193. Embracing Sensitivity as a Professional Dancer: Bold Advice from Galit Friedlander

193 Galit F

[00:00:00] Welcome to passion for dance. I'm your host, Dr. Chelsea and my mission is to create happier, more successful dancers through positive mental skills. And my guest today is Galit Friedlander. She doesn't shy away from the hard questions and has so much knowledge and insight to share about creating the energy in the room that you want to have. Showing up like a professional, no matter the size of the job and the importance of a peer network. Galit has over 20 years of experience in the dance industry, her journey began in New York where she trained jazz ballet and modern before falling in love with street dance, shortly after she was accepted to LaGuardia high school, which is the fame school. 

And Galit professional career began at 16 with an Adidas job. And she went on to be an assistant choreographer for Prince. She has contributed to major projects since then, including Pharrell's happy video national and international tours and projects with artists such as MC light and Pepsi. Our purpose today was to talk openly and honestly about being a professional commercial dancer and an [00:01:00] empathetic teacher. Galit talks about being a highly sensitive person where you tend to take on other people's emotions or feel your own emotions deeply and how that impacts her career. 

There's so much to learn about creating the energy you want and being empathetic, but challenging as a teacher. So listening to my conversation with Galit Freidlander

Welcome to passion for dance. I'm Dr. Chelsea, a former professional dancer, turned sports psychologist. And this podcast is for everyone in the dance industry who wants to learn actionable strategies and new mindsets.

I know what it feels like to push through the pain, take on all the criticism, and do whatever it takes to make sure the show will go on. But I also know that we understand more about mental health and resilience than ever before, and it's time to change the industry for the better. This podcast is for all of us to connect, learn, and share our passion for dance with the world. 

Dr Chelsea: hi, Galit. Welcome. So good to have you.

Galit F.: So nice to be here, [00:02:00] especially while we have wildfires in California and you so kindly asked, you're like, Hey, different people process this differently. Like some people like to work. Some people, you know, I'm in your corner, whatever you want to do. So it's like really nice to have a little space to do something.

Galit F.: Amidst the uncertainty. Thank you. Good to be here.

Dr Chelsea: glad. I'm so glad that you're here. I'm glad that you're safe. Uh, and it's yes. And , I did reach out and said some people want to sometimes normal feels good and work in conversation with friends feels good. And sometimes you're like, I can't fathom doing that right now. So I'm glad you felt like having this conversation today would be fun and helpful. So thank you. Will you tell us about your . Your dance journey, what brought you to the kind of work you do. And then we'll dive into some of the fun stuff.

Galit F.: Yeah. I started dancing and this is important. I started really dancing around 12, 13. Like I had done a class when I was five, six, my favorite teacher left. And I was bored with the new one. So I [00:03:00] quit. I quit at six years old. 

Galit F.: And then I wake up one morning when I'm 12 going on 13 and I ask my mom like, Why did I not go back? Just out of curiosity. And she didn't know and I didn't know. And so I started. With a jazz class. And I remember having that hour in dance, suddenly the world disappeared. I was probably, I wasn't diagnosed, but I really think I was dealing with depression at the time.

Galit F.: And it just gave me such a desire to work on something. It was so unexpected and everything would disappear. So I started training, training, training. I went to the , LaGuardia Performing Arts High School for theater, so I train all day in theater, and then, at night, I would go to dance class, I got into the underground scene in New York also, going to clubs, Cypher, well, I don't even know if we were like, we're gonna go to Cypher, you just have dancers out in certain neighborhoods dancing, and you'd like, Get to know them, join in.

Galit F.: I knew that I wanted to get my degree. And, specifically in something academic. Because, I [00:04:00] knew I wanted to go an academic route because I knew that that's something I could at least at the time, like really only get from college. Whereas my dance training, if I were to go into dance professionally, it would be the commercial route and you didn't have programs that cater to that.

Galit F.: So I went to USC, got my degree in communication and as I was graduating, I mean, just my mom has like come in at these pivotal moments and kind of just drops a seed. And it's exactly like that piece of advice or wisdom that I need at the moment feels kind of also just like divinely delivered.

Galit F.: , and I remember spring break and I was like, I don't know what to do with my life. If I'm going to do a program called Teach for America, go corporate. I don't know. And she said, honey, you've been like talking about dance for a long time. I think this would be the time to pursue it if you want to like, and I thought it was a really good point.

