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.

In this episode we welcome two inspiring leaders from Brooklyn&rsquo;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&rsquo;re nurturing young people with confidence, creativity, and heart.

Exploring Asase Yaa

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.

Debbi Dee is a teacher&rsquo;s teacher and a true technician with unstoppable energy. We&rsquo;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.

A Teacher's Approach

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.

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.

Building a Career with Purpose

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 path to international stages, what drives her as a teacher and mentor, why tap is more than steps—it’s confidence, freedom, and community.

From Radio City Music Hall to the BBC, Dre Torres is a tap force to be reckoned with&mdash;and she&rsquo;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&mdash;and now she&rsquo;s sharing her story with us. We&rsquo;ll dive into her path to international stages, what drives her as a teacher and mentor, why tap is more than steps&mdash;it&rsquo;s confidence, freedom, and community.

More Than Steps

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 real tools for bringing mindfulness into our teaching, and our lives.

We&rsquo;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 real tools for bringing mindfulness into our teaching, and our lives.

Positivity and Purpose

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. 

We&rsquo;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&rsquo;re going up close and personal to hear June&rsquo;s journey, her philosophies, and what she&rsquo;s learned in a lifetime of living the dream.&nbsp;

Leading by Example

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.

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&rsquo;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.

The Magic of the Minis

Today we sit down with Michelle Soutier, owner of Miller Street Dance Academy in North and South Carolina. We’ll dig into how she grew from a small-town studio with a few hundred students to serving 3,000+ dancers each week - the decisions, systems, and mindset that made it possible.

Today we sit down with Michelle Soutier, owner of Miller Street Dance Academy in North and South Carolina. We&rsquo;ll dig into how she grew from a small-town studio with a few hundred students to serving 3,000+ dancers each week - the decisions, systems, and mindset that made it possible.

Big Vision, Bigger Impact

From Canada to NYC, tap stages to jazz festivals, and generations of rhythm in his blood - Ryan Foley is carrying the legacy forward while forging his own path. Today we sit down with Ryan, a second-generation dance artist, educator, and performer who has made his mark across North America’s tap dance scene. From his family-owned Performing Dance Arts studio to performances with the Toronto Rhythm Initiative and festivals around the globe, Ryan’s journey is one of artistry, mentorship, and pure passion.

From Canada to NYC, tap stages to jazz festivals, and generations of rhythm in his blood - Ryan Foley is carrying the legacy forward while forging his own path. Today we sit down with Ryan, a second-generation dance artist, educator, and performer who has made his mark across North America&rsquo;s tap dance scene. From his family-owned Performing Dance Arts studio to performances with the Toronto Rhythm Initiative and festivals around the globe, Ryan&rsquo;s journey is one of artistry, mentorship, and pure passion.

Continuing the Legacy

Join us for a powerful episode featuring the board members of Dancers Against Cancer. For over a decade, D.A.C. has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to dancers, educators & their families battling cancer. We discuss the history & mission of D.A.C, how your studio can get involved, teaching young dancers to use their healthy bodies to help others, and more!

Join us for a powerful episode featuring the board members of Dancers Against Cancer. For over a decade, D.A.C. has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to dancers, educators &amp; their families battling cancer. We discuss the history &amp; mission of D.A.C, how your studio can get involved, teaching young dancers to use their healthy bodies to help others, and more!

Studio Giving Edition

Living the Dream, sponsored by Jackrabbit Dance, it’s the newest go-to podcast for dance educators, studio owners, and industry leaders looking for real conversations, inspiration, and insights into the dance world. Hosted by Rhee Gold & Laura Giacomelli, each episode brings authentic, unfiltered discussions with top professionals who are shaping the future of dance education and business.

Whether you're a studio owner striving for success, a dance teacher passionate about making an impact, or simply someone who loves the art and industry of dance, this podcast is for you. Join us as we dive deep into the realities of studio life, artistry, and leadership—all with a touch of humor, heart, and wisdom.

Coming soon to wherever you get your podcasts 🎙️

Living the Dream, sponsored by Jackrabbit Dance, it&rsquo;s the newest go-to podcast for dance educators, studio owners, and industry leaders looking for real conversations, inspiration, and insights into the dance world. Hosted by Rhee Gold &amp; Laura Giacomelli, each episode brings authentic, unfiltered discussions with top professionals who are shaping the future of dance education and business.
Whether you're a studio owner striving for success, a dance teacher passionate about making an impact, or simply someone who loves the art and industry of dance, this podcast is for you. Join us as we dive deep into the realities of studio life, artistry, and leadership&mdash;all with a touch of humor, heart, and wisdom.
Coming soon to wherever you get your podcasts 🎙️

🎙️ Living the Dream, sponsored by Jackrabbit Dance, it’s the newest go-to podcast for dance educators, studio owners, and industry leaders looking for real conversations, inspiration, and insights into the dance world. Hosted by Rhee Gold & Laura Giacomelli, each episode brings authentic, unfiltered discussions with top professionals who are shaping the future of dance education and business. Whether you're a studio owner striving for success, a dance teacher passionate about making an impact, or simply someone who loves the art and industry of dance, this podcast is for you. Join us as we dive deep into the realities of studio life, artistry, and leadership—all with a touch of humor, heart, and wisdom.

Living the Dream

🎙️ Living the Dream, sponsored by Jackrabbit Dance, it’s the newest go-to podcast for dance educators, studio owners, and industry leaders looking for real conversations, inspiration, and insights into the dance world. Hosted by Rhee Gold & Laura Giacomelli, each episode brings authentic, unfiltered discussions with top professionals who are shaping the future of dance education and business.

Whether you're a studio owner striving for success, a dance teacher passionate about making an impact, or simply someone who loves the art and industry of dance, this podcast is for you. Join us as we dive deep into the realities of studio life, artistry, and leadership—all with a touch of humor, heart, and wisdom.

🎙️ Living the Dream, sponsored by Jackrabbit Dance, it&rsquo;s the newest go-to podcast for dance educators, studio owners, and industry leaders looking for real conversations, inspiration, and insights into the dance world. Hosted by Rhee Gold &amp; Laura Giacomelli, each episode brings authentic, unfiltered discussions with top professionals who are shaping the future of dance education and business.
Whether you're a studio owner striving for success, a dance teacher passionate about making an impact, or simply someone who loves the art and industry of dance, this podcast is for you. Join us as we dive deep into the realities of studio life, artistry, and leadership&mdash;all with a touch of humor, heart, and wisdom.

Living the Dream

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