Expectations we put on our art and ourselves, how to cultivate our own self worth, embracing the growth and transitions as us as artists and, of course, failure. We cover it all this week with Christie Lee Manning!
Christie Lee Manning is one of the UK’s most versatile performers. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Christie has worked with such artists as Lenny Kravitz, Nelly Furtado, and Michael Buble. She played a lead role in the musical 'Sweet Mystery', and has performed and adjudicated in Brazil for the XXI International Dance Seminar alongside Chan Goh, Monica Proenca, and Karah Abiog. Other credits include the sitcom Package Deal (TV), sci-fi series Warehouse 13 (TV), and Sky 1's 'Got To Dance' Season 5, mentored by Adam Garcia.
Christie has taught all over the world, from New York to Australia, choreographed for the National Lacrosse League, and is also the Creator of Industry Dance Magazine, a Canadian online website for dancers and choreographers alike. She is a member of Lukas McFarlane's contemporary company, UnTitled, and is the artistic director of BODY Jazz Theatre UK.
Stacey Tookey is back and sharing with us current industry conversions and plans, how she has become her own business, the true practice of self care and working through imposter syndrome. After connecting with pre-professionals and professional dancers feeling lost and disconnected, Stacey has created a virtual program called The Bridge where dancers from around the world receive unparalleled training, mind, body and artistry.
Emmy-nominated choreographer Stacey Tookey is a multitalented, Canadian-born director, choreographer and dancer who has worked with legendary musical artists such as Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Justin Timberlake, and Michael Bublé.
Stacey performed as a member of Mia Michaels’ cutting edge dance company R.A.W., New York’s Parsons Dance Project, Ballet British Columbia, ChuThis, and the Houston Grand Opera’s Carmen. She also earned the coveted role as Assistant Choreographer for Broadway’s A Few Good Men Dancin’ and was an original cast member for the entire five-year run of Celine Dion’s record-breaking show, A New Day at Caesars Palace.
Stacey’s passionate pieces on So You Think You Can Dance have earned her three consecutive Emmy nominations from 2010-12. She has also choreographed for Dancing With The Stars in the featured Macy’s Stars of Dance opening number. She choreographed the video for Atlantic Records recording artist Christina Perri’s chart-topping hit Jar of Hearts, as well as Vienne’s She Breaks, and John Torres Ocean music videos.
We talk about body-positive teaching, the impact of conscious educators and the impact of mindfulness within dance.
She trained in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus, and has completed their Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS). She also trained at the San Francisco Conservatory of dance and performed professionally with Brisas de Espana, a Flamenco and Spanish dance company.
She has been teaching for over 10 years, teaching at both for-profit and not for profit schools and serving a diverse community of dancers. Benicia Ballet School, Community Youth Center, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Sonoma Conservatory of Dance are just a few of the places that have been her dance homes.
She graduated with B.A. in Theater and Dance from CSUEB, where she had the opportunity to add to her training in modern, choreography, jazz and hip-hop from noted Bay Area directors/choreographers Nina Haft, Eric Kupers and Laura Elaine Ellis. Katrena has performed and taught across the United States and Canada including Vancouver, New Mexico, and New York.
She is back for round 2! Her first episode on the podcast, Episode 43, was a bomb of inspiration and love. Liana has worked with everyone from Britney Spears to Ricky Martin to Katy Perry. We loved her so much - we brought her back and this time to talk about her program, Body Language. Over the past few years, Liana has taken her love of dance and movement and brought back into an authentic experience - one that is centered around enjoying your how your body moves, how your heart grooves, and how community connects us all.