Galit F.: She's like, just make a decision. You can always change your mind. So, I remember the moment I decided to go to USC. I remember, like, I remember waking up that morning and. [00:05:00] Waking up and asking why I wasn't in dance class. I remember that moment sitting on the sofa during spring break and choosing dance, and then this is 20 10. So it's such a different landscape in LA. You didn't have like mentorship programs to tell you how to be in the industry. So I was like, okay, I'm going to do it. And long story medium, I just, I started, I just put myself out there. You know, I was taking classes and auditioning and I really got. My work on my own.

Galit F.: I had an agent at some point. I started off with, like, student films and did a lot of gigs. I would love to one day just look at all of, like, there's so many gig jobs. And I'm talking about, like, go go dancing on Halloween night or like dressing up in a, a bald cap and doing a music video for this new artist and like stuff like that.

Galit F.: Some of the more [00:06:00] notable things where I worked as assistant choreographer for Prince's welcome to America tour, he had a 21 night stand. It was three months. Um, I guess you would call it a residency in LA. I mean, he really created it himself. And that was like my big, you know, I'd say like big break or I think one More like a special thing that I got to do.

Galit F.: So I was, you know, doing all the things I always had a hand in choreography, um, was focusing on dancing at the time. And then at 27 ish, I found out I had Lyme's disease. I was dealing with a lot of fatigue and, okay, this is my life story. I was dealing with a lot of fatigue and.

Galit F.: I was at the time choreographing and dancing for a new artist. They were going to have a bunch of spot dates for a tour. So that means, just different engagements in different cities and you fly in and fly out and those are spot dates versus, um, just purely being on tour the whole time. It was such a big deal.

Galit F.: And I found out [00:07:00] during the time I had Lyme's disease. And I also found out right as the tour was kicking off that the medication I was on was not helping at the same time. My mom had broken her pelvis in five places and, um, needed help, and I visited her, and then Unintentionally, like, a health intervention happened, like, honey, you're not getting any better, and I was like, no, I have to go back on tour, and Oh my gosh, I did not mean to go into that whole story, but what I'll say is, that is The era where I had to start honoring my health in a whole different way.

Galit F.: I had so little energy and that's when I discovered how much I love teaching and how much Purpose I find in teaching within that new era after that I ended up spending six years almost seven as an in house choreographer for the WNBA, , focused on teaching and I had also this whole time been in fitness.

Galit F.: So, um. And started the DanceSpeak podcast also around that same time that I was [00:08:00] healing and getting back into dance, but in a new way.

Dr Chelsea: I love the journey. Okay. So I'm going to dig into different pieces of it. Uh, and because I do think the transitions are interesting, like you said, waking up and now I know that this is the new thing. And. Definitely your, gifts as a teacher. And I want to talk through that, but let's, before we leave the professional side, cause your professional career is super interesting. I can't believe you worked with Prince, like that's amazing. So digging into that part of your journey a little bit, where, like you said, there wasn't the mentorship programs that there are now you do have to just. As you said, put yourself out there. And I think that takes a lot of courage. You're doing a lot with uncertainty of like, I have no idea what's coming next, uh, and kind of building your own path and doors are closing, doors are opening.

Dr Chelsea: You talk about that either it could be through stories of your journey or just like your philosophy of like how to go about building your own path when you don't know [00:09:00] what's next.

Galit F.: Oh, wow. Okay. Such a great question. How to go building your own path when you don't know what's next? , the first thing that comes to mind, two things, one is start with what you know, like what I knew was you have phenom teachers in the dance world right here in LA.

Galit F.: So I was taking their classes and some classes were strategic. To be seen by someone who might be booking for, a project and build that relationship. And other classes were just to train and get better in my skill. So that's like starting with what you know, period. The craft. Um, sharing what you're up to. Sharing with people what your hopes and your dreams are. Sharing with people what you're excited about. What I learned over time was, share what you can contribute versus making it about yourself. And that was the big, yeah, like, this is how I can help out.

Galit F.: Or, [00:10:00] you know, could I shadow you for a day? Versus being in, being in the shoes of the dancer I found was very much about me, me, me, like it has to be like Me, like, can you hire me for this job? Like you're not saying it, but in so many ways we're saying it Um, me, like I need to be better, but it's such a paradigm shift when it, turns into what's needed here.

Galit F.: And that was one of the things, like, I learned when I was assisting the choreographer Danielle Ortiz for Prince. Um, it was my mom on a phone call, said, stop focusing on yourself. What does the choreographer need? You're assisting her. What are her needs? Such a paradigm shift.

