{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"MSP 160: Melissa M. Young","description":"Take Up Your Space with Confidence with Artistic Director Melissa M. Young Often, as dancers, we have a choice to take up space with confidence or feel defeated and hold back. Our guest on today\u2019s episode is one that continuously chose to take up space and inspired others to follow their intuitions, pursue what they love, and embrace their curiosity. This is an inspiring interview with the Artistic Director of Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT), Melissa M. Young. Our conversation with Melissa is incredibly touching as she talks about why she loved the exploration of dance and remembers certain key impressions that impacted her greatly throughout the years. She tells us why she always chose to dance to the beat of her own drum and why she pursues uncovering herself in the most authentic ways before sharing about her time spent in New York City and how she ultimately ended up dancing at the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. She\u2019s an amazing individual with a passion for dance and holds the responsibility of being an artistic director with such fervor. Tune in now to hear about the pure joy derived from Melissa\u2019s life in dance. Enjoy.  Key Points From This Episode: \u00b7       Melissa talks excitedly about who she is and where her love for dance ignited from. \u00b7       She talks about the impact of The Stack-Up by Talley Beatty (Alvin Ailey) on her life\u2019s journey. \u00b7       Melissa remembers taking a class from Donald McKayle and the impression it left on her.  \u00b7       Why Melissa never put a timeline on her career and allowed the journey to flow.  \u00b7       Navigating the shoulds, the coulds, and the woulds, and why she chooses to dance to the beat of her own drum.  \u00b7       How the culture shock of moving to New York City made her feel more alive.  \u00b7       How she came upon the DBDT audition notice and took a chance. \u00b7       What it was like to move to Dallas: another culture shift. \u00b7       She shares information regarding the current dance and art scene in Dallas.  \u00b7       Looking back at her career, she reflects on some challenges she\u2019s faced and overcame.  \u00b7       Things that are sparking excitement in Melissa for the future. \u00b7       Why she looks for great human beings first when looking at prospective dancers.  \u201cWhat I love about dance is I look at it like professional problem-solving. The choreography is the problem and the equation of how you get there working with everyone else, that\u2019s how you get to the \u201canswer\u201d.\u201d \u2014 Melissa M. Young Melissa M. Young is the Artistic Director of Dallas Black Dance Theatre, celebrating her 29th season with the company. More on this episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for the latest epsidoes. ","author_name":"Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/themovingarchitects.org\/podcasts\/","html":"