Biggest Takeaways from my Europe Trip

Hello, friends. I'm Amanda Barr.

And I'm Rebecca Lou Brennan. And welcome to Dance Principles United, the podcast.

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This is the Dance Principles United podcast. Hey, friends, and welcome to another episode of the Dance Principles United Podcast. We're back the studio. Beck. I'm so excited.

I'm so excited to pumped to be back and yeah, I've had the most amazing holiday. Amanda.

Oh, my gosh, I cannot wait to hear about it. Hey, before we get into it, can I tell you a very cool fact? Yes, a fun fact. Before we get into it, tell me, do you know this month we had 120 people listen to us from France? Really? Yes. This is the first time I hadn't told you this. How funny is that?

That's so random. I would understand Italy, maybe because I was there.

I did have that moment where I was like, my mum was in France recently, but my mom is not 120 people, and she definitely did not listen to us 120 times. But how cool is that? So if you are listening to us from France or we actually had heaps of listeners from the United States in the last month as well, so if you're listening to that, will you drop us a DM and let us know so that we actually, you know, can say hi to you? Because how cool is that?

That's crazy.

My French is not very good.

They must, like, translate it or though, right?

I don't know. I don't know. The. The platform doesn't do that. So I presume they're just listening in English.

Gosh, speaking of translating, this is totally. Yeah, not on topic, but I don't. I could not have got through Italy without Google Translate. Like, oh, my gosh, it is because we were in rural Italy. It is like they do not understand one single word of English. And I've never been to a country like that where they don't understand even one single word.

Yes.

It was like I would put it in my phone and just hold it up to them.

Oh, there you go. Whole new thing. Well, let's hear all about your Italy trip. Speaking of that, because you've only been back for what, like two weeks? Maybe not even two weeks where you have been over in Europe, your daughter, bb. If you missed our last episode when I got to interview Baby, you'll have to definitely check that out in the show notes. But Baby was competing in World Dance Movement after she won dancer of the year at Showcase. Yep. And so I want to hear about the whole trip and everything about it. What do you want to tell us? What did you learn?

Oh, gosh, I learned so much. But I'll start from beginning because we actually went to London first.

Far out.

London's a vibe.

Oh, yeah.

I didn't realize how progressive it was. Like, I don't know why, but I always just thought it was going to be kind of old school. But it's the absolute. It's honestly one of the most progressive places I've ever been to. And I just, yeah, loved it. So Bibi was lucky enough to do photo shoot and film shoot for Hamilton's theatrical over there. Beautiful. And gosh, it was epic. Like, Tonya Hamilton is just so smart with how she thinks things through. So she had this line of this London outfit that Bibi was wearing, like the flag kind of thing, and then had Bibi doing hip hop in all these different places. I feel like I visited the entire of London in one day with Tonya.

Just in the photo shoot.

But, like, she'd have her like online London Bridge. And then she'd have her like in this subway and then she'd have her in this iconic graffiti tunnel and like, oh, it was so. It's.

I can't wait to see those.

It was really clever. That's so.

So it was really, really. Tanya's very creative.

Yeah. Insane. Insane. So loved that. That was amazing. Went to the iconic Pineapple Studios. That was really cool.

I did a class there when I was about 20, but I haven't been back since.

Yeah, well, baby did some classes there. There was some of some other kids from Australia over there that she knew. Classes with them. And then on the Sunday, and this was interesting, Amanda. So on the Sunday, I just hired the studio for her to run through her solos. Right. So I think I hired it from 10 till 12 or something like that. Sunday packed really like I've never seen. And it's quite a small. Like, it's not a big space by any means. And there's maybe four or five studios there. Every studio packed with. With rec kids.

Oh, okay. So not even like adults open class. That's where my head goes to on a Sunday is adults open classes.

So the. The studio next door to us, which was quite a small studio, probably had about 30 kids all learning hip hop, all wreck. Like, you could tell they were wrecked.

Yep.

All their parents were just in and around watching.

Yep. Just hanging out. Just like a sports Club on a Sunday kind of thing. Yeah.

Yeah. It got me thinking though. Like, I do think this is smart. So I don't know about you, or maybe not you, but for me, like my BO boys need something to do. Like they have energy on a Sunday.

Oh, absolutely.

And nearly every Sunday we take them to either flip out or ninja whatever is.

Yeah. Especially when the weather's crap.

