Conversations on Dance

Rebecca here to share some big news!!! Join us on Monday June 9th for the 15th Anniversary Clive Barnes Awards!The Clive Barnes Foundation will honor outstanding theater and dance professionals at the 15th Anniversary Clive Barnes Awards, Monday, June 9 at 5:30pm at the National Arts Club in New York City. Carrying on the legacy of legendary dance and theater critic Clive Barnes and his encouragement of young artists, the annual Awards will recognize three theater performers and three dance performers as Honored Artists. This year, Conversations on Dance is proud to be the recipient of the inaugural Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Hosted by Budd Mishkin, the Awards will feature guest presenter Tiler Peck and a special performance by Clive Barnes Award alumnus Victor Abreu of New York City Ballet. For tickets and information, please visit clivebarnesfoundation.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by Sarah Lane, former ballerina with American Ballet Theatre, teacher, coach and ally to furry, four legged friends everywhere. Sarah takes us through her illustrious career as a principal dancer who spent two decades with American Ballet Theater, to her present day passion working to find rescue animals homes. On Monday, June 2nd at Symphony Space in New York City, join Sarah at the inaugural Dance For Paws fundraising event, a night of charity that funds three different rescue organizations in the city. To purchase tickets to the event or to simply donate visit danceforpaws.org. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by Stanton Welch, Artistic Director of Houston Ballet and choreographer of the company's upcoming premiere of the full length classic "Raymonda". Stanton talks about his deep love of the glorious Glazunov score, his approach to creating full length narrative works, and how he sculpts these ballets in a years long process. Houston Ballet's "Raymonda" runs May 29th through June 8th. Tickets can be purchased at houstonballet.org. Also available on their website, subscriptions for Houston Ballet's recently announced 25-26 season, a journey across centuries of composers, choreographers and ballet's greatest stories.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by Abigail Simon, ballerina, dancer agent, mother, wife and survivor extraordinaire. Abigail takes us on her journey as a baby ballerina at the School Of American Ballet, through to her professional career at American Ballet Theater and the Joffrey, and finally her exploration of musical theater. Her incredible strength and resolve will be on full display at "Dance Against Cancer" this May 19th when she returns to the stage after her own battle against the disease. All performance information for this incredible fundraiser, including programming and ticket information: https://dacny.acsgala.org/. For those who cannot attend but wish to make a donation to one of the organizations mentioned by Abigail, you can find links below.Resources and places to donate in Abigail's Honor:American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/donate.html5 under 40: https://5under40.org/Memorial Sloan Kettering: https://giving.mskcc.org/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Hispánico. In our first conversation with Eduardo in five years, we catch up him about how the company weathered the COVID years, how the dance landscape has changed since then, and the company's upcoming 55th anniversary gala and City Center engagement, featuring performances of their stylish re-imagination of the Bizet classic "Carmen" titled "Carmen.maquia", choreographed by Gustavo Ramierz Sansano. To purchase tickets to Ballet Hispánico's City Center performances running May 29th through June 1st, visit nycitycenter.org.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by the legendary dancer, founder of Acosta Danza and director of Birmingham Royal Ballet Carlos Acosta. We hear from Carlos about the mission of unifying Cuban art forms under the umbrella of Acosta Danza, how he came to run the Birmingham Royal Ballet just months before COVID changed the world, why taking big risks, like commissioning a full evening length work to the music of Black Sabbath, has paid off, and what it means to him to watch both of these organizations flourish in upcoming engagements at the Kennedy Center. Acosta Danza will perform at the Kennedy Center May 1st through the 3rd, while Birmingham Royal Ballet will bring "Black Sabbath- The Ballet" to the venue June 4th through 8th. Tickets can be purchased at kennedy-center.org. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by internationally acclaimed choreographer Arthur Pita and Royal Danish Ballet dancer Isabella Carroll. They take us through Arthur's process creating a new full length production of "The Great Gatsby" for the Royal Danish Ballet in the centennial year of the novel, touching on how the idea for the project came to fruition, how the dancers developed the iconic characters and what role production design has in bringing this classic American story to life. If you are in the Copenhagen area, "The Great Gatsby" premieres May 3rd and runs through May 31st. Tickets. