Dance Colleges & Careers with Brittany Noltimier

Hosted by Brittany Noltimier

Business Arts EducationInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Hey there, future dance superstars and parents! 🌟 Are you a high school dynamo with a passion for dance and a gazillion questions about where to take your moves after graduation? Look no further! Join us on an exciting journey through the glittering world of dance colleges as we help you pirouette into the perfect program for you! In our lively and upbeat podcast, we dish out the deets on the nation's top dance colleges, bringing you the inside scoop straight from the experts themselves – Deans, Professors, and even some cool cats who've strutted their stuff on those very same dance floors! Picture this... fun-filled episodes packed with insights, interviews, and maybe a sprinkle of dance-floor magic! 🕺✨ We're on a mission to uncover what makes each University or College shine, because let's face it, choosing the right college is a big deal! As your guide through this toe-tapping adventure, I've been there, done that. Picture a small-town dancer from North Dakota (yours truly!) feeling utterly lost in the whirlwind of senior year. I wasted time and money galore on university-hopping before finding my groove. Now, I'm here to save you from the same dance detours! Discover your unique dance destiny, avoid the pitfalls, and learn how to thrive in the program that will make you the absolute best version of YOU. 🎓 Oh, and if you want to support the show (which we'd love you for!), just click here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=947N2LNHP8UQS Let's dance our way to your bright future together! 🎉💃 #DanceYourDreams #dancers So, slip on those dance shoes, hit play, and get ready to chassé into the future of your dreams! To join our Private Community, click here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18e75yFT1c/

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 14, 2026Episode 8711 min

#87: You Have to Show Love Before the Heartbreak

Have you ever watched a duet or emotional contemporary routine that had beautiful technique and strong partnering… but somehow still didn’t fully connect?In today’s episode, Brittany breaks down one of the biggest storytelling mistakes dancers make in love story routines — only showing the heartbreak without ever showing the love first.From duets and trios to emotional solos, Brittany explains why audiences need moments of joy, connection, trust, or comfort in order to truly feel the heartbreak later in the dance. Without it, routines can start to feel confusing, one-dimensional, or emotionally disconnected — even when the choreography is strong.Inside this episode:• Why “angry the whole dance” doesn’t work• The difference between a love story and a horror story• How one small smile can completely change a performance• Why emotional contrast creates stronger storytelling• How dancers can portray relationships without needing real-life experienceIf you want to improve your facials, storytelling, and emotional connection on stage, grab Brittany’s FREE 5-Day Facials Challenge here:Free Facials ChallengeConfidence looks good on you.Support the showGot a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!

May 7, 2026Episode 8620 min

#86: 3 Myths About Facial Expressions in Dance

A lot of dancers are told to “just smile more” or “feel the music”… but what if facial expressions in dance are actually a TRAINED skill?In this episode, I’m breaking down 3 huge myths about facial expressions and performance quality that keep dancers looking awkward, disconnected, or uncomfortable on stage — even when they’re technically strong dancers.We’ll talk about:✨ Why expression does NOT just come naturally✨ Why confidence usually isn’t the real issue✨ How dancers can actually train performance skills intentionallyIf your dancer struggles with stage presence, performance quality, or connecting emotionally on stage, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on — and what to do about it.🎭 Take the FREE Facial Expressions Quiz / ChallengeSupport the showGot a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!

April 30, 2026Episode 858 min

#85: The 3 Types of Dancers I See (and what’s holding them back)

1. The ProtectorThis dancer plays it safe. They don’t want to look silly, so they hold back… and it reads as nervous or disconnected.👉 (This is where you mention what you SAW on stage 👀)2. The OverthinkerThis dancer is thinking about EVERYTHING… technique, timing, corrections… but they’re so in their head that nothing feels natural.3. The ExplorerThis dancer is expressive… but inconsistent. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t—because there’s no structure behind it.Support the showGot a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!

January 15, 2026Episode 8411 min

#84: Hey Dancer, Stop Working So Hard (And Start Working Smarter)

You’re working hard. I see you. You’re in class every day, taking extra privates, rehearsing your solo, pushing yourself… and yet you’re still not seeing the results you want.In this episode, we’re talking about the difference between working hard and working with direction — and why so many dancers burn out, plateau, or lose confidence even though they’re doing “all the right things.”I break down:Why more classes isn’t always the answerHow vague goals like “better turns” or “better facials” are actually holding you backThe importance of identifying the real problem before trying to fix everythingAnd how to create a targeted strategy that fits your goals — not your teammate’s, not your studio’s, not Instagram’sIf you’ve ever felt frustrated, stuck, or like you’re trying everything with no real progress… this episode is for you.Because working harder isn’t the solution. Working smarter is.Support the showGot a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!

