
41:25 Why Wicked Resonates With LGBTQ+ Audiences
54:32 Staying Kind and Grounded in a Tough Industry
01:04:15 Dance Lightning Round and Where to Follow Justin
 
Connect with Justin Wirick:
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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 45: The Boy Is Mine Tour Dancer with Charm Spencer

Charm Spencer opens up about tour life - the late nights, the travel, and the mindset that keeps him grounded while performing on The Boy Is Mine Tour with Brandy and Monica. In this episode, he joins John Corella to talk about learning to move between masculine and feminine energy onstage and how that balance shapes both his artistry and his identity.
 
He reflects on rejection, growth, and humility with a kind of honesty that pulls you in. How do you stay true to yourself when every role asks for something different? How do you keep your confidence in an industry built on constant change?
 
Charm’s story connects discipline with self-acceptance and reminds dancers that authenticity is its own kind of power. And for anyone who grew up watching Dance Moms, he shows how those early lessons in adaptability and storytelling still echo through every performance today.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Behind the Scenes of The Boy Is Mine Tour
06:00 Charm Spencer’s Journey to Becoming a Professional Dancer
09:03 Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energy in Dance
11:57 Breakthrough Auditions and Career Lessons
15:05 A Real Look at Tour Life
47:59 Handling Criticism and Protecting Your Energy
49:47 What Touring Dancers Teach Each Other
54:08 Dance Moms and Early Influences
Connect with Charm Spencer:
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Connect with John Corella:
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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 44: 1988 Olympics Womens Gymnastics Team Controversy with Missy Marlowe

When former Olympian Melissa Marlowe talks about the 1988 Olympic controversy and the bronze medal being taken away, she doesn’t just revisit a headline; she relives what it felt like to stand on the edge of history and have it quietly rewritten overnight. How does someone keep competing after that? What carries an athlete through when the spotlight fades but the memory doesn’t? 
 
As she joins John Corella in this episode, Melissa reflects on the discipline, artistry, and strength that defined her career, from the power in her legs and feet to the mindset that helped her face pressure and perfectionism. She shares how her coaches’ mix of kindness and toughness shaped her longevity in a sport built on precision and risk, and how she’s come to measure success in ways that last longer than medals.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Welcome to Dance Dad and Guest Intro
01:47 Early Ballet Roots and Natural Flexibility
05:05 Signature Lines: The Power of Legs and Feet
06:35 Beating Nerves with Sports Psychology
21:39 The Reality of Olympic Pressure: Was It Worth It
23:40 1988 Olympic Controversy: Bronze Medal Being Taken Away
45:22 Competing in the Cold War: USA vs USSR
51:09 Hard but Kind Coaching and Athlete Longevity
59:12 Scholarships, Overtraining, and Choosing Longevity
01:00:42 Life After the Olympics: Movement, Motherhood, Meaning
 
Connect with Melissa Marlowe:
Connect with Melissa on Instagram
 
Connect with John Corella:
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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 43: The Turn Coach Method

What does it take to hit 10 turns with confidence? For Lynnrae Hiers Serra, it comes down to repetition, mechanics, and belief - the same mix that’s helped dancers of every level find their balance and push past limits.
 
John Corella talks with Lynnrae, known to many as “The Turn Coach,” about how her journey started at the JPD dance studio under her mentor Terry Schulke and how that experience shaped her lifelong fascination with precision and progress. She explains why mastering turns isn’t about perfection but about patience, consistency, and learning how your body works. What happens when a dancer stops chasing technique and starts trusting the process instead?
 
Lynnrae also shares tips for teachers and parents who want to help dancers grow without pressure, along with the story behind TurnCoach Enterprises and her mission to make effective turn training accessible to anyone. This episode looks at the intersection of art, discipline, and belief, and how small shifts in mindset can lead to those moments when everything clicks and the turns finally stick.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Welcome to Dance Dad and Episode Focus on Turns
01:10 Meet The Turn Coach and Motto “I Can Make Anybody Turn”
04:15 JPD Dance Studio Roots and Mentor Terry Schulke
06:25 The Turn Coach Method Progression and 10 Turns System
11:55 Challenging Tradition: Why Mechanics Come Before Perfection
13:59 What Actually Makes You Turn: Practical Mechanics That Work
19:50 TurnCoach Enterprises: Scaling a 700 Person Waitlist
26:40 Most Common Mistake: Fix Your Prep to Unlock More Rotations
33:20 Every Body Can Turn: Mindset, Confidence, and Inclusive Coaching
44:50 Healthy Body Image in Dance: Language Teachers Should Avoid
 
Connect with Lynnrae Hiers Serra:
Visit The Turn Coach Website
Follow Lynnrae on Instagram
 
Connect with John Corella:
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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 42: Every Body is a Dancer’s Body with Amanda LaCount

Amanda LaCount proves that plus size dancers belong center stage, sharing how her journey, her advocacy, and the support of Dance Mom Jill are reshaping the dance community. 
 
A professional dancer who has performed with Lady Gaga, Rihanna, JLo, and Katy Perry, Amanda joins John Corella to challenge the stereotypes that have long defined the industry. She reveals how media-driven beauty standards create barriers, why she is determined to advocate for greater inclusivity, and how she built the confidence to push back against an environment that often resists change. 
 
