99 - Corynne Baron: Cirque du Soleil “Mystere”, SYTYCD Canada, Royal Caribbean Cruises
Interview Date: May 25th,2025Episode Summary:Corynne Barron shares how a late start in dance, a ringette goalie’s grit, and a chance UK scholarship reshaped her technique and career trajectory. She walks us through So You Think You Can Dance Canada, cruise ships, and ultimately headlining as the Black Widow in Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère. Corynne opens up about saying “no” until the right “yes,” rehabbing a hip surgery, balancing motherhood with teaching and choreographing elite gymnastics floor routines, and the mindset shifts that turn nerves into fuel. Along the way: practical audition tips, backstage culture, and why confidence—and kindness—are a dancer’s best business strategy.Shownotes:(0:50) - Introduction & career highlights: RWB, SYTYCD, Cirque(3:06) - Late dance start at 12; goalie to dancer(4:10) - Year at Royal Winnipeg Ballet; classical training focus(7:00) - SYTYCD dream begins; early ambition sparks(10:02) - UK scholarship retrains technique from basics(10:18–11:06) - Secret SYTYCD audition on 18th birthday(16:18–19:39) - Cirque path: Berlin detour to Mystère lead(21:24–22:12) - Motherhood, teaching & choreographing gymnastics routines(23:06–35:06) - Q&A: auditions, cruise ships, nerves as excitement(36:09–47:27) - Final advice: confidence, kindness, and saying yesBiography:Corynne Barron – Choreographer, Performer, and Visionary ArtistCorynne Barron is a celebrated artist whose remarkable career spans dance, performance, and choreography on a global stage. Trained at prestigious institutions such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and under Kate Simmons in Warrington, England, Corynne gained national acclaim as a Top 12 finalist on So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Her performance credits include the lead soloist role of “Black Widow” in Cirque du Soleil’s Mystère in Las Vegas, where she performed for three years, redefined the character, and served as Dance Captain. At Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin, Europe’s largest theatre, she excelled as Dance Captain, soloist, aerialist, and ensemble dancer amongst a cast of over 60 dancers, with the partnering pole number created on her by Brian Friedman. Corynne has captivated audiences on America’s Got Talent, Shaq’s Fun House during the Super Bowl, the Vegas Strong benefit at T-Mobile Arena representing Mystère, and pre-show performances for the Vegas Golden Knights.In film, Corynne performed as a dancer in a project in Scotland directed by Stacey Tookey for Imagination Film. Her work with Royal Caribbean Entertainment Studios on Allure of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas showcased her versatility as an aerialist, aqua show performer, dancer, and singer. She also modeled for Mondor Danceline in Montreal, and her image can still be found on Mondor tights to this day.Now a prominent choreographer and educator, Corynne creates national-level floor routines for gymnastics and serves as an instructor at dance studios. She is a respected adjudicator for competitions such as Candance Convention and 5678 Showtime and teaches at IDance Convention Canada. Her past contributions include assisting at Nuvo Convention and teaching at Cirque du Soleil auditions, reflecting her commitment to nurturing future talent.With multiple offers from Cirque du Soleil culminating in her iconic Mystère role, Corynne’s career exemplifies her exceptional artistry. She continues to inspire through her innovative choreography and passion for the performing arts.Connect on Social Media:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corynnebarron/
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