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by two dancers currently on tour with Twyla Tharp, Renan Cerdeiro and Alex Peters. They take us through their journey with Twyla, first as principal dancers with the Miami City Ballet performing her repertoire, then to the creative process for both her new work and a challenging revival, and finally through the experience of taking these works across America. They continue their tour with Twyla through April 20th.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we welcome internationally acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan. He shares with us his unorthodox path to a career as a dancer and choreographer, from spending grueling hours in his garage teaching himself dance to his path to university, his process while working with dancers new to his style of movement, and how rewarding it has been to unite artists working within different methods of classical indian dance in his latest project "Gigenis". "Gigenis" will be performed at the Kennedy Center from April 17th through the 19th. If you're in the Washington DC area and would like to purchase tickets, visit kennedy-center.org. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of Conversations On Dance, we are joined by Dani Rowe, choreographer and Artistic Director of Oregon Ballet Theatre and composer Shannon Rugani. The two artists are collaborating on "Marilyn", a world premiere production centered on the life of immortal cinema icon Marilyn Monroe. They take us through their collaborative process and give us a sneak peak into what audiences can expect from this ambitious project. If you're in the Portland area and want to purchase tickets to "Marilyn", visit www.obt.org. Performances run April 4 through the 13th at the Newmark theater. This episode's sponsor: Paying tribute to the groundbreaking Judson Church choreographers who radically pushed the boundaries of what dance could be, New York Theatre Ballet presents Legends & Visionaries: Postmodern Dance at Judson Church, Friday, April 25 at 7:00PM and Saturday, April 26 at 3:00PM.In two programs of works by Trisha Brown, David Gordon, James Waring, Douglas Dunn, and Amanda Treiber, New York Theatre Ballet celebrates the spirit of the legendary Judson Dance Theatre of the 1960's. All seats are $30. For tickets, please visit www.nytb.org/ticketsLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Conversations on Dance, we are joined by Paloma Herrera. Paloma is an Argentinian ballerina who, at the age of 19, became the youngest Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre in the company's history. We talk with Paloma about what drew her to ballet, her teachers who shaped her as a dancer, her incredible career with American Ballet Theatre, and where life has taken her since her retirement at the age of 40.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by the Artistic Director of the National Ballet Of Portugal, Fernando Duarte. Fernando takes us through ballet's cultural history in Portugal, his own connection to the company as a former principal dancer, ballet master and choreographer, how this led to his appointment as director and his future plans for the company. To learn more about the company or to purchase tickets at an upcoming performance, visit www.cnb.pt. THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORSNaturally relieve pain with Jelliebend- a supportive lower back hug.Jelliebend is a sleek wearable lower back support that applies the perfect amount of balanced compression to stabilize the spine and boost blood flow to your muscles. Founded by a contortionist with scoliosis, Jelliebend was born from Ellie's passion for spine health and injury prevention. Shop online now at https://jelliebend.com/. Use code ONDANCE all one word to receive 10% off your order.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by editor at the George Balanchine Foundation, Shane Horan. Shane tells us about how the Balanchine Foundation impacted his life as a ballet student, how he was brought on board as an editor learning the craft and the work the foundation is doing to expand its scope in preserving the Balanchine legacy. Apply to view Balanchine Foundation videos: https://balanchine.org/video-archives/interpreters-archive-archive-of-lost-choreography/Balanchine Finder: https://balanchine.org/find-balanchine/THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORSNaturally relieve pain with Jelliebend- a supportive lower back hug.Jelliebend is a sleek wearable lower back support that applies the perfect amount of balanced compression to stabilize the spine and boost blood flow to your muscles. Founded by a contortionist with scoliosis, Jelliebend was born from Ellie's passion for spine health and injury prevention. Shop online now at https://jelliebend.com/. Use code ONDANCE all one word to receive 10% off your order.New Jersey Symphony 'Firebird': https://www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/the-firebird-with-xian-zhangLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by former Chief Dance Critic of the New York Times and performing arts historian Alastair Macaulay to discuss the legacy of composer Maurice Ravel around the corner from his 150th birthday. We talk about Ravel's major commissions for dance, how dance influenced his compositions outside of those meant for the concert dance stage, and his continued impact on major choreographers of the 20th century and onwards, like Frederick Ashton and George Balanchine. The Torvill and Dean “Bolero” referenced: https://www.olympics.com/en/video/torvill-and-dean-s-legendary-bolero-performance-music-mondaysLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by street dancer, creator and teacher YungChris. Chris tells us about his early beginnings in dance, how stepping away during college refueled his desire to perform, and how traveling extensively feeds his creative impulses. The first artist to receive this commission twice, Chris is the creative mind behind one of three upcoming premieres at Performing Arts Houston's "New/Now" program, to be presented this March 6th and 7th. If you're in the Houston area, visit performingartshouston.org for to purchase tickets. 