Amanda credits much of her boldness to Dance Mom Jill’s unwavering advocacy and explains why having someone in your corner can make all the difference. From speaking openly about rejection and resilience to highlighting the responsibility of representation, Amanda shows how dancers of every body type can thrive when they are given safe, supportive spaces to express their art.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction to Amanda LaCount on Dance Dad
07:43 Every Body Is a Dancer’s Body: Breaking Stereotypes
11:32 Finding Boldness Through Dance Mom Jill’s Advocacy
24:32 Growing Up Plus Size in Dance Competitions
30:42 How Studios and Conventions Can Support Plus Size Dancers
42:03 Performing in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty Show
45:33 Lessons From Working With Lady Gaga and Katy Perry
47:37 Teaching Dance and Creating Inclusive Spaces
56:23 Inclusivity vs. Stereotypes in Casting
01:00:27 Being the Role Model Amanda Never Had
 
Connect with Amanda LaCount:
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Visit Amanda’s website
 
Connect with John Corella:
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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 41: Xanadu, Olivia Newton-John with Xanadu dancer Cheryl Baxter

Cheryl Baxter’s very first job as a young dancer put her on the set of Xanadu with Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, and Kenny Ortega. What does it feel like to step into a world like that straight out of a small town in Wisconsin? And how do you carry lessons from legends into a career that lasts for decades? 
 
Joining John Corella in this episode, Cheryl reflects on the magic of Xanadu, the influence of Gene Kelly’s ease and Olivia Newton-John’s authenticity, and the ways she has kept her career alive through every crossover - from film and television to teaching and even TikTok!
 
Cheryl’s story invites you to think about resilience, reinvention, and the joy that comes from saying yes to new stages of life in dance.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Dance Dad Introduction
03:20 Making Xanadu With Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly
06:00 Gene Kelly’s On Set Lesson: Relax and Have Fun
10:30 Meeting Olivia Newton-John and Early Xanadu Memories
16:10 Why Xanadu Became a Cult Classic
28:30 Reinvention and Career Crossover From Stage to TikTok
49:30 Filming Magic on Xanadu: Steadicam, Long Days, Big Finale
57:50 Stay Bold: Resilience and Reinvention in Dance 
 
Connect with Cheryl Baxter:
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John Corella Website
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 40: Our Damaging Experiences With Conversion Therapy

Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversations about conversion therapy, psychological abuse, and self-harm. We share these stories to raise awareness and foster healing, but we recognize they may be difficult to hear. Please listen with care and step away if you need to. If you or someone you know is struggling, resources like The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386) are available to provide support.
 
Conversion therapy survivor Syre Klenke speaks openly about the damaging impact of being forced into years of so-called “treatment” as a teenager and the depression that followed, while also showing how authenticity and community became a way forward. Joining John Corella, Syre recalls the shock of being taken to a conversion therapy conference under the guise of a family outing, the gaslighting he endured from both licensed therapists and church leaders, and the loss of everyday teenage milestones like dating and prom. These stories reveal how conversion therapy robs young people of their sense of safety and self, leaving scars that last well into adulthood. Yet Syre also reflects on the resilience it takes to survive, the courage to tell the truth, and the importance of building spaces where no one has to hide who they are. This episode confronts the damaging reality of conversion therapy while reminding us that healing is possible through honesty, courage, and community.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Welcome to Dance Dad with John Corella
01:26 Meet Syre Klenke: Comedian, Activist, Conversion Therapy Survivor
04:46 What Conversion Therapy Really Means and Why It’s Damaging
07:58 Surviving Four Years of Forced Conversion Therapy
12:05 Losing High School Milestones and Identity
18:43 The Most Traumatizing Moments of Conversion Therapy
27:49 Abuse and Self-Harm Tactics Inside Conversion Therapy
29:29 Mental Health Struggles and Depression Afterward
34:33 Religion, Patriarchy, and Gender Roles in Conversion Therapy
39:09 Why Survivor Stories Must Be Told
42:14 Conversion Therapy in Politics and the Supreme Court Case
01:04:30 The Boldest Act: Sharing Your Story Authentically
 
Connect with Syre Klenke:Instagram
 
Connect with John Corella:
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram
John Corella on Instagram
Patreon
Website
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP 39: Just Be. Labor Day Episode

Labor Day becomes a reminder that creativity and connection grow stronger when we pause, take breaks, and allow ourselves to just be.
 
John Corella takes this episode in a different direction, stepping back from the usual focus on dance and LGBTQ issues to reflect on what Labor Day really represents. Born out of union protests, the holiday was meant as a pause from constant work and a way to honor those who fought for fair treatment. How often do we give ourselves that same pause in our own lives? What happens when we step away from the noise of social media or the pull of endless tasks and simply let ourselves be present? 
 
John shares how these small choices – to rest, to quiet the distractions, to notice the moment – make it easier to find presence on stage, in creativity, and in life. He also takes time to thank listeners and celebrate milestones in the Dance Dad community, reminding us that growth comes from more than effort alone. As summer comes to a close, this episode invites you to see Labor Day as a chance to recharge, reflect, and practice the art of being.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Labor Day Reflections
01:24 The Power of Breaks and Taking Time Off
03:33 Practicing Presence in Daily Life
05:09 End of Summer and Closing Gratitude
 
Links
Dance Dad with John Corella on Instagram
John Corella on Instagram
Patreon
Website
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm