In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, we’re joined by two industry legends: Misty Lown, founder of More Than Just Great Dancing, and Mandy Yip, founder of Acrobatic Arts. Together, they share the highs and hurdles of building internationally recognized dance education brands, their inspiring journeys through entrepreneurship, and how they’re now helping shape the next generation of studio leaders through their work with Ensemble Performing Arts.

We dive into:

• The origin stories behind Acrobatic Arts and More Than Just Great Dancing
• Misty and Mandy’s views on industry trends, leadership, and the “professionalization” of dance studios
• Why succession planning matters—and how studio owners can create lasting legacies
• The importance of collaboration, not competition, in the dance world
• Their top actionable tips to take your studio to the next level

Whether you're a seasoned studio owner or just getting started, this conversation is packed with insight, laughter, and wisdom you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Plus, get a sneak peek of what Misty and Mandy are bringing to this year’s Dance Teacher Web Conference!

Ready to elevate your studio all year long? Visit DanceTeacherWeb.com to access exclusive tools, training, and expert resources designed to help you grow your business and inspire your team.

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, host Steve sits down with powerhouse dance educator and social media sensation Marissa Powers. From her early days at a small studio in Massachusetts to choreographing for NYU and teaching across NYC, Marissa shares how she built a dance brand that now inspires over 100K followers across TikTok and Instagram.

She opens up about her creative process, how a viral Harry Styles tap rehearsal changed everything, and offers real-world tips for dance teachers and studio owners who want to grow their reach online. Plus, get a sneak peek into the exciting class she's bringing to the Dance Teacher Web Conference, where she'll guide attendees on filming and editing content that connects and converts.

🎧 Highlights:

• How Marissa went from teaching in Fairfield to choreographing in NYC
• The TikTok video that changed her career
• Simple, doable tips to grow your studio’s online presence
• Preview of her content creation workshop at DTW Conferenc

Ready to take your dance studio to the next level?
👉 Visit DanceTeacherWeb.com to discover top-tier training, business tools, and community support that help studio owners and teachers thrive—on and off the dance floor.

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, we sit down with industry veterans Renee Stojec of A Wish Come True and Jason Neuwirth. of 42nd Street Tours to discuss the launch of their exciting new venture: Dance NYC. Learn how their years of experience and collaboration led to the creation of this one-of-a-kind event, featuring exclusive liquidation deals, top-tier vendors, and unbeatable networking opportunities for dance studio owners.

They also share juicy behind-the-scenes details about the upcoming Costume Liquidation Sale in partnership with Dance Teacher Web, why this event is a must-attend, and what attendees can expect—including up to $10,000 in prizes, themed swag baskets, and unforgettable industry connections.

🔗 CTA:

Explore all the resources Dance Teacher Web has to offer—from business tips to lesson plans—at www.danceteacherweb.com.

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, Steve welcomes the dynamic Courtney Ortiz — professional dancer, seasoned competition judge, educator, and host of Making the Impact – A Dance Competition Podcast. Courtney shares her incredible journey from Broadway to adjudication, dives into current trends in the competitive dance world, and offers actionable advice for studio owners and teachers navigating competitions, student growth, and creative integrity.

🎧 Topics covered include:

• The evolution of jazz and musical theatre in today’s competitions
• What judges are really looking for — and what turns them off
• The truth about competition levels and category placement
• The rising issue of choreography plagiarism and how to protect your work
• Behind-the-scenes insight into the judging process
• Why investing in your teaching staff pays off
• A preview of Courtney’s sessions at this year’s Dance Teacher Web Conference

Whether you're a studio owner, teacher, choreographer, or aspiring judge — this episode is packed with honest insight and expert advice you can apply right away.

🔗 Visit DanceTeacherWeb.com to get access to hundreds of resources, online classes, and info on the Dance Teacher Web LIVE Conference. Your blueprint for studio success starts here!

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, we sit down with Jamie Adams, founder of Gotta Dance in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Jamie shares her incredible 18-year journey—starting a dance studio in her basement and growing it into a thriving, state-of-the-art facility that now serves as a cultural hub for her entire community.

Whether you're just starting your studio or looking to scale, this episode offers inspiration and actionable insights on:

• What it takes to build and own your studio space
• How to stay true to your vision and values
• Creating retention and marketing magic through family-centered events
• The power of investing in your staff’s growth and education
• Why a non-competitive studio model works—and how it’s thriving
• Encouraging a studio culture rooted in joy, inclusion, and confidence

Jamie’s story is filled with honest reflections, smart strategies, and a powerful reminder: if the dream keeps calling, it’s time to take the leap.

🔗 Ready to take your studio to the next level? Get access to 1,000+ videos, lesson plans, business tools, and more at DanceTeacherWeb.com — the ultimate resource for studio owners and teachers.

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, we sit down with Claudia Reed (SVP of Sales) and Lorianne Hagen (Senior Sales Manager) from Weissman—one of the most trusted names in dance wear and costuming for over 65 years.

Together with hosts Steve and Angie, we explore what it truly means to build a studio brand that resonates—from your logo and communication style to the customer experience and beyond.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• How to define and refine your studio’s brand identity
• Why customer experience is your studio’s best marketing tool
• Tips for performing an effective brand audit
• Tools Weissman offers to streamline and inspire your costume selection
• Actionable advice for enhancing parent communication and studio loyalty

In this powerful episode of Step Up Your Studio, we’re joined by the incredible Ashley Andrews - Broadway choreographer, performer, and creative leader behind major productions like King Kong, Diana, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Sunset Boulevard. Ashley brings decades of industry experience and unfiltered advice for aspiring performers, studio owners, and dance educators.

From how to nail a Broadway audition, to the importance of being a triple threat, and why your attitude offstage is just as important as your talent, this conversation is packed with golden insights.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• 🎭 What casting directors are really looking for in a dancer
• 💡 The mindset shift that could change your audition outcomes
• 🎤 Why being a singer AND a dancer is no longer optional
• ✅ The grooming, attire, and preparation mistakes that cost dancers roles
• 💼 How resumes and headshots can make or break your audition
• 🔄 Why consistency, humility, and teamwork matter as much as talent

In this inspiring episode of Step Up Your Studio, we welcome the incredible Julie Kay Stallcup, a beloved veteran of the dance education world and longtime friend of Dance Teacher Web.

Julie shares her journey from building one of the most successful studios in California - Revolution Dance Center with over 1,300 students and 30+ employees - to transitioning out of ownership and stepping into a mentorship role. Discover how she grew her business with intention, built a strong team culture, and learned to let go with love by passing on her legacy.

Inside This Episode:

• The unexpected way Julie entered studio ownership
• How she scaled to 144 weekly classes and two studio spaces
• Tips for hiring a strong team (Hint: Hire people smarter than you!)
• Why vision board meetings changed everything
• The importance of preserving your studio’s culture and community
• How to keep students and teachers creatively inspired—even during the “grind season”
• And the beautiful parallels between studio leadership and planting seeds for growth

Whether you're a seasoned studio owner or just starting out, Julie’s story will remind you why you started - and how to lead with heart, passion, and purpose.

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more inspiration, stories, and strategies to help you step up your studio!

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