Step Up Your Studio

🎙️ Welcome to Step Up Your Studio – the essential podcast for passionate dance studio owners and dance teachers ready to grow, thrive, and make a lasting impact. Hosted by industry veterans Steve Sirico and Angela D'Valda Sirico, this show delivers practical strategies, inspirational insights, and expert interviews to help elevate every aspect of your studio—from reputation and profitability to leadership and community outreach. Whether you're looking for marketing tips, studio management solutions, teaching inspiration, or wellness practices for both you and your students, each episode is packed with actionable advice tailored specifically for the dance world. 💬 Join our community of dance professionals and get the tools, clarity, and motivation you need to take your studio to the next level. Subscribe, engage with us on social, and let's step up your studio—together. 👉 New episodes drop regularly, starting with a powerful dive into the marketing techniques every studio needs.

Step Up Your Studio is a arts podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 36 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Step Up Your Studio, a arts show with 36 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #36

  50 Years of Dance and Circus Magic with Robin Dawn Ryan - Ep 036

  Jul 21, 202639 minS1

  50 Years of Dance and Circus Magic with Robin Dawn Ryan In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, Steve Sirico sits down with Robin Dawn Ryan, owner of Robin Dawn's Dance Academy in Cape Coral, Florida, and a true industry legend celebrating over 50 years in business. Robin shares her incredible journey, from gymnastics in Indiana to the Sarasota Sailor Circus (where she discovered her great-grandfather was a high-wire walker and her grandparents were clowns!), to trick bareback riding, aerial work, and eventually opening her studio at just 18 years old with $200 and two students. She trained in NYC with greats like Charles Kelly, Phil Black, Henry LeTang, and Gregory Hines, and she's poured all of that knowledge into building a thriving studio now serving over 500 students. You'll hear Robin's golden nuggets on staying true to yourself as a teacher, building a lasting studio culture, setting boundaries with parents, and why real acrobatics technique is more important than ever. Plus, get a sneak peek at her upcoming acro curriculum featuring over 300 tricks organized into "families," launching at the Dance Teacher Web Conference this summer. Whether you're a new studio owner or a seasoned pro, Robin's story and wisdom will inspire you to keep pushing forward. Register for the 2026 Conference & Expo! - https://danceteacherweb.regfox.com/2026-dtw-conference-expo Follow Dance Teacher Web: Instagram: @danceteacherweb Website: https://www.danceteachersummerexpo.com/ #DanceStudioSuccess #StudioOwnership #DanceTeaching #DanceCommunity #StudioGrowth #DanceTeacherLife #DanceStudioTips #AcroDance #CircusArts #DanceEducation

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  Episode #35

  Connecting Dance Teachers Worldwide with Sue Whybrow - Ep 035

  Jul 8, 202632 minS1

  Connecting Dance Teachers Worldwide with Sue Whybrow In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, Steve Sirico chats with Sue Whybrow, founder of PopDance and the Dance Teacher Directory, live from St. Albans, England. Sue shares how a desire to dance to cheesy 80s pop music after having her second child turned into a global dance brand spanning the UK, US, Spain, Cyprus, and beyond. What started as one fun class in 2009 has grown into programs for adults, kids, toddlers, seniors, special needs, corporate team building, and more. Now Sue is tackling a new challenge: helping dance teachers get paid what they're worth and connecting them directly with customers, studios, and each other through the Dance Teacher Directory. You'll learn how the platform works on three levels, helping consumers find classes, teachers find work and fair pay, and studio owners find cover teachers or expand their faculty. Whether you're looking to grow your network, find subs, or discover new opportunities across the globe, this episode shows how collaboration and community can open doors. Register for the 2026 Conference & Expo! - https://danceteacherconference.com/ 👉 Follow Dance Teacher Web: Instagram: @danceteacherweb Website: https://www.danceteachersummerexpo.com/ 👉 Connect with Sue Whybrow: Website: https://www.danceteacherdirectory.com/ Website: https://www.popdanceworld.com/ #DanceStudioSuccess #StudioOwnership #DanceTeaching #DanceCommunity #StudioGrowth #DanceTeacherLife #DanceStudioTips #DanceTeacherDirectory #PopDance #DanceNetworking

