Beyond the Steps Season 4 Recap: Highlights, Inspirations, and Future Goals

Hey everyone! We’re thrilled to share a recap of an incredible Season 4 of Beyond the Steps. This season, we explored thought-provoking discussions and connected with inspiring individuals making a difference in various fields, not just dance.

Learning from Marching Artists

One of the most exciting discoveries this season was learning how marching artists protect, support, and promote wellness. Their industry, much like many others, involves young performers who tour and travel extensively. They seem to be ahead in many ways, and there's a lot we can learn from them to enhance our own practices in different communities. Applying their wellness strategies could benefit a wide range of activities and professions.

Favorite Episodes and Key Takeaways

Bri’s Favorites:

Two standout episodes for Bri were with Mindy Jackson, Director of the Steps on Broadway Conservatory Program, and Amy Leafer, Head Coach of the Texas A&M Dance Team. They shared invaluable insights into the application and audition processes for collegiate programs. The key takeaway? Start preparing early – even as a freshman in high school. Their advice is crucial for anyone looking to transition smoothly from one stage of their career to the next.

Melissa’s Favorite:

Melissa found Suzanne Parel’s episode on why starving artists still exist to be incredibly inspiring. Suzanne debunked the myth that artists must sacrifice their well-being for their art. Instead, she emphasized the importance of fair pay and good working conditions for all artists. This conversation was a powerful reminder that we must budget properly and ensure that everyone is treated well, regardless of their profession.

Looking Ahead to Season 5

As we gear up for Season 5, we’re already buzzing with ideas. Here’s what we’re excited to explore:

Melissa’s Focus:

Melissa is passionate about creating an organized effort to implement checks, balances, recommendations, and regulations across various competitive fields. She understands the complexities involved but believes it’s necessary and possible to make these changes.

Bri’s Focus:

Bri wants to continue exploring parallels in other athletic and artistic fields to better understand performance and wellness dynamics. By learning from industries that have already figured out solutions to common problems, we can apply those lessons broadly. This cross-industry learning is vital for growth and standardization.

Your Summer Homework

We can’t end without giving you some homework to keep you busy over the summer! Here are two tasks:

1.Watch Past Episodes: Revisit all the episodes from Seasons 1 to 4. They’re available on YouTube and Facebook at Apolla Performance and TP Dance Creations. Yes, the earlier seasons are a bit raw, but the content is fantastic. Appreciate how far we’ve come!

2.Take the Steps Initiative: This is a free collection of resources and courses covering equity, inclusion, wellness, and more. Curated by experts, it’s a great foundation for everyone. When you know better, you do better!

Thank You!

Thank you for all your support, for listening, sharing, and being part of the *Beyond the Steps* community. Special thanks to our teams at Apolla and Turning Point Dance Creations for all their hard work. We couldn’t do this without you!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share our content on all platforms. We’ll be back bigger and better in October for Season 5. Until then, enjoy your summer and continue your journey beyond the steps.

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See you in Season 5!