Building a sense of community for our dance families is important now more than ever. What can you do this season to build those important moments for your dance families, those moments that don't include a shuffle or a pirouette?

Building a sense of community for our dance families is important now more than ever. What can you do this season to build those important moments for your dance families, those moments that don't include a shuffle or a pirouette?

Rhee Gold is passionate about dance education and the business of teaching dance. He is a pioneer in the field, launching the first business (and motivational) seminar for dance teachers in the mid-90s and is now the director of the DanceLife Teacher Conference and the DanceLife Retreat Center attracting hundreds of teachers and studio owners from around the world.

Gold’s mission is to inspire dance people to appreciate the gift that dance offers all who experience it. He encourages teachers to be unique, make their own mark on the field and to have the confidence to follow the path that best suits their goals for success.

His entrepreneurial and leadership skills have had a long-lasting impact on the dance community, he is the author of the Complete Guide to Teaching Dance, served as the publisher of Dance Studio Life magazine for 14 years and has served as the President of Dance Masters of America, the United Dance Merchants of America, the founding co-chair of UNITY and is now the Director of the International Dance Entrepreneurs Association, also known as I.D.E.A.

When given the chance to “talk dance,” Rhee is all about it and that’s what this podcast is all about. We’ll crisscross everything about teaching dance from business to classroom success and we’ll definitely hit on the heart and soul of what being a dance teacher is all about.

Inspiring the next generation of dance educators from around the world

Rhee Gold's DanceLife

Rhee Gold's DanceLife Podcast

Building Community & Belonging

Marker 01

In this episode of Rhee Gold's Dance Life Podcast, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold take a step back from the day-to-day chaos of studio life to talk about something many studio owners neglect: big, meaningful goal setting.

Inspired by a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Mel Robbins , Stacey shares the power of identifying your “wild card” goal — the one you’ve been putting off, downplaying, or convincing yourself is for someone else.

Together, they explore what it really means to be brave and courageous in business — not just in starting a studio, but in evolving it, challenging the norm, and dreaming beyond your current reality.

In this episode, they discuss:
Why studio owners often stop setting new goals once they’re “busy”
The difference between running your business and intentionally growing it
How to identify the big goal you’ve been avoiding (and why it matters)
The importance of scheduling time to think, dream, and plan
Why courage and creativity are essential in choreography, teaching, and leadership
How the pandemic shifted mindsets and opened up new possibilities
Balancing systems and structure with innovation and evolution
Why “what’s next?” should always be part of your mindset
The power of saying your goals out loud and making them real

Rhee reveals his journey of writing a long-awaited book for dance parents.

This episode is a reminder that while running a studio can feel repetitive and overwhelming, there is always space to dream bigger, think differently, and evolve.

Because the truth is:
You’re already living the dream you once had — now it’s time to decide what comes next.

