ArtsPerforming Arts

Beyond the 8 Count

Paige and Brianne

Beyond the 8 Count is where the dance world gets real. Hosted by sisters, studio owners, and competition directors Paige and Brianne, we dive into the stories, challenges, and conversations that happen behind the scenes of dance. From studio ownership and competition life to teaching, choreography, and the moments nobody talks about, we're saying what everyone is thinking. Whether you're a dance teacher, studio owner, dancer, or dance parent, you'll find honest conversations, plenty of laughs, and an inside look at the industry we love.

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12 episodes
weekly
Avg 34 min
English

Episodes 12

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S1 · E12
Friday · 34 min
Working With Abby Lee Miller: Dance, Teaching & Madhouse | Dominic Rayman
How did Dominic Rayman end up working with Abby Lee Miller? It started with taking a chance. For our first guest episode of Beyond the 8 Count, we’re joined by our friend Dom to talk about his journey as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer! The episode includes how he landed an opportunity to work with Abby and appear on Madhouse. Dom shares his first impressions of Abby, what it was like stepping into reality TV, and the behind-the-scenes experiences that came with it. Of course, we also share a few memories of our own, including the time Paige unexpectedly asked him to perform an improv solo for the dancers at her competition. The conversation gets personal as Dom opens up about losing his mother and the role dance played in helping him through that grief. He reflects on his unexpected path into teaching, the relationships he’s built with students, and why those connections mean so much to him. We also explore his approach to the classroom: helping dancers feel supported, making room for joy, and encouraging students to discover their own passion for dance. There are laughs, heartfelt moments, and honest conversations about teaching, taking chances, and finding your way in the dance industry. We’re so excited for you to get to know our friend Dom!
S1 · E11
October 2 · 35 min
Dance Parents: What Your Studio Owner Wishes You Knew
What do dance studio owners wish they could tell every dance parent? In this episode of Beyond the 8 Count, Brianne and Paige have the conversation studio owners everywhere can relate to. From team placements and parent communication to comparison, studio policies, and the decisions happening behind the scenes, they’re talking about the things dance parents may not always see. They explain why a placement is never a reflection of a dancer’s worth, why studio decisions can’t be made around one child, and why teachers often see more of a dancer’s progress, potential, and classroom behavior than parents realize. They also get into one of the biggest challenges in the dance world: communication. If something is bothering you, talk to your studio before talking about your studio. A misunderstanding can quickly turn into frustration, gossip, and unnecessary drama when a simple conversation could have cleared things up. Most importantly, Brianne and Paige share something they wish every dance parent knew: we really do want your child to succeed. Corrections, placements, boundaries, and policies aren’t meant to work against your dancer. They’re part of running a studio, building strong teams, and helping kids grow. If you’re a dance parent, teacher, or studio owner, this episode gives an honest look at what’s happening on the other side of the front desk, and how parents and studios can work together to give dancers the best experience possible.
S1 · E10
September 25 · 32 min
Would We Hire You? Dance Teacher Interview Red & Green Flags
What makes a great dance teacher? What should immediately raise a red flag during an interview? In this episode, Brianne and Paige break down the red and green flags they look for when hiring dance instructors. From teaching voice and communication skills to adaptability and genuine passion, they discuss what separates an impressive dancer from an effective teacher. They share how applicants should present their accomplishments without relying on someone else’s name or résumé, why personal accolades don’t always translate into teaching ability, and how a willingness to learn and collaborate can matter more than having the most impressive credentials. Paige and Brianne also explain why teachers must be willing to adapt to different ages, levels, and learning styles. Teaching dance isn’t about showcasing yourself. It’s about helping students grow, building their confidence, and contributing to a positive studio culture. Whether you’re a studio owner hiring instructors, a current teacher, or a dancer hoping to teach one day, this episode offers an honest look at what it truly takes to stand out in a dance teaching interview.... for the right reasons.
S1 · E9
September 18 · 33 min
Dance Teachers Deserve Better Pay… But Are You Worth Hiring?
