POPULARITY
In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant and boundary-breaking Juel D. Lane—choreographer, dancer, director, and creative visionary. We had the pleasure of meeting through the incredible dance company I'm on the board of, BODYTRAFFIC.From performing in Jesus Christ Superstar Live and Amazon's Harlem, to creating original works for BODYTRAFFIC, Ailey II, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, and beyond, Juel has carved out a space in the dance world that's entirely his own.But behind the accolades is a story of deep self-discovery, doubt, and fearless creativity. In this candid conversation, Juel opens up about his journey from a young boy obsessed with movement to becoming a nationally celebrated artist and choreographic leader. He talks about the internal battles with imposter syndrome, the power of social media as a modern-day stage, and how finding the right community has helped him thrive, grow, and continually Reinvent himself.Now serving as the Director of the Choreographic Institute at UNC School of the Arts, Juel reflects on the lessons he's learned—about risk-taking, vulnerability, identity, and the discipline of creativity. Whether you're an artist, a dreamer, or someone navigating your own next chapter, Juel's story will inspire you to own your narrative, trust your talent, and keep dancing forward—even when you're unsure of the next step.Key Takeaways:Reinvention means showing up even when you don't feel “ready”—especially when you don't.Owning your creativity requires both discipline and vulnerability.Confidence isn't given—it's built by standing in your story and doing the work.Connection, community, and mentorship are everything in the creative process.Juel's Website: https://jueldlane.com/Juel's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jueldlane/?hl=en THE RE:INVENTION EXCHANGE - for more Inspired Content, Blogs, Podcasts, RE:INVENTION Virtual Chats, or to buy a copy of my book RE:INVENT YOUR LIFE! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? by Kathi Sharpe-Ross, visithttps://www.thereinventionexchange.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/kathisr_chief_reinventor/FB: https://www.facebook.com/kathi.sharpeross/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathisharpeross Twitter: https://twitter.com/ReinventionExch
"Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey with special guest, Robert Battle, choreographer, artistic director and newly appointed resident choreographer for the Paul Taylor Dance Company.In this episode of "Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey, host Joanne Carey interviews Robert Battle. Together they discuss Robert's journey from his early beginnings in dance in Miami, his experiences at Juilliard, and his time as artistic director of the iconic Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Robert shares insights on the importance of mentorship, the creative process in choreography, and the significance of celebrating humanity through art. The conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs of a career in dance, emphasizing the value of connection and community in the arts.Robert Battle's journey to the top of the modern dance world began in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami, Florida where he showed artistic talent early and studied dance at a high school arts magnet program. From there he attended Miami's New World School of the Arts and then the dance program at The Juilliard School where he met his mentor Carolyn Adams. He danced with Parsons Dance from 1994 to 2001, and set his choreography on that company starting in 1998. Mr. Battle founded his own Battleworks Dance Company in 2002 which performed extensively at venues including The Joyce Theater, American Dance Festival, and Jacob's Pillow. A frequent choreographer and artist in residence at Ailey Ailey American Dance Theater since 1999, he set many of his works on the Ailey Company and Ailey II. In July 2011 he was personally selected by Judith Jamison to become Artistic Director of Ailey, making him only the third person to head the Company since it was founded in 1958. During his 12 years as Artistic Director he expanded the Ailey repertory with works by artists as diverse as Kyle Abraham, Mauro Bigonzetti, Ronald K. Brown, Rennie Harris, and Paul Taylor. He also instituted the New Directions Choreography Lab to help develop the next generation of choreographers. He stepped down from the position in 2023.For more information about Robert Battle and the Paul Taylor Dance Companyhttps://paultaylordance.org/“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. https://dancetalkwithjoannecarey.com/Follow Joanne on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdanceTune in. Follow. Like us. And Share.Please leave a review!“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey"Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."