In this episode of Rhee Gold's Dance Life Podcast, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold take a step back from the day-to-day chaos of studio life to talk about something many studio owners neglect: big, meaningful goal setting.
Inspired by a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Mel Robbins , Stacey shares the power of identifying your &ldquo;wild card&rdquo; goal &mdash; the one you&rsquo;ve been putting off, downplaying, or convincing yourself is for someone else.
Together, they explore what it really means to be brave and courageous in business &mdash; not just in starting a studio, but in evolving it, challenging the norm, and dreaming beyond your current reality.
In this episode, they discuss:
<ul data-start="892" data-end="1532">
<li data-section-id="acy2qz" data-start="892" data-end="962">Why studio owners often stop setting new goals once they&rsquo;re &ldquo;busy&rdquo;</li>
<li data-section-id="voypdn" data-start="963" data-end="1044">The difference between running your business and intentionally growing it</li>
<li data-section-id="17rmuzi" data-start="1045" data-end="1119">How to identify the big goal you&rsquo;ve been avoiding (and why it matters)</li>
<li data-section-id="cqrq9h" data-start="1120" data-end="1183">The importance of scheduling time to think, dream, and plan</li>
<li data-section-id="c3q56g" data-start="1184" data-end="1270">Why courage and creativity are essential in choreography, teaching, and leadership</li>
<li data-section-id="tpvf4i" data-start="1271" data-end="1340">How the pandemic shifted mindsets and opened up new possibilities</li>
<li data-section-id="1xti39a" data-start="1341" data-end="1406">Balancing systems and structure with innovation and evolution</li>
<li data-section-id="1haeh8r" data-start="1407" data-end="1467">Why &ldquo;what&rsquo;s next?&rdquo; should always be part of your mindset</li>
<li data-section-id="1x3x8ph" data-start="1468" data-end="1532">The power of saying your goals out loud and making them real</li>
</ul>
Rhee reveals his journey of writing a long-awaited book for dance parents.
This episode is a reminder that while running a studio can feel repetitive and overwhelming, there is always space to dream bigger, think differently, and evolve.
Because the truth is: You&rsquo;re already living the dream you once had &mdash; now it&rsquo;s time to decide what comes next.

In this episode of Rhee Gold's Dance Life Podcast, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold take a step back from the day-to-day chaos of studio life to talk about something many studio owners neglect: big, meaningful goal setting.  Inspired by a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Mel Robbins , Stacey shares the power of identifying your “wild card” goal — the one you’ve been putting off, downplaying, or convincing yourself is for someone else.  Together, they explore what it really means to be brave and courageous in business — not just in starting a studio, but in evolving it, challenging the norm, and dreaming beyond your current reality.

Big, Bold & Brave: Setting Goals That Actually Excite You

In this episode of Rhee Gold's Dance Life Podcast, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold challenge one of the most common mindsets in dance studio ownership: “It’s too late in the season to bring in new students.”

As recital season approaches and studios are deep in choreography, costumes, and competitions, many studio owners close their doors to new enrolments. But Stacey and Rhee argue that this approach is leaving significant revenue and opportunity on the table.

Instead, they explore how studio owners can think differently about their business model — creating flexible entry points, short-term programs, and alternative customer journeys that not only generate income now but also build a stronger foundation for the next season.

In this episode, they discuss:
Why turning away new students mid-season is a missed opportunity
How short-term programs (4, 6, or 8 weeks) can become powerful revenue streams
Creating a great customer experience for new students without forcing them into recital
How to use mid-season enrolments as a lead generation strategy for the following year
The importance of planning and marketing these programs well in advance
Why experimenting with different formats, styles, and age groups is key to growth
The concept of “up-serve vs upsell” and how to better serve your current families
Using themed programs (like K-pop or musical theatre) to drive engagement
Listening to your community and letting the market tell you what it wants
Understanding modern customer behaviour and how it differs from traditional studio models
Why flexibility, accessibility, and online registration are essential in 2026

Stacey shares a real-life example of launching a short-term “Hot Mama Hip Hop” class that filled quickly — proving that sometimes the best ideas come directly from your community.

Rhee reinforces the importance of evolving your business model, reminding studio owners that the industry is changing rapidly — and those who stay open to new ideas will thrive.

This episode is a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t only happen at the start of the season. With the right mindset and strategy, opportunities are everywhere — even in your busiest months.

