Episodes
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DOAD #49: Remembering Atti’s grandpa John
Hey friends, today I’m taking a bit of a break from our regular topics and spending a few minutes talking about my dad (Atti’s grandpa) John. He passed away in June, and would’ve been 90 years old today. He was a cop and pilot - about as far away from the dance world as a guy can get - yet he…
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DOAD #48: Is your studio as inclusive as it should be?
This episode features a story of our studio being incredibly warm and inviting to dancers of all abilities. It also reminded me how differently our old studio handled the exact same request, and I’m still mad at myself for how I let that slide. This is a public episode. If you would like to…
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DOAD #47: How to organize your dancer's crazy calendar with AI
WARNING! This episode is very, very geeky and super, super nerdy. I talk about how you can use Notion, Claude and NotionToCalendar to keep your dancer’s crazy calendar up to date and synched up on everybody’s phone with ease! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...
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DOAD #46: Dad of a dance teacher
I'm recording this one from a parking lot across the street from where my son now works as a dance coach, which makes me a dad of a dance teacher! When Atti stepped away from studio dance and landed at a tumbling and fitness gym, he worried his skills would slide and he'd be bored out of his…
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DOAD #45: The emotional bank account
At our new studio's kickoff meeting, one announcement made my wife and me snap our heads toward each other and gasp out loud. (If you've ever hunted for a missing sock at 6 a.m. before a competition, you'll understand why.) I also share a concept I learned about years ago called the "emotional…
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DOAD #44: First impressions of our new studio
* A recap of week one at our new studio, plus the parent meeting I was dreading and ended up loving * The dancer/parent contract I actually read this time, including the one line that made me laugh out loud * Why you might not realize it's time to shop for a new studio until you finally step...
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DOAD #43: A better way to do dance solos
A while back I griped on here (episode #6) about how solos usually get built: you sign up, you get a time slot, you walk in, and a choreographer hands you a song and eight counts and off you go. This week Atti came home from his first solo rehearsal at the new studio and said five words that...
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DOAD #42: Studio dance vs. school dance balance
Hi friends, I’m trying to answer a question I have little experience with: what is the right balance between studio dance commitments and school dance program commitments? This week Atti walked into his sophomore year at his performing arts high school with a full studio dance card (he recently...
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DOAD #41: How to manage your dancer's crazy calendar
Hello friends! Last week I told you we landed at a new studio — what I didn’t tell you is what came right behind it: a firehose of dates, deposits, Venmo requests, and travel deadlines. Then five seconds later: a big email from the high school dance director with even more logistics and details…
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DOAD #40: Out with the old!
We have giggities in this house — that’s our word for extreme hyperness and/or happiness about something. Atticus auditioned for and made the new studio he’s had his eye on for a long time! So I thought now would be a good time to compare and contrast some elements of our old studio experience…
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DOAD #39: CLI 2026 - an interview with Atticus
Hello friends! Atticus just got back from his second CLI Conservatory intensive, and this time he walked in knowing where everything was, who everyone was, and exactly how much a 9-to-9 schedule was going to hurt. We talk stamina, a music video that took roughly 500 takes, tumbling on a marley...
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DOAD #38: Our second CLI Conservatory experience
Hello friends! This week my wife and Atticus are at the CLI Conservatory in Southampton, Massachusetts for his second week-long dance intensive. As a refresher, we welcome you to read more about the origins/history of CLI, and/or listen to episode #7 of our podcast to hear about our first...
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Dad and dancer FREAK OUT!
It’s the video you’ve been waiting for (maybe?). Atti and I join forces and dance to Le Freak! And in case this song makes you want to revisit the music video: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
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DOAD #37: Auditions, anxieties, and a brand new studio
Hello friends! Back to school is barreling toward us, and for our house that means a new studio, a new audition, and a whole lot of feelings in my stomach. This week I’m flying solo to talk about what’s coming this fall, what my wife and I are doing to keep the anxiety in check — his and ours.…
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DOAD #36: Master Ballet Academy - a postlude
Hello friends! We’re wrapping up our Master Ballet Academy series with this one, and this time it’s just me — no Atticus — giving you the full parental debrief on his three-week summer intensive in Phoenix, Arizona. You’ve heard his side over the last couple of weeks; now I’m here to talk about…
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DOAD #35: Master Ballet Academy - Part 3
Hello friends! We’re closing out the Master Ballet Academy trilogy and I could not be more proud. In this episode, I catch up with Atticus as he wraps up his final week in Scottsdale — and the kid who dragged himself through week one is a completely different dancer heading into the finish line.…
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DOAD #34: Master Ballet Academy - Part 2
Hello friends! This was supposed to be week two of three with Atticus joining me live from Phoenix, but a couple of things got in the way. He’d just come through a brutal day — a full day of class plus a couple of solo sessions — and my wife was basically hauling home a bag of bones. And on a…
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DOAD #33: Master Ballet Academy - Part 1
Hello friends! We’re doing something a little different this week — Atticus is joining me live from Scottsdale, Arizona, just three days into his summer intensive at Master Ballet Academy, and I am here for every sweaty, sun-drenched detail. This is part one of what’s shaping up to be a…
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DOAD #32: Is the dance studio model broken?