This week on the Feb. 7 Friday LIVE, Genevieve Randall and guests have lively conversations about: conductor JoAnn Falletta's new gig in Omaha; "Moulin Rouge" at the Lied Center; singer/songwriter Alex Williams' shows in Nebraska; Nebraska Chamber Players concerts; Ailey II at Wayne State College; and a new exhibition at Sheldon Musuem of Art. Also, a Ross film review by Kwakiutl Dreher and a look at art exhibitions at UNO.
This week on the Feb. 7 Friday LIVE, Genevieve Randall and guests have lively conversations about: conductor JoAnn Falletta's new gig in Omaha; "Moulin Rouge" at the Lied Center; singer/songwriter Alex Williams' shows in Nebraska; Nebraska Chamber Players concerts; Ailey II at Wayne State College; and a new exhibition at Sheldon Musuem of Art. Also, a Ross film review by Kwakiutl Dreher and a look at art exhibitions at UNO.
There’s always something to do in Acadiana. That’s great if you’re a consumer. Options for lifestyle and entertainment are a big part of your quality of life. But if you’re on the business side of the equation, an endless supply of activities makes for a crowded and competitive market. Throw in Lafayette’s notorious seasonality, and running an entertainment business can be challenging — but rewarding. Lafayette is a small market. That means we’re often off the radar for national tours in the performing arts space. But for years, we’ve had a steady stream of acclaimed productions and performers coming to town. Jackie Lyle has had a big hand in making that happen. Jackie has worked in performing arts promotion and advocacy for decades now. She currently serves as executive director of Performing Arts Serving Acadiana, a nonprofit she founded to advance performing arts in Acadiana. Most locals know it as PASA. If that sounds like a wide lens, it is. PASA supports all kinds of programs and shows. Jackie has staged performances by leading dance companies like Ailey II or the Kyiv City Ballet. They host jazz quartets, cabarets, off Broadway productions and more. Access is a key goal here. PASA brings these performers and performances to local schools and makes space for people with disabilities to get involved through the PASAble initiatives. PASA also set up a musical instrument recycling program called Play it Again. Jackie has spent most of her life in Lafayette. Before her career in arts advocacy she worked in advertising and marketing. Being a small market means Lafayette can struggle to attract big city amenities. Point in case: Ask anyone when we’re getting a Trader Joe’s. But when the national brands arrive, it can pay off big time. Case in point: Lafayette is a small fish in the stable of Topgolf, but it’s a location that’s punching well above its weight. Bryan Roger is Operations Manager for the Lafayette location. If you’re not familiar with Topgolf, it’s an international brand of hyped up driving ranges. The facilities are huge. Like parking decks that serve food, beer and golf balls by the thousand. Bryan says TopGolfers will hit 20,000 golf balls on a slow day. Bryan got to TopGolf by way of the restaurant industry. He grew up in a restaurant family and was previously an operations manager for Mexican food chain Chuy’s. Bryan was born in Lafayette but grew up in Mandeville. He returned to Acadiana about 20 years ago. Out to Lunch Acadiana was recorded live over lunch at Tsunami Sushi in downtown Lafayette. You can find photos from this show at itsacadiana.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sylvia Waters discusses Alvin Ailey's legacy, his impact on dance, and the importance of the Edges of Ailey exhibit. She highlights Ailey's contributions to African-American culture, Ailey II's role, and AILEY's educational programs.