'Tip Toe Thomas' New/Now Commission from 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzaOJWAMCKoTHIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:New York Theatre Ballet's 2025 Summer Repertory Session offers pre-professional, collegiate, and post-collegiate dancers full-day training sessions of classes, rehearsals, and new choreography at their studios in lower Manhattan. This year's two-week session runs June 9 through June 20 and provides individualized instruction, movement analysis, and immersion into NYTB's acclaimed repertoire. Tuition is $1,000 and merit-based scholarships are available. Aspiring students are invited to submit video auditions by April 30, 2025. For more information, please visit nytb.org/auditionsLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by esteemed teacher and repetiteur Darla Hoover. Darla tells about how her early training at CPYB including teaching regularly, her time working with Balanchine at the School of American Ballet and later as a member of the New York City Ballet, her process to prepare for her stagings of Balanchine's work and how she tailor makes a syllabus for the needs of individual schools. Note: When Darla refers to Marcia, she is talking about Marcia Dale Weary who founded Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by New York City Ballet dance legend and trailblazer Debra Austin. Debbie, as she liked to be called, takes us through her time as a native New Yorker training locally before entering the New York City Ballet, her experiences working with Balanchine, charting new territory leading full lengths as a principal dancer at the Pennsylvania Ballet and the work she does now as a rehearsal director for Carolina Ballet for over 25 years. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by Elizabeth Yntema the president and founder of Dance Data Project, an organization that promotes gender equity through its research and analysis. Dance Data Project has just released its Artistic and Executive Director compensation report and Elizabeth helps us comb through the data to explore things like the remaining gender pay gap and pay increases for executives in spite of deficits. Visit dancedataproject.com to view the full report. https://www.dancedataproject.com/ddp-research/artistic-and-executive-compensation-report-2024/* ADDITIONAL NOTE regarding dancer compensation * Follow up from DDP: "In FY22, 1 company within the Largest 10 reported dancer salaries - San Francisco Ballet. In FY23, 4 companies within the Largest 10 reported dancer salaries - San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Houston Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Notably, all of the dancers with reported salaries were principal dancers."According to the IRS, here are the guidelines for which persons must be listed on Form 990s: "The organization must also list up to 20 current employees who satisfy the definition of key employee (persons with certain responsibilities and reportable compensation greater than $150,000 from the organization and related organizations), and its five current highest compensated employees with reportable compensation of at least $100,000 from the organization and related organizations who are not officers, directors, trustees, or key employees of the organization."Be in touch with Dance Data Project: https://www.dancedataproject.com/contact-us/.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by choreographer Helen Pickett. We talk to Helen about her time working with William Forsythe at Ballett Frankfurt, how she began her own choreographic journey and the process creating "Crime and Punishment", the first full-length ballet choreographed by a woman at American Ballet Theatre. "Crime and Punishment" will be performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC from February 12th through 16th. To purchase tickets, visit Kennedy-Center.org. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by the co-founders of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson. They take us through the history of their artistic connection, the inauspicious beginnings of the company, and how they've built on the mission of Complexions over the course of its 30 year history. Complexions will be performing at Performing Arts Houston in Houston, TX on February 1st. To purchase tickets visit performingartshouston.org. Dwight on COD in June 2024: https://www.conversationsondancepod.com/episodes-transcripts/399-dwight-rhoden-choreographer-amp-artistic-director-of-complexions-contemporary-balletLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today it's just Michael & Rebecca. We go through the listener survey submissions and start building our 2025 guest wish list! Thank