The AC Experience: what it stands for and how we can “learn to dance from the inside out”
Most dancers merely dream of making it professionally – Cary and Ashlee made it. Most dancers envision creating a dance concept that will change the dance community- Ashlee and Cary are doing that. But they are not doing it alone.
This story is about two women who fought through the LA scene and made it, found themselves in San Diego, and finally created something they’ve always wanted to do: teach dancers how to “dance from the inside out.”
Video Cred: Gabrielle Phillips
Studio: Evolution Dance Center
Ready to tap into your heart to enhance your artistry? Then let’s go!
the name
the concept
the tagline
“There’s something called a ‘perfectly technical dancer’ and they have amazing lines, and their legs up to here and they can turn 50 times… and then you watch them for like a minute and a half, two minutes and then you go- sweet. What’s next?”
-Ashlee Cinco
from LA to SD
Although New York and Los Angeles are the ultimate in dance, San Diego has a gem to offer; according to the AC, SD offers a lower pressure, grounded dance feel giving dancers a more peaceful space to grow in.
Photo Credit: Tim Agler
Myo Dance Company
Show Choreography: Josie Walsh
on their duet
Ashlee: “When we get together, it’s weird (says in a humorous tone), it gets *real* weird. There’s this weird synergy when we start collaborating and moving.”
Cary: “We hear things musically the same so it’s easy for us to collaborate- we can kind of envision the same thing. Once we are on this rhythm, I feel like our energy can build off of each other; it makes it easier.”
on the Tik Tok!
the services: what to expect
Press Play for the details on what each service provides the hungry student dancer.
what sets them apart
“That part of trying to emotionally tap in. I feel as dancers we’re using our body to tell the story but we’re never really trained [emotionally]; that’s almost more the way an actor is trained.”
Dr. Cary Barberich, PT
Photo Cred: Of Stardust and Earth (Bella Lux Entertainment: Le Cirque Du Lux).
Middle Photo Cred: Gabrielle Phillips.
teacher, mentor, or coach?
the brand colors
- Violet= The Violet Flame. According to Cary, the formula goes like this: 1 part pink essence as love + blue essence as strength + gold as essence of wisdom all mixed together. Fire is the element of transmutation and violet is the highest vibrational color. The Violet Flame of their brand colors represent connection to the crown chakra- something that is bigger than you.
- Navy Blue for Ashlee= strength. The high vibration of the Violet Flame thrives off of the calming, grounding strength of navy blue.
That time your author went to an AC Experience workshop and wore violet (hehe). I really appreciated the guidance through emotional exercises, the supportive environment of the dancers, and the choreography A + C gifted us. Highly recommend!
Choreo by Ashley Akhavan.
if they could dance for any artist….
if they were a crayon…
Fun Fact: Ashlee credits her love of all things authentic- people, relationships, and movement- to growing up in a small town.
Photo Credits: Ashlee with umbrella- Patrick Cinco (Bella Lux Entertainment: Le Cirque Du Lux) and Cary on stage- Jesse Arroyo (Bella Lux Entertainment: 80’s Heat at the Belly Up). Choreo: Cary Barberich.
mission statement in motion
Vid Cred: Brandi Daniels
Studio: Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy (2022)
before we go…
The AC Experience will be hosting a workshop this weekend on 9/10 4-6:30 P.M. (reach out by emailing jointheacexperience@gmail.com for more detail). Keep an eye out for their October *heels* workshop on 10/8 from 5:30-8 P.M. (spots fill up fast). And last but not least, The AC Retreat in Palm Springs! from March 3-5, 2023- be on the lookout for details on diving deeper into dancing from the inside out with this extended dance period with your guides.
the Foxy Dancing Mama 