In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, we welcome industry veteran Kim McSwain, founder of KM Agency and longtime educator, choreographer, and mentor to dancers and teachers alike.

From touring with Britney Spears and Michael Jackson to becoming a leading voice in teacher training and studio consulting, Kim shares how a career-ending injury led her to discover her greatest gift: teaching young dancers with heart and intention.

She dives into:

• What studios often miss when it comes to teacher hiring
• How to reach and uplift every child, even the “hard to reach”
• Creating a classroom culture rooted in being seen, valued, and challenged
• Turning passion into purpose and building a healthy, thriving studio

With honesty, warmth, and years of experience, Kim reminds us what really matters in dance education, and how small shifts in mindset and communication can change everything.

Learn about Kim’s work at KM Agency
Discover exclusive training, tools, and community for studio owners and teachers at DanceTeacherWeb.com

In this episode of Step Up Your Studio, we sit down with the incredible Hedy Perna, owner of Perna Dance Center in Haslet, NJ. With over 37 years of experience, Hedy brings heart, humor, and hard-won wisdom to the mic as she shares what it really takes to build a lasting, values-driven studio.

From her childhood obsession with Fred Astaire to launching Dance Friends on Zoom during the pandemic, Hedy dives into:

• Her old-school roots and modern-day lessons
• How to stay energized after decades in the industry
• The importance of sticking to your policies and trusting your studio’s "flavor"
• How meaningful relationships drive student retention and long-term success
• What she’s learned from leading new studio owner sessions at the Dance Teacher Web Conference

Whether you’re brand new or a decades-deep studio veteran, Hedy’s stories and strategies will remind you why dance education is a calling and why community matters now more than ever.

• Explore the upcoming Dance Teacher Web Conference & Expo: DanceTeacherWeb.com

In this heartfelt and wisdom-packed episode, Step Up Your Studio welcomes Simone DePaulo, veteran performer, choreographer, and passionate educator. From Alvin Ailey training to Afro Jazz choreography, Simone’s journey spans continents, disciplines, and decades. She shares how dance chose her, the life-changing impact of international touring, and how she connects movement with meaning for students of all ages.

You’ll hear:

• Her approach to teaching young children through story and imagination
• Insights into curriculum development that’s rooted in connection and creativity
• Honest reflections on overcoming personal and professional challenges
• The importance of community, mentorship, and continued education in dance

Simone also opens up about her husband’s health journey and how faith, resilience, and the studio continue to be her creative and emotional anchor.

Whether you're a studio owner, dance teacher, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode is a must-listen for re-centering your purpose and passion in the dance world.

🔗 Connect with Simone on Dance Teacher Web

Watch her exclusive class content and more at:
👉 www.danceteacherweb.com