In this episode of Rhee Gold's Dance Life Podcast, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold challenge one of the most common mindsets in dance studio ownership: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s too late in the season to bring in new students.&rdquo;
As recital season approaches and studios are deep in choreography, costumes, and competitions, many studio owners close their doors to new enrolments. But Stacey and Rhee argue that this approach is leaving significant revenue and opportunity on the table.
Instead, they explore how studio owners can think differently about their business model &mdash; creating flexible entry points, short-term programs, and alternative customer journeys that not only generate income now but also build a stronger foundation for the next season.
In this episode, they discuss:
<ul data-start="936" data-end="1865">
<li data-section-id="xt1r6c" data-start="936" data-end="1004">Why turning away new students mid-season is a missed opportunity</li>
<li data-section-id="12gxh3x" data-start="1005" data-end="1087">How short-term programs (4, 6, or 8 weeks) can become powerful revenue streams</li>
<li data-section-id="hmk6r6" data-start="1088" data-end="1183">Creating a great customer experience for new students without forcing them into recital</li>
<li data-section-id="o5j5m5" data-start="1184" data-end="1277">How to use mid-season enrolments as a lead generation strategy for the following year</li>
<li data-section-id="1di6509" data-start="1278" data-end="1353">The importance of planning and marketing these programs well in advance</li>
<li data-section-id="jfnxjz" data-start="1354" data-end="1439">Why experimenting with different formats, styles, and age groups is key to growth</li>
<li data-section-id="14k32f3" data-start="1440" data-end="1529">The concept of &ldquo;up-serve vs upsell&rdquo; and how to better serve your current families</li>
<li data-section-id="1h8i0hr" data-start="1530" data-end="1607">Using themed programs (like K-pop or musical theatre) to drive engagement</li>
<li data-section-id="7rc5od" data-start="1608" data-end="1689">Listening to your community and letting the market tell you what it wants</li>
<li data-section-id="zk4ao0" data-start="1690" data-end="1783">Understanding modern customer behaviour and how it differs from traditional studio models</li>
<li data-section-id="1hj9rsx" data-start="1784" data-end="1865">Why flexibility, accessibility, and online registration are essential in 2026</li>
</ul>
Stacey shares a real-life example of launching a short-term &ldquo;Hot Mama Hip Hop&rdquo; class that filled quickly &mdash; proving that sometimes the best ideas come directly from your community.
Rhee reinforces the importance of evolving your business model, reminding studio owners that the industry is changing rapidly &mdash; and those who stay open to new ideas will thrive.
This episode is a powerful reminder that growth doesn&rsquo;t only happen at the start of the season. With the right mindset and strategy, opportunities are everywhere &mdash; even in your busiest months.

In this episode of Rhee Gold's Dance Life Podcast, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold challenge one of the most common mindsets in dance studio ownership: “It’s too late in the season to bring in new students.”  As recital season approaches and studios are deep in choreography, costumes, and competitions, many studio owners close their doors to new enrolments. But Stacey and Rhee argue that this approach is leaving significant revenue and opportunity on the table.  Instead, they explore how studio owners can think differently about their business model — creating flexible entry points, short-term programs, and alternative customer journeys that not only generate income now but also build a stronger foundation for the next season.

Stop Leaving Money on the Table: How to Attract New Students Mid-Season

In Part Two of their conversation on competition culture, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold continue exploring how studio owners and teachers can create healthier, more inspiring competition experiences for their dancers.

Building on the themes of mentor, leader, and teacher, this episode focuses on the role teachers play during competition weekends — from the way they speak to their dancers, to the choreography choices they make, to how they react to results.

Rhee and Stacey discuss the importance of professionalism, emotional leadership, and thoughtful choreography that showcases dancers’ strengths rather than exposing their weaknesses. They also address common competition pitfalls, including over-rehearsing in hallways, negative commentary about judges or events, and social media reactions that can damage studio culture.

This conversation is a reminder that competition weekends are about far more than trophies or scores. They are opportunities for dancers to grow, build confidence, and experience the joy of performing — and teachers play a critical role in shaping that experience.