A viral TikTok sparked a bigger conversation: Why are so many dance teachers still being underpaid? In this episode of Beyond the 8 Count, Paige and Brianne get honest about dance teacher pay, the challenges studio owners face when setting wages, and why passion alone doesn’t pay the bills. After asking their mom what she paid instructors more than 15 years ago, they were shocked to learn that some dance teachers are making the same amount.....or even less, today. They also share what studio owners actually look for when hiring, what belongs on a dance teaching résumé, and why listing the famous choreographers you’ve taken class from isn’t the experience you think it is. In this episode, we discuss: What dance teachers are really earning Why many instructors need multiple jobs The financial realities studio owners are balancing What makes someone a valuable dance teacher The biggest mistakes applicants make on their résumés Why teaching preschool and beginner dancers matters The difference between being a talented dancer and an effective teacher How the dance industry can begin treating teaching like the profession it is Whether you’re a dance teacher, studio owner, aspiring instructor, or dance parent, this conversation offers an honest look at the people responsible for training the next generation of dancers! What their experience, time, and talent are truly worth.
S1 · E8
September 11 · 36 min
I Never Wanted to Own a Dance Studio… Until I Found Out She Was Selling Hers
In this episode, Paige and Brianne compare two very different paths to studio ownership. Brianne shares how it all began when she was asked to teach a small dance class for her friends’ children at a church building. What started as one simple class eventually grew into the decision to find a rental property, build out the space, and officially open her own dance studio. Brianne talks about what it took to build a studio from the ground up, including finding a location, attracting dancers, establishing a reputation, covering the financial obligations, and growing the business one step at a time. Paige shares the challenges she faced on the opposite path: purchasing an already-established studio. She never planned, or even wanted, to own a dance studio, but eventually made the decision to purchase Brianne’s business. While she didn’t have to start from zero, she had to navigate existing expectations, relationships, traditions, financial responsibilities, and the pressure of taking over a studio that already had its own identity. Together, they reveal that neither path is necessarily easier, they are simply challenging in completely different ways. They share what each experience taught them about leadership, change, financial risk, growth, and the realities of becoming a dance studio owner.
S1 · E7
September 4 · 36 min
After 10 Years, She Walked Away From Her Dance Studio...and I Took Over
What really happens when one sister is ready to walk away from the dance studio....and the other decides to take it over? In this episode of Beyond the 8 Count, Paige and Brianne get into the real story behind the transition of their family dance studio from Brianne to Paige. After growing up in the dance world, teaching together, and each having their own ideas about how a studio should be run, changing ownership wasn’t as simple as just handing over the keys. They talk about what the transition was actually like, why Brianne was ready to be DONE, what made Paige decide to take the studio on, and how their very different personalities and approaches shaped what happened next. You’ll hear about: • What led Brianne to finally decide it was time to sell the studio • Why Paige decided to take it over, and what she was getting herself into • The reality of mixing family relationships with business • The changes Paige made after becoming the owner • The things Brianne and Paige did very differently as studio owners • Teaching, choreography, acro, ballet, and the areas they each naturally gravitated toward • The pressure of maintaining a studio while also trying to make it your own • What they would do differently knowing what they know now And because they’re sisters, there are plenty of disagreements, laughs, and moments where they remember the exact same situation VERY differently. This isn’t a perfectly polished “passing of the torch” story. It’s the real story of one sister being ready to move on, another stepping in, and how that decision changed the studio, and their relationship with it. If you’re a studio owner, dance teacher, dance parent, or just love hearing what really happens behind the scenes of the dance world, this episode is for you. 🎧 Welcome to Beyond the 8 Count! Where we talk about the parts of the dance world people usually only talk about behind closed doors.
S1 · E6
August 28 · 35 min
Dance Competition Horror Stories: What Really Happens Behind the Scenes