We're joined by Kirven, the multi-talented Artistic Director behind Saint Louis Dance Theatre, formerly Big Muddy Dance Company. began his formal dance training at the Boston Arts Academy in 1999 and as a member of Boston Youth Moves under the artistic direction of Jeannette Neil and Jim Viera. He began his professional career as a member of Ailey II from 2002–2004 and performed at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival as a member of Battleworks Dance Company in 2003. In June 2004, Mr. Douthit-Boyd joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing both nationally and internationally for 11 years. During his tenure with the company, he performed leading roles in works choreographed by Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Ron K. Brown, Geoffrey Holder, Jiri Kylian, David Parsons, Camille A. Brown, Ulysses Dove, Christopher Wheeldon, Hofesh Shecter, Twyla Tharp, Wayne McGregor and Ohad Naharin. He joined COCA-Center of Creative Arts in 2015 as Co-Artistic Director of Dance with his husband Antonio Douthit-Boyd. In 2016, Mr. Douthit-Boyd joined Ron K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company as a guest artist.Saint Louis Dance Theatre, formerly The Big Muddy Dance Company, is a dynamic arts organization dedicated to providing world-class contemporary dance performances and exhilarating theatre experiences in our great city. Their 24-25 (RE)Imagine Season is sure to astound, with an exceptional repertoire created by celebrated artists from around the globe, and intentional efforts to pull audiences closer to our movement. Every moment behind the curtain is sure to captivate, every step is sure to inspire, and they will take every bow in celebration of the manifestation of their dreams. Come lose yourselves in this art! Support the show
Francesca Harper is the Artistic Director of Ailey II of the Alvin Ailey School of Dance. As part of the company's new era, she is leading Ailey II on the first international tour since the shutdown, guest performances in Memoria during Ailey's New York City Center session, and a 50th Anniversary US tour, culminating with a New York engagement in early 2024. We discuss Francesca's background, her love of dance, and the most important thing she teaches at Ailey II.Follow To Dine For:Official Website: ToDineForTV.comFacebook: Facebook.com/ToDineForTVInstagram: @ToDineForTVTwitter: @KateSullivanTVEmail: ToDineForTV@gmail.com Thank You to our Sponsors!MastercardAmerican National InsuranceTerlato Wine Group Follow Our Guest:Official Site: AlvinAiley.orgFacebook: Alvin Ailey American Dance TheaterInstagram: @HarperFrancescaTwitter: @FHProject Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
My goodness... am I excited to tell you about Aimee Meredith Cox! She is PURE MAGIC! Aimee is an American cultural anthropologist, writer, and movement artist. She is currently an associate professor of Anthropologie at NYU. Aimee is the author of the book Shapeshifters: Black Girls and the Choreography of Citizenship. Shapeshifters earned the 2016 Victor Turner Book Prize in Ethnographic Writing, and an Honorable Mention from the 2016 Gloria E. Anzaldúa Book Prize, as well as the 2017 Book award from the Society for the Anthropology of North America.Aimee has performed and toured internationally with Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American DanceTheater and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She has choreographed performances as interventions in public and private space in Newark, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn.Aimee is also a yogi of many decades. Yoga is integral to her life and her overall research. She leads yoga teacher trainings as well as advanced study and continuing education workshops around the globe. (We have one coming up, hee hee)Aimee is also a teacher at The Class : a fitness driven workout that connects you to the present moment.Aimee is a Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, a recipient of the Nancy Weiss Malkiel Award, and has served as the Virginia C. Gildersleeve Professorship from Barnard College. Aimee you are such an force and an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your spirit and energy with us for for these Magical Moments. @aimee_mere
Kirven Douthit-Boyd (Boston, MA) began his formal dance training at the Boston Arts Academy in 1999 and as a member of Boston Youth Moves under the artistic direction of Jeannette Neil and Jim Viera. Mr. Douthit-Boyd studied as a fellowship student at The Ailey School and on scholarship at the Boston Conservatory. He is a graduate of Hollins University where he earned an MFA in dance. ——— He began his professional career as a member of Ailey II from 2002–2004 and performed at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival as a member of Battleworks Dance Company in 2003. In June 2004, Mr. Douthit-Boyd joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing both nationally and internationally for 11 years. During his tenure with the company, he performed leading roles in works choreographed by Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Ron K. Brown, Geoffrey Holder, Jiri Kylian, David Parsons, Camille A. Brown, Ulysses Dove, Christopher Wheeldon, Hofesh Shecter, Twyla Tharp, Wayne McGregor and Ohad Naharin. He joined COCA-Center of Creative Arts in 2015 as Co-Artistic Director of Dance