Why don't we do this with dance classes? Like, why don't we have a thing where they can just book in on the day? Like you do it for drop in open class. A drop in class where they book in on the day and they just do an hour hip hop class and now like it. I would take my kids to that.

Absolutely. Absolutely. Especially if it was like, you know, such a vibe and the kids all loved it and. Yeah, it's a great idea.

Yeah.

Depending on your area and how it sits in different areas and things like that. But I love it. Yeah.

I think, like, I don't know why we don't do see ourselves as more of a recreational facility sometimes. Because I think we're just always like, everyone has to book in and do the concert and. But like, why couldn't we have those recreational.

Absolutely. And those places go off. Right. Like we've all been to the, you know, the flip out or the inflatable world or the trampoline. Like, and God, spend an absolute freaking fortune at those places too. Right.

Absolutely.

And like, you know, this would be a great option as well.

And it's packed. Like there's kids everywhere, so that's how Pineapple felt on a Sunday. So I thought that was interesting.

Yeah. Really cool. And then where did you go after London?

We went to World Dance Movement.

Wonderful. Tell me all about it. Should we give the spoiler alert first? Because I'm sure some of the people have seen your post. But Baby did very well.

She did. She won Teen World Dancer of the Year. Yeah.

That is incredible.

Yeah. I was so proud of her. But yes, it was an amazing, amazing experience. Yeah. It's a very differently run competition. So the kids all do workshops for the first five days and in those workshops they have teachers who are also their judges. Okay. Which I think is very interesting. There's this huge, beautiful gala dinner that they have. Actually they have two gala dinners then.

They do with performances and things as well. Or just more like a big dinner.

Like a big dinner like the one in the middle of the week. It was like the biggest wedding you've ever been to in your whole life.

I'm not kidding.

They had a professional DJ there.

Okay.

They had a dance floor and stuff. Probably 40 white, beautiful tables, fairy lights down the side was all of these food windows. Like it was insane. Beautiful, beautiful. And that was such a fun night. And I love that they create events like that through the workshops. I think it just connects everybody together and just makes it so special.

Yes.

And then they did like a gala performance evening and then we had another dinner after that. The latest dinner I think I've ever had in my whole life. At 1am we were eating dinner. I'm not even kidding. And then the competition on the last day.

Okay.

But amazing. I think.

So it was more about the workshops than the that than the competition.

Yeah, I think so. I think the workshops. Well, they were equal, maybe. Yes, I'd say they were equal. And I loved that. And I think it's interesting, like when we're running events to try and think outside the box of just running a concert or a competition for the sake of it. And how do you create community through the event? Because they were very clever at creating that community through the event and making people friends. And everyone stays at the exact same hotel. So you, you know, you're in the pool with the kids and you. Yes, I know we don't have hotels and pools at our concerts. But I do question in my own self, how am I creating community through the concert? It's something we're trying to work on as a team. And I don't have good answers for you either. I'm just saying that. But like, there's got to be other ways that we can create community during that concert event.

Can I just throw it out there? My first idea that comes to mind, especially if you are, and it depends where your concert is and how many shows you have and all that kind of stuff. But for a lot of studios, if they had their concert at a leagues club or workers club or something like that, to hire out one of the restaurants afterwards, where it's all like that, you know, you go and serve yourself. You don't have to pre organize food or anything like that, but hire out one of the spaces for anyone who wants to go have dinner afterwards to celebrate together or something like that.

That's so smart.

Something like that would work, right?

Yes. And that's such a simple idea. But it would be so great to do that.

I just remember that as a kid we used to have. Our concert was called the Shellhabber Workers Club at the time. Look, it still kind of is called the Shell Harbor Workers Club. And it was. There was an auditorium in there. And I just remember. I don't think it was planned or anything, but like we would always go for the dinner, like to dinner in the club after the concert. And I just remember seeing all my dance friends and us all playing on the park. And I just remember that more than the it.

Yes. And that's the thing. Like those memories are the things that they are going to take with them forever.

Absolutely.

But, yeah, we just don't create enough of that. I feel interesting thinking now.

Okay, that was not planned in our chat. But this. It's interesting, right? Like, I feel like sometimes those things just would make sense.

It is like. But I think we've done concerts for 21 years now or whatever it is. And I think you have to keep stepping up and thinking about what. How can we make it better? How can we make it better?

Absolutely.

And I think that's the thing that we're. Yeah. Working on. I love that.