Part 2 The dance competition chaos continues, and somehow, the stories get even crazier. In Part 2, Paige and Brianne are back with more of the wild, hilarious, frustrating, and completely unbelievable things they’ve witnessed behind the scenes at dance competitions. What happens when competition gets a little too competitive? From parents crossing the line to questionable tactics, judging frustrations, backstage drama, and moments that leave you wondering, “Did that seriously just happen?” we’re talking about the side of dance competitions that you definitely don’t see from the audience. In this episode, we get into: • When competitive parents take things way too far • A shocking story involving a mom, another dancer, and alleged sabotage • The pressure dancers, teachers, and studio owners feel on competition weekends • Judging decisions that leave everyone scratching their heads • Backstage chaos and the things that happen when emotions are running HIGH • Why winning should never become more important than the dancers themselves After years as dancers, teachers, studio owners, judges, and competition owners, we’ve seen A LOT, and we have the stories to prove it. If you’ve ever competed, taught, owned a studio, sat in the audience as a dance parent, or spent an entire weekend living out of a dressing room… this episode is for you. And trust us....you really can’t make this stuff up. 🎧 Listen to Part 1 first, then come back for even more untold dance competition chaos in Part 2. Want to be featured on a future episode? Send us your questions, crazy dance stories, unpopular opinions, or spill the tea at Beyond the 8 Count.
S1 · E5
August 21 · 33 min
The Ugly Truth About Dance Competitions | What Really Happens Behind the Scenes
Part 1 You see the trophies, rhinestones, costumes, and packed auditoriums, but what actually happens behind the scenes of a dance competition? In this episode of Beyond the 8 Count, sisters Paige and Brianne are spilling the stories from behind the curtain at Dance Nation Competitions. And when you’re the ones running the competition, you see everything. From the chaos happening backstage to studio owners, judges, dancers, parents, technical problems, last-minute changes, and those moments that make you stop and think, Did that seriously just happen? Competition weekends are never boring. Paige and Brianne share some of their favorite, funniest, craziest, and most memorable stories from running Dance Nation and talk about what it actually takes to pull off a dance competition. In this episode, we get into: • The things that go wrong behind the scenes that the audience never sees • The absolute chaos of competition day • Funny and unforgettable interactions with dancers, teachers, judges, and studio owners • What it's really like being the competition director when everyone needs something at once • The pressure dancers feel when they step onto that stage • Why some of the smallest moments end up becoming the most memorable ones • The relationships we've built with studios throughout the years • The stories that could ONLY happen at a dance competition Because competitive dance isn't just scores, placements, and trophies. Behind every routine is a dancer who worked for months to get there, a teacher holding their breath in the wings, a parent somewhere in the audience, and a competition staff trying to make sure nobody realizes something is going completely off the rails backstage. If you've ever competed, taught, owned a studio, been a dance parent, judged a competition, or you've just wondered what REALLY happens behind the curtain.....this one's for you. Come backstage with us. We're spilling the Dance Nation tea. 👀 Listen to Beyond the 8 Count and follow along for more unfiltered stories from inside the dance world.
S1 · E4
August 14 · 39 min
We Started Our Own Dance Competition… Here's What We Got Wrong
What does it REALLY take to start and run a dance competition? Turns out… a lot more than we thought! In this episode of Beyond the 8 Count, Paige and Brianne are taking you behind the scenes of how Dance Nation Competitions actually started. From Paige sitting at a competition thinking, “I could run this better,” to somehow turning that thought into an actual business. And, of course, it didn't exactly go smoothly. We're talking about the things you DON'T see from the audience: finding venues, hiring judges, organizing awards, building schedules, dealing with studios, solving problems on the fly, and what happens when everything goes completely off the rails. Including the time Paige injured her knee and somehow ended up leaving the studio in an ambulance, with her first competition only a couple weeks away! In this episode, we're talking about: • How the idea for Dance Nation actually started • What nobody tells you about running a dance competition • The mistakes we made in the beginning • Why having the right people around you changes everything • The absolute chaos that can happen behind the scenes • What we've learned after years of running competitions If you're a studio owner, dance teacher, competition director, dance parent, or just someone who wants to know what REALLY happens behind the curtain, this one's for you. Because the dancers might see a stage, judges and trophies… But behind that curtain? It's a whole different story. Listen now to Beyond the 8 Count.
S1 · E3
August 8 · 37 min
Our Dance Teachers Took Our Students | The Studio Betrayal We Never Talked About
In the world of dance, betrayal can shatter not just careers but also the very passion that fuels them. In this gripping episode, our hosts delve into the emotional turmoil of navigating a studio filled with hidden agendas and loyalty tests. If you've ever faced betrayal in your professional life, this conversation is a must-listen. Join Paige and Brianne as they share their harrowing journey from trusted colleagues to unexpected rivals within the dance studio. They open up about a difficult transition period, revealing the complexities of managing relationships with instructors and parents while maintaining a clear vision for their students. With raw honesty, they discuss the red flags they ignored, the lessons learned, and how to rebuild from the ashes of trust broken. You'll discover: The critical signs of loyalty fractures and how to spot them before they escalate. Effective strategies for keeping instructor and student relationships professional to avoid conflicts of interest. Insight into the emotional weight of leadership and the importance of self-worth amidst external chaos. How to foster a supportive environment that encourages growth and respect among students and instructors alike. The stakes are high: ignoring these lessons can lead to not just a toxic work environment but a deep personal impact that can tarnish your passion for what you love. The opportunity to transform your approach to leadership and relationships in your studio is right here. This episode is essential listening for anyone in the dance community or any professional navigating the choppy waters of trust and leadership. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion that not only addresses the pain of betrayal but also offers a roadmap to resilience and renewal.
S1 · E1
August 1 · 26 min
Running a Dance Studio Is NOT What You Think | What Studio Owners Don't Tell You
Introduction: Dance isn't just about performing on stage. It's about family, sacrifice, business, and sometimes surviving the unexpected. In this first episode of Beyond the Eight Count, sisters Paige and Brianne share the story behind their family's dance legacy, what it was really like growing up in the studio, and the unexpected journey that led Paige to purchase the studio from Brianne. They pull back the curtain on the realities of dance studio ownership, the parts people rarely talk about, including the emotional weight of leading a studio, the challenges of an ownership transition, and why running a successful dance business is so much more than teaching great classes. Along the way, they discuss how their family's dance legacy shaped who they are today, what really goes into owning and operating a dance studio, the emotional highs and lows behind the scenes, the story of how Paige unexpectedly became the studio owner, and the biggest misconceptions about studio ownership and the dance industry. They also share lessons they've learned that can benefit dance parents, teachers, studio owners, and anyone considering opening their own studio. Whether you're a dance parent, studio owner, instructor, competitor, or simply curious about what happens behind the curtain, this episode offers an honest look at the passion, challenges, and realities of life in the dance world. This is just the beginning of the conversations the dance industry has been waiting to have.
S1 · E2
August 1 · 30 min
Why She Really Sold Her Dance Studio | Boundaries, Backlash & Burnout
Running a dance studio isn't just about teaching great dancers. It's about creating a culture where students, parents, and teachers can thrive. In this episode of Beyond the Eight Count, we're having an honest conversation about one of the biggest challenges studio owners face: navigating parent expectations while protecting the culture you've worked so hard to build. We discuss why clear policies matter, how to handle pushback professionally, and what happens when one toxic situation begins affecting an entire studio. We also share our own experiences as studio owners, including lessons we've learned about setting boundaries, making difficult decisions, and staying true to our mission, even when those decisions aren't popular. You'll discover: • Why having a clear mission statement is one of the most important tools a studio owner can have. • How to enforce policies without feeling guilty. • Why saying "no" gets easier, and why it's necessary for a healthy studio culture. • The impact one toxic parent can have on students, teachers, and the overall environment. • How to separate business decisions from personal emotions. • Practical advice for creating a studio culture built on respect, accountability, and trust. Whether you're a studio owner, dance teacher, parent, or someone passionate about the dance industry, this episode offers an honest look at the realities of running a studio and protecting the environment you've worked so hard to create. If you've ever struggled with boundaries, difficult conversations, or maintaining a positive culture, this episode is for you.

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