Dr Chelsea: Yeah.

Galit F.: Then, Something that has really helped me whenever I feel stuck and when I'm up leveling is talking to people and asking for their time.

Galit F.: Just interview them on like what could help. So for instance, When I got clarity that I want to focus more in on [00:11:00] teaching, but the same thing can go for dancing. Um, my friend, Maria Lankanen, who's a phenom yoga teacher, who's worked tons with dancers, she knows how to make waves. I remember asking Maria, Hey, could we hop on a call?

Galit F.: I'd really, you know, and of course you do it like politely and mindfully. They also Or someone who is about like self development. So I knew I could ask the question. So yeah. So I think asking, actually asking people, not like, will he give me a job, but saying, Hey, I'm interested in this. Might you have some feedback?

Galit F.: I remember talking to Chuck Maldonado and Chuck was, I had been taking his class and Chuck was very forthcoming and he was like, let me see your headshots. And he gave me feedback. 

Dr Chelsea: I think I hear what you're saying and I agree that sometimes it's about being vulnerable enough to ask the question, but with, like you said, the frame of not, what can I get out of this? But getting the feedback, getting, how can I be better that up level? Yeah.

Galit F.: Yeah, and also, oh, by the way, I realize I have like you You were asking this as a [00:12:00] dancer and I started talking about as a teacher because it was the kind of

Dr Chelsea: It's the same. Yeah. No, I think that's great. Cause I think it is. And actually, as you were talking, I was thinking about, I was talking to other dancer recently. That's like, we may be, we build confidence or like, I have a strategy for this, you know, how I show up here. And then when we level up, all of a sudden we're like, Oh my God, I don't know how to do this.

Dr Chelsea: And we like forget that all the skills from the past eras fit here. Like it's all similar skills.

Galit F.: Yeah, if you can also if you can pursue dance like you have the grit for I think just about anything if not anything You really have to humble yourself and something that I I have been noticing more and more that I talk about is how much, people think of networking as like going to the person who can hire you, but I don't think they think enough of teamwork and peers.

Galit F.: And even I've now experienced dancers who I've taught at some point recommending me for like, well, for teaching, [00:13:00] but So much work came out unintentionally. It just came out of the dancers that I was in the trenches with that we were in dance class. We did that funny gig together. We, we would meet up and I was always like this.

Galit F.: I'd meet up and I'd be like, does anyone want to learn some of my choreography, like creating the energy of doing the work has always brought in work, but then also those dancers, they know you and they know your spirit and they know what you bring to the table and they will so often In the long term, they will be the one to refer you to things.

Dr Chelsea: Absolutely. Oh, I think that's great advice that it is networking is not always looking for meeting the people who are 10 years, 20 years past you to give you the job. It's also your relationships with your peers because you are all going to elevate, you're all going to grow. And now those peers have opportunities for you will recommend you places and you've built this genuine relationship. And I mean, I've done some of that gig work too. Sometimes you just build really good relationships off the [00:14:00] weird job and the weird times together. Cause you're, you know, going through it together. I think that's really valuable.

Galit F.: Yeah. So, and then like more concretely, just really quickly, you just hear you say what you're up to. And then people will start giving you advice. And I took too much of the advice because not all of it is good advice, but, um, I heard LA casting. Okay. Get on LA casting. Okay, cool. Get to central casting. You could do extra work.

Galit F.: Okay. I'm like, I need to make money and figure this out. People will give you advice. And I was barking up all those trees. And it will eventually usually get you there whether you're learning, Oh, hey, this was not the advice to take, I need to redirect, but you get there. Yeah.

Dr Chelsea: Yeah, absolutely. And I think that's fair. Sometimes you get too much advice. I think that happens again, all levels of life and you enter a new phase. And so you look for more. More advice and more peers. And they, you also have to go through that filter to yourself of like, does this apply to me or did that work well for them?

Dr Chelsea: And it wouldn't for me, or things are [00:15:00] different. You know, I have a hard time now, even when people are asking me about, , what do I do for grad school? I'm like, I did that so long ago. I don't know it like the landscape is just different, right? Like you were saying about LA be just being landscape is different.

Dr Chelsea: So being able to take advice from people at lots of different stages of their career, that might help. figure out what actually fits what you need right now.

Galit F.: Totally.

Dr Chelsea: Totally. Okay. Before we leave talking about your professional journey, do you have any stories to share about how your peer network really helps you get the job?

