Words That Move Me with Dana Wilson

This is Sienna Lyons on Sensuality, Specialization, and the Strength to Sustain   In this episode, Choreographer, Educator, and Dancer Sienna Lyons shares her perspective on power, versatility, and longevity in an industry that often demands everything at once. From backup dancing for JLo and Taylor Swift to choreographing for Gwen Stefani and The Masked Singer, Sienna reveals what it means to command attention without giving everything away. We explore:   The art of the tease over the reveal. Why she gravitates toward the "don't look at me, but look at me" approach to sensuality, how different opacities of sexy—from the subtle smirk to what she calls "the yeast infection"—shape character choices, and what it means to keep certain elements as a privilege rather than a given. The generalist advantage in a specialist world. How training in everything from tap to commercial hip hop since age three became her secret weapon, why being fluent in both technical and commercial languages opens doors across choreographic camps, and the radical notion that "of course" having multiple skill sets works in your favor. Prehab over rehab at 36. The lightbulb moment when she realized PT isn't just for when you're hurting, why consistency matters more than intensity as the body ages, and what happens when you're still in great shape but gravity and years of abnormal physicality start sending reminders.   This conversation reveals what happens when you refuse to perform easiness as a character trait, when you embrace being many things instead of one singular thing, and when you learn that maintaining your instrument is just as important as mastering your craft. Watch the full episode here. Show Notes: Connect with Sienna on IG Listen to Tony’s episode  Listen to Dominique’s episode  Listed to Jillian’s episode  Listen to Slay’s episode  Listen to Mimi’s episode 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 Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE   Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

This is Dr. Arnel Calvario Ripkens on conscious leadership, cultural stewardship, and the dance program that says “yes” when others say “no”. In this episode, dancer, leader, and Doctor of Occupational Therapy Arnel Calvario Ripkens shares three decades of wisdom on building community, honoring roots, and creating space for everybody. We explore: The antidote to lonely leadership. Why "you're not alone" is the first thing every leader needs to hear, the power of reciprocal mentorship relationships, and how mission statements become your compass when organizations grow and evolve. Conscious cultural participation. What it means to be a guest in black-created art forms, how Culture Shock LA showed up for the communities whose culture shaped their choreography, and why knowledge of where dance comes from strengthens the power of what we do. Awesome Shock and neurodivergent dancers. The parents who shared that studios turned their kids away, the grant-funded after-school program that became a full dance troupe, and how 27 dancers ages 6 to 28 proved that diversity includes neurodiversity. Plus, more insights on being the best leader you can be! This conversation reveals what happens when you lead with a mission first, when you honor the heritage of the art forms you practice, and when you create programs that affirm every dancer—especially those who've been told they learn differently. Watch the full episode here. Show Notes: Connect with Arnel  Listen to our first episode with Arnel Arnel’s Leadership Tools for the Dance Leader  Learn more about Culture Shock LA 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 Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE  Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok

This is Will Johnston on new projects, originality, and the moment in a lunge that changed everything. In this episode, choreographer and director Will Johnston discusses his creative process, artistic influence, and the evolution of his work, from competitive dance beginnings to directing music videos for major artists. We explore: The choreography of numbness through cathartic movement. How his film "Pepper" explores over-consumption and paralysis, when the body holds chaos and vibration even when it can't move, and what happens to our vessels when the stimulation stops. Originality, influence, and the proofread process. Whether truly original thoughts exist, how dancers physicalize and remanifest what they see, and the idea of adding a "proofreading" step to creative work The lunge that sparked everything. That pivotal seventh-grade moment when recreation became serious, when "I should work hard" became a defining thought, and how weight-bearing holds can catalyze life-changing realizations. Plus, insights on evolving from dancer to director, working with DPs, and bringing technical precision to artistic vision. This conversation reveals what emerges when we examine our influences honestly, when we create space between inspiration and imitation, and when a single moment of clarity in class becomes the foundation for a global career. Watch the full episode here. Show Notes: Connect with Will on IG Watch “Pepper” 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 Watch and Subscribe on YOUTUBE  Stay connected with us on IG and TikTok