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  Episode #34

  Episode 34: Building a Hip Hop Foundation with Geo Hubela

  Mar 4, 202634 minS1

  In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, Steve Sirico sits down with Geo Hubela, studio owner of Icon Dance Complex in New Jersey, convention veteran, and choreographer who has worked with Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, NSYNC, and more. Geo shares his journey from breaking in the streets of Brooklyn to performing at Disney and on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, and why he eventually came back east to open a studio with his family. He dives deep into why hip hop needs real curriculum and foundations, just like ballet and jazz, and how he's building resources to help teachers bring authentic hip hop into their classrooms. You'll also hear Geo's take on judging UDA Nationals, the importance of first, second, and third place competition culture, and his best tip for getting students to open up and freestyle. Plus, learn about his free Facebook community, Hip Hop Pro with Geo, where he drops weekly content to support dance educators. Whether you're intimidated by teaching hip hop or looking to level up your program, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical tools. Register for the expo today! - https://danceteacherweb.regfox.com/2025-dtw-conference-expo 👉 Follow Dance Teacher Web: Instagram: @danceteacherweb Website: https://www.danceteachersummerexpo.com/ 👉 Follow Geo Hubela: Instagram: @geohubela Website: https://www.icondancecomplex.com/ Facebook Group: Hip Hop Pro with Geo #DanceStudioSuccess #StudioOwnership #DanceTeaching #DanceCommunity #StudioGrowth #DanceTeacherLife #DanceStudioTips #HipHopDance #HipHopCurriculum #DanceEducation

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  Episode #33

  Episode 033: Systemize Your Studio for Success with Teri Mangiaratti

  Feb 25, 202636 minS1

  In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, Steve Sirico sits down with Teri Mangiaratti, 30-year studio owner, business coach, creator of NSYNC Action Plans, and newly appointed Vice President of Schools at Ensemble. Teri shares how she built systems that allowed her studio to thrive (and eventually partner with Ensemble), why getting your "season on a spreadsheet" is a game-changer for reducing stress and enabling delegation, and how studio owners can make their businesses more valuable, whether for sale, succession, or simply peace of mind. You'll also hear Teri's take on 2026 trends, including the explosion of dance studio marketing tech, the importance of investing in teacher training, and how to capitalize on the growing visibility of college dance team nationals. Plus, she shares her own origin story, from UDA camp instructor to accidental studio owner. Whether you're overwhelmed by your to-do list or ready to scale, this episode is packed with practical wisdom. Register for the expo today! - https://danceteacherweb.regfox.com/2025-dtw-conference-expo 👉 Follow Dance Teacher Web: Instagram: @danceteacherweb Website: https://www.danceteachersummerexpo.com/ Follow Teri: Website: https://www.insyncactionplans.com/ #DanceStudioSuccess #StudioOwnership #DanceTeaching #DanceCommunity #StudioGrowth #DanceTeacherLife #DanceStudioTips #StudioSystems #DanceTeamNationals #DanceBusinessCoach

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  Episode #32

  Episode 032: Turning Trial Classes into Lifelong Dancers with Julie Kay

  Feb 18, 202620 minS1

  In this episode of Step Up Your Studio , Steve Sirico welcomes back the first-ever returning guest of the podcast – the dynamic, high-energy, and always inspiring Julie Kay Stalcup . Julie shares what she's seeing in studios right now – from the rise of free trial classes to the growing demand for fun, experience-driven dance education. She breaks down the mindset shift studio owners and teachers must make to attract today's families, convert trial students into enrollments, and create an environment where kids can't wait to come back. You'll hear real classroom stories, practical strategies, and powerful reminders about why magic, connection, and heart matter more than ever. Julie and Steve also announce an exciting collaboration at the upcoming Dance Teacher Web Conference in Las Vegas, including: ✨ Tap Roots Certification (Primary through Level 6) ✨ A live, in-person certification experience ✨ "Julie Kay Unfiltered" – an interactive, real-time classroom teaching experience where educators can observe, reflect, and grow Learn More & Register Explore Tap Roots, Julie Kay Unfiltered, and the Dance Teacher Web Conference at DanceTeacherWeb.com Follow Julie Kay at juliekstalcup.com and on Instagram @jkstallcup for more classroom inspiration.

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