When the Veil Lifts: Mentorship, Identity & Finding Your Voice in Dance with Tony De’Berry

When the Veil Lifts: Mentorship, Identity & Finding Your Voice in Dance with Tony De’Berry

In this episode of Dance for the Culture, Lindsay Renéa sits down with dancer, choreographer, educator, and actor Tony De’Berry to explore mentorship, artistic identity, and building a sustainable dance career. From Cleveland talent shows to concert dance companies, Broadway, television, and commercial choreography, Tony shares how raw talent, multiple mentors, and discipline shaped his journey. The conversation dives into comparison culture, training without mirrors, creating from personal story, and why rejection can be preparation. This episode is for dancers, dance educators, choreographers, and performing artists navigating their voice in today’s industry. Listen now at dancefortheculture.com 🎙️🖤

From Black Grace To Queens of R&B. Part 2. Otis Donovan Herring

In this powerful conversation, dancer and choreographer Otis Donovan Herring reveals how persistence, faith, and cultural exploration shaped his career. From chasing down auditions with Black Grace in New Zealand to performing worldwide with top artists, Otis shares the highs, challenges, and lessons behind his journey

From Basement Moves To Broadway Dreams. Part 1. Otis Donovan Herring

In this powerful conversation, dancer and choreographer Otis Donovan Herring shares his journey from his earliest memories of dancing with his brother, to learning routines from TV music videos, to pursuing dance at Howard University. Otis opens up about: -His first experiences in dance and choreography -How music videos and icons like Aaliyah inspired him -The challenges of starting formal training later in life -Finding confidence during the Howard University dance intensive -His very first paid gig in the musical Fela! This episode is full of inspiration for dancers, creatives, and anyone chasing their passion. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for Part 2 of this interview

How dance can lead you to your dream career FT. Shoccara Marcus

In this special episode, Lindsay is joined by Shoccara Marcus, an esteemed dancer and choreographer known for her groundbreaking work and profound insight into the dance world. Together, Lindsay and Shoccara discuss "How Dance Can Lead You to Your Dream Career," sharing personal anecdotes and expert advice on turning a passion for dance into a fulfilling career. They explore various career paths within and beyond the performing arts, from choreography and teaching to arts administration and beyond. The episode is packed with motivational stories and practical tips for aspiring dancers, highlighting the skills and resilience developed through dance that are applicable to a wide range of professions. Listeners will come away inspired by Shoccara's journey from the dance studio to professional success, and equipped with actionable steps to harness the power of dance in their own career aspirations.

Bootcamp to Broadway: How Quiantae Beat the Odds

In this episode, we sit down with dancer and musical theater artist Quiantae Mapenzie Johnson to talk about her journey from the South to the stage. She opens up about the culture shock of attending an HBCU, finding her path through trial and error, and the emotional moment she realized she wasn’t coming back home — because Broadway was calling. 🎙 Highlights: * Why Alabama State felt like Black excellence from day one * The bootcamp process behind Hamilton * How she booked her first major gig without an agent * The unspoken power of visibility and mentorship in dance It’s not just a success story — it’s a blueprint for beating the odds.