David's Dance Podcast

This week I'm joined by dance artist Aakanksha Rawat. Aakanksha and I had just completed a tour of Sonia Sabri's “Same Same… But Different” at the time of recording in March 2022. We discuss the origins of Kathak, Aakanksha's journey with the art form, and the specificity of experiencing and learning Indian classical dance in the UK. To find out more:Aakanksha's Insta @aakanksharawat27Sonia Sabri co. Insta @soniasabricoSonia Sabri website https://www.ssco.org.uk/

This week I'm joined by Italian-British dance artist Selene Travaglia. Selene and I have just completed a tour of Sonia Sabri's “Same Same… But Different” and Selene is now beginning a tour of “Squidge” by Wriggle Dance Theatre which will be touring the UK till May. We discuss what makes a great dancer, the choreographer who changed the way she thought about what a dance piece could be, the virtues of improvised dance, and the beauty of connecting with audiences throughout the tour of “Same Same…But Different” and “Squidge”. Selene is a talented and experienced performer, and it was a pleasure diving into her incredible dance journey. To find out more:Selene's insta @sele.neneSonia Sabri co. insta @soniasabricoWriggle Dance Theatre insta @wriggledance

This week on the podcast I'm joined by the Scotland-based choreographer David West.We discuss how mental health is depicted on the stage and how he handles these issues in his new work Sanctuary. We talk about his approach to creating the work including working with memories, the use of repetition, and creating improv structures. I hope you enjoy this podcast as deep dive into the nitty gritty of his choreographic process and values.To find out more about David West and Sanctuary check out David's Instagram: @eqdanceco

This month on the podcast, I'm joined by Newcastle-based dance artist Benedicta Valentina Mamuini. We talk about her tour with balletLORENT's “The Lost Happy Endings” and her amazing journey with the company. Also, we discuss new approaches to auditioning and the challenges of maintaining dance skills post-degree. Lastly, we start to unpack the creation of her collection of works in development “Other” with collaborator Lila Naruse and how the work explores themes of mixed heritage.To find out more about the projects discussed in this podcast:Benedicta Valentina Mamuini Instagram: @benedictavalentinaLila Naruse Instagram: @lila.j.naruseBalletLorent Instagram: @balletlorentDance City Instagram: @dance_city_newcastlePs. Yes, we are back! I'll be posting new episodes monthly, so click the subscribe/follow button for new episodes. 

The world is opening up again and so is dance. It's nice to be working again. This week I talk about my experience dancing at the Manchester International Festival and choreographing a new pop up outdoor piece.  This will be the end of Season 1. I am taking a break to focus on work creation and we'll be back in the Winter. Subscribe to find out when I start releasing episodes again. 

This week I try a new solo format called "Dancer reacts.." and do a commentary podcast on Jiří Kylián's "Petite Mort". Created back in '91 this work is by the choreographer who headed up Nederlands Dans Theater for two decades. I've been binge watching his back catalogue on marquee.tv/ and this piece and another piece "Bella Figura" I was really struck by. To watch it with me check out David's Dance Podcast on YouTube as I unpack the choreography. I also talk about photographer Tyler Mitchell's book "I Can Make You Feel Good". Mitchell's depiction of young Black Americans in playful scenarios, speaks to an artist that is reclaiming the narratives around the representation of himself and people like him, young Black men. While not dance, his work has to do with the body and how it is represented both aesthetically and in conversation with culture and historical narratives. In that way it is a great discussion launcher for those interested in dance and the performative body. My instagram: @dance_across_mediumsEmail me: davidsdancepodcast@gmail.com

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by the co-directors of Traceworks Dance, Julian Lewis and James Aiden Kay. We discuss what a lifeline online teaching has been for dance professionals as well as individuals and families. We delve into the process behind their new outdoor popup performance developed with and for communities and southeast London. I joined James and Julian on their first studio day of rehearsals, so the excitement of being back in the studio is a very real, and I look forward to seeing what this talented duo create.To find out more about Traceworks and the new work:Traceworks: @traceworksdanceJulian Lewis: @juliandavidlewisJames Aiden Kay: @jamesaidenk