Galit F.: Yeah! Um, and this makes me smile because, like, it's so wonderful working with people you adore. So this is just one example. I do not remember how I met Zach Manzella, but he was someone who, like, uh, flash mobs were really big, they were paying, it was like a really fun job. And I remember Zach, I likely met him because I was out freestyling or we took class together or something, but good guy from the East Coast. So I [00:16:00] was in the group of people that he was hitting up for flash mobs. And so he had a flash mob in Vegas and he had this huge rehearsal at Debbie Reynolds studio. And it's, I'm so curious, like if you see the list of people that were on it, it was like the best dancers and he taught us the dance. It was like eight eights, not even.

Galit F.: And then he says, okay, everyone, like. You know, separate, like figure out who your carpools are going to be because Vegas is quite a drive from LA and I was newer and everyone's getting together. And I'm like, I don't know anyone. And, you know, I can't say like the vibes were not necessarily, it felt a little, you know, like school when it's time to pick a team and I felt like I didn't know where to go. Everyone knew each other. I felt like the new kid on the block and Ilana, I was like, Oh, hey, do you have anyone? She's like, no. Do you want a carpool? She's like, yeah. She's like, I'll drive. I was like, okay, cool. So Ilana and I. And a couple other people. There has to be We were like [00:17:00] jammed up in the car. We all split a hotel room. Barely slept.

Galit F.: And it wasn't like wild party. It was like, fun gig. And um, and, okay. So that's how I get to know Ilana. And on the way back, even, I was like, I have a party going. Do you want to come? She's like, yes! This is like, bestie. Ilana is such an amazing person. I was one of her bridesmaids at her wedding.

Galit F.: But anyway, that's like one of the biggest wins is actually is friendship not to sound corny But okay, so this is right. So this is ilana ilana great at getting jobs. Um She one day calls me up and she's like, hey, do you have your passport? And I was like, yeah, she's like, okay I hope you don't mind.

Galit F.: I submitted you for a job She was like,

Dr Chelsea: It's already done.

Galit F.: she's like, okay cool and they booked you I was like amazing and she was like, okay, it's in Guatemala It was this job for [00:18:00] Pepsi corporate it was amazing. . And she had booked myself, Megan Nugent, who's been, um, she's been assisting and in, um, Laurieann Gibson's camp forever.

Galit F.: So the three of us do a 25 hour gig in Guatemala, which was awesome. I was so happy, like just getting paid to do what I loved it was a great gig It's one of the favorite gigs I've ever done and being flown out that first time you get flown out to do what you love

Dr Chelsea: Yeah.

Galit F.: So these are just a couple of examples of how. That's like a really funny, like, funny and fun story of how organically it happened with my peers.

Dr Chelsea: Absolutely. I love that. And it is, it works when you are yourself. Like you were saying, you're authentic and you're you, and then your energy and your passion and your drive then pulls other people to say, oh, I want more of that or she would fit well here. And yeah, it naturally expands from that. And I took, I think the authenticity of that is important of who you are and how, you know, not trying to be who you think everybody wants you to be.

Dr Chelsea: But like, this is who [00:19:00] I am and then it will . Bring the right people in the right jobs your way.

Galit F.: So true. So true.

Dr Chelsea: Yeah. Thank you for sharing that. 

Dr Chelsea: I'm breaking in here just to ask for a small favor. If you're enjoying the show, can you find one person who you think would get value from this episode and please share it with them? You can text them a screenshot of what you're listening to right now or share it on social media with your own dance community.

Dr Chelsea: That simple share helps grow the show, but more importantly, it helps us as dancers and dance educators to build up our whole community. We all deserve to be happier and more successful, so if you can think of one person in your dance world who would benefit from today's episode, please share it with them right now.

Dr Chelsea: And thank you for sharing your passion for dance with the world. Let's get back to the [00:20:00] show.

Dr Chelsea: Okay. I want to shift gears and talk about a concept that I've actually never talked about on the show, which I love being able to go somewhere new and different that, uh, you and I have talked offline before about this idea of being a highly sensitive person in.

Dr Chelsea: Dance. And I know there are lots who will probably relate to this. Uh, so will you, I guess, just start by telling me what that phrase means to you when you think of being like that highly sensitive person as a

Galit F.: Sure. My, so my therapist recommended pretty much upon us starting that I read this book called The Highly Sensitive Person. And it was I know it's like what it means to me. 'cause I don't remember the exact definition of it, but it was a, I think it's really interesting, a therapist, a psychologist, she found that every, like one out of five people are highly sensitive, just more sensitive to input.

