The Acrobatic Arts Podcast

About The Acrobatic Arts Podcast

Welcome to the Acrobatic Arts Podcast! Join our host, Loren Dermody, as she interviews some of the top leaders and innovators from the dance and acrobatic industry. Acrobatic Arts is passionate about providing current and relevant information for everyone. If you are interested in hearing open and honest conversations with professionals from all over the world, then you are sure to find these episodes intriguing and full of inspiration!

Publisher

Acrobatic Arts Inc

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Dec 2020

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

145 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Ep. 145 Jill Ford: The Coach Behind the AGT Finalists

   What does it actually take to go from a golden buzzer moment to the America's Got Talent finale? Jill Ford is back and this time she is giving us everything the cameras didn't show. From rehearsing in hotel hallways to four days of prep for the finale, from managing 22 kids and nine dogs on a live stage to keeping it all together when the dog trainer blew out her knee minutes before the final performance, this episode is the behind the scenes story that nobody outside that production knew. Jill talks about pitching themes to producers, getting costumes made in 30 minutes, the pressure of live rounds with no edits, what school looked like for the younger dancers, and what this whole experience taught her that she could not have learned any other way. If you thought the first episode was good, buckle up!Full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.acrobaticarts.com/blog/ep-145-jill-ford-the-coach-behind-the-agt-finalistsAbout Jill Jill was originally from Regina, Saskatchewan where she danced competitively in the areas of ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics and baton twirling for 17 years. She went on to teaching dance, baton and acrobatics in her home city and now resides in Edmonton, Alberta where she has opened her own studio specializing in Acrobatics and Baton Twirling. She completed her bachelor of Education (k-5) at the University of Regina which has furthered her expertise as an acrobatic and dance teacher. Jill has travelled the world as an athlete and coach representing Canada at 8 World Baton Twirling Championships and now continually is committed to keeping young children involved in the areas of acrobatics, dance and baton twirling. She is very happy and honoured to be part of the Acrobatic Arts staff and loves sharing her passion and knowledge with students and teachers!Jill's credentials include: Bachelor of Education, Canadian Dance Teachers Association Certified Teacher, Canadian Baton Twirling Association Level 2 Coach, Inductee of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.Listen to other episodes with Jill Ford:Ep. 44 More Than You Think: The Benefits of Acro Exams with Jill Ford: https://youtu.be/Rh1gw-9674IEp. 68 Top 3 Tips for Front Aerials with Jill Ford: https://youtu.be/GvzYonPFHH8Ep. 86 Breaking Down the Handstand Forward Roll: Strategies with Jill Ford: https://youtu.be/xSAcCMtASpcEp. 138 Golden Buzzer: From the Studio to the Stage with Jill Ford: https://youtu.be/dm1XRkjKkBk?si=40kpqIZxvo_iCQ_9If you’d like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now!Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcroartsTwitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

2. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Ep. 144 What Cirque Casting Directors Actually Look For with Marqui Kumavat

   She auditioned for Cirque du Soleil for seven years before getting the call. Now she's the one deciding who makes the cut. Dance Casting Specialist and Talent Scout Marqui Kumavat reveals what actually catches her eye in an audition room, why technique alone won't get you hired, and the business side of a dance career most young performers never learn. Plus, your shot at a backstage experience with Cirque's Drawn to Life at Accelerate Acro Convention. Full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.acrobaticarts.com/blog/ep-144-what-cirque-casting-directors-actually-look-for-with-marqui-kumavat About Marqui Dance Casting Specialist and Talent Scout, Cirque du Soleil Marqui began her performance career early, booking her first major role at just 11 years old in the iconic Radio City Christmas Spectacular, where she later became Swing, Dance Captain, and Assistant Choreographer. Her journey eventually led her to Cirque du Soleil, where she currently serves as the Dance Casting Specialist. With Cirque, Marqui has held several key creative roles, including Senior Artistic Advisor for The Beatles LOVE and Dance Master for both Mystère and LOVE. Her choreography, staging, and direction has helped bring Cirque’s artistry to stages and global platforms around the world spanning performances at the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, Life Is Beautiful, The Today Show, and special collaborations for The Beatles, Loungefly, HP, and MGM. Beyond Cirque, Marqui’s stage experience includes performances with Royal Caribbean, The Walt Disney Company, Universal, Feld Entertainment, and special events such as One Night for One Drop alongside Hans Zimmer and Walk the Moon. As an educator, she has had opportunities to teach at Steps NYC, TAPS Professional Program, Tremaine Dance Conventions, NYCDA, and CLI Conservatory. If you’d like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! (http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbfF2uNpOZqLJohIO4w-PjA) Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ (https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts (https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts) Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com (https://www.AcrobaticArts.com)

3. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Ep. 143 Spotlight Series: Balanced Development with Sandra Elliott

   By popular demand, this one's back. Sandra Elliott, Acrobatic Arts Principal and the eye behind our syllabus, joins Loren to answer a question every dance teacher needs to ask: are your dancers developing evenly on both sides? One sided training doesn't stay small. It builds into twisted bridges, unstable landings, and injuries that follow a dancer for life. Sandra breaks down how it happens and what to do about it, starting in your very next class. If you teach dance, don't miss this one. A full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.acrobaticarts.com/blog/ep-143-spotlight-series-balanced-development-with-sandra-elliottAbout Sandra With over 35 years teaching experience, Sandra has also been enjoying her role as a course conductor and examiner with Acrobatic Arts since its inception in 2012. She assisted in developing the Module 1 Teacher's Certification Course. In addition, she developed the Graduate Student Teacher's Certification course, the Adjudicator Certification for AcroDance course and the Pin Examiner Certification course. Sandra is currently the Principal of Acrobatic Arts responsible for administering aspects of different courses along with ongoing training of new and existing examiners with the company. Sandra is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance and has her Bachelor of Education Degree, with a major in dance. Throughout her teaching career, she has successfully prepared students for all levels of RAD exams. One of her students achieved her Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal while another student participated in the RAD's Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition (formerly ‘The Genee') who later became a member of the Citie Ballet Company as well as Ballet Kelowna. Sandra has also been closely involved in the training of many students who have gone on to dance in professional shows including The Music Man (Broadway), Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Movin' Out (Canadian Tour), Cirque Du Soleil (Las Vegas), So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Celine Dion and Taylor Swift. One of those students was the 2013 winner of UK's Got To Dance and a competitor in World of Dance Season 2. He is currently running his own contemporary company ‘Untitled' out of the UK. Sandra's choreography has won many overall, title and choreography awards. She is passionate about not only developing artistic dancers that have excellent technique but she also loves helping dancers to understand how the things they learn in dance can translate into their personal lives helping them to push themselves to be the best they can be. Previous Episodes featuring Sandra Elliott Ep. 118 – Assistant Teachers: The Secret to Studio Growth with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/t0a3urn5Ti8Ep. 106 – Advanced Acro: Tumbling Unlocked with Sandra Elliott & Vicki Fletcher - https://youtu.be/Y519uEvllz8Ep. 104 – Acro Exam Ready: Examiner's Top Tips (3-5) with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/iq1xj2rplf0Ep. 77 – Adjudicator Certification for AcroDance with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/MreAM8Ys5foEp. 57 – Exploring the Acrobatic Arts Pin Program with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/a9T7V_dEaWAEp. 37 – One-sided Dancers: Is it a Concern? with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/IpFzA0hAzSYEp. 32 – Common Corrections in Exams Primary to Level 3 with Sandra Elliott - https://youtu.be/JlUoYpgRYrc If you'd like more amazing content more tips and ideas check out our Acrobatic Arts Channel on YouTube. Subscribe Now! Connect with Acrobatic Arts on your favourite social media platform: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrobaticarts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Acroarts Twitter: https://twitter.com/acrobatic_arts/ Learn more and register for our programs at AcrobaticArts.com

Who has been a guest on The Acrobatic Arts Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Christina Kotsopoulos
• Mandy Yip
• Leah Holliday

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

4,261,340

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 74 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

83

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

68

Contact The Acrobatic Arts Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about The Acrobatic Arts Podcast