with his husband Antonio Douthit-Boyd. In 2016, Mr. Douthit-Boyd joined Ron K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company as a guest artist. ——— In 2010, Douthit-Boyd performed at the White House tribute to Judith Jamison hosted by then first lady Michelle Obama. He has also appeared as a guest artist in ballet and contemporary dance galas in Argentina, Mexico and Canada. He is the 2014 recipient of the “Black Theater Alliance Award” for his performance in Wayne McGregor's “Chroma,” the 2015 recipient of the “Next Generation in Leadership Award” from the Freedom House in Boston, the 2016 recipient of the Boston Arts Academy's “Apollo Award” the 2021 recipient of the “Excellence in the Arts Award” from the Arts and Education Council in St. Louis, and the 2022 recipient of the Dance Teacher Magazine Award. ——— Douthit-Boyd has choreographed workshops for The Ailey School, The Juilliard School, Webster University, Boston Arts Academy, Boston Youth Moves and COCA. He has also choreographed works for Dallas Black Dance Theater and Ailey II. He is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum and has completed Lester Horton Pedagogy studies under Ana Marie Forsythe in New York and St. Louis. He has also served as Distinguished Performing Artist at Washington University in St. Louis, where he taught modern dance in the collaborative MFA program between the University and COCA. ———
Francesca Harper, Artistic Director of Ailey II, is back where it all began. She trained at the Alvin Ailey School, where her mother, Denise Jefferson, was director for 26 years. She has also choreographed for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and now leads Ailey II, which fosters new generations of shining talent and will visit the UK later this year. Francesca has enjoyed an astonishingly varied journey through classical and contemporary dance – notably as a principal dancer with William Forsythe's Ballett Frankfurt – not to mention in music and theatre. What has sustained her, and what does she hope to pass on to her young dancers?Francesca Harper is Artistic Director of Ailey II, the celebrated second company to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She began her career with Dance Theater of Harlem and was a Principal with William Forsythe's Ballett Frankfurt. She performed with designers Issey Miyake and Gianni Versace, and on Broadway in Fosse, All Shook Up, and The Color Purple. A writer and recording artist, she has choreographed for companies including Ailey, Ailey II, Dance Theater of Harlem and The Francesca Harper Project. She was ballet consultant for the film Black Swan and movement director for Nick Cave's The Let Go.Learn more about Ailey II's Dance Consortium tour of the UK. Find out more about the work of the RADFollow the RAD on social media and join the conversation with host David Jays:Instagram @royalacademyofdanceFacebook @RoyalAcademyofDanceTwitter @RADheadquartersYouTube / royalacademydanceDavid Jays @mrdavidjaysSign up to our mailing list to keep in touch!RAD is an independent educational charity and does not receive regular government funding. Every penny we make goes back into the work we do. You can support us by either naming a seat as part of our Name A Seat Campaign or making a donation.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Choreographer and Ailey II artistic director Francesca Harper joins to discuss her upcoming premiere, "The Reckoning," commissioned by Ava DuVernay's Law Enforcement Accountability Project. A response to Detroit police officer Joseph Weekly's murder of 7-year-old Aiyana Mo'Nay Stanley-Jones, "The Reckoning" is both a work of art and a work of activism. A transcript of this episode is available here: thedanceedit.com/transcript-episode-148More about the LEAP Project and Harper's commission:leapaction.orginstagram.com/leapactionleapaction.org/francesca-harperMore about the Works & Process premiere of "The Reckoning": guggenheim.org/event/works-process-arrays-leap-the-reckoning-by-francesca-harper-music-by-nona-hendryxMore about Ailey II's NYC season: alvinailey.org/engagement/ailey-ii-nycVisit/add to the Dance Media Events Calendar: dancemediacalendar.com/Get the latest dance news direct by subscribing to our free newsletters. Find the ones that match your interests: dancemagazine.com/subscribe
On September 8, SHACK15 hosted the internationally recognized choreographer and the first black female choreographer to make works for the New York City Ballet, Sidra Bell, who was also a 2022 Djerassi Artist In Residence, in conversation with Alexander Djerassi, the program's acting director, as well as Kristine Elliot, a former soloist of the American Ballet Theater. Sidra Bell's career has spanned over 20 years and her choreography has been seen throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. She has created over 100 works, notably for BODYTRAFFIC, Ailey II, The Juilliard School, the Boston Conservatory at Berklee College, among many others. The Djerassi Resident Artists Program was founded by the late Dr. Carl Djerassi, the father of the birth control pill. Located in Woodside, California, the program sits on a 600-acre ranch established in a land trust for the program which is recognized internationally for its pre-eminence as an artist residency, and has provided over 2,500 artists with the gift of time and space to create since 1979.
