For a lot of competition dancers, the question isn’t if they’ll keep dancing—it’s how. College dance teams have become a major pathway, blending performance, athleticism, and opportunity. But making that transition takes more than strong technique. It takes versatility, precision, and a clear understanding of recruitment, auditions, and what these programs are actually looking for.

So in this conversation, we’re bringing in Derek Piquette founder of PRODIGY - the dance team convention - to dive into what it really takes to go from the competition stage to a college dance team—how dancers can start preparing early, what skills matter most, and how to stand out in an increasingly competitive field.

We are so excited to welcome Derek and welcome you all to this week's episode of Two Dance Moms Podcast!

ABOUT DEREK:

Derek is a highly accomplished performer, choreographer, director, and educator, whose career spans TV, film, live performance, and the commercial dance industry. Derek's credits include SYTYCD, WOD, Cirque du Soleil, Radio City Spectacular, Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon, Jenifer Lopez, Juno Awards, NY Fashion week, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, And Millenium Dance Complex, to name a few! We are so excited to have him on this weeks episode. Find more about Derek and PRODIGY in the links below.

LINKS:

PRODIGY DANCE CONVENTION

Prodigy on Instagram

Derek on Instagram

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Has your child ever experienced plateaus or feelings of complacency? Do they want to grow but feel stuck? In this episode we speak with Studio Owner, Kelsay Stephensen and competition company director, Emma Smith of Trademark Dance Academy to discuss the how and why behind these issues and what might be done to help our dancers when they experience them. To learn more about Kelsay and Emma, their studio Trademark Dance Academy, and watch their podcast, The Studio Rats, click the links below!

KELSEY & EMMA

Studio Rats Podcast on Youtube

Trademarkdance.com

Instagram:

Trademark Dance Academy

Studio Rats Podcast

EPISODE SPONSORS

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Apolla Performance Compression Socks, Made by dancers for dancers! Increase stability and support, while reducing pain and fatigue.
www.apollaperformance.com

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As dancers grow more skilled with their makeup—and as new products continue to evolve—their favorite and go-to items naturally change. In this episode, we talk about our dancers’ current favorite products for both the competition stage and the convention room.

EPISODE SPONSORS

Dream Duffel, the original rolling duffel with a built in garment rack! Choose from multiple sizes, colors, patterns, & styles!
www.dreamduffel.com

Apolla Performance Compression Socks, Made by dancers for dancers! Increase stability and support, while reducing pain and fatigue.
www.apollaperformance.com

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We all feel like we have over extended ourselves at times, but what does this look like for our own dancers? When the dance season starts to loose its luster... In this episode we chat about what burnout might look like for some and share our thought on how to support our dancers when they may feel this way.

EPISODE SPONSORS

Dream Duffel, the original rolling duffel with a built in garment rack! Choose from multiple sizes, colors, patterns, & styles!
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Apolla Performance Compression Socks, Made by dancers for dancers! Increase stability and support, while reducing pain and fatigue.
www.apollaperformance.com

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Becky Tucci is a favorite among dance moms for her funny videos depicting our crazy competition lifestyle on TikTok and Instagram. In this weeks interview we get to find out more about Becky, how she came to be a dance mom, and what got her started making her funny videos we all love.

FOLLOW BECKY!

TokTok: btucci

Instagram: @btuccidancemom

Email: btuccidancemom@gmail.com

EPISODE SPONSORS

Dream Duffel, the original rolling duffel with a built in garment rack! Choose from multiple sizes, colors, patterns, & styles!
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Apolla Performance Compression Socks, Made by dancers for dancers! Increase stability and support, while reducing pain and fatigue.
www.apollaperformance.com

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There are many Hot Topics in the world of competitive dance, but in this episode we want to chat about reusing choreography! From choreographers setting the same piece on different teams, to soloists and groups competing the same piece in a different season, and even people learning and dancing choreography they found in social media. We chat about it all from a dance parents point of view. Join us for this Hot Topic discussion on Two Dance Moms Podcast!

EPISODE SPONSORS

Dream Duffel, the original rolling duffel with a built in garment rack! Choose from multiple sizes, colors, patterns, & styles!
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Apolla Performance Compression Socks, Made by dancers for dancers! Increase stability and support, while reducing pain and fatigue.
www.apollaperformance.com

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In this episode we have the opportunity to peel back the curtain on competition judges. Meghan Faddis joins us to share her insights on becoming a judge and giving good FEEDBACK to dancers and groups. You won't want to miss this!

ABOUT MEGHAN:

Meghan, a St. Louis native, is a New York based professional dancer, actor, and educator. She has over 25 years of dance training, 14 of which she received from St. Louis Academy of Dance. While in St. Louis, Meghan began her professional musical theatre career and performed in over 25 mainstage shows at the Muny and was a part of the Muny Teen Touring Troupe throughout her teenage years. She then attended Indiana University and holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Contemporary Dance. Upon graduating, she performed at various regional theatre houses, most notably; West Side Story (Jet Girl), The Music Man (Ensemble), and Gypsy (Ensemble) at The Muny, Beauty and The Beast (Ensemble), On the Town (Ft. Dancer), 9 to 5 (Ensemble), and Damn Yankees (Ft. Female Dancer) at Sacramento Music Circus, and Grease (Ensemble/Dance Captain) at Kansas City Starlight. Most recently, she concluded a 4.5 year run as an ensemble swing with Hamilton. She joined the Chicago company of Hamilton in 2019 and later joined the First National Touring Company. Meghan has also traveled and performed as a dancer for Broadway’s MJ the Musical’s promotional team.

While she is not on stage, Meghan teaches musical theatre, contemporary, jazz, and improv master classes all over the country and sits on the convention faculty at Ultimate Dance Tour. She also is currently going on her fifth year as a qualified dance competition adjudicator and sits on the judging panel for Ultimate Dance Tour, Ultra, Refresh, StarQuest, Expressions, and Rave.

Meghan has also created a revolutionary training course geared towards new, incoming judges to elevate the standard of feedback provided at dance competitions. Learn more at www.feedbackforjudges.com

CONNECT WITH MEGHAN :

TikTok: @MeghanFaddis

insta: @mfadd

Website: www.meghanfaddis.com

EPISODE SPONSORS

Dream Duffel, the original rolling duffel with a built in garment rack! Choose from multiple sizes, colors, patterns, & styles!
www.dreamduffel.com

Apolla Performance Compression Socks, Made by dancers for dancers! Increase stability and support, while reducing pain and fatigue.
www.apollaperformance.com

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We have been Dance Moms for over 8 years and we have learned many tips from friends and experiences. In this episode we wanted to share with you our favorite TOP TIPS that we've loved and used over these past years!

EPISODE SPONSORS

Dream Duffel, the original rolling duffel with a built in garment rack! Choose from multiple sizes, colors, patterns, & styles!
www.dreamduffel.com

Apolla Performance Compression Socks, Made by dancers for dancers! Increase stability and support, while reducing pain and fatigue.
www.apollaperformance.com

RATE & REVIEW
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SOCIALS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twodancemomspodcast/