“All a girl really wants is for one guy to prove to her that they are not all the same.”

Hello. Sorry I have been far away. I am having one of those no-good-very-bad weeks mixed along with 10 hour rehearsal days and it has left me 100% unable to function come 11 pm.

First of all, thanks for all your love and support during this week. Shushu had to lend me clothes, buy me margaritas and hug my sorry self too many times this week. I would also like to thank catering for making the most delicious bread pudding. It really keeps me going from the hours of 1-6 pm. Yum.

I would like to YELL at the top of my lungs at timezones, small airports + lack of direct flights from wherever I am to my home town. It should not take 16 hours to fly to your hometown. It is just so unfair. I can get to Hong Kong faster. Rockettes have a 3 day weekend this week while the show is loaded up here in PA and trucked to Canada for our opening week. Most of the girls will be spending 12 hours on the bus and a few days off in hotel rooms but not me. I am getting out. Going somewhere. Getting away from my blues. I wanted so badly to go home and see my mommy but thanks to annoying airports and flight times I can't make it in time. I can actually make it to LA and back faster. Light bulb.

One of my greatest flaws + greatest attributes is that I 100% do not think before I act. I say, do and feel whatever is in my mind and just do it. This gets me in trouble most of the time, sometimes makes me look like a complete bitch, and also tends to annoy others. Some of the time this habit creates the best memories ever. I never think wizely, should I do this? I just do it. Usually I end up thinking about it later, sometimes with regret and sometimes with bliss. No matter what happens I am so glad that I am a jumper. Life is so short. You never know when your bottom will fall out and you will find yourself crawling instead of skipping. Skip while you can. I do.

I say, just go for it. Jump headfirst fearlessly into everything. I have read all the books on the rules, and the way you should act and the things you should say. Those things never work. You know what works? Being awesome. Being yourself. Being honest. Putting as much energy into yourself as you do every other aspect of your life. Leaning on your friends when you need them + being leaned on sometimes too. If you need to cry, let it be wide mouth open sobs in front of everyone, stop hiding in the bathroom. If you need to laugh, make sure it is the biggest belly laugh you can muster. Who cares if people look at you, they are only looking because they are jealous they were not in on the joke (which if told by me would be pretty funny, or so I think.)


I don't know what we are. I don't know what you think. I know that your face makes me happy and I need to have your arms around me because right now, life has got me crawling. You make me happy. That is all.

Mom.

Ten amazing things about my mom:

1-Since I can remember she has told me that I am the best and the prettiest.
2-She taught Hobo how to watch baseball.
3-She is really good at picking out perfect cards and sending them my way.
4-She is so hot that all the boys at the pools in Vegas hit on her.
5-She is completely selfless.
6-She has kick ass scene hair.
7-She loves the Buddha. My dad calls her Buddha babe.
8-Mom always rocks a sensible heel.
9-She has always supported me 30065% in everything I do. Even the things that turned out to be total fall on my face mistakes.
10-She loves to read and taught me how.
11-She constantly reminds me that "tomorrow" has only ONE "M" in it. Thanks mom!

*Be sweet to your family. You only have one. There are a million things that might seem like they are more important, but they are not.

Keeping my eyes on the road this time around.

It is my day off. I refuse to get out of bed for the rest of the afternoon. Sometimes I do not need to talk.

I want to thank Martin Sexton for making a song that perfectly describes what I am thinking this very minute.
I want to thank Stacey for creating such a perfect piece of dance.
I want a star-trek transporter so he can come snuggle with me.

Now I'm tired and I'm scared and wide open
To the rest of my life
And I almost had it all
I'm sick and tired but I'm hoping
That a cure will be found
Cause I can't stop thinking bout you

Is that a giant flower headband or are you just happy to see me?

It has been one of those crazy days where everything goes wrong and somehow it is made into a movie montage with a counting crows song playing behind it. Showed up for work, did giant kicks coming out of bus, giant wave of water came and flooded the entire arena, got sent away, found fun store and tried on boas, went back to work and at dinner lit my shirt on fire at catering on a candle by accident...I cannot make this stuff up. Chaos seems to find me wherever I go.

Been working hard on the book each night this week. Just re-read some and saw this...

"I felt like I had just won the gold medal at the Olympics of life. Keltie Colleen! Undefeated champion of reinvention!"

I cannot wait for you all to read it. I cannot wait for it to become a movie so I can have you all over to my house for a pj and popcorn party...

Decided to stick with what I am good at. Just to clarify:

Things I am good at:
-drinking diet coke
-doing giant kicks while coming out door of big red bus
-designing kick ass dancegear
-writing rad memoir/inspirational coming of age in NYC tale
-standing in heels for 9 hours and not complaining
-biting my nails
-eating trailmix in bed while icing feet

Things I am bad at:
-Sleeping
-drinking water
-anything to do with dating
-spelling
-remembering birthdays
-knowing when to stop working
-remembering my umbrella

In between my 10 hours of rehearsals I managed to get alot of work done. The new fall designs are killer. Finally got Steve to post the new cuffs on the sugarandbruno.com for you all. (go get one! we only made a few!) Did a full Shelley's dance company rope warm-up (my body needed it!), mailed out a tons of cuffs and letters to all my favorite people. Decided that I need to focus on work right now. My hopeless romantic over reactor lover of sweet music and quotes about love side is pretty bummed about this. I was told that I seem to invite only toxic people into my life. Actually they said " human bio hazardous waste". I do not agree. I just seem to always get myself into impossible situations. Then I waste so much energy on making these impossible things possible. After the kind of day I had, all my extra energy needs to go into myself and my jacked up body. My body aches so bad right now, it is in my best interest to keep my heart locked up so that it never has to ache too. I wish they made anti-inflammatories for your heart, I would buy them in bulk.