This week I'm joined by a dancer operating in both Contemporary and Vogue circles, Faye Stoeser. It's difficult to be good at more than one style, but this dancer manages to be excellent at both with her signature precision and serpentine style. We talk about Faye's journey from studio dancer to Contemporary dance and introduction to Vogue. We discuss the development of the ballroom scene, the influence of her research into learning on her dance practice, and the differences in working within both repertoire and in a creative process. To find out more:Instagram: @fayerevlonYou can watch Faye on tour in:Richard Chappell's “Infinite Ways Home”: Follow @richard.chappell.dance for announcementsJose Agudo's “Carmen”: Follow @joseagudo.co.uk and visit https://www.joseagudo.co.uk/portfolio/carmen/ to watch the trailer

This week on the podcast, I am joined by the tremendously talented Ben Knapper. We talk about his growth as a company dancer with BalletBoyz, learning to explore the emotional world of a dance work and tap into what we're feeling in performance. We discuss how he's taken these skills in building a character through movement into his role movement directing the play White (Other). Ben is also exploring new possibilities as a performer in Christopher Mathews' immersive installation at Sadler's Wells, my body's an exhibition. I enjoyed this time with Ben digging into the processes and headspaces that drive dance performances that really transcend physical technique. To find out more:Ben's Instagram: @benknapperWhite (Other) at Brighton Fringe by @polevaulttc : https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/white-other-147212/My body's an exhibition by @christopher_matthews_choreo : https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2020/wild-card-christopher-matthews-formed-view-my-bodys-an-exhibition/Ample space dance space in Hackney Wicks: @amplespace.co.uk

This week on the podcast I'm joined by a dance artist and movement consultant representing Mexico and London, Mariana Lorenzano. She is the owner of the dance school, specializing in early years, Ballet North. By night she is a fierce and glittery voguer and ballroom culture activist representing House of Valentino. We discuss how teaching has changed since the pandemic, her journey into the vouge scene, the history and health of the scene today, and challenging ourselves creatively as dancers. To find out more:The in-between words and movement project: @thei.nbetweenBallet North: @ballet_northQueer ballet info through Mariana's profile: @mariana.pumaTechnical note: There's a bit of scratchiness on the audio, but it clears up after minute 11. I put it in anyway, because I didn't want you to miss any of this great podcast. 

This week on the podcast I talk to the Deepraj (Deeps) Singh. Deeps has a background in contemporary dance and street styles and is currently working with Rosie Kay Dance Company on a new production of Romeo & Juliet. Much of our discussion this week revolved around how our mindset and an awareness of mindset can support our dancing. We talk about the role of therapy, faith, dancing in nature, the choreographic process and how these things can support us as human beings and as such as dancers. Deepraj is a such a lovely, warm and humble guy and I had a lot of fun doing this podcast with him and I hope you enjoy it too.To find out more:Deep's instagram: @howdeepisyourrajRosie Kay's Romeo & Juliet, world premiere 8 Sept 2021: https://rosiekay.co.uk/project/rj/

This week I talk about my experiences becoming a father, balancing dance and daddy duties, dealing with set backs, and the ways in which social media is changing the way we dance. I want to hear from you, the people who share this podcast with me. Email me at davidsdancepodcast@gmail.com and let me know a time you struggled in your dance journey and how you overcame it, I'll share it on the podcast and maybe it can be a launching point for a conversation. Throw in a highlight as well as a spoon full of sugar...You can also message me on instagram: @dance_across_mediums I hope you have a great week,David

This week I'm joined by dancer, writer, and podcaster, Rachel Elderkin. We discuss the origins of her podcast Dance Dialogues, the merits of podcasting as a medium to facilitate conversations around dance, and her approach to writing about dance. Through this we hit on a conversation about how if we can apply just as much creativity to how we talk about dance as to the artistic process itself, more diverse conversations can emerge. Between her podcast and artistic network, Sanctuary on the Fault Line, a network of female dance artists creating public performance in wild places, there is a DIY attitude about Rachel's approach to dance that doesn't wait for permission, but instead creates new dialogues, new paradigms. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.Dance Dialogues Podcast Insta: @dancedialoguespodcast Dance Dialogues Podcast Twitter: @podcastdanceRachel Elderkin all social media: @rachel_elderkinSanctuary on the Fault Line Insta: @faultlinesdancenetwork 

This week I'm joined by inter-disciplinary choreographer Richard Chappell. We discuss RCD's identity as a company rooted in the South West, and how empathy and transparency are central to the working culture that drives his work. We talk about his personal journey through dance - recognizing new directions and learning to pitch oneself authentically. Richard creates work in which his dancers have the quality of not just moving, but of being moved. His work is deeply tied to the land and communities in which it's created. It was a pleasure getting behind the scenes of his choreographic process and I hope you enjoy it too. Tickets for RCD's new work “Infinite Ways Home” are on sale now.To find out more: Season Announcement: https://www.richardchappelldance.co.uk/8405060-2021-season-announcementFor Films see dance films section on: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw3chk2fYl_oUJ0UPts1sygWebsite: www.richardchappelldance.co.ukInstagram: @richard.chappell.danceFacebook: richardchappelldanceTwitter: @RChappellDance

This week I'm joined by dance artist Ania Straczynska. We discuss her new work “Up the Hill”, how COVID limitations led her to explore new formats for dance performance, and the value of creating experimental work at the heart of a community. Ps. There was no episode last week as I was occupied becoming a dad for the first time. More on that another podcast, perhaps.For more info and to book a doorstep performance of “Up the Hill”:Ania's website: aniastraczynska.com Community project website: se19dance.co.ukInstagram: @se19dance @ania.straczynska

This week I am joined by a bboy known for his dynamic and powerful style and representing Gully Squad crew from London, Gabriel Infante. We talk about breakthroughs in Gabriel's breakin' and where they came from, exercises that helped take his breakin' to the next level and how to structure an effective training session to create continuous growth. We also talk about the state of breakdancing today and our thoughts on what the Olympics mean for the future of the culture. To find out more about Gabriel's classes, message him on:Instagram: @infagramorEmail:  ginfante.artist@gmail.com

This week on the podcast I'm joined by dance artist Ollie Robertson. We discuss his work with James Wilton Dance company, a contemporary floorwork company, known for their swirling, physical, and acrobatic choreography. We discuss how he found different ways to connect with each dance form, developing efficiency in his movement and learning to harness momentum to be able to perform James Wilton's physical choreography, and lastly how our unique life experiences can inform our dancing.  To find out more:Ollie's Instagram: @o_robertson_movementJames Wilton's Instagram: @jwiltondance        

This week on the podcast, I am joined by dancer Sharol Mackenzie. We discuss her experience moving to the UK from Eswatini (Swaziland), how her love of the physicality of dance drove her to pursue a career in dance and recently discovering her desire to share her love of moving with others. Lastly, we discuss her work with Richard Chappell Dance on his new work “Infinite Ways Home”. To find out more:Instagram: @sharolmackenzieRCD Website: https://www.richardchappelldance.co.uk   Got a question you want us to discuss on the podcast, email me at davidsdancepodcast@gmail.com

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by dance artist and artistic director of her eponymous Wiltshire-based dance company, Amy Foskett. We discuss her intuitive and compositional approach to choreography, the role nature has as a source of inspiration for her work, and her new dance work on climate change Burning House. I love Amy's primal and present choreography and it was so great to get an insight into her process, I hope you enjoy it too.To find out more:Website: https://www.amyfoskettdance.com/Instagram: @amyfoskettdanceFacebook: @AmyFoskettDance 

This week I am joined by choreographer, performer, and teacher Vivian Triantafyllopoulou. We discuss her process for creating her new work Greener Grass, including the role of rhythm, preparing the mind for dance work, and the benefits and trade-offs of dancing in your own work vs being an outside eye. I enjoyed discussing how Vivian find ways into the feelings, themes, and movement of a dance work. Her light and friendly spirit was uplifting, and I hope you enjoy it too.   To find out more: Greener grass will debut at Patras Art Festival 9th-10th JulyInstagram: @vivian__trWebsite: www.viviantr.com

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by movement artist and hip hop head Elsabet Yonas. We discuss the benefits of dance at all stages of life, learning to find cheerleaders for your dance journey, and her film work Sisterhood, recently showcased in a digital dance festival curated by The Place. We discuss how the film mixes hip hop dance with musings on the nature of identity and finding your tribe. Lastly, we talk about Elsa's new community-focused work in development at the Barbican Open Lab. To find out more:Instagram: @elsabetterWebsite: www.elsa-bet.comSisterhood: https://youtu.be/dnHDRNKGNAkBarbican Open Lab: https://www.barbican.org.uk/take-part/emerging-practising-artists/open-lab/theatre-and-dance

