Podcast Episode 12: Cheryl Mann

On episode 12 of the Rogue Ballerina podcast, I chat with dancer-turned-photographer (and one of my favorite people) Cheryl Mann. We hear about her career with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, transition to photography, and the importance of never giving up on your dreams. 

Photo by Selena Moshell

Cheryl Mann began her professional career at the age of 17, dancing at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, and received her dance degree from Point Park College in Pittsburgh, PA. She performed with the Civic Light Opera in South Pacific as “Liat” under the direction of Robby Marshall in Pittsburgh. Upon moving to Chicago, she danced with River North Dance Chicago before joining Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a Hubbard Street dancer in May of 1997, where she remained for over a decade, she has been fortunate in her career to travel to and perform in 17 countries, as well as countless cities in the U.S.

She served as the Artistic Associate of Visceral Dance Chicago until she moved to LA to with Ate9 under the directorship of Danielle Agami. LA credits include NBCUniversal’s Little Big Shots featuring Steve Harvey, Associate Choreographer of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Live at the Hollywood Bowl, and Axis Connect led by the Barton Sisters. She also had the pleasure of casting and choreographing Moby’s latest music video Motherless Child.

She is the owner of Cheryl Mann Productions, where she travels the world setting dance works for world-renowned choreographers, as well as photographing companies such as Ate9, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Thodos Dance Chicago, among many more.

Holiday Gifts

If you need some last minute gift ideas for the dancer/dance lover in your midst, here are some great ideas!

Get your New Year’s resolutions off on the right foot by treating  yourself to a fun workout with BeMoved‘s first fitness DVD!  Dance Bollywood along with the fabulous Sherry Zunker – $24.99.

Expand your dance knowledge by signing up for the incomparable dance writer  Lucia Mauro‘s weekly dance history webinar series!  Each session is 35 minutes and only $5 – or you can buy the season pass for the entire series (52 weeks) and earn a certificate.  Past session are available online for $3.

Russian Pointe owner Aleksandra Efimova has a delightful line of ballet-themed children’s books available at Growing Through the Arts.  Stories like The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty range in price from $7.95 – $24.95.

Of course, pre-paid dance classes are always a hit!  Here are a few local studios to choose from:

Lou Conte Dance Studio

Joffrey Academy of Dance

Foster Dance Studio

Visceral Dance Center

Mazi Dance Fitness Center

Joel Hall Dance Center

The Tap Studio

Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center

Happy Holidays!  Keep dance in your life in 2012!