Absolutely. Okay, so back to world dance movements, baby. Obviously rocked it. Tell me, what was it like at the comp? What was like, what was in. You know, they obviously did workshops during the day. Was it like full days? Was. I have so many questions. It was pretty chance to talk to you. I want to know.

It was pretty full days. Like, I think they got there. Yeah. First thing in the morning, like 9am or something. And finished the workshops at the 3. Yeah, I think 3. And we just kind of dropped them off each day and off they went.

And they did all the styles and lots of guest choreographers, correct?

Yeah. And they learned a routine that they then performed in the gala. So each class learned a routine. But I think what I. What we learned from BB and what she's really smart with. And I didn't realize this until I got to the comp part of it at the end.

Yep.

So she's in there networking and chatting to kids. And there was an all abilities class as well, because they have this all abilities thing.

Yeah. Wonderful.

Attached to it. And when I got to the comp and this was on the Sunday, all these little kids start coming up to her and they're running up and they're like, baby fist pump. And she's like, hey, guys. And you know, giving them cuddles and getting photos with them.

And then these are kids from all different countries, right?

All different countries.

Yeah.

And then these women came up from the all abilities class in wheelchairs wanting photos with her. And I just said to Bibi, how.

Do you know them?

Literally, I was like, yeah. Like, how do you know these people? And she's like, oh, they were just, you know, in classes, and I was just hanging with them and blah, blah, blah. And then she told me this. The week after World Dance Movement, that Shannon Atkins, who was one of the choreographers there, got up at the end of the workshops and said that Bibi was a leader and that she's everyone's biggest cheerleader in there. And then I know she connected with the teachers. So she'd go up to the teachers at the end of class and say, hey, thanks so much. I really enjoyed the class. Blah, blah, blah. And then at that big wedding gala I was telling you about, so she. And I didn't know this either, went up to Michelle, who was running the event, and said, I just want to say a huge thank you. Like, this is such an incredible opportunity. I love it. Next to her, Michelle was an American agent who then started saying to Bibi, oh, do you sing? Like, what sort of things do you do? And who then has offered her some opportunities in America. So the thing is, that was before they even saw her dance.

That's incredible. And that was based on how confident she was, I would imagine, when she obviously knew she was gonna be a good dancer if she was competing there.

But sure. And grateful.

Yes.

And I just. It just made me think, like, in our industry, I feel like you and I have done that as well in the sense of, like, you know, back before we even had this business, if I was at a comp, I would always go up to a teacher and say hi and always tell them how amazing their group was if I thought it was incredible. It's those connections and talking to those people that can change your journey.

Absolutely. Absolutely. And, you know, I think that's such a good lesson for us to take to our students as well, because, you know, you never know who you're chatting to. You never know what it's going to lead to. Obviously, BB Was incredible and ended up winning the whole comp. How much that kindness came across, how much, you know, who knows? You don't know that.

Right.

And obviously, there's so much that goes into it, but her being a cheerleader, her thanking people, being grateful, introducing herself, all of that comes into play. Right. When it's a subjective sport.

Yes. And not trying to take it away from her dancing, because she did dance beautifully, but I just think that other stuff is so important. You know, I was at a comp, our first comp of the year on the weekend, and it's a perfect example of, you know, kids coming off stage and saying, wow, that. That was great. Congratulations. You did really well. And my students seeing me do that to other teachers, so then they naturally do it to other students.

Yes.

And I know lots of studio owners do that.

Absolutely.

I'm just saying many people do. Don't be scared if you're at an event to go and connect with other studio owners, go and say hi to them. Like, that stuff is so important.

Absolutely. I love that. That's such a good lesson. You must be so proud of baby.

I am very proud of her. I hope she just keeps going. She's very humble about it all.

Yes.

The studio did, like, this big surprise party for her when we got back, and she's got all of these posters and photos and cards they made her stuck to her wall. And they actually made her. This is so off topic, but they made her, like, a good luck card, and she took it to every comp with her. So every comp, every class, she took that good luck card. Like, that good luck card meant so much to her and her. You don't realize sometimes how much their community really does mean to them.

Absolutely.

And you know, that. That was so important for her, to have her community with her. I think she felt like that card was her community over there.

That's so beautiful.

But, yeah, but I loved all of Team Australia, all the mums. We all got on so well. We hung out every day together. We went out for drinks. Like, it was. Yeah. Just such a beautiful group of people.

