Kai Martinez on marketing, empowering women through choreography, jealousy, Anderson. Paak, and all things Encanto!

In this episode, accomplished dancer and choreographer Kai Martinez shares her journey from passionate performer to industry innovator, revealing how clarity of purpose transforms both artistry and career trajectory. The Latina powerhouse, whose credits span from Christina Aguilera and Kendrick Lamar to Disney's Oscar-winning Encanto, explores:

• "tuning into your frequency"—discovering what you stand for as an artist and how that clarity naturally aligns you with the right projects, from empowering women through movement to championing underserved communities and sharing diverse cultural stories

• The groundbreaking process behind Disney's "We Don't Talk About Bruno"—how they reated choreography from storyboards alone, with their studio footage directly informing the animation layout, then spending six months collaborating with Disney's animation team to ensure every hip rotation and beat hit with precision

• Her revolutionary work bridging dance and animation—collaborating with Disney's Michael Woodside to establish new standards for how choreographers and animators work together on musical sequences, creating a template that elevated the entire industry's approach to animated dance

• The power of reframing jealousy as a navigational tool—using the "jealousy map" technique from The Artist's Way to transform envy into actionable insight, discovering what you truly want and taking immediate steps toward those goals rather than scrolling past inspiration

Kai represents the evolution of choreography across mediums. From her roots watching dancers in underserved neighborhoods to mentoring the next generation, she embodies how finding your authentic voice and values can create pathways not just for personal success, but for lifting entire communities. Whether you're interested in the intersection of live performance and animation, building authentic artistic relationships, or learning how to channel inspiration into action, this conversation offers powerful insights into creating work that truly matters.

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with Kai

Take a class with Kai

Kai’s Black Sweat video

Watch colorwise by the Seaweed Sisters

Listen to our episode with Popin'’ Pete

Listen to our episode with Jamal

Listen to our episode with Marty

Listen to our episode with Reina

Listen to our episode with Asiel

Comfort Fedoke on Emotional Choreography, Collaborative Art-Making, and the Power of Adaptability

In this episode, Emmy Award-winning dancer, choreographer, and multi-hyphenate artist Comfort Fedoke opens up about her innovative approach to movement as emotional language and the art of authentic collaboration. The Nigerian-American performer, known for her journey from So You Think You Can Dance contestant to All-Star to judge, reveals:

• Her groundbreaking new show "A/VOID"—a double entendre exploring the emotions we avoid and the void they create, developed with creative partner Zoe Rappaport and set within the immersive light-and-sound installation Chromasonic Field in downtown LA

• The magic of synesthetic performance—how she's creating work where "color becomes audible and sound becomes visible," using all the senses to help audiences viscerally understand what they're feeling through movement

• Her collaborative choreographic process—the late-night living room sessions that led to the Ozdust Ballroom Scene in Wicked, where authentic movement language emerges through freestyle experimentation, building "like a puzzle" until the soul speaks louder than technique

• The biggest lesson from her So You Think You Can Dance journey: learning to be adaptable and understanding her role as a muse and influential collaborator, discovering how to elevate choreographers while maintaining lasting artistic relationships

As a performer who has shared stages with H.E.R., John Legend, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, and countless other A-list artists, while also working as a commentator for Red Bull TV and judge on Nigeria's Maltina Dance All, Comfort embodies the evolution of dance as storytelling. From splitting time between London (where she's associate choreographer on "Wicked" and the West End's "Cabaret") and LA, she's creating work that transforms spaces and challenges audiences to feel more deeply. Whether you're interested in the intersection of technology and movement, the business of being a creative collaborator, or simply want to understand how dance can make the invisible visible, this conversation offers profound insights into making art that moves both bodies and souls.

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with Comfort on IG

Get Tickets to Comfort’s show

Donate to A/VOID

Watch “Try A Little Tenderness” from SYTYCD

Listen to our episode with the In The Heights Team

Watch the full Ozdust Ballroom Scene

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

Zoey Anderson on Becoming Undeniable Talent, Defying Gravity, and Finding Your Artistic Home

In this episode, Parsons Dance Company principal Zoey Anderson shares her remarkable journey from summer intensive discovery to becoming one of contemporary dance's most captivating performers. A 10-year company veteran, Clive Barnes Award winner, and Bessie Award nominee reveals:

• Her serendipitous path into Parsons Dance—how being spotted at Marymount's summer intensive led to an immediate company placement when the stars aligned and a dancer departed

• Dana’s philosophy on developing "undeniable, untouchable talent" over focusing on industry mechanics—why she believes pre-professional dancers should redirect energy from questions about hair color and tattoos to becoming the artist companies can't live without

• The mesmerizing solo "Caught"—a gravity-defying illusion performed in strobe lighting that creates the impossible: a body suspended in space for five minutes, executing over 112 jumps while appearing to never touch the ground

• Operating at extremes: her all-or-nothing approach to energy management, planning for both 100% intensity and complete restoration through 13-15 hour sleep cycles

As a performer who has graced stages from Broadway's "On The Town" opening night gala to the Academy Award-winning film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," and competed as a National Champion in Ballroom Smooth dancing, Zoey embodies the athletic artistry and infectious joy that defines contemporary dance. Whether you're an aspiring dancer seeking your artistic home or anyone fascinated by the intersection of illusion and movement, this conversation offers both practical wisdom and pure magic for understanding what it means to become irreplaceable in your craft.

Watch the full episode here.

Show Notes:

Connect with Zoey on Instagram

Watch a Parsons Dance performance

For more DANA

For coaching with me, join the WTMM COMMUNITY

To donate to WTMM through our Fiscal Sponsor, THE DANCE RESOURCE CENTER

To shop for GOODIES & SERVIES

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