Galit F.: Sometimes it's can be to sounds, it can be emotional. Um, for me, what it [00:21:00] means to me is just, gosh, like I just feel things kind of easily and deeply. I feel when the temperature i in the room changes. I can feel if a mood changes. Um, I'm very, I think of it as a paintbrush.

Galit F.: Like I have, I know we all have a lot of emotions, but I feel very close to my palette of emotions.

Dr Chelsea: hmm. Mm

Galit F.: Um, I access it easily. And I also, it is very difficult for me to make any type of healthy distance from any of that.

Dr Chelsea: That makes sense. And I think you're right. We all have a huge range of emotions, but some people are more aware of them, more in tune with them. Uh, and I think as a dancer, we're supposed to express emotion all the time. And so I could see how in some ways being more in touch with that could be helpful.

Dr Chelsea: And then sometimes, like you said, hard to create that distance.

Galit F.: Yeah. I mean, it's hard because I feel weird when people say, like, I'm an empath, but, like, I'm I'm an empath. I'm empathetic. I walk into the room. I feel what [00:22:00] people are feeling and I, I'm not, you know, I wouldn't be so bold for many years to be like, I know what you're feeling, but it's like, , I can feel it.

Galit F.: I feel your sadness. I feel your anger. I feel your joy. And so for instance, if you're walking into a rehearsal and it's sour or someone is giving you weird energy or whatever. It's like, Oh God, I feel it. Or, you know, it, It's to me the highly sensitive, um, yes, it can help because we like we can we dance it out But i've actually I sometimes wonder because recently, um, oh my gosh, i'm blanking on her name daily dancer diet Leanna Blackburn. She let us do these exercises to tap in deeper emotionally.

Galit F.: And I realized how much even in dance class where it's like, just let it out. We're still holding onto so much and not necessarily, it doesn't feel like the safest place to really let it go. Cause I, that was an environment where we really did. And then it. Thank God we were in a safe space to do it, but I'm like, I don't know if we [00:23:00] can really do this.

Galit F.: And I feel like I'm going in a tangent, um,

Dr Chelsea: No, it's okay.

Galit F.: we really can walk into the world and like that deep, that deeper grief, especially as the world is dealing with so much, but yeah. ,

Dr Chelsea: I think about it too, with like intact teams or, you know, groups who are maybe in a long term show together or competitive teams. Like, I hear that all the time. If one person is having a bad day and then it like, oozes into the whole rest of the team. And because I think there are a lot of dancers who have this deeper connection with their emotions.

Dr Chelsea: And then the challenge of that is like, okay, if our most expressive dancer is having an off day, what happens to the whole rest of the group? And so as someone who was so responsive to that, I think that challenge of. Maybe I was in a good mood. Maybe I was really excited for this today. But now the room doesn't feel good.

Dr Chelsea: So how do I still show up and have my best class or best

Galit F.: Yeah. Yeah. So [00:24:00] how, so the question is, how do I do that as a dancer or

Dr Chelsea: boat? I guess. I don't know if you feel that way. If that resonates that you feel like that, uh, if there's that one who feels off in the room, that it makes it really challenging for you. Like it changes your own mood of how you showed up and then how you might handle that to still make sure you are giving your best and rehearsals.

Galit F.: so I have learned that I need to create the energy

Dr Chelsea: Love

Galit F.: I've learned that I cannot leave enough space for someone else's experience to To I can't think of the word to like to you know, change the color on mine

Galit F.: So when I come in as a dancer I am happy to be here, ready to work. I got that from Danielle Ortiz.

Galit F.: Happy to be here, ready to work. I am tapping into my deep joy. I have found that like when I'm, when I'm dealing with really tough stuff, something that acting taught me, there was one acting class where the teacher [00:25:00] said, your deepest emotions live next to each other, like deep joy, deep sadness. And so I let it shift over.

Galit F.: I am also pretty, I've learned to be a lot more open. So instead of coming in with like, uh, no one understands me. I might go to the person next to me and I know we have to be careful not to dump, but I might be like, woof, I'm having the toughest day and we're going to do this and like actually learn how to be open because that energy will transfer into what is needed in the room versus it's being shut off where that just goes, uh, and I've also learned if someone is.