The Lady Danger's have sore feet.

Remember all those movies where the backstage was filled with flowers, vanities, giant powder brushes, girls in silk robes sitting plush chairs? Forget all that. This is what life behind the scenes of the biggest tour of the fall looks like. After 10 hours in heel taps (I HATE HEEL TAPS!) We hop over to the training room which is inside a smelly hockey players locker room and submerge ourselves ( I was lazy last night and only did feet) in 40 degree ice baths. I like that somewhere in this photo are two crutches just in case! I spent a bunch of time on those last year and I have high hopes that I will never have to again!

Sadly last night we lost one of our Rockette sisters to a terrible case of Achilles Tendonitis. She has been such a trouper and has worked through her pain for so long and finally hit the breaking point. I am so sad to see her go but I am glad that she won't have to suffer any longer. This is proof of just how difficult this show is. It is also a reminder that at anytime your dreams can come smashing down. You never ever know when the bottom is going to drop out of your life, dream, heart or situation. Expect the best but always be prepared for the worst. I know for me, the 10 hours I spend in tech today will be absent of complaints. We are so lucky to be doing what we love. I tend to take for granted my ability to walk, jump, skip, dance and losing a sister has reconfirmed my feeling that I am the number one luckiest human being alive.


This is what I will be doing all day. Cannot wait.

Meanwhile back in the dance world...

My agent Anastasia Miller is the bomb.com. I met her many years ago when she took over at Bloc NYC when I was their client, when she moved to Clear Talent Group I followed her. The reasons are numerous.
1)She always pushes for me.
2)I am on her top 5 list of girls to call
3)She believes in me as an artist and as a person
4)She can out drink me
5)She is a dog lover
6)She appeared in My DVD "From Agents to Auditions" for free just because she loves me.

The secret to a great dance career is a great agent. Hands down, you cannot make it without one. This lady does everything for me. Finds the auditions, sends me, deals with money, contracts, deals, dates and places. She makes it easy and stress free to just show up and do what I am good at and leave all the things I am bad at (see above) to her. More than that though, she is a friend. A beautiful one.

This is a great interview with her from Gendance and super informative and helpful to those looking for break into this crazy world. Enjoy!




She’s the rep with the hottest rep. And if she reps you, consider yourself lucky. Take the lead from this gifted gal who’s behind some of the biggest talent, including Beyonce’s dancers and videos. The stars hire her, but gendance thinks she’s a star herself. Kudos to Anastasia Miller, Director of Dance and Choreography at Clear Talent Group NY, for her passion and dedication. Get inspired - her success is as sweet as she is.

Anastasia Miller:
Tell us about your dance background and traveling the world with Starpower.
I grew up as a gymnast who transitioned into dance. Gary Pate (owner of Starpower) taught me from the beginning. He was like a dad to us and still looks out for me to this day. I now judge for Starpower Nationals and also conduct agency seminars with his convention “Wild”.

What was your most memorable performance?
Wow…that’s tough. I’d have to say performing in Brisbane, Australia. We represented the USA for World Expo 1988. (I totally just aged myself.) But, I got to meet Bart Connors, my fav male gymnast in those days. I was star struck for sure.

You work with lots of hip hop mavens that our readers would be star struck by. We heard hip hop’s your favorite style. Why’s that?
Growing up outside Washington, DC pretty much determined what I liked. The music scene back then was so cool. R&B/Hip Hop was the way of life… especially as a dancer.

If you could change one thing about the dance world, what would it be?
Dance is so hot right now. There’s not much to complain about. Our industry is growing more and more every year. If I had to change one thing, I would want dancers to get noticed as more than just “background” talent. The athleticism and training that go in to being a dancer is difficult. I think the world is finally seeing that, so keep up with the change!

How did you become an agent?
I always wanted to be an agent… even while I was getting my business degree in college. I moved to LA right after graduation with hopes of “meeting the right people” to break into the biz. I was hired first by bloc Talent Agency. I worked with bloc for about eight years in LA and also in NY. I’m now Director of Choreography & Dance at Clear Talent Group NY. I can’t express how amazing it is to work with top talent on both coasts. I’m such a proud mama!

How did you get to the top?
Well, first, thank you for saying “I’m at the Top”! (Haha). I still can’t believe it’s been nine years. Time definitely flies. I think having strong relationships and KEEPING those relationships are key to longevity as an agent. I’m a people person for sure… supporting your clients and also your casting directors/producers/choreographers is what keeps the jobs rolling in. Also, never stop reaching out and developing new connections. You always want to be involved as much as possible. It keeps you fresh in everyone’s mind.

What’s the best part about representing big name talent, like Beyonce’s dancers?
I love representing those “big name” dancers. That’s what we strive for right?! I couldn’t be more proud and happy for those dancers and their success.

What kind of person do you love to represent?
I look for someone who’s not only extremely talented, but more importantly, professional, respectful of others, and who has a good reputation. Too often you hear about a dancer who isn’t hired again because of the way they acted on a job. That type of personality doesn’t represent the dancer or our company well. When we have open call auditions, I watch dancers from the moment they sign in at the front desk till the moment they walk out our door. Your attitude says everything… it can make you or break you.

What’s your best advice for performers?
Basically, know your business. Research the people who are moving up in the world and the companies they work for. Networking is very important in our industry. Taking class isn’t enough… you need to be involved and be aware of the business. Knowledge is everything, but more importantly, you’ll fall in love with dance and your community all over again when you reach out and become an educated performer.

Besides dance, you love…
Peanut butter, ice cream (preferably together), Madonna, Summer Fridays at our office (ha!), and my wittle doggie Oliver. Thanks so much gendance!