The Confident Dancer Podcast
Episodes
Where I’ve Been for the Last 10 Months… Everything’s Changed
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hello friends! It's been a while. I'm so excited to share these updates with you! If you follow me on Instagram, some of these updates might n...
How to Set "REALISTIC" and Exciting Goals for the New Year (goal-setting tips for dancers)
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's that time of year where a lot of us think about goal-setting, yet so many dancers have a hard time setting goals that feel both "realist...
6 Mindset Shifts that Gave Me the Best Audition Season of My Life
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
These 6 mindset shifts helped me to have the most successful audition season of my life and I don't want to keep them a secret! These will help yo...
5 Tips to Avoid BURNOUT During Busy Times as a Dancer
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So many dancers experience the feeling of burnout during busy times such as performance, competition, or audition season. In today's episode, I...
What to Start Focusing on NOW to Excel in Auditions this Spring
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's so important to be prepared for audition season so you can go into it feeling confident, whether you're auditioning for ballet companies,...
Tips for Handling JEALOUSY as a Dancer (whether you're jealous or others are jealous of you)
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
So many dancers experience the feeling of jealousy towards other dancers and have a hard time moving past it. Some dancers are also mistreated by othe...
How to Use VISUALIZATION to Perform Your Best CONSISTENTLY as a Dancer!
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Visualization is an incredible tool for dancers to help you perform your best consistently and with confidence! In this episode, I'm breaking down...
Ballet Competition Performance Tips: How to calm nerves, stop comparing, and dance with confidence!
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Preparing for a ballet competition? Here are some tips on how to calm nerves, stop comparing yourself to other dancers, and confidently dance your per...
6 Tips to Overcome INSECURITIES in Dance
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tired of insecurities holding you back as a dancer? Here are 6 tips on how to overcome insecurities in dance so you can start confidently dancing to y...
5 Tips to Become a More Confident Dancer NOW
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tired of feeling insecure, awkward, and apologetic as you dance? Use these 5 tips to become a more confident dancer now! These simple mindset shifts c...
Narcissistic Leaders, Dehumanization of Dancers, & How Dancers Can Reclaim Agency w/ Melody Mennite
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Working with narcissistic leaders in dance and experiencing dehumanization as a dancer are sad realities that many dancers face, especially in the pro...
Not Getting the Attention or Opportunities You Want? Do this.
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I know that not getting the attention or opportunities you want from teachers, choreographers, judges, or directors can be so frustrating ...
Why Increased Skill DOESN'T Fix Self-Doubt for Dancers (ADVICE THAT WORKS)
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! Have you ever noticed self-doubt holding you back as a dancer and thought that if you were just a better dancer, you wouldn't feel thi...
DANCERS: How to Believe in Yourself Even When it's Hard
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! How many times have you heard about the importance of believing in yourself, but felt like that's really easy to say but hard to do? S...
Melody Mennite on Her Incredible Career as a Principal Dancer with Houston Ballet + What's Next!
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Melody Mennite - Principal ballerina formerly with Houston Ballet and currently dancing with Vitacca Ballet. She has toured internationally to perform...
Thriving in ballet again, overcoming mental blocks around turns, adagio, & more with Jessica Procini
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope this interview with Jess encourages you with just how much change is possible with the right support! Whether you are a professiona...
Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan on Becoming a Principal Dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she studied on scholarship at the Rock School for Dance Education, Metropolitan Ballet A...
How to Stop Tying Your Self-Worth to Dance
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! So many dancers know that they struggle with tying their self-worth to dance, but aren't sure how to actually break that cycle! Whethe...
Reflecting Back on My Dance Journey: Best Decisions and Top Regrets
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope you enjoy this episode on my BEST decisions and top regrets as I reflect on my journey to becoming a professional ballet dancer! I ...
5 Things You Need to Know Before Going to College for Dance
29 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! In recent years, going to college (or a university) for dance has become an increasingly popular option for dancers interested in pursuing...
Returning to the Stage after a Major Injury with Anabel Katsnelson from American Ballet Theatre
22 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope you enjoy this conversation with Anabel Katsnelson from American Ballet Theatre! I know that so many dancers experience injuries at...
What it's ACTUALLY Like to Dance for American Ballet Theatre with Anabel Katsnelson
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope you enjoy this conversation with Anabel Katsnelson from American Ballet Theatre! I know that so many dancers dream of dancing for s...
Why Focusing on Natural Talent is Holding You Back
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope you enjoy this episode on "Why Focusing on Natural Talent is Holding You Back"! With how often I hear dancers expressing ...
One Powerful Tip to Boost Focus and Motivation as You Dance!