Francesca Harper, Artistic Director of Ailey II, speaking with WVIA's Fiona Powell about the company and its founder, Alvin Ailey, in anticipation of a performance at the Community Arts Center in downtown Williamsport, on October 25, 2022, at 7:30 pm: Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance. For more information: www.caclive.org/
Equine Advocates' 21st Annual Gala will take place on Sunday, September 18. Ailey II, the company founded in 1974 by the legendary American choreographer Alvin Ailey, will perform live at PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century in Chatham, New York.
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://thecitylife.org/2022/06/23/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theaters-ailey-ii-and-ailey-extension-free-on-july-28-at-bryant-park-picnic-performances/ --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/citylifeorg/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/citylifeorg/support
In the lead up to the premiere of his first ballet commissioned for the NYCB stage, choreographer Jamar Roberts joins host Wendy Whelan for the latest New Combinations conversation. From dancing to Mariah Carey after school in Jacksonville, Florida, to moving to NYC and joining Ailey II at 18 years old, to retiring as Resident Choreographer of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater last December, Jamar traces the route that brought him to working with the Company. As he tells Wendy, this ballet is intended to spark joy—in a spirit informed by its Wayne Shorter score, the openness of the dancers, and the needs of the current moment. (38:48) Edited by Emilie Silvestri Music "Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co
Dance has been an integral part of Constance Stamatiou's life since she was a little girl. She began her training at Pat Hall's Dance Unlimited and the North Carolina Dance Theater in her home state. She eventually made her way East and was awarded a Fellowship at the Ailey School. A member of Ailey II, joined the Company in 2007...and rejoined in 2016. Constance has performed at the White House Dance Series, participated in a TED Talk with the brilliant Judith Jamison and has been a guest performer on several television shows. We can't wait for you to meet the charismatic, talented, engaging artist and mother of 2!
Rachel describes how she had always wanted to teach special education, but her path led her on a professional dance track first. She eventually switched careers to public education through the New York City Teaching Fellows Program. To her surprise, her principal (no “s”) requested she teach movement and dance across multiple school sites instead of general education serve as a classroom teacher, so she became a dance educator to students with severe disabilities. That experience restructured how she thought about movement, what movement means to students, and what goals benefit them. The inquiry led Rachel to become passionate about writing dance curriculum that infuses academics and developing creative assessment tools.Text by Emmaly Wiederholt Rachel McCaulsky (MSEL, MST, BFA) is the arts coordinator, remote learning unit coordinator, and movement teacher at P396K, a New York City Department of Education District 75 school servicing students with severe to profound disabilities. She incorporates movement into the school's curriculum, creating units of study that fuse literacy and social studies with dance. Her movement units have been published multiple times in the NYC Department of Education Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in Dance. Rachel holds a master's degree in Educational Leadership, a dual master's degree in Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education, and a bachelor's degree of fine arts in Dance. She has performed with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Ailey II, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre. You can find Rachel's frog life cycle unit here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZS03Y2q_3yVUwI1nmGkcxl3wSfs-ctLn
Aimee Meredith Cox is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and African American Studies at Yale University. Her research and teaching interests lie at the intersection of Anthropology, Black Studies, and Performance Studies. Cox's first monograph, Shapeshifters: Black Girls and the Choreography of Citizenship (Duke 2015), won the 2017 book award from the Society for the Anthropology of North America, a 2016 Victor Turner Book Prize in Ethnographic Writing, and Honorable Mention from the 2016 Gloria E. Anzaldúa Book Prize. She is also the editor of the volume, Gender: Space(MacMillan, 2018). Aimee is a dancer and choreographer. She performed and toured internationally with Ailey II and the Dance Theatre of Harlem and has choreographed performances as interventions in public and private space in Newark, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn. Her most recent work, based on interviews with long time activists in Cincinnati, engaged hundreds of residents in a performance ritual as part of her research in that city for an ethnography entitled Living Past Slow Death. An accomplished yogi who teaches master classes internationally, Aimee has led several yoga retreats and teacher trainings. Her experience in this realm is the basis for her next ethnographic exploration. This project considers the intersection of race, what she calls, ‘spiritual theater', and performances of healing and recovery within the context of rapidly gentrifying Brooklyn.