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by Welsh artist Emily Robinson. We discuss her short dance film "Seedlings of Time," a diaristic dance duet with her father, exploring his love of gardening and their relationship through a month-long daily practice dancing together. We talk about how through touch, dance facilitates a means of connecting and relating to others. I love how Robinson's work peels back the layers and creates beautiful portraits of her dancers, their individuality, and their relationship on stage. The work feels honest and direct but soft to touch. Here, she extrapolates on the role of questions in her work. How shared questions become shared investigation, and I start to understand where this connected quality comes from in her work. I hope you enjoy hearing about her process and all the epiphanies it has fostered along the way. To find out more:Instagram: @emilyrobinsondanceWebsite: www.emilyrobinsondance.comWatch Seedlings of Time: https://youtu.be/vi82fs14VTg

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by contemporary and musical theatre choreographer and dance teacher Ughetta Pratesi. We discuss how her choreographic process varies for contemporary and musical theatre and how she adapts her process to the cast, client, and project. We talk about her way of making dances on location to respond to the space and how she creates digital works using collaboration. A choreographer of lyrical and expressive choreography that carries you along with it, I hope you enjoy listening to her process. To find out more: Instagram: @ughettapWebsite coming soon: www.ughettapratesi.com 

This week on the podcast I'm joined by dance artist and strength & conditioning coach Hayleigh Sellors. We discuss her work with Botis Seva's Olivier Award-winning company Far From The Norm, and how her journey as a dancer led her to develop skills as a strength and condition coach to address the need for bespoke conditioning in the Hip Hop dance scene. This work is important because street styles draw on various physicalities that require unique conditioning and practice. We discuss how to appraise where you are with your dance progression so you understand how to take steps to improve and how to put together an essential lockdown workout that will keep you physically and mentally on your game. It was a pleasure speaking to Hayleigh, and she has a lot of great advice to help everyone find improvement in their dance. To find out more: Hayleigh's Instagram: @hmsellorsx and @allthings_selfe Get in touch with Hayleigh for strength & conditioning: www.allthingsselfe.co.ukAn excerpt from Botis Seva's BLK DOG is available to watch on the BBC until the 25th Feb: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0952ztm/dancing-nation-2-part-two-akram-khan-and-natalia-osipova-far-from-the-norm-and-boy-blue

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by dance artist Josh Smith from the esteemed Jasmin Vardimon Company. Josh describes how his working-class background made him well-adjusted to take on difficult subject matter and life as a dancer. We talk about learning self-awareness and humility to look after yourself and your team on long tours and growing in maturity as you grow in your dancing. We discuss how to combine a creative heart with an understanding of the industry to create consistent work throughout the year and create a ladder to your career goals. And lastly, the importance of understanding our dance career in the broader context of other life goals: financial, relational, and experiential.  I'm a huge fan of Josh's highly technical but loose and passionate dance style. He was so generous in his spirit and advice on the podcast, and he helped paint a clearer map of how to navigate a career in dance. I hope you also glean some gems of your own from this gifted individual. To find out more:Instagram: @joshuajs91

This week on the podcast I talk to dancer and writer Isaac Ouro-Gnao. We discuss the shenanigans of the street dance battle and competition scene, the way West African dance has allowed him to explore identity and heritage, how house dance has given him more freedom, and how he developed a physical practice to support these styles. We ponder how every dancer is motivated to grow in different ways and how if we accept and utilise what actually drives us, we will accelerate our growth. In addition to being an incredible dancer, Isaac is so cerebral and well-thought in the way he approaches his practice and I feel I have new ideas to chew on every time we speak. Always a pleasure, I hope you enjoy this one. To find out more: Instagram/Twitter: @isaacourognaoWebsite: www.isaacourognao.com

This week on the podcast I'm joined by multi-talented dancer, teacher, and actor Jeremiah Olusola. We discuss the relationship between dance and our mental health, the intangible benefits of dance class, how to balance dance work with dance artistry, and how to stop doubting your artistry and make it happen. I had so much fun on this podcast. Jeremiah and I always have a laugh, and it was great to catch up and talk shop with such an amazing dancer. To find out more about Jeremiah's projects and dance classes:Instagram: @jeremiaholusola

This week on the podcast I am joined by dance artist Alexander Benjamin. We talk about how important project-based learning and sage teachers were in guiding him on his dance journey. We unpack how he realised dance was for him, getting the most out of dance training, how he unlocked new movement possibilities, and finding a quiet confidence. This conversation was a great way to close out the year. Even though 2020 has been a disruptive year, listening to the passion with which Alex talked about dance re-affirmed for me the love for this art form we all have and that together we will find a way forward. David's Dance Podcast will return on 11th Jan. Happy Holidays all.Find out more:Instagram: alexander_benjamin