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! Do you ever find yourself just going through the motions as you dance, lacking focus, inspiration, and motivation? We've all been ther...
4 LIES That Dancers are Often Taught to Believe
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope this episode on 4 LIES That Dancers are Often Taught to Believe is eye-opening and helpful for you! Since our beliefs are so powerf...
5 Belief Changes That Made Me a Better Dancer
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope this video on 5 Belief Changes That Made Me a Better Dancer is eye-opening and helpful for you! This video was inspired by an Insta...
The REAL Way to Build Confidence (that few people talk about)
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope this video on the real way to build confidence as a dancer is eye-opening and helpful for you! I used to feel so frustrated when I ...
How to Move on From Mistakes without Beating Yourself Up
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope you enjoyed this episode on how to move on from mistakes without beating yourself up. If you struggle with getting stuck in self-cr...
What I LOVE and HATE about the dance world (it gets *SPICY*)
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope you enjoyed this spicy little episode on what I love and hate about the dance world. Let me know what YOU love and don't love s...
7 ways to lower STRESS as a dancer (to dance BETTER with LESS stress!)
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! Does stress ever get in the way of you dancing your best, or at the very least, ENJOYING yourself as you dance? Since at one time or anoth...
Reacting to Biscuit Ballerina… [thoughts on social media, YAGP, and comparison]
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I wanted to share some thoughts in response to @BiscuitBallerina 's Instagram post she recently made, in which she shared thoughts...
5 Surprising Causes of PERFECTIONISM in Dancers
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope this episode on '5 Surprising Causes of PERFECTIONISM in Dancers' really helps and encourages you if this is something you&...
3 Tips to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Dancers
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope this episode on '3 Tips to Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Dancers' really helps and encourages you if this is something y...
5 Tips to Break Through Imposter Syndrome as a Dancer
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope this video on 5 Tips to Break Through Imposter Syndrome as a Dancer really helps and encourages you if this is something you've...
How to Have a Healthy, Balanced Approach to Dance Training w/ Georgia Dostal of Balanced Ballerinas
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi Dancers! I hope you really enjoyed this conversation with Georgia Dostal from Balanced Ballerinas on how to have a healthy, balanced approach to da...
Toxic Things Dance Teachers Do That We Need to STOP Normalizing
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Toxic things dance teachers do that we need to STOP normalizing... let's talk about them! So many teachers are well-intentioned, but let's be ...
Normalized Behaviors in Dance That are Actually Toxic
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Normalized behaviors in dance that are actually toxic... let's talk about them! There are so many wonderful traits that dance training encourages ...
Mental Blocks Explained + Why Positive Thinking Doesn't Always Work
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you try to think positively, you STILL compare yourself to others, feel like you're not good enough, ho...
How to Create a Healthy Dance/Life Balance (that's realistic)
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt like you need more "balance" in your life as a dancer but you're not sure exactly how to create a healthy dance/life ...
Q&A with a Physical Therapist for Dancers, Dr. Christa Christianson!
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this video, we are asking all your most burning questions to Dr. Christa Christianson, Founder of Dance Health LLC and the Dance Evolution App, Doc...
What I’ve Learned Talking to The World’s Top Professional Ballet Dancers
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
To learn more about my mindset coaching and speaking services, visit www.theconfidentdancer.com To stay up to date on the latest announcements and b...
Why You Stop Performing as Well When People are Watching (and how to overcome it!)
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered why you stop performing as well when people start watching you dance? There are reasons for this that may surprise you, so in t...
UPDATE on Quitting Dancing Professionally: what it's actually been like (expectations vs reality)
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Confident Dancer Podcast! Your host, Kirsten Kemp, is a former professional dancer turned Mindset Coach for Dancers, specializing in he...
Scared of Pirouettes? Here's How to Not Be. (tips to reduce fear and improve your turns)
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Confident Dancer Podcast! Your host, Kirsten Kemp, is a former professional dancer turned Mindset Coach for Dancers, specializing in he...
How to Stop Hating Adagio in Ballet Class (even if you feel bad at it)
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Confident Dancer Podcast! Your host, Kirsten Kemp, is a former professional dancer turned Mindset Coach for Dancers, specializing in he...
It's Ok if Your Path Looks Different (an encouragement if you're scared of failing)
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Confident Dancer Podcast! Your host, Kirsten Kemp, is a former professional dancer turned Mindset Coach for Dancers, specializing in he...
5 Things You Can Do to Practically Improve Your Chances of Becoming a Professional Dancer
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Confident Dancer Podcast! Your host, Kirsten Kemp, is a former professional dancer turned Mindset Coach for Dancers, specializing in he...