Hello friends! We’re back from vacation. This week’s episode is a shorter one, but it’s built around a question that I think a lot of dance families quietly wonder about: is the competitive studio model actually broken, especially for kids 12 and up? 🎬 The clip that started it all * A dance...
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DOAD #31: Master Ballet Academy - a prelude
Hi friends, Atti’s ramping up for his upcoming three-week intensive at Master Ballet Academy. For months, his coach (as well as his mom and dad) have highly encouraged him to work more cardio into his dance diet so he doesn’t crumble into an out-of-breath pile during the first day of class! But…
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DOAD #30: A dancing and driving double threat!
Hello friends! Big news in the Johnson household this week — Atticus passed his driver’s permit test! 🎉 Which means my dream of having him drive himself to dance 428 times a week is one step closer to reality. (I jokingly promised to post his driving schedule online so everyone can stay safely…
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DOAD #29: It's summer! So why are we already thinking about fall auditions?
Hello friends! Recording this one from a Caribou parking lot ☕ (medium dark hot chocolate, shot of mint — a warm milkshake masquerading as a beverage), because I just dropped Atticus off for the last half-day of freshman year and I’m feeling all the feelings. 🎭 The setup: * 🚗 On the ride to...
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DOAD #28: A superb spring dance concert
Hello friends! We just wrapped Atticus’s first year at performing arts high school with a three-night spring dance show, and I’ve got a few highlights to share. 🎭 The lead-up: * 🎶 Atticus choreographed his own solo with help from his dance consultant — my wife and I mostly just got out of the…
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DOAD #27: Are dance parents the absolute worst?
Hello dance friends! A fellow dance parent sent me a clip from The Jason Show where the host, Jason Matheson, shared some feedback from staff at Disney World where the theme was essentially “Dance and cheer parents are the worst.” I’ve clocked many hours at dance conventions and competitions, and...
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DOAD #26: I Wanna Dance with Calum Scott
Hello friends! This week we’re coming off a serious post-concert high — we got to see Calum Scott live at the Fillmore in downtown Minneapolis, and I had to share some highlights about the experience. 🎤 How we ended up there: * 🎟️ Atticus has been begging for a big concert (Bruno Mars is the...
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DOAD #25: REVEL revelations and a big announcement!
Hi friends, two big updates for you in today’s episode: * Did Atti get accepted into the Master Ballet Academy? * He competed at REVEL Phoenix and had, well…a little “wrinkle” in his choreography This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...
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DOAD #24: A big week of competitions and auditions - part 2
Hello friends! We're back — and this time I brought Atticus with me! 🙌 Last week I teased you about our big week of competitions and auditions, and oh BOY did we have a week. Let's get into it: The competition — aka the night his music cut out mid-solo: * 🎭 Atticus hadn’t competed in two years…
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DOAD #23: A big week of competitions and auditions
Hello friends! Big week over here — we’ve got a competition AND an audition coming up, so we’ve got a lot on our minds! 🏆 Here’s what our dance consultant has been drilling into us as we prep: Stage entrances and exits matter more than you think: * 🎭 Judging starts the second any part of you is...
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DOAD #22: Competition prep tips
Hello friends! I’m back with some real talk on getting ready for competition season — and yes, it’s almost time! 🏆 Here’s what’s been on my radar as my teen dancer preps for our first competition of 2026: Physical prep: * 💧 Hydration is everything — and no, Dr. Pepper does NOT count * 🤸…
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DOAD #21: Dancing in the Dominican
Hey friends, we’re back from spring break in the Dominican, and our trip yielded a couple fun dance-related things: * We got to see a phenomenal dance+vocals ensemble that also had a unique stage presence (it made me giggle) * I got to take a salsa class in hopes Atti would join me. But did he?...
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DOAD #20: How to secure your dancer's social media accounts
Hello friends, today we’re talking about some tips to better secure your dancer’s social media accounts. Since I run a cybersecurity consultancy, I spend most of my waking hours trying to help companies not get hacked. A lot of the best practices they follow to protect their accounts are the same...
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DOAD #19: Did you download that choreography from the Internet?
Here’s something that will be super obvious to some people but was a mind-breaker for me when I learned it: you can download dance choreography from the Internet. Today I talk about the first time I saw it “live” (it made my jaw drop) and how my first instinct was to call the dance police and...