This week on the podcast, I discuss the news that breakin' will be added to the Paris 2024 Olympic games! This is not surprising as breakin' was trialled at the Youth Olympics in 2018, but it has big implications for the culture. I discuss my thoughts on the pros and cons, the judging system, how dance cultures thrive or die and how we can understand this development in the context of the overall health of the breakin' scene. Let us know your thoughts on this development by messaging us at davidsdancepodcast@gmail.com.To find out more: About the judging system: https://medium.com/@glissando/trivium-or-delirium-a-review-of-the-youth-olympics-judging-system-for-breaking-32e6c5eeae70My instagram: @dance_across_mediums

This week on the podcast I'm joined by choreographer Bakani Pick-Up. Bakani creates dance works for the stage that infuse the care and trust he cultivates during his process, his interest in philosophy, and his painting-inspired approach to composition. We jump straight into discussing the focusing effect the pandemic has had on his work and what inspired him in creating My dear, time has passed. We question what works “mean” and how choreography is to be interpreted and talk about the role choreography has had in expressing and processing his grief. Lastly, we embark on the topic of choreography as a form of reality-warping and world-building. This conversation left me feeling really touched, with some new thoughts on choreography and lots of questions to head-scratch about. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did,DavidTo find out more:Website: bakanipickupcompany.comInstagram: @sanzukuHarsh Light Webinar: David Harradine & Bakani Pick-Up: https://www.blocprojects.co.uk/exhibitions-events/2020/harsh-light-5Further reading: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/embodied-cognition/

This week on the podcast I talk to dance artist, co-founder of ReRooted Dance Collective and  Company Concentric, Shivaangee Agrawal. We discuss her choreographic dialogue with Bharatanatyam, a South Indian classical dance, and Contemporary dance.  We ponder the challenges of working with dance as diaspora, the relationship between mastering our craft and exploring it, our artistic “guilty pleasures”, and challenging bequeathed definitions of success and artistry.     To find out more:Instagram: @shivaangeeWebsite: shivaangee.comConnect: linktr.ee/shivaangee

This week on the podcast, I talk to Belgian dance artist and co-founder of Company Concentric, Yanaëlle Thiran. We discuss why we dance, exploring dance as a lifelong journey through Thiran's work Halprin's Imprint, dance as an opportunity for personal development, finding long-term collaborators that inspire you and having a conversation with your audience. To find out more:-Instagram: @yanaelledanse @company.concentric-Website: https://yanaellethiran.wordpress.com/-Online company classes (Mondays and Fridays at 9 am): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/company-classes-tickets-123103119745- Roundtable discussion for artists (Wed 2nd December, 6 pm): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-conversation-with-company-concentric-tickets-116240262755

This podcast I speak with dancer and Coordinator for the Centre for Advanced Training at Laban, Mary Kinsella. We discuss overcoming the “it's too late for me” thinking, how to make a start at choreography, overcoming her injury and embracing limitations, and the importance of Centres for Advanced Training as a way to offer an education for young people considering a career in dance.To find out more about:Mary Kinsella: Instagram @mary.kinsellaMary's online ballet classes: https://dancebuzz.co.uk/adult-ballet-classes/ National Centres for Advanced Training: www.nationaldancecats.co.uk/Laban CAT: www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/course/centre-for-advanced-training/

This week I talk to choreographer and performer Greta Gauhe about differences between British and German dance education, finding her choreographic focus at the Place and Laban, moving towards a more consensual and inclusive version of audience participation, and the role of empathy in her new work Memories of Skin.To find out more about Gauhe's work and future tours you can follow her:Instagram: @gretagauhe and her collective: @follow_through_collectiveWebsite: https://www.gretagauhe.com/To find out more about me:Instagram: @ dance_across_mediums

This week I talk to choreographer and diaspora dance theatre maker Ella Mesma about following your intuition, her journey from Latin styles to Contemporary and Breakin', her experience of dance training at Laban and the Place, finding your artistic voice, and empowering creatives through her coaching.If you are a creative and want to find out more about Ella's coaching visit: https://www.mayagandaia.com/ For more information on Ella Mesma Company: http://ellamesma.co.uk/ “What I learnt from this five-year process was to stop being the victim and start being the hero… and to start creating the life I wanted to create.” – Ella Mesma

This week I talk about my unconventional journey into dance, Ah hah moments at the Royal Opera House, working with Ella Mesma, and creating dance work for the gallery!