“DWTS” Pro Witney Carson on Launching Her Finesse App and Dancing With Robert Irwin

“Dancing with the Stars” dancer, choreographer, and mirrorball winner Witney Carson is always on the move. Lately, she’s been working with crocodile wrangler and wildlife activist Robert Irwin on the current season of “DWTS,” and on September 30, she launched her own dance-education app, Finesse.

Now available on the App Store and Google Play, Finesse uses virtual dance tutorials to teach combos created by Carson and fellow “DWTS” pro dancer Ezra Sosa, “DWTS” troupe dancer Hailey Bills, Briar Nolet, and Kelly Sweeney. It also features behind-the-scenes footage from the current “DWTS” season and “skill swap” videos in which Carson teaches celebrities how to dance after they teach her a skill of their own. On November 1, Finesse kicked off its first-ever virtual competition, where participants submitted dance videos to be judged by Carson, then by fellow app users, for a cash prize. (Winners will be announced on December 6.)

Carson emphasizes that the app is for everyone: “If you’re a trained dancer or if you’ve never danced before in your life, you can be a part of the Finesse community,” she tells Dance Spirit.

Read on for her thoughts on developing the app, dancing with Robert Irwin, and how nondancers can start moving.

How did Finesse come about?

This all started earlier this year. I was thinking about how not a lot of people can afford dance. It’s very expensive—growing up, my parents would clean the studios to pay for my classes. I wanted to give back to the dance community and fan base that has given me so much, and I wanted to make it affordable and accessible. It has something for everyone, at any level.

Where did the name “Finesse” come from?

I use the word “finesse” a lot when I’m teaching. It’s the next level—you learn the choreography, and then you finesse it. This is a dance-education platform that we’re taking to the next level with accessibility.

What’s it like creating a dance-ed platform that’s entirely virtual? How is that different from in-person?

It’s been a learning curve. I’m used to being in a class either one on one with a celebrity or with a group of people. To have the camaraderie in class and to be pushed by other dancers is really, really important. But the virtual space is flexible—I’m a mom; I have a busy schedule. You can reach so many more people online.

The app is for all skill levels. How has your experience on “DWTS” informed that?

The last 10 years have been me teaching people who know nothing about dance, so I’ve really approached choreography from the bottom up. In addition to teaching the technique and the basic steps, you’re also trying to create a beautiful dance. You have to have that good mix.

That’s what we’re aiming for with Finesse. We have technical breakdowns of each combo, and we go through each section slowly, so even if you’re a beginner, you can still feel confident learning.

What has your schedule been like balancing the app launch and “DWTS”?

We filmed a lot of it before we came to L.A. and started the show. There were a few things here that we did before the premiere, and I’m filming other parts now. Obviously, “DWTS” is my priority right now, and we’re really working hard to get to the finale, so as things ramp up and we start getting to two, three dances a week, I’m trying to balance all of my time.

What has it been like working with your partner this season, Robert Irwin?

It’s been so great. Robert is becoming a dancer. He had no dance experience (he never even danced at weddings!), yet he’s competition for Whitney [Leavitt] and Alix [Earle], who were dancers before the show even started. I think people forget how difficult it is to do that. We rehearse as much as we possibly can. It’s been very rewarding to see his progression.

What about him do you think makes him such a natural performer?

He puts 110 percent into everything he does, no matter what it is. He’s able to learn very quickly and figure things out. If I say to change something in his body, he’s able to make it click for him, then execute it. It’s hard to have that natural ability. That’s really cool to see.

It also helps that he’s agile and athletic! He’s quick on his feet and full of stamina.

Do you have any advice for people who want to start dancing?

Dancing can be scary for a lot of people. It’s such a vulnerable thing. But I think once you start, dance is therapeutic, and it’s freeing. Something unlocks inside of you. It’s a different way to express yourself and to connect with people. In Robert’s contemporary, we told a story about his dad and mom, and their grief process. It said everything that words couldn’t say.

I’d say not to feel inhibited in any way. Just do it, and challenge yourself. There’s no growth without getting uncomfortable. You’ll be grateful and so happy, I promise!

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