Oh, incredible. Anything else you want to share from the competition? Tell me. I'd love to understand a bit more. So obviously she won Teen Dancer. Was that a different section? Did they have the normal jazz, contemporary, like, all of those sections? And did she place a note like, how does that work?

Yeah, no, it was very different. So they had jazz and lyrical together.

Okay.

Then they had contemporary. Then they had street dance slash hip hop.

Okay.

So, yeah, there was sections. There were sections. So she went. I think you could do five sections. She went in all five. She won three out of the five, which was incredible. And the one I was proudest about was she won the street dance, but she actually choreographed it herself.

So. Good.

Because she's really into her choreography, and that was a really proud moment. Obviously.

Yeah.

But, yeah, the sections were huge. The competition was insane.

Was everyone's, like, routines, like, very similar to what we see in Australia. Like Australia. Different kind of stuff.

So different.

Oh, tell me what was different?

I think Italian especially was very much more like, I guess what we would call traditional contemporary. They didn't have glitzy, fancy costumes. They wore their hair out, every one of them.

Them. And like, baggy, kind of like loose pants. Some kind of look.

Yeah, yep. Not the tight Leos or anything like that.

And like, traditional, like, we're talking like Martha Grahamy kind of style stuff.

Yeah, yeah, I think so.

Okay.

Hair out. I found interesting, like, no one had the slicked back tight. The Americans did, but not the European schools.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

I find that so distracting. I can't deal.

I loved it.

You love it? Oh, it depends how good they are, really.

It was contemporary and free and.

Absolutely. So, like, our stuff kind of looked like the Australian. Like, by our. I mean the Australian stuff kind of looked like Americans and then the Europeans all look different. Is that what it kind of was? Yeah.

There was South Africa there as well. Yeah, they were great. They had some really clever pieces and Different. Again, they were different, but they were very smart in theming things and had, like, really cool concepts and ideas. There was some American colleges there.

Okay. And did they do more like that traditional American college, like, you know, like team kind of stuff?

No, they just did, like, really beautiful. Lyricals. Yeah, they were lovely, too. Again, like, Bibi had connected with all of them. Like, I just, like.

She's making friends with adults all over the place, literally. So good.

Yeah, I think they. They were really cool. Yeah, it was huge. It was great. Oh, that was so good.

So, so amazing. What a, like, special experience for you and babes to do. And then you had a big holiday and stuff as well.

Then we went to Amalfi coast.

Oh, I'm so jealous. I'm stuck here by myself and you're off in the Amalfi coast.

Oh, it was. That was amazing. It was so expensive, though. Yeah, it was so expensive. But it was an incredible, incredible experience.

Oh, wonderful. You must be so proud. I am so, so good. Anything else you want to share with that, or are we wrapping this up? Yeah, yeah. And that's. I'm like, is there anything else? Is it sounds like it was an incredible thing.

Yeah, it was. It was great. And I think definitely worth it to go over there if you can, and experience that stuff they learned. Oh, God. They gave away. I'm pretty sure they said close to a million dollars worth of scholarships.

Holy.

During the competition. So huge. I know one. Someone from Team Australia won a 60,000 US college scholarship.

Wow.

To go to a college in the US that's incredible. Insane.

Yeah.

So stuff like that, like, baby won so many scholarships.

Are you going to take any of them up?

I'm definitely gonna do Broadway Dance center because she wants to go to.

She already wanted to do that.

It's funny though, the Mums and I are like, yes, we're inheriting a debt as well.

Why we're here now.

I've got to apply to the us. Yeah, I don't know about any of the others. Like we haven't looked at them properly to be fair. But that just the opportunities you gain from that stuff and just, you know, meeting all of the different countries and meeting all of those people and she's now chatting to people from Italy and America and, you know, she's made such great friends with them.

Absolutely.

So just even that is insane in itself.

And I think that's such the benefit of like, I think that's the benefit of traveling always, like regardless of whether it's related to dance or not related to dance. But what a special experience to kind of like see other things and be inspired. And I'm always inspired when I travel.

Yes.

I get so many good ideas. I don't know what it is when you travel, but it's like that. Free, more relaxed, more relaxed. That always helps the situation as well. But just. Yeah, it's always just so exciting to see so many things. Hey, thanks so much for sharing all of that. It's so good. Congrats to BB Thanks. Was so, so good. We hope you enjoyed this little wrap up of Beck and Baby's trip to World Dance Movement. We will see you on the next episode. Thanks friends.

Bye.

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