you to everyone who took the time to take our listener survey!LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we sit down for our annual "Best of" episode! We saw great dance this year and talked with amazing guests. Cheers to another year with all of you. Thank you for coming on this ride with us! Please take 5 mins to take our listener survey. We want to hear from you.Episodes referenced:Maria Calegari - Part 1 Part 2Jennifer Lin - (382) The story of George Lee, the original Tea in Balanchine's 'Nutcracker', with Jennifer LinGeorge Lee & Jennifer Lin - (396) Jennifer Lin and George Lee, the original Tea in Balanchine's 'Nutcracker'Michael Vernon - (391) Michael Vernon, Professor of Music (Ballet) at Indiana University Jacobs School of MusicKatlyn Addison - (383) Katlyn Addison, Principal Dancer with Ballet WestLimon at VDF - (405) Dante Puleio and Joey Columbus on the legacy of José Limón, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalGolden State Ballet's Nutcracker: https://www.goldenstateballet.org/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today it's just Michael and Rebecca checking in. Please take 5 mins to take our listener survey. We want to hear from you!LINKS related to this episode:Take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/UU6eFZD2WH6JCmjG7Episode with Silas Farley: https://www.conversationsondancepod.com/episodes-transcripts/416-silas-farley-teacher-and-choreographer. If you donate dance books to a local dance school, please let us know! We would love to hear about it: info@conversationsondancepod.com.Episode with Mathilde Froustey, Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversations-on-dance/id1128237763?i=1000413007256Golden State Ballet's Nutcracker: https://www.goldenstateballet.org/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we bring to you the second installment of our conversation with Balanchine ballerina Maria Calegari. Maria tells about her own process and experience as a teacher and repetiteur, having staged dozens of ballets for companies all over the world. If you enjoyed hearing the stories of Maria's illustrious career as much as we did, be sure to subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform you stream.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are thrilled to be joined by legendary New York City Ballet ballerina Maria Calegari. In the first installment of our interview, Maria details her early training, initial interactions with Balanchine and how therapy became a driving force in the success of her career. Maria offers a view into one of the most storied eras of American ballet history, and a very personal insight into her own meteoric success. To ensure that you catch the second episode, subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Conversations on Dance we are thrilled to welcome back Artistic Director of the Limón Dance Company, ​ Dante Puleio. Dante dives into the specifics of his role, including how he curates programming, casts the works, and protects the company's legacy. The Limón Dance Company will have it's New York City season at the Joyce Theater this November 5 - 10. Tickets are available at joyce.org. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast we are joined by choreographer John Heginbotham. John tells us about his journey from early training in Alaska to a Juilliard education and a career with Mark Morris, before beginning to more fully explore choreography on his own in mediums as varied as opera, television and musical theater. This week his choreography will be presented at Baryshnikov Arts in sold out performances of "Woolgathering", an evening length spoken word opera in collaboration with director and composer Oliver Tompkins Ray and the legendary writer and performer Patti Smith. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance' we are joined by Kristoffer Dahl Sakurai, former principal dancer with the Royal Danish Ballet and Artistic Director of the Tivoli Ballet School in Copenhagen. Kristoffer takes us on his personal journey, from being a child at the Royal Danish Ballet School, through the years dancing as a principal under four different directors, from stepping away to explore his interest in fashion to returning as an educator leading the Tivoli Ballet School. For information about attending Tivoli Ballet School, visit https://www.tivoliballetskole.dk/about/.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by renowned choreographer Kyle Abraham. Kyle sits down with us to talk about his upcoming first work for American Ballet Theatre, "Mercurial Son", including the casting process, the creative environment and how working on several projects concurrently fuels his creativity. To catch "Mercurial Son", premiering on October 16th and running through the 24th, visit abt.org to purchase tickets.