EP12: Get To Know Miss Olivia

In this episode, Michelle and Laura sit down with a very special guest – their first-ever employee and now one of their closest friends, Miss Olivia! 💖

Expect plenty of laughs, behind-the-scenes stories, and some honest revelations as Olivia shares what it was really like working at the studio. From memorable moments to funny mishaps.

Grab a cuppa and join us for an episode full of friendship, memories, and lots of laughter! ✨💃🕺

Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:10

This is the place where we talk everything. What goes on inside our studio to the wider dance industry, too? You'll get to know your teachers, hear from real-life dance parents, and maybe even some of our pupils. And who knows what they'll have to say. So Robbie Dance and Cheers are maybe just a couple. Join us for all the Laugh Stories and behind the scenes fun at Freedom to Dance.

SPEAKER_03 0:38

Welcome to Dance Talks, it's Miss Olivia, and I'm taking over my days.

SPEAKER_04 0:44

Well, I was about to say that today is going to be a very special episode because we are chatting to somebody who's been part of our family now for eight years. Eight years. You deserve a medal.

SPEAKER_02 1:08

I do.

SPEAKER_04 1:09

Our therapist.

SPEAKER_02 1:11

Maybe that option. Maybe that option.

SPEAKER_04 1:14

Let's crack on. Take us back to when you first started working with us. Did you ever imagine?

SPEAKER_02 1:20

No.

SPEAKER_04 1:23

Did you ever imagine that you'd still be with us eight years later?

SPEAKER_03 1:27

Do you know what? I did.

SPEAKER_04 1:29

Did you? I did. I did. It was a long-term plan. I thought we were just a bit on side. No.

SPEAKER_02 1:37

No. It was a long-term plan.

SPEAKER_04 1:40

Like a marriage.

SPEAKER_02 1:42

Like a marriage. Like a marriage.

SPEAKER_04 1:45

No, I actually remember um you saying because you started with just a few hours, but from the very minute we met, you always said you wanted it to be a full-time role. Yeah, and I do I do remember the first time we met you. Can you remember?

SPEAKER_02 2:02

I can remember. I know what you're gonna say.

SPEAKER_04 2:04

I know what you're gonna say. I can see us in the hotel lobby.

SPEAKER_03 2:12

What do you call it a lobby?

SPEAKER_04 2:14

Well, if you are American, you're basically what premiering. There we go. At Glass Album.

SPEAKER_03 2:20

There we go.

SPEAKER_04 2:22

Excuse me, we did, and she was this young, glamorous. Am I not still young? Enthusiastic. No, you've you've got it in the side. Um, and in all seriousness, because we're very rarely serious, Laura and I came away from the interview thinking, what's the catch? Yeah, I'm not this lucky. What's the catch? Because well, we were interviewing for a ballroom and Latin lead, and it was very difficult to find. And then you just kind of walked in in a fur coat. Can you remember? Yeah, so that'll definitely be a day that we'll never forget, but um, you had another job at the time, so tell us about that because I think what most dancers don't know is that getting a full-time job as a dance teacher isn't as easy as you think.

SPEAKER_03 3:30

It's really not. So at the time I was working for Leeds City Council as a housing officer, well, specifically an income housing officer. Um, so I was doing all the the lovely jobs of collecting rent, talking to the lovely tenants of Leeds about their income.

SPEAKER_04 3:55

Um, and then come here and teach on a night.

SPEAKER_03 4:00

That's it. I did a nine till five, then I drove straight over, and then yeah, we were we were here.

SPEAKER_04 4:07

I can remember you sometimes parking up and then like still being on phone calls, and I can remember thinking, how how does Olivia do this job? It was like two the polar opposites, you'd come in and you'd do this fun dance class, yeah, but then we'd see you in the car being like shouted at by tenants, and it was like just two total two different worlds, yeah, it really was. Yeah, but I think the you know the thing is it's not uh realistic a lot of the time as a dance teacher to think that that is gonna be a full-time job, and I think you've certainly understood that. Yeah, and I think it'd be as far as your first goal was always going to be to increase dance teaching hours, but that you were probably always gonna still have to do that.

SPEAKER_03 4:57

Yeah, I wanted to, if I could, I think my main aim was to reverse it so I would do more hours teaching and then less hours doing my day job, which I think I always knew that I would still have to do that. So I think in the end, when I went down to doing, I think it was only two days in the end. Yeah, you were then up to like 20 hours work as I go here. Yeah, um then I was I was really really happy with that to just to just be able to reverse it.

SPEAKER_04 5:27

Yeah, and it's very rare for a dance teacher to just walk into a full-time position. Usually you take on a class and then it's a case of building that class and then building your next class. Yeah, and if you think at the time we'd only been in this building for a short time, so it was still very new, but we we were nowhere near as you know busy, um, and we didn't have half as many classes. Um that's where though Olivia be um able to teach different styles became one of your biggest strengths for that because she came as a ballroom as we've mentioned, um but there was only so many hours with that, and that was one of the smaller departments of the school at that time. But then because you were able to teach different styles, it was then thrown about with wow that if I take some um street classes on the other. Is that right? Okay, yeah, no worries, and that is how it grew. So the more styles that you can have under your belt, basically, as a teacher, and to be able to deliver them all well, the it's setting you up, and I think that brings us on to Olivia as a teacher. And I think one thing that we can all say and probably agree on is just how detailed you are as a teacher, how detailed you are as a choreographer, um, you notice absolutely everything from you know tiny arm placements to where the feet should be, where the head should be, what facial expression there should be pulling. So, what is your actual process when creating routines? Like, where does it start for you?

SPEAKER_03 7:14

Um I think it always starts with music. I really struggle to choreograph without a piece of music. Um I really like music that has highlights in, um storytelling, um just different things going on that and I think those are the easiest things to choreograph first, because you can just listen to the music and kind of go from there as in what is the music telling you to do? And I I say that all the time in my street classes when we're doing freestyle. I say, especially with the older ones, not so much with the younger ones, but first of all, start with listening to the music, what is it telling you to do?

SPEAKER_04 7:55

And I think that's so would you say that as soon as you hear music you instantly picture choreography?

SPEAKER_03 8:00

Yeah, just just start moving, start moving, working out what what is the music making my body do, and then kind of building from there?

SPEAKER_04 8:10

This is a burning question. Go on.

SPEAKER_02 8:15

Go on.

SPEAKER_04 8:16

How many times do you change a routine before it's actually finished? Like you hundreds. You would like you would if you've never said to me, Oh, I've finished that routine. No, like it's never finished, no, it's never finished. So even when it's finished, it's it's only finished with a cover, it's not finished with a four-star. Yeah, every time, like you like I feel like you never know like a hundred percent.

SPEAKER_03 8:44

I think when when I do something, I can then I'm always thinking what can be better, what can be better, what can I change that to, what can or you like that as a dancer? Um as a competitor. Yeah, I think I was I think I was very um particular. I like to do things right, I like to do things correct. When it's not right, I'm not happy. Um, and I think that's why, especially with ballroom and Latin, I loved that style because it's very much right or wrong. So in terms of your technique, your figures, your steps, your posture, it it's either right and this is the correct way, or it's wrong. Um whereas with street, with freestyle, with hip-hop, there isn't that because there's so many variations of things, there's so many styles, um, there's so many, like there's so much more freedom with it, and I think that's where I struggle because I constantly want it to be better and better and better, whereas with Borom and Latin, it's just it is what it is.

SPEAKER_04 9:49

Yeah, you're definitely a perfectionist, yeah, 100%. Um I think if I came and said, right, Olivia, you've got 18 months to choreograph one piece with 10 dancers for a show and it's only 90 seconds long, yeah, I still don't think it'd be finished.

SPEAKER_03 10:09

No, no, there'd be so many drafts.

SPEAKER_04 10:12

Yeah, version 1.2. Yeah. So I think you know, and this is something we discuss all the time with that how sort of teaching dance and being a dance teacher has changed over the years and over the decad decades, decades, especially even from when we were pupils. Um so for you now as a teacher, other than the dance steps, what is another thing that you feel that you that you teach the children, the pupils? What do you find that it's not just about the dance steps anymore?

SPEAKER_03 10:49

It definitely has to be fun, it has to be. I think that is like the main thing with the classes. They have to be fun, they have to be engaging. Um the kids are not gonna enjoy it, keep coming if it's not fun and engaging, and I think that that is that is probably the the main thing. Um I want each person in my class to go away and to have had fun, to have laughed, to have learnt something new.

SPEAKER_04 11:19

Um what do you find the hardest thing to teach?

SPEAKER_03 11:24

Probably seniors I struggle with confidence and performance, and I find that if you have children from a young age, once they kind of hit that that age uh around like that 12, 13, 14 mark, I think when hormones come into play, they start high school. I find that that you do see it just a different side to them. I think then it's really hard to to to work with with people's confidence and performance. Um I think that's my hardest thing. But I do love I do love teaching seniors, I do love teaching seniors. I just I do find that side of it hard.

SPEAKER_04 12:06

Yeah, I think it's hard because we know that like when you come out the other side of that, like it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, just you want to scream, just let go. Yeah, like we're in a room, this is the place where you can go for it, and when they're holding back and it's so frustrating, so frustrating because it should be the room, the last room that they are holding back in. It should be where they're pumping each other or the vibing off each other, they're like the energy should be so high.