Galit F.: If someone like we never know what someone's going through. So if there's an opportunity sometimes being like, hey, are you okay? Like like are you know, are you good? Because people I think especially so many dancers are so young They don't realize how much their energy Shifts the room because they don't always know how much they matter.

Galit F.: So I've learned as a dancer though. I don't leave space I don't leave space for the bad energy. I [00:26:00] walk in and I bring it. I bring it. I bring that whole palette and I focus and then I focus on what the room needs. It's not about me anymore. 

Galit F.: Working with the WNBA. really posed to this because it's a team of young dancers of varying ages, six to 14.

Galit F.: So very different experiences. And they were on a long term job and some of them had knew what it was to have a professional ethic. Some of them, a lot of them, I was teaching them. And so I created the space of you are here to work. This is what the objective is. Now if you are having the most challenging day of your life, if you just feel like, Oh my goodness, I don't know how I'm going to do this.

Galit F.: Let me know ahead, let it out into the space. And I would just really affirm what we were here to do and that their human experience is so valid. And part of the beautiful challenge that we're going to step into because we have limited time to create this was. How do we navigate this? And I'd be like, take those [00:27:00] emotions, put it into the dance.

Galit F.: And again, if you need to talk to me ahead of time, just so I have a little heads up, please do. And that's how I did it. And I held them accountable. Also, that feels harsh or weird to say, but I was like, one of the things, cause it was my job to teach these dancers are not fully cooked. So I would, and I still will do this.

Galit F.: Sometimes I'd be like, Hey, the energy in here. Is not it I need you to leave And I need you to come back in and then I use my motivator So I use my highly sensitive Catches what the feeling is And if I feel like I have to strong arm to override it then that's not the move Then I know no, no, no, you need to inspire and motivate And I take that feeling like i'm like i'm with you dancers.

Galit F.: Okay. I'm with you And then I ask them, please leave and come back in and let's hype this up and let's do this right. And then I invite them to step into it that way.

Dr Chelsea: yeah, I love that. I love that you went there as a teacher because I was going to ask you that because I think that [00:28:00] happens a lot as a teacher when you're like, this doesn't feel good and I can't get them to do anything, which I think what you were saying originally about, like, come in and clear it or just like say something helps so much or going out and resetting it.

Dr Chelsea: And that might sound different, but I don't think it is, um, but it's about like intentionally letting it out before you come back in, because you've probably heard this. I think that phrase for decades in dance of leave it at the door that I actually don't like that. And I think we're moving past that.

Dr Chelsea: And. Like going out and either talking about it or intentionally resetting is, uh, is helpful or talking about it. Cause I think when we say leave it at the door, we mean stuff it down. Like we mean put it away and like, that's not helpful and that's not what we need. And it's exactly, I think what I'm hearing you say as a teacher is like, don't pretend like this isn't a thing today.

Dr Chelsea: Let's own it and then let's intentionally shift. It's not an excuse to not work, but we have to acknowledge it.[00:29:00] 

Galit F.: I think it's so nuanced also because there's, if I'm using a random name. If Kimberly like really upset me outside and we have a beef between us, like, but maybe I need to leave that at the door. But if I'm feeling deeply sad, like I can't leave my emotion at the door, but I got to leave maybe that dynamic at the door.

Galit F.: , I invite them into a game around it. If I need to go one on one, if there's something deeper than that's a conversation to have with the dancer to see how I can support them. And I've learned. Dancer, but maybe with the parent because I'm an adult and they're not going to you know I don't want to I realize that I might be intimidating purely because I am so much older than them I have to build trust with my dancers. And I learned that the second that I'm falling into it or feeling offended or feeling like their energy's just off. If I'm feeling reactive, then that's something I need to work on within myself. I'm human, but that means I need to [00:30:00] reinforce. How I'm grounding and centering before they come into the room and it's always an opportunity To grow an opportunity to learn something and I will try different things to see what the matches for The group because if I'm just telling them be more excited Like they probably don't even know what that means in a way that I mean it if it's not, you know So

Dr Chelsea: No, I think that's fair. And I, I agree. It is nuanced. And there are definitely things where it's like, this is not. relevant to this situation right now. And so you need to put it aside and come in and be ready, but it's the stuffing down versus acknowledging. So it's like, leave it at the door in the sense of like, okay, this argument has nothing to do with this rehearsal right now, so I can acknowledge I'm annoyed at her, but also we have work to do and I'm going to let that go and come in and work, um, but not.

Dr Chelsea: Stuff it down, ignore the emotion, like it has to be a part of it. But I think that's great advice as a teacher to try [00:31:00] to, uh, I like when you said, not strong arm it, because we want to try to force it. And I hear from teachers all the time, like, I can't get them to do X, Y, Z. I'm like, sometimes you can't. And how do you come match them to get the outcome that you're hoping for?

Dr Chelsea: Yeah, that's hard.

Galit F.: Yeah, and I've learned to like also be firm, be firm, but also be me, and I'm like, I have my silliness and I have my seriousness, and be open enough that they can learn that, and some will lean more into one side than the other. , I've learned to lean into that so that they can see, We can have fun. And I also don't make it, I'm, I'm particular with when I get really serious. So there's a certain level of, come on, let's do this. And actually adding some levity and then also leaning into my super artists, artists. I'm like, you're upset because of what happened outside. That's some fuel, put that upset into the dance.

Galit F.: Let's go. Let's take that energy and [00:32:00] repurpose it. Like

Dr Chelsea: Right.

Galit F.: adding levity. Yeah.

Dr Chelsea: Absolutely. , I think that's great advice. Okay. I want to shift to one other topic before we go, because you, as you briefly mentioned before, but I want to highlight, have your own podcast, Dance Speak, that is, has such wonderful interviews and a wealth of information.

Dr Chelsea: I encourage people to go listen to, but you have interviewed hundreds of artists, uh, that are thriving and, doing so well in our dance industry. I don't know that you could like sum up that much into something coherent, but any, advice or themes that have come from these successful dancers that you could share with us?

Galit F.: Yeah, like nuggets on like what I found with, okay, so here's some things that I've noticed. I love that you're asking this because I'm like, oh, I have this like so many hours in my head of interviews

Dr Chelsea: Mm hmm.

Galit F.: impacted me. One is that. Their level of hard work is such a given, like none of them, [00:33:00] almost none of them have actually ever said I'm a hard worker, but it becomes very apparent that they just don't stop when other people stop, and I also don't want to get into like the toxic version of it, but they work hard, they knock on many more doors than the next person would knock on, they really practice excellence, that's like, One of them, like whatever, whatever you think hard work is not, you're not, you know, clearly you're doing it.

Galit F.: Like your success might begin beyond there. It's a whole other level. Another one is a lot of the guests. Um, it's really cool to see how people show up to an interview. They're not getting paid money. Like, you know, , they're really showing up. I think for the cause it's good to promote but still and to see especially with the Generation, I see it the most with the generation of dancers that have had like loads of longevity.

Galit F.: They are so professional They're showing up early. They're communicating. They're taking it seriously. They're treating this like an 100, 000 job [00:34:00] So taking it seriously, 

Dr Chelsea: I like that idea of taking it seriously. And I think that's such good advice for dancers at every level. I feel like, well, I, I, you know, putting my teacher hat on, I'm like, Oh, this is just one little homework. I won't worry about it. And it's like, no, if you take every piece seriously along the way. it makes everything easier at the end, but in the dance world, especially like you were saying, it's doesn't matter how much you're getting paid. You don't know what this network opportunity might be, what friend you might build, what skill you might learn. If you take every small thing seriously, you build that reputation, of being that professional that's going to show up and be willing.

Dr Chelsea: Let's take that person on this high paying job because they will show up and be professional.

Galit F.: You absolutely, and you, show up differently. You, like, who do you need to be that you are always 10, 15 minutes early and ready to go? You, you really start showing up differently. And something that I've been noticing, and perhaps I'm seeking it out, especially [00:35:00] with some choreographers, creatives I've been interviewing lately, not, Putting themselves in a box not trying to be.

Galit F.: Oh, what do you need me to be? You need me to be this now that can work So I'm saying like if like I don't want to get people to go move far from refining and trying different things But for instance like lil buck. He's a Memphis joker. He was on tour with Madonna. He is these massive brand deals He is Everywhere.

Galit F.: He's improvising with Yo Yo Ma. He is in all the rooms right now. He's on tour with Usher. He's, he's really, really next level. And he didn't leave Memphis and say like, okay, so I'm going to change everything. He took exactly what he did and he kept on refining it and kept on showing up. And if he had, and this is something I learned from Prince and his whole camp as well.

Galit F.: If he had tried to. Be cookie cutter. Maybe he would have been successful, but he wouldn't be Lil [00:36:00] Buck successful. He wouldn't be actually, I believe, his level of successful. So also, staying true to who you are and letting different experiences sharpen your skill set.