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance' we are joined by Artistic Director of Ballet West, Adam Sklute and choreographer Val Caniparoli. At the outset of Ballet West's 2024-2025 season, Adam lays out his vision for the company, including the season opener of Val's "Jekyll and Hyde". Val and Adam talk about their long artistic relationship, how new story ballets are the lifeblood of classical ballet companies and what "Jekyll and Hyde" does to push dancers and audiences alike. If you are in the Salt Lake City area, performances run October 25th through November 2nd and can be purchased at Balletwest.org. New York Times article Val references regarding his time making 'Jekyll & Hyde' during COVID at Finnish National Ballet: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/arts/dance/finnish-national-ballet-jekyll-and-hyde.htmlLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of 'Conversations on Dance', we are joined by Jared Harbour and Aidan Gibney, the minds behind the upcoming dance documentary 'No Dancing Allowed'. The film explores the intersectionality of Street Dance Culture and governmental policies through the 20th century in New York City, weaving a story of ingenuity, culture, erasure and resilience. Aidan and Jared will be joined by other members of the creative team on Monday, September 23rd for a Works & Process event at the Guggenheim that will explore the work they've done on the documentary.Tickets to Works & Process: Documentary Preview and Discussion: No Dancing AllowedMore info on 'No Dancing Allowed'LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on 'Conversations On Dance', we are joined by Silas Farley, teacher and choreographer formerly of the New York City Ballet, to talk about his upcoming premiere for Houston Ballet on their fall program 'Velocity'. Silas talks about his early and singular devotion to the art form, how he found his way to teaching and choreography after his career with NYCB and gives a full deep dive into the process, concept and collaborative nature of his latest work. If you are in the Houston, visit houstonballet.org to buy tickets for Silas' premiere, running from September 19th through the 29th. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on 'Conversations On Dance', we are joined by dancing extraordinaire Caleb Teicher. Caleb takes us on the journey of their artistic self discovery, from tap to lindy hop and most recently jazz piano. Caleb is pairing up with their friend and frequent collaborator pianist and composer Conrad Tao for 'Counterpoint', an evening length work musically exploring and reimagining everything from Bach's 'Goldberg Variations' to Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue'. If you are in the Houston area, visit performingartshouston.org to grab tickets to this one night only, unique and thrilling partnership: September 14, 2024.Tickets: https://performingartshouston.org/events/counterpoint-conrad-tao-caleb-teicher-2024-09-14-730-pm/.Opening Night Party: https://performingartshouston.org/opening-night-party-2024/Conrad Tao And Caleb Teicher: Tiny Desk Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61q6JoGLTc0&t=345sLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance' we are joined by Adam Weinert, Artistic Associate of the Kaatsbaan Cultural Park's Annual Festival held in Tivoli, NY. The festival runs four consecutive weekends beginning Friday, September 13th. Adam takes us through his personal history with dance education and performing, how expanding his personal interests to include dance history and even gardening broadened his horizons, what it's like to work with the team at Kaatsbaan to develop and curate programming and what audiences can expect to see at this year's festival. To purchase tickets, visit kaatsbaan.org. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on August 3, 2024. In this final live recording of the Conversations on Dance podcast, hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden, chat with internationally renowned ballroom dancers: Denys Drozdyuk and Antonina Skobina. A staple of the Vail Dance Festival for a few years now, the duo delights audiences with their dazzling dancing. This conversation will center around how they came to ballroom dance, their early careers, how they came to partner together, and their collaborative, “DNA.”LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we are happy to share a bonus episode from the 2024 Vail Dance Festival. In this episode we are joined by Kyle Ikuma, last year's Scholar-In-Residence at the Vail Dance Festival. Kyle is a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineer living in California's Bay Area and a graduate of Princeton. He is also a freelance ballet dancer. Kyle's story is fascinating, so we hope you enjoy! https://kyleikuma.wordpress.com/Stream the closing night performance, 'NOW Premieres,' from the 2024 Vail Dance Festival from August 5-13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-Yq_0AlcLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While artistic gifts can often run in the family, they are seldom able to cross forms in collaboration as searingly as Adji Cissoko and Youba Cissokho did at last year's Vail Dance Festival. Adji is a ballerina with the LINES ballet (and last year's VDF Artist-In-Residence) and Youba is a 72nd generation kora player. The two will join Conversations On Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden in a discussion about their family's deep artistic roots, what their first collaboration meant to them and how they look forward to creating this year at the Vail Dance Festival. Stream the closing night performance, 'NOW Premieres,' from the 2024 Vail Dance Festival from August 5-13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-Yq_0AlcLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to a special bonus episode from the 2024 Vail Dance Festival. Today