INTERVIEWS. COVERAGE.
ANALYSIS.

In this full interview, Lindsey Goldaper, head coach of the University of Tampa dance team, joins No Counts Given to talk about building a standout collegiate dance program from the inside out. Lindsey shares how Tampa continues to grow its presence in the college dance space, the challenges of developing strong team culture, and what it takes to push creative boundaries at Nationals. From leadership development and choreography strategy to community engagement and future goa

In this episode of No Counts Given, we sit down with Taylor Vasek, Head Coach of the Minnesota Premier Dance Team at the University of Minnesota, to talk through her journey from dancer to coach and what it takes to lead a competitive program at a high level. From team culture and choreography choices to the pressure of Worlds and NDA, Taylor opens up about the lessons, challenges, and defining moments that have shaped her coaching career. This conversation dives into the det

Emma Cox, the leader of one of Texas’ most competitive college dance teams, joins No Counts Given to break down what it really takes to build a high-standard, high-performing program with discipline, unity, and legacy at the center. In this interview, Emma shares how her team approaches choreography, music selection, routine structure, competition preparation, recruitment, and team culture while preparing for nationals and maintaining excellence year after year.

Go inside Western Michigan Dance Team’s back-to-back College Classic wins and the mindset, preparation, and team culture that helped them rise to the top. In this interview, we talk about their journey through The College Classic, the balance between artistry and technical excellence, and how storytelling, connection, and performance quality shaped their routines. Susan talks about finals prep, competing in a changing division, building chemistry through a new recruitment mod

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Shan Stavropoulos and Ramona Kitching for a deep dive into the world of pom performance, judging, and routine construction. Thank you to our sponsors, this would not be possible without you. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Pom is more than sharp arms and clean visuals. The routines that truly stand out are the ones that combine technique, musicality, s

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Erin Alvarado, Head Coach of the Texas Tech Dance Team, for an educational conversation on coaching, choreography, and the evolution of competitive dance team performance. We couldn't do this without today's sponsor, Dance Team Union. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Erin shares her journey from dancer to coach, diving into the mindset, strategy, and creative decisions behind building and leading a successf

In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Travis Lake, a trailblazing choreographer known for his work with programs like BYU, University of Minnesota, and Dance Mania All Stars, for an honest conversation about creativity, competition, and challenging the rules of the dance team industry. We couldn't do this without our sponsors, thank you! Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com The College Classic | www.thecollegeclassic.com Travis opens up about the r

Thank you for supporting No Counts Given this past year. I appreciate every single one of you that tune in weekly. I hope you enjoy this 2 hour ONE YEAR B-DAY episode. We couldn’t do this without our sponsors, thank you. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Rebel Athletic | www.rebelathleticdance.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com Today on the show, I’m breaking down IDL Sydney and sharing my overall pre

The divisions everyone’s watching? Yeah… we’re breaking it ALL the way down. In this episode of No Counts Given, we’re diving into the DII, DI Small, and DI Large divisions from The College Classic… where the margins are tight, the pressure is real, and every single detail matters. This is where titles are earned… and where the conversation gets LOUD. Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.dance

The divisions that don’t always get the spotlight? Yeah… we’re putting them CENTER STAGE. We couldn't do this without our sponsors: Dance Team Union | www.danceteamunion.com Sharpen Up! Dance Team Training | www.sharpenupdtt.com Dance Team Supply | www.danceteamsupply.com Follow No Counts Given on all social media platforms @nocountsgiven and follow our host, Kyle Rush, on all platforms @itskylerush This episode is dedicated to highlighting the athletes, the coaches and the p

Hannah Stutts (@hannahstutts @dtu.therankings) breaks down what it really takes to stand out in the dance and pro cheer world, and it’s not just talent. From her early days in Alabama to performing with a top NFL team, Hannah shares how she built a career by doing what most dancers are told not to do: show her personality. She dives into her journey through studio training, convention circuits, and pro cheer, revealing how each step shaped her resilience, confidence, and grow

Most teams are chasing perfection… but the programs winning RIGHT NOW are chasing something deeper. In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush breaks down the biggest global stages in the industry, the ICU World Cheerleading Championships and USASF Dance Worlds, and why these events are quietly reshaping the future of dance teams and “performance cheer”. From Team USA’s dominance to the rise of international programs leveling up FAST, this episode dives into how choreograp

In this episode, Coach Annie Rose Carroll takes us inside the rise of Baylor Dance, from her transition into coaching to building a program that’s both competitive and culture-driven. But this conversation doesn’t stop at Baylor… We’re also diving into some of the most talked-about conversations in the dance team world right now, from division shakeups to the pressure being placed on dancers earlier than ever. This one balances insight, honesty, and a little bit of chaos… exa

Rochester isn’t just winning titles… They're building a legacy. In this episode, we sit down with Coach Lisa Niskar to unpack the evolution of one of the most dominant programs in the game. From a COVID-era rebuild to becoming a national powerhouse, this conversation dives into the culture, discipline, and intentionality that fuel Rochester’s success. We talk about injuries, pressure, leadership, and what it really takes to be an elite athlete. Plus, a candid look at coaching

Four DTU Nationals coaches pull back the curtain on what really goes down behind the scenes at one of the biggest events in the dance team world. From emotional highs and crushing lows to tough conversations about scoring transparency, judging consistency, and division structure, this roundtable gets real about the competition experience. The coaches break down everything from registration chaos and venue logistics to the pressure teams face on and off the floor, while also t

In this episode of No Counts Given, Amanda Gaines pulls back the curtain on Minnesota’s emotional nationals run... and we’re not keeping it surface level. We’re talking co-ed divisions. The jazz vs. lyrical debate that refuses to die. Judging transparency and whether teams truly trust the system. The mental toll media attention brings. And yes… the real story behind a Netflix documentary. This is about legacy, leadership, and choosing team over headlines. If you care about wh

If you’ve ever felt invisible at a recruitment event, this conversation is for you. In this episode of No Counts Given, Kyle Rush sits down with Rani and Lindsey, co founders of Sharpen Up, to pull back the curtain on the dance recruitment system and why it only seems to work for about 10% of dancers. Together, they unpack how Sharpen Up has spent season after season intentionally building events where every dancer is seen, coached, and supported rather than lost in overcrowd

🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Dance Team Union & Sharpen Up Dance Team Training and let them know No Counts Given sent you! Are you registered for The Rankings, Regionals, or Nationals yet? 👀 Don’t miss your shot to compete at one of the biggest dance team events of the season. Head to www.danceteamunion.com and get registered ASAP. This is a season you do not want to miss. 💥 www.danceteamunion.com We want to send a huge thank you and all our love to

🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Dance Team Union and let them know No Counts Given sent you! Are you registered for The Rankings, Regionals, or Nationals yet? 👀 Don’t miss your shot to compete at one of the biggest dance team events of the season. Head to www.danceteamunion.com and get registered ASAP. This is a season you do not want to miss. 💥

🔥 MAJOR THANK YOU to our sponsors! Show some love to Dance Team Union and let them know No Counts Given sent you! Are you registered for The Rankings, Regionals, or Nationals yet? 👀 Don’t miss your shot to compete at one of the biggest dance team events of the season. Head to www.danceteamunion.com and get registered ASAP. This is a season you do not want to miss. 💥 🎙️ Guest: Marissa Powers (@_marissapowers) In today’s episode, Kyle sits down with choreographer and creato