SPEAKER_03 12:38

Yeah, I think everybody's so worried about what people think these days, and I don't ever remember being like that. I think that's what I struggle with. I don't ever remember being in a room and being at that age and caring what people thought. I just remember, but but there were no social media then, there was no well, there was, but it was the very early stages.

SPEAKER_04 13:01

There certainly were no social media, but quite even mobile phones live. We had to walk to the phone box to get touched. That's how how times were tough back in those days. So eight years is a really long time, especially in a dance school. It is so I'm not sure I dare ask this question, but um what's genuinely made you stay with freedom to dance for so long? And you don't have to say me just funny.

SPEAKER_03 13:36

There's so many things. There is so many things I I really love and I'm really proud of the last eight years of what you guys have done, what we've done together. Um I'm really proud of it. When I think when you look back and you you see there's so many changes, the the buildings change, the studios, the amount of children that have come in, the the timetable that you have now, we've got more staff members. I mean it it the there's been so much change, so it hasn't felt like eight years doing the same thing because it it has it has evolved so much.

SPEAKER_04 14:17

Yeah, I think I'm really glad it within that. I don't think you realise you said it, but you said a we, and Laura and I have said for a long time, certainly to you. Obviously, you know, people associate it is Laura and I, but we very much always say it's the three of us, and we feel it's the three of us, and have done for a long time because you're just part of the first year, yeah. But you you know, you you are um and always will be a very valued member of staff, but you've also become a friend, and you've you know, and it's and we have you know, we've only been going 11 years, and you've been part of eight of those, so it has been the three of us. Very pivotal, yeah. Yeah, all three of us about to play parts to to get it to where we are. So thank you for that. Yes, you've had us back share versus one. Okay, so uh let's talk outside of the studio. Um, kind of like everybody knows us as Miss Laura, Miss Olivia, Miss Belle. Yeah. Um so basically who is Olivia? That's a good question. Who is Olivia? Who is Olivia outside of the dance studio?

SPEAKER_03 15:35

Um I am um a wife, I'm a mother.

SPEAKER_04 15:40

Um it it's full of full on, isn't it? It is, yeah. I think people forget that we are responsible adults with homes and children and other responsibilities outside of the dance studio. Um so I'm gonna ask you, I think I know the answer to this, but I'm not gonna let too many of your secrets away. Okay, because your husband might listen to this episode, so let's just be careful. But what's a perfect day off for you?

SPEAKER_03 16:21

Oh it would be it has to be a spa break. I know it has to be a has to be a spa break.

SPEAKER_04 16:29

Um so it's not a day off, it's like a weekend break. Yeah, that would get me out there as well a few days.

SPEAKER_03 16:37

Yeah, at least one night, one night would be a treat. Um I definitely I definitely love a massage. Um but then I do just like I like the the piece, the choir, the the zen.

SPEAKER_04 16:56

Would you go by yourself or would you take someone with you? Oh by myself, any baby.

SPEAKER_03 17:03

By myself, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 17:04

So you may have already answered this question within that question, unless you've got another one. But what's your biggest guilty pleasure?

SPEAKER_01 17:13

Oh.

SPEAKER_04 17:14

There's actually a few that pop to my mind for you then.

SPEAKER_03 17:18

Oh, go on.

SPEAKER_04 17:20

Oh, I were gonna say anything with chocolate.

SPEAKER_03 17:22

Oh, definitely. That's such a sweet tooth.

SPEAKER_04 17:25

There is that is something about Miss Olivia that people may not know. I don't think she feels guilty about it because I don't know. She does, that is true. I have left chocolate pleasure on my desk before now.

SPEAKER_03 17:37

Yeah, nothing can be left.

SPEAKER_04 17:38

And she has just taken them.

SPEAKER_03 17:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 17:40

No guilt involved.

SPEAKER_03 17:42

No, that is true.

SPEAKER_04 17:43

So revert, so go back. What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

SPEAKER_03 17:46

What? It's my biggest guilty pleasure. Um is it steps? It's not steps, it's definitely not steps. Probably Justin Bieber. Oh my god! Yes, Justin Bieber. I am a believer through and through. Your first ever cheer team was to a Justin Bieber mix, and that was still the best mix I think I've ever heard. We need to bring that back.

SPEAKER_04 18:15

We might do, but we need to bring that back. I am not bossing over. Why don't you tell everybody about the time? This is a guilty pleasure when you queued up to see Harry Styles.

SPEAKER_03 18:25

Oh yes. Well, one direction. It was one direction.

SPEAKER_04 18:29

Was it the whole thing?

SPEAKER_03 18:31

Um it was more like I think Zane was was the one. Yeah, he was like the cool one. He was the cool one. So I think it was more Zane.

SPEAKER_04 18:41

Well, is there anything then um that people that you want to share with us that people probably won't expect about you? Things that have been adjusting Bieber in a one direction's exposed quite a lot here.

SPEAKER_03 18:57

What would people what would people not know about me?

SPEAKER_04 19:01

What people wouldn't expect about you? Like, do they know that you are actually a germophobe?

SPEAKER_03 19:07

Oh, that's probably pre- people probably don't know this, and I actually feel as though it's getting worse with age, and I don't understand how that works or connects.

SPEAKER_04 19:19

How on earth do you work with children?

SPEAKER_03 19:22

How do I work with children? And I think as well, I don't I think it it especially with being in ballroom and Latin because when you dance with people, I mean things are different now, so we don't do that as much because things have slightly changed with the style. But I think with being a young age and dancing, you know, I'd say I'll put it on silent for the last one as well.

SPEAKER_04 19:45

Sorry, sorry, folks.

SPEAKER_03 19:47

How will we not and do not disturb?

SPEAKER_04 19:49

We keep it real here, keeping it real, keeping it real. Um that's not customer enemy I'm ignorant, by the way. So you being a German German.

SPEAKER_03 20:02

So with I think with being dancing in Borman Latin at a young age, I think you get used to like a certain level have to have having to have a certain level of hygiene. Yes, um, and being so close to somebody, changing partners, all obviously having to wash your hands all the time, yeah, making sure you smell nice.

SPEAKER_04 20:21

You always smell nice, even when you don't, you do. Is that weird? Like, not that I like your smell when you're not smelling nice, but I mean like even if I say oh you smell nice, you'll go, do I? So even when you think you don't smell nice, you always smell that.

SPEAKER_03 20:36

I think it's I think smell is a really big thing for me as well. Like I do just love to I love perfume, I love sprays, I love I do actually really, really love like the whole the whole just showering thing. Like I love a self-care a self-care routine.

SPEAKER_04 20:58

Wrong turn, I do it in a wrong turn. I do, I just love it. So yeah, pretty this is why we wanted to do this episode, just so that people, because people think they know teacher Olivia, yeah, but not necessarily Olivia. Yeah. Um so thank you for being so honest. Right, let's do let's do some quick fire. Okay, glam or comfy clothes. Comfy clothes change, how she's changed.

SPEAKER_03 21:28

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_04 21:28

Favourite dance style to teach?

SPEAKER_03 21:31

Street.

SPEAKER_04 21:32

That was very quick.

SPEAKER_03 21:34

It was buzzing now. That's many.

SPEAKER_04 21:37

I'm gonna get a sign that says on air, on air, phones off. And I did it in the last one. I daren't ask this because I think I might know the answer, but most dramatic studio moment ever. But I feel like this could be a black pulmer, black pull.

SPEAKER_03 21:56

Well it has to involve, obviously. Miss Laura, because you are the drama. You are the drama of the studio. Wherever we go, whether we're on the prison. No, as in dramatic, as in the dramatic. It's in the dramatic.

SPEAKER_04 22:19

I don't think it'll be funny to anyone else. No. You find me.

SPEAKER_03 22:24

I just even just the little things of just walking in a room and you're jumping out of your skin, but it never just I didn't realise you know it was very dramatic, everything.

SPEAKER_04 22:37

I feel quite proud of that that I am the dramatic environment. I'll end that. So I've slightly changed this next question from what we're gonna ask, and it's mainly because it's a question that we asked Miss Jasmine on a previous podcast. Um so it's one that I'm gonna ask all teachers is um if you had to describe freedom to dance in one word, what one word would it be?

SPEAKER_02 23:03

Fun.

SPEAKER_04 23:07

There we go, see so obviously um Liv, we're as we've said, we're very, very lucky to have you um and that you've been and stuck with us all these years.

SPEAKER_02 23:25

Oh, don't let me do the math.

SPEAKER_04 23:27

You'll be almost our age at maths. You'll be almost our age. Oh no.

SPEAKER_03 23:31

We don't want to disclose that.

SPEAKER_04 23:33

We don't know, we will not that be. Definitely you've shaped the studio into what it is today. We definitely wouldn't be the freedom to dance we are without you. 100% not. And of course, um not only do we love you? The kids love you, the parents love you, you you're very much at the beating heart of freedom to dance. I mean, gosh, my child tells everybody that you are shame for today, so thank you, Olivia, for joining us. Um Having May. Are you gonna come back? Yes, I'll take.

SPEAKER_03 24:16

Why don't we do this where it's a QA for you by me? I I do the questions.

SPEAKER_04 24:23

Right, that's the next episode. Next episode for the Olivia Podcasters say that's the next tune in, guys.

SPEAKER_03 24:32

Tune in subscribe.

SPEAKER_04 24:37

Hit that follow up.

SPEAKER_00 24:40

Right, that's it. Thank you for listening. Thank you. Bye.