we welcome back our friend, Calvin Royal III, Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre. We chat about his met season at ABT, his experience this year at the Vail Dance Festival, and about the ballet festival he is producing at the Joyce this month.UNITE: Joyce Ballet Festival, directed and co-produced by Calvin Royal III. August 13-18, 2024Tickets: https://www.joyce.org/performances/118/unite/ballet-festivalLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was recorded live on August 1, 2024 from the Vail Dance Festival. Today we are joined by: India Bradley (New York City Ballet), Mayfield Myers (Philadelphia Ballet), Olivia Bell (New York City Ballet), Philip Duclos (Royal Danish Ballet), and Spencer Lenain (freelance artist).Every year at the Vail Dance Festival, new budding talents from companies all over get the first opportunities to take the stage with the world class dancers who populate the cast list of VDF's performances. Watching young dancers cut their teeth in some of their early major opportunities has become as thrilling to Vail audiences as seeing its international stars. Come watch Conversations On Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden interview some of these stars-in-the-making about their experiences at Vail before you catch them making career breakthroughs in the evening's performance. Upcoming Conversations on Dance events at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every year audiences at the Vail Dance Festival watch the Artist-In-Residence delve deeply into their craft, pushing outside their comfort zone to create rapidly in the ten days the festival spans. This year audiences will be treated to two such artists, the beloved New York City Ballet ballerina Sara Mearns, and highly acclaimed and sought after choreographer Jamar Roberts. Sara and Jamar sit down with Conversations On Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden to discuss what their artistic output at the festival will be and how the artistic direction of the festival this year is guiding them in their own creative pursuits. Upcoming Conversations on Dance events at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was recorded live on July 30, 2024 at the Vail Dance Festival. In part two of this episode, we are joined by American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer, Catherine Hurlin. Look for part one of this episode, now in the feed.Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival is generously supported by the Town of Vail.Upcoming Conversations on Dance events at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was recorded live on July 30, 2024 at the Vail Dance Festival. In this episode, Michael and Rebecca sit down with our Vail Dance Festival audience for a Q & A before our guest, Catherine Hurlin joins us. Our episode with Catherine is now in the feed in episode 407.Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival is generously supported by the Town of Vail. Upcoming Conversations on Dance events at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was recorded live on Monday, July 29th, 2024 at the Vail Dance Festival. At the vanguard of American modern dance since its inception, Limón Dance Company returns to the Vail Dance Festival after making their debut in 2022. The company's first performance at the festival earned rave reviews and now they return to celebrate the incredible dance legacy of this beloved and historic company. Join Conversations On Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden as they sit down with Limón Dance Company Artistic Director, Dante Puleio, and company artist Joey Columbus, to dig into the legacy of Limón and what audiences can expect to see from the company.Upcoming Conversations on Dance events at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was recorded live at the Vail Dance Festival on Sunday, July 28, 2024. Larry Keigwin has the kind of versatility in his choreographic portfolio that makes him an instant fit for the Vail Dance Festival: commissions from iconic organizations like the Paul Taylor Dance Company and Martha Graham Dance Company, acclaimed work on broadway, and the founding of his own ensemble, Keigwin + Company, now in its 20th season. Conversations On Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden sit down with Keigwin to talk about his rich personal history as a dance maker, his passion for dance education, and how his work ‘Rhapsody', which will have its VDF premiere this year, utilizes community members alongside artists to create a harmonious celebration of humanity and shared space.See his community work, 'Rhapsody,' on Tuesday July 30: https://vaildance.org/event/dance-for-2024/.Upcoming Conversations on Dance events at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are leaving for the Vail Dance Festival in just a few days, so today we sit down to talk through the performances that we will be catching during the festival and preview who we will be talking to during our live events.Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/Vail Dance Festival performances: https://vaildance.org/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Vail Dance Festival is just around the corner and our coverage starts now! Today we are joined by American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer and friend of the pod, Herman Cornejo. Herman joins us in the midst of ABT's season where he is celebrating 25 incredible years with the company. We catch up with Herman about this season, what it means to be celebrating such an important milestone, what his plans are for the future, and what he will be dancing this year at the Vail Dance Festival. As a festival favorite, we are so looking forward to seeing him soon on the VDF stage.The Vail Dance Festival returns July 26 – August 5:The Vail Dance Festival returns July 26 – August 5 with THIRTEEN performances featuring dance luminaries from across the United States and around the world. This summer they welcome Dance Theatre of Harlem, Limón Dance Company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Colorado Ballet, and DanceAspen, as well as artists from Alonzo King LINES Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, BalletX, New York City Ballet, and so much more. Conversations on Dance will be bringing you a behind-the-scenes look at all the action. Join us in person for 8 live events featuring incredible festival artists including Catherine Hurlin, Sara Mearns, Robert Garland, Adji Cissoko and many more. If you are not able to join us in person, be sure to subscribe to Conversations on Dance wherever you get your podcasts to listen to the live episodes after the events.Get your tickets now for festival performances and vaildance.org. And claim your tickets for COD events at vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's just us this week and we catch up on Michael's staging of Alexei Ratmansky's 'The Fairy's Kiss' at Dutch National Ballet. PLUS - JUST ANNOUNCED! Tickets for Conversations on Dance at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival are on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Conversations on Dance, we welcome Theresa Ruth Howard, founder of Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet, and Katlyn Addison, principal dancer with Ballet West. We first had Katlyn on the podcast in February of 2024 in episode 383, where we talk all about her career. We are happy to welcome Katlyn back on to talk about the upcoming "Pathways to Performance: Exercises in Reframing the Narrative" performance at the Kennedy Center. Theresa was the guest curator of "Reframing the Narrative" at the Kennedy Center for it's inaugural season in 2022 and Theresa is returning again this year with her hand-picked group of dancers coming together from all across the country to feature a newly commissioned ballet and excerpts of recently premiered works by Black choreographers. Katlyn was selected by Theresa in 2022 to be a part of this project and is returning again this year. The pair tell us about "Pathways to Performance: Exercises in Reframing the Narrative," how the project came about, what was so special about the experience in 2022, and how they will be expanding upon the work now in 2024. Don't miss "Pathways to Performance: Exercises in Reframing the Narrative" July 2 and 3 at the Kennedy Center. Tickets are available at kennedy-center.org.WATCH:Reframing the Narrative: Blacks in Ballet | A Kennedy Center Digital Stage Original (2022 documentary)Donald Byrd's "From Other Suns" | A World Premiere Ballet from The Kennedy Center LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we are joined by Dwight Rhoden, Choreographer & Artistic Director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Since it has been over six years since we last had him on the podcast, we go back to the beginning and hear about his start in dance and choreography. We dig into his process and what he looks for in dancers, both for Complexions and when he is choreographing on other companies. Dwight tells us about his new work for Houston Ballet that is running from June 6-16 as a part of a mixed bill program called, "Four Seasons." This is Dwight's first work on the company so he tells us what it has been like working with the dancers, how the work evolved from his initial vision, and what he hopes audience's take away from his work. For more information and to get tickets, visit houstonballet.org.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Conversations on Dance we are joined by Maria Kowroski, former Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet and current Artistic Director of New Jersey Ballet. Maria chats with us about her training, her incredible career, some of her favorite memories onstage, then the opportunity to become Artistic Director of New Jersey Ballet. She tells us about her focuses for the company, the challenges she has faced, and how she is forging a new path for the company. Learn more about New Jersey Ballet and their upcoming 65th anniversary on their website njballet.org.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael is currently at the Dutch National Ballet setting Alexei Ratmansky's 'Fairy's Kiss.' This inspired us to go back into our vault and find this 2017 episode with dance historian, Doug Fullington, on the history of the ballet, also known as 'Baiser de la fée.' Ratmansky's 'Fairy's Kiss' was originally made on Miami City Ballet while we were in the company, and during the time this was recorded. We hope you enjoy! WATCH -> Doug's presentation at Works and Process at the Guggenheim in Feb 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-aX7sYMKQA&t=4sLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.