Daphne Lee, a member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, began her dance training at the Rahway Dance Theatre. Daphne has done community work through out the country via masterclasses and career readiness talks to the youth. She has assisted in raising over $5,000 in scholarship money in partnership with Brown Girls Do Ballet. She was a member of Ailey II, Lustig Dance Theatre, Zest Collective, Oakland Ballet Company,and dance artist for UK artist Sydney Jo Jackson, and Collage Dance Collective, and she will continue her mission to inspire the youth through art. She was also the Miss Black USA in 2017. In this episode, Daphne talks about whose voices should be amplified in ballet, why she never gave up hope, and what she likes to do in her free time (spoiler: self care & traveling!)
Since founding Robert Moses' Kin in 1995 in San Francisco, choreographer Robert Moses has created numerous works of varying styles and genres for his highly praised dance company. His work explores topics ranging from oral traditions in African American culture, the dark side of contemporary urban culture, the nuanced complexities of parentage and identity, to the simple joys of the expressive power of pure movement. In addition to his work with Robert Moses’ Kin, Moses has choreographed for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, San Francisco Opera (La Forza del Destino, 2005), Philadanco, Cincinnati Ballet, Eco Arts, Transitions Dance Company of the Laban Center in London, African Cultural Exchange (UK), Bare Bones (UK), Oakland Ballet, Moving People Dance, and Robert Henry Johnson Dance Company, among others. He has choreographed for film, theater and opera, with major productions for the Lorraine Hansberry Theater, New Conservatory Theater, Los Angeles Prime Moves Festival (L.A.C.E.), and Olympic Arts Festival. An alumnus of California State University Long Beach and a highly regarded master teacher, Moses has taught on campuses and at festivals throughout the United States and internationally, including Bates Dance Festival, Colorado Dance Festival, International Festival of Contemporary Dance "Espuma Cuanatica" (Ensanada, Mexico), International Dance Festival, "Crossing Bodies" (Tijuana, Mexico), OPEN LOOK St. Petersburg International Dance Festival, Serendipity Arts Festival (Kolkata, India), Goucher College, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, University of Texas, Stockton University, and University of Nevada. In 2005, Moses was named Choreographer-in-Residence and Artistic Director of the Committee on Black Performing Arts at Stanford University, where he was on the dance faculty from 1995-2016. Moses was a professor of practice at Santa Clara University from 2018-2019 and is currently the Melody and Mark Teppola Presidential Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Department of Dance and Theater studies at Mills College in Oakland, CA. Transcripts of this episode are available at odc.dance/stories
Check out DanceConnectSeries.com for more information on each guest! Instagram: @danceconnectseries -------- Antuan Byers (Dallas, TX) is a graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance. He holds a certificate from the Parsons School of Design and is an alumnus of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. He was a scholarship student at Dallas Black Dance Theatre and Dallas Ballet Center, and has attended summer programs including Abraham.In.Motion, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Jacob's Pillow, Northwest Dance Project, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE Dance Company, all with partial or full scholarship. Antuan has been featured in OUT Magazine, Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit