Maeghan McHale: Carving a Path, Making a Difference and Creating Opportunities for Young Dancers

In this episode of  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey,  join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Maeghan McHale, dancer, choreographer, mentor, coach, and YGAP judge.  Maeghan sits down with Joanne to discuss the trajectory of her career that led her from a classical ballet career to one in the contemporary jazz dance world. Now as a choreographer and well respected YAGP judge, Maeghan talks about wanting to create opportunities for dancers and wants those she mentors to experience all the possibilities dance provides- anything is possible. Leading by her example of the one path you're on, may just be the stepping stone where you can make a long lasting difference. Stay the course. (We share a good laugh during our interview when, for a few moments, the sound goes out. It was purposefully decided to leave those few moments in the episode to demonstrate how we were able to laugh through the situation and 'stand by' as we stayed true to our the show biz adage: The Show MUST Go On!) MAEGHAN McHALE, named one of Dance Magazine’s Top 25 to Watch in 2010, was born in Baltimore, MD. She studied at the Baltimore School for the Arts where she performed works by David Parsons, David Grenke, and John Clifford. She received a scholarship to Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she performed with the Dancing Through Barriers Ensemble. While living in NYC Maeghan studied at Steps on Broadway and performed with Extended Dance Company, as well as Off-Broadway under the direction of Tony Award Winner Hinton Battle. She has also participated in The Chicago Dancing Festival, Jazz Dance World Congress, The Miss America Parade, and Dancers Responding to Aids Benefit. In 2005 Maeghan received a scholarship to the Giordano Dance School, and in 2006 became a performing apprentice. 2007 marked her first season with Giordano Dance Chicago, and she enjoyed 13 seasons performing in places such as Hawaii, Latvia, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Netherlands, Turkey, Guatemala, Italy and Israel. Along with establishing herself as a dancer, she has also had the opportunity to set her own work on the Giordano II Company. Just recently she had the honor of working with the dancers of First State Ballet Theatre setting her new work “Out of the Silence” which premiered in November 2022. Maeghan has had her work performed on the Joyce Theater Stage, through Dancin Downtown at The Joyce, as part of the DRA Benefit. In 2011 her piece “Angelica” won the Performance Award and performed in NYC for Central Park Summer Stage. Her piece “If” also part of the DRA Benefit in 2013 won the Performance Award and they performed for Central Park Summer Stage as well. Her Choreography has been recognized with awards such as Outstanding Choreography/Choreographer, Regional Ensemble Winner and Outstanding Choreography Award at Youth America Grand Prix and has placed First in the Ensemble Category at YAGP Finals in 2021. As well as 2018 YAGP National Choreographer Award with the opportunity to travel to Russia to set her work on the Bolshoi. Her Ensemble work had the honor of being part of YAGP “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” tour. In the Summer of 2014 she was on the School Faculty at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS and was invited to be on Faculty at CNADM in the Fall of 2015. She was a Full Time Faculty Member at The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities for the 2021/2022 School Year. She also serves as a Judge/Teacher for Youth America Grand Prix. She continues to travel and teach Master Classes and Choreography. Follow @maeghanmchale on Instagram Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast  “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."