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DOAD #18: Dressing room debacles
Hello dance friends. Male dancers can be an afterthought at competitions — specifically when it comes to dressing room accommodations. Today I share some frustrating real-life experiences my son and I navigated, from inadequate and unmarked changing spaces to locked doors mid-costume-change. I…
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DOAD #17: Why Dance Studio Size and Expertise Matter
This may seem obvious, but dance studio class size - and the expertise/education of their staff - matter! All these years at big studio dance, I figured everybody who worked for a studio had professional degrees and experience, which is not the case. So today, I encourage you to keep a close…
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DOAD #16: Adventures at the National High School Dance Festival
Hope you’re all having a great week! Today I sat down with Atti to hear about his experience at the National High School Dance Festival a few weeks ago. He got the opportunity to not only take a bunch of great dance classes, but learn about how to build up his social media profiles and dancer...
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DOAD #15: NUVO interview with Atticus
Hey friends! This week I sat down with Atticus to hear more about his NUVO experience, which I talked a little bit about in episode #14. I asked him: * What’s NUVO all about, and what parts of the nation can you find this competition/convention? * What’s it like to attend something like NUVO...
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DOAD #14: NUVO Nuggets
Hey dance friends! This past weekend my son went to the NUVO convention as an independent, and had a wonderful time. Next week I’ll have him share some thoughts from a dancer’s perspective, but this week I want to share a few experiences from a parent POV: * Challenges applying for dance...
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DOAD #13: Dance songs I never want to hear again - part 2
Hello friends - back in episode #11 my son and I played a game called “Dance songs I never want to hear again,” where I obnoxiously sang/scat 10 songs in his direction. If he could identify the song name and artist for all 10, I promised to buy him some disgusting drink from Starbucks the next…
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DOAD #12: How competitive is too competitive?
Competitive dance teams want to win and bring home a dump truck load of trophies - and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. But are we (studios and parents) building character in our dancers…or just teaching them to be cutthroat as they cut up the dance floor? In today’s episode, I share...
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DOAD #11: 10 dance songs I never want to hear again
Things are a bit heavy in the Twin Cities where we live, so we thought we’d do something a little more light and fun today! I challenge my son to name 10 dance songs I never want to hear again - by obnoxiously humming/scatting the melody of each song without the words. He has to name the song and...
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DOAD #10: "Let's Go Girls!" vs. "Let's Go Team!"
In today’s episode we discuss something that may sound simple, but isn’t obvious to everyone: dance teams aren’t always comprised of 100% females. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.dadofadancer.com
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DOAD #9: How can all dancers shine in the social media spotlight?
In this week’s episode, we talk about how many studios and dance organizations use social media to promote their business and their dancers. I understand why studios want to highlight their top performers and attract new talent. However, when the same handful of dancers are featured 24/7 across...
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DOAD #8: Is a dance consultant worth the money?
This week we talk about a new partnership we started with a dance consultant - someone who works specifically with dancers my son’s age to take their dancing to the next level. The decision to engage with a consultant came as a few different pieces were falling into place: * My son stepped away...
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DOAD #7: Highlights from the CLI Conservatory winter intensive
This week’s episode is all about the awesome winter insensitive our son attended at the CLI Conservatory in Southampton, Massachusetts (you can read more about CLI and the origins of the studio/conservatory here). You’ll get to hear from Atticus directly as he shares his favorite moments - which...
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DOAD #6: A new dance solo adventure
In today’s episode, I’m excited to share a new adventure my son started in working with an independent dancer/choreographer. It has been a fun and collaborative project where we’ve had more input on both the music and choreography - something that wasn’t always the case in studio dance. Perhaps…
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DOAD #5: What steps should your dancer take to "level up"?
This week I try to answer the question “How can your dancer get to the next level?” When my son danced with a competitive studio, he was (naturally) interested in moving up to the higher-level teams. The path to get there, however, was shrouded in mystery. So we discuss: * Insisting on feedback...
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DOAD #4: From dancer to performer
Hello friends. Today I talk about how my son’s first high school dance production gave him several valuable experiences that he didn’t always get in the studio dance world, including: * The opportunity to work on a project that has completely original music/choreography (the dance director and…
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DOAD #3: Is a performance arts high school the right fit for your young artist?
In today’s episode, I talk about the doubts I had when I sent my son to a performing arts high school. I walked into orientation with a bunch of questions and assumptions burning in my mind: * What’s the schedule like here - do they toss math and science aside and it’s just “all arts classes all...
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DOAD #2: How do you budget for competitive dance?
In today’s episode, we tackle the question that doesn’t have a great answer: how do you budget for a year of being a competitive dancer? It’s tricky. Yes, there’s the base cost of X dollars per month for the dance training itself, but then there’s all the extras that really gouge you: * Costumes…
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DOAD #1: Announcing the Dad of a Dancer podcast!
Today I’m kicking off the Dad of a Dancer podcast! I’ll be sharing some of the challenges we’ve faced navigating the competitive dance world, what we’ve learned along the way, as well as ideas for how studios can better support and include all dancers. I’ll start the podcast as an audio-only...
About this show
A dad’s perspective on raising a teen dancer — and figuring out how to support him in spaces where males are often the minority.
www.dadofadancer.com
Hosted by
Brian Johnson
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