エピソード

  • Kick Ball Change with William “Bill” Waldinger ; Honoring the Legacy of Luigi | Kick Ball Change Podcast
    2026/10/19
    What happens when an unexpected path leads you to a legendary teacher who changes the way you move, teach, and see the world? In this episode of Kick Ball Change, we sit down with William “Bill” Waldinger, dance educator, performer, master teacher, and faculty member at Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Bill’s journey is a powerful reminder that there is no single path to a life in dance. His connection to the legendary jazz dance pioneer Luigi began a lifelong journey of learning, movement, and mentorship. After studying with Luigi for 23 years and receiving his certification to teach Luigi’s groundbreaking jazz technique, Bill has made it part of his mission to preserve and share this extraordinary legacy with future generations of dancers. With a career spanning classical ballet, jazz, musical theatre, and performance, Bill brings a wealth of experience to his work as an educator. But beyond the credits and accomplishments is a deeper story about finding your place, recognizing the impact of a mentor, and understanding the responsibility that comes with carrying someone’s work forward. Join us as we explore how one unexpected turn can shape a career, why the teacher-student relationship can leave a lifelong imprint, and what it means to honor the past while inspiring the future. Because sometimes, your path isn't about becoming who you thought you would be. It's about discovering who you are meant to become.
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    1 時間 4 分
  • Kick Ball Change with Sam Tirone and how Deca Dance is redefining the Dance Convention Experience
    2026/10/19
    What do you do when you have a grand vision for a dance competition, but your very first season begins with just eight students and a blizzard? For Sam from Deca Dance Competition, that was the unexpected beginning of a journey to redefine the dance convention experience. On this episode of Kick Ball Change, we talk about the courage it takes to bring an unconventional idea to life, the unpredictable challenges that can shape a business, and the resilience required to keep believing in your vision when the beginning looks nothing like you imagined. Eight students. A blizzard. And a dream that refused to stay small. Sam's story is a reminder that the beginning doesn't determine the destination. Sometimes, the moments that challenge us most become the very experiences that shape who we are and what we build. Join us as we explore entrepreneurship, perseverance, thinking outside the box, and what it means to create something different in the dance world. Because every great journey has its kick-ball-changes — the unexpected turns that teach us to adapt, grow, and keep moving forward.
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Kick Ball Change with Julie Kay Stallcup: A conversation about movement, resilience, and finding your rhythm through life’s unexpected turns.
    2026/10/19
    without. In this episode of Kick Ball Change, I sit down with Julie Kay Stallcup, known for her work with LA Dance Magic and now the founder of her own company and mastermind dedicated to supporting dance teachers. Julie opens up about one of life's hardest lessons: learning to let go of a studio and a friendship because she knew there was more growth waiting for her. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes the next chapter requires us to release the familiar, trust ourselves, and take that leap forward. “Growth doesn't happen when you're sitting. It happens when you're dancing.” We also dive into the importance of honesty in the dance world. How can teachers give honest feedback that helps dancers grow? How do we create environments where constructive criticism builds confidence instead of breaking it down? And what role do parents play in helping young dancers navigate challenges? One of my favorite takeaways is the importance of parents learning to listen first, rather than speak first. Sometimes, the most supportive thing we can do is give our children the space to process their own experiences before stepping in with our opinions. This conversation is about so much more than dance. It's about knowing when it's time to move on, having the courage to be honest, embracing change, and allowing ourselves and others the space to grow. Whether you're a dance teacher, studio owner, dance parent, or someone navigating a personal or professional transition, this episode will remind you that growth requires movement, honesty, and the willingness to take the next step. Tune in to Kick Ball Change with Julie Kay Stallcup — because sometimes, the best thing you can do is change direction and keep dancing.
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    40 分
  • How the Journey of Siblings Overseas Inspired this Artist to Carry On Through Dance
    2026/08/01
    In this deeply moving episode of Kick Ball Change, we sit down with Taylor Gordon, a Professional performer and accomplished choreographer, to explore the intersection of artistry, resilience, and healing. Taylor reflects on her career performing around the world while her brother was serving overseas in the military. She shares the profound impact of losing him after he struggled with the invisible wounds of his service and how that heartbreaking experience transformed her life and creative purpose. Through dance, Taylor found a way to process grief and honor her brother's memory by creating Unpacked, a powerful choreographic work that explores trauma, healing, and the lasting effects of military service on individuals and families. This conversation is an honest and inspiring reminder that art has the power to tell the stories that words often cannot. Taylor's vulnerability, strength, and commitment to using dance as a vehicle for awareness and healing will resonate with dancers, artists, veterans' families, and anyone who has experienced loss. Join us for a heartfelt conversation about purpose, resilience, and how creativity can become a path toward healing while inspiring others to find hope through even life's most difficult moments. https://www.taylorjgordon.com/unpacked @taylorjgordon.
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    54 分
  • KBC Angela Elgani
    2026/08/01
    What does it take to pursue your dreams with courage and confidence? In this inspiring episode of Kick Ball Change, we welcome Angela Elgani, whose incredible story is one of perseverance, resilience, and reinvention. Angela shares her kick ball changes and the chances she took on herself to audition without knowing anyone, following her passion with courage, and ultimately dancing alongside some of the biggest names in pop music, including the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears. She also opens up about one of the most difficult chapters of her life—the loss of her husband—and how she found the strength to rebuild her life with purpose. Today, Angela resides in St. Louis, where she is empowering women through dance, helping them reconnect with their confidence, embrace their authentic selves, and discover the healing power of movement. This heartfelt conversation is filled with wisdom for dancers, artists, and anyone facing a new beginning. Angela reminds us that success isn't about having the perfect path—it's about trusting yourself enough to take the next step, even when it's uncertain. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, courage, and the transformative power of dance. Whether you're pursuing a dream, navigating loss, or looking for the confidence to begin again, this episode will leave you feeling empowered to write your own next chapter.
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    1 時間
  • How a martial arts move Spinkick opened doors for Brian BT Thomas
    2026/06/30
    BT reflects on his journey from feeling like he didn't belong to discovering the power of being fully present. He shares how embracing mindset, resilience, and self-belief helped him navigate the "kick-ball-changes" of his career, turning uncertainty into opportunity and healing through life's biggest transitions. In a true full-circle moment, BT recounts the incredible path from auditioning to dance with the King of Pop to eventually becoming one of Michael Jackson's choreographers—a testament to perseverance, growth, and trusting the process. Today, BT channels his passion into creating powerful dance films through Spinkick Pictures, where movement becomes a vehicle for storytelling, transformation, and hope. He discusses his collaboration on Amy's Victory Dance, the remarkable story of Amy Jordan. On May 1, 2009, Amy—a former professional dancer based in New York City—was struck and run over by a 15-ton NYC Express bus, leaving her pinned beneath the wheel with devastating injuries that crushed her right leg. As she regained consciousness, her first thought was, "Am I ever going to dance again?" Her second was, "If I survive the night, there will be a Victory Dance." This conversation is about far more than dance. It's about identity, resilience, purpose, and the courage to stay present through life's most pivotal moments. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, athlete, or anyone navigating change, BT's story is a powerful reminder that our greatest transformations often begin when we stop striving to belong and simply allow ourselves to be fully present.
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Kickball Miss Crystal Bacon
    2025/01/27
    Our students need sensory inputs and at earlier ages. The arts provide tools, as healthy outlets" Join us on the Kick Ball Change as we welcome Miss Crystal Bacon, a leading Arts Director in North Carolina. She brings us into how she spear-headed changes as an administrator to bring in more arts based programs in the dance schools and local preschools. As a former dancer, she leans into her kick ball change moments of motherhood, and how she embraced them, by stepping into the admin role as she understands the power that the arts can provide. She is now leading teams, through the support of the State to educate other teachers and parents in the importance of early arts education. The more children and educators understand the power of the arts, and how they help heal and grow, by allowing both educators and students to lean into them, compassion and kindness will continue to flourish.
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    51 分
  • Kick Ball Change: No Labels-No Limits with Suzana Stankovic
    2024/10/26
    What happens if your wild heart envisioned opening a dance studio to provide a nourishing space for others to grow, but you were in your third trimester, expecting your first child? What if the space you felt connected to was offered as that space you envisioned? Of course you Kick Ball Change full force and sign the lease, then have your beautiful child 10 days later. That is the journey of this ever talented performing artist, Suzana Stankovic, the owner and director of Wild Hearts PAS. As a gymnast who was introduced to the beauty of ballet late, she invites us into her wild journey of her kick ball changes, and her mindset of getting through them gracefully. Suzana "banana" is a mastermind of supporting artists, no matter the age. Her No Label No Limits is a testament to that, as her studio in Astoria, Queens offers classes, performance programs, intensives in the art of dance, music and theater for everyone. If you have been waiting for a chance to take the next step, let this master artist's journey inspire you to make it happen! You can follow her studio https://www.wildheartpas.com/who-we-are https://www.instagram.com/wildheart_performing_arts/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5SUfPrvMio3gzEGronAasQ
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    56 分