January 7, 2026Episode 8313 min

#83 Why Your Dance Goals Aren’t Working (And How to Fix That in 2026)

How to Set Real Dance Goals for 2026 (Not Just Wishful Thinking)As dancers, it’s easy to say “I hope I get better” or “I want to improve this year” — but hope is not a strategy.In this episode of Dance Colleges & Careers, Brittany Noltimier breaks down what it actually takes to set real, achievable dance goals and why so many dancers stay stuck despite working hard. We talk about the difference between wishes and goals, how to identify what’s really holding you back, and why lifestyle and daily habits matter more than motivation.If you want better turns, stronger performance, more confidence on stage, or real growth in 2026, this episode will help you rethink how you’re approaching your training.Inside this episode: • Why most dance goals fail before February • The difference between “wanting it” and working for it • How to identify the real barrier behind your struggles • Why confidence and performance are trainable skills • How small daily changes create big results on stageThis episode is for dancers who are ready to stop hoping and start building.Support the showGot a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!

October 30, 2025Episode 8211 min

#82: The Office Cleaning Obsession — Stop Waiting for Perfect Before You Start

Do you ever catch yourself waiting until everything is “just right” before you begin? The perfect studio, the perfect costume, the perfect moment? Perfectionism feels safe — but it’s actually what keeps dancers stuck.In this episode, Brittany shares her obsession with cleaning and reorganizing her office, and how it mirrors the way dancers procrastinate on facials, confidence, and performance. You’ll learn why perfection is a moving target, why progress only comes from action, and how confidence is built through repetition, not waiting.🎁 Bonus Resource: Get your free tool at www.brittanynoltimier.com/82 to help you start practicing now instead of waiting for perfect.And remember — you don’t have to do it alone. Whether inside the FAME Academy or with another trusted mentor, the fastest growth happens when you stop waiting and start moving forward with support.Support the showGot a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!

October 22, 2025Episode 8116 min

#81: Stop Waiting—Start Deciding: How to Choose Your Next Step After High School

If you're in high school and still unsure what you want to do after graduation, you’re not behind — you’re just standing at the starting line. In this episode, Brittany breaks down the fear of making “the wrong choice” and explains why taking any step forward is better than staying stuck.From her own story growing up in small-town North Dakota to working in New York and Orlando, Brittany shares how each decision — even the messy or unexpected ones — opened new doors. She’ll talk about:Why structure matters in your late teens (and how college can provide it)The truth about student debt and why education is an investment, not a burdenThe myth of the “gap year” and why momentum is everythingHow to surround yourself with dreamers instead of lifersThe single phrase that will change your future: Don’t wait for clarity — create it.If you’ve been waiting for a sign to move forward, this episode is it.Support the showGot a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!

October 16, 2025Episode 8014 min

#80: Fix Your Focus Face: The Expression Secret That Makes You Stand Out

In this episode of Dance Colleges and Careers, Brittany breaks down one of the most common — and unnoticed — habits holding dancers back: the “focus face.” You know the one — the “uhhh” face, the blank stare, the tight jaw. She shares why this expression (or lack thereof) sends the wrong message to your teachers, judges, and even future employers, and how to replace it with energy, intention, and purpose. From classroom body language to audition etiquette, Brittany shows how your face can open doors — on stage and in real life.Support the showGot a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!

October 8, 2025Episode 7910 min

#79: The Blind Spot — Why What You Feel on Stage Isn’t Always What They See

Have you ever thought you were performing one way, only to watch the video back — or get judge feedback — that told a completely different story? That gap is your blind spot.In this episode, Brittany shares her own vulnerable story of being called “spastic” by a judge and how that critique changed her dancing forever. She unpacks how blind spots keep dancers stuck, why feedback can feel uncomfortable but is essential, and how coaching closes the gap between what you intend to show and what the audience actually sees.🎁 Bonus Resource: Grab the free tool for this episode at www.brittanynoltimier.com/79.And if you’re ready to finally turn blind spots into breakthroughs, that’s exactly what happens inside the FAME Academy — where dancers get the coaching, feedback, and mentorship to perform with confidence.Support the showGot a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!

October 1, 2025Episode 7814 min

#78: The Grass Isn’t Always Greener at Another Studio

Thinking of switching studios? Before you make the leap, listen to this.In this episode, Brittany Noltimier unpacks why the “grass is greener” mindset holds dancers back, and what to do instead. You’ll hear why moving studios doesn’t automatically solve performance problems — and how to create growth opportunities right where you are.🎁 Grab the free bonus for this episode at www.brittanynoltimier.com/78And remember — dancers grow faster with guidance. The grass isn’t greener somewhere else. It’s greener where you water it.Support the showGot a question or story you'd like to share? Message me HERE, and your submission might even be featured in an upcoming episode!