Dr Chelsea: I love that advice. I think that's great. And young dancers especially try to mimic too much. I want that person's career, so I'm going to do everything they did or I want to look like that dancer, so I'm going to do everything that they do. And at some point letting go of that need to like mimic and compare and lean into and refine as you said, who you are and how you show up is going to lead to your best success.

Dr Chelsea: I think that's wonderful advice. Yeah.

Galit F.: Our stories, they write themselves. We just don't know. Like, I have had different categories of stories. There's the story of being in L. A. for nine years and then booking your first big job, which was Justin Timberlake. That's, like, only Natalie Gilmore's story. There are other stories that it took a while, but But there are other dancers who got off the plane and they did book.

Galit F.: [00:37:00] Um, you have Phil Wright who's just like really, I think, built up his whole career. And he's, you know, had his own show on Disney. So, I study other people's journeys. I'm fascinated by them and I take nuggets. But I also know that this story that my life is, none of us can know and no one knows for me.

Galit F.: And there is a beauty in that as well.

Dr Chelsea: Yeah. Oh, that's wonderful. Thank you. Before we leave, I want to make sure you share how you can connect with current dancers and studios and teams to help. So you are absolutely a gifted guest teacher, trainer. What's your favorite thing to do when you get to go work with dancers?

Galit F.: My favorite is a combo. So like I recently taught at the Broadway Dance Center Winter Intensive, and I taught a grooves class and conditioning. So I love teaching hip hop. , my original and biggest passion and purpose lies within dance. It does. So I love teaching. I love teaching dance. I can't say that enough and bringing the spirit up in the room and having dancers, experience new [00:38:00] things out of their movement. And then I also do love bringing conditioning for dancers because we have these incredible miraculous bodies and we still, I say is a dance community have not.

Galit F.: Unlocked the potential of it, which really comes through excellent body care and cross training. So I love to come in and teach the dance and then also say, okay, here are some, some tools that are going to help you with your dynamics, your endurance, your artistry, because this is a physical medium that we're in.

Dr Chelsea: hmm. I love that

Galit F.: and doing both.

Dr Chelsea: That's awesome. So make sure, will you please share, how can people find out more about having you into their studios or teams, and connect with you?

Galit F.: Absolutely. Instagram at Go Galit G-O-G-A-L-I-T. And if you dm me, also my email's on there. If you DM me and it looks like I didn't get it, please like, comment on a post 'cause Instagram is funny sometimes. [00:39:00] Um, email me galit dance lander@gmail.com. My name G A L I T dancelander at gmail. com. So that's like studios if you want to send me an email, Instagram, and then checking out the Dance Speak podcast.

Galit F.: Can I promote a podcast on a podcast?

Dr Chelsea: of course you can. I love your podcast and I will make sure that that is linked and your Insta and your email so that everybody can find you. Uh, and if it's not clear and coming through an audio, I think it is, but if it's not clear, Galit's energy is amazing.

Galit F.: Thank you. And it's called

Dr Chelsea: love to have you.

Galit F.: thank you. It's called the Dance Speak podcast. I didn't say the name of it. So dance. Speak podcast.

Dr Chelsea: speak, go check it out. Thank you so much, Galit. Any other last parting words, things we didn't get to say?

Galit F.: Oh, thank you. Um, thank you for having me. And I think this is the perfect example of how we get to illuminate each other. So you were on my podcast, and please listener, check it out. I got things out. It was amazing. And I also, [00:40:00] you gave me tools on that, that I've taken in, um, as I teach, as I take dance class, cause I'm a forever student as well.

Galit F.: Um. But let's all, absolutely, , we're all in this together, I really mean it, and whatever you want to build, whether it's a studio owner, a dancer, sometimes, um, one of the most fulfilling things that we can do is sometimes look left and right, and see who we have in our corner and in our network, and start creating and collaborating together.

Dr Chelsea: Wonderful. I completely agree. I love collaborating with you. Thank you for being here

Dr Chelsea: Thank you for listening to Passion for Dance. You can find all episode resources at passionfordancepodcast. com. And be sure to follow me on Instagram for more high performance tips at doctor. chelsea. parati. That's P I E R O T T I. This podcast is for passionate dancers and dance educators who are ready to change our industry by creating happier, more successful dancers.

Dr Chelsea: I'm Dr. Chelsea, and keep sharing [00:41:00] your passion for dance with the world.