In this episode, Stacey and Rhee discuss:


Why competition weekend should never become a high-stress rehearsal environment


The importance of teachers modeling professionalism and emotional control


How choreography should highlight what dancers do well rather than what they cannot yet execute


The role of language in the classroom and how it impacts dancers’ confidence


Why teachers must be mindful of how they react to judges, results, and competition logistics


The dangers of venting frustrations on social media after a competition weekend


Understanding the subjective nature of dance judging and competition scoring


Why exposing dancers to strong competition ultimately helps them grow


How competition weekends should reinforce community, mentorship, and joy

Rhee closes the episode with a powerful reminder: many teachers once dreamed of sitting in the audience watching their students perform at competitions. The key is remembering that dream and approaching every competition weekend with gratitude, professionalism, and perspective.

Because in the long run, dancers rarely remember the trophies — but they will always remember the mentors who believed in them.

In Part Two of their conversation on competition culture, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold continue exploring how studio owners and teachers can create healthier, more inspiring competition experiences for their dancers.
Building on the themes of mentor, leader, and teacher, this episode focuses on the role teachers play during competition weekends &mdash; from the way they speak to their dancers, to the choreography choices they make, to how they react to results.
Rhee and Stacey discuss the importance of professionalism, emotional leadership, and thoughtful choreography that showcases dancers&rsquo; strengths rather than exposing their weaknesses. They also address common competition pitfalls, including over-rehearsing in hallways, negative commentary about judges or events, and social media reactions that can damage studio culture.
This conversation is a reminder that competition weekends are about far more than trophies or scores. They are opportunities for dancers to grow, build confidence, and experience the joy of performing &mdash; and teachers play a critical role in shaping that experience.
In this episode, Stacey and Rhee discuss:
<ul data-start="1303" data-end="2058">
<li data-section-id="yz88o" data-start="1303" data-end="1386">
Why competition weekend should never become a high-stress rehearsal environment
</li>
<li data-section-id="j0iz6i" data-start="1387" data-end="1464">
The importance of teachers modeling professionalism and emotional control
</li>
<li data-section-id="1xqggag" data-start="1465" data-end="1564">
How choreography should highlight what dancers do well rather than what they cannot yet execute
</li>
<li data-section-id="187et07" data-start="1565" data-end="1645">
The role of language in the classroom and how it impacts dancers&rsquo; confidence
</li>
<li data-section-id="1b65fdy" data-start="1646" data-end="1742">
Why teachers must be mindful of how they react to judges, results, and competition logistics
</li>
<li data-section-id="1no02vy" data-start="1743" data-end="1826">
The dangers of venting frustrations on social media after a competition weekend
</li>
<li data-section-id="1i68vs1" data-start="1827" data-end="1907">
Understanding the subjective nature of dance judging and competition scoring
</li>
<li data-section-id="15lmu61" data-start="1908" data-end="1981">
Why exposing dancers to strong competition ultimately helps them grow
</li>
<li data-section-id="bxdin4" data-start="1982" data-end="2058">
How competition weekends should reinforce community, mentorship, and joy
</li>
</ul>
Rhee closes the episode with a powerful reminder: many teachers once dreamed of sitting in the audience watching their students perform at competitions. The key is remembering that dream and approaching every competition weekend with gratitude, professionalism, and perspective.
Because in the long run, dancers rarely remember the trophies &mdash; but they will always remember the mentors who believed in them.

In Part Two of their conversation on competition culture, Stacey Morgan and Rhee Gold continue exploring how studio owners and teachers can create healthier, more inspiring competition experiences for their dancers.  Building on the themes of mentor, leader, and teacher, this episode focuses on the role teachers play during competition weekends — from the way they speak to their dancers, to the choreography choices they make, to how they react to results.  Rhee and Stacey discuss the importance of professionalism, emotional leadership, and thoughtful choreography that showcases dancers’ strengths rather than exposing their weaknesses. They also address common competition pitfalls, including over-rehearsing in hallways, negative commentary about judges or events, and social media reactions that can damage studio culture.  This conversation is a reminder that competition weekends are about far more than trophies or scores. They are opportunities for dancers to grow, build confidence, and experience the joy of performing — and teachers play a critical role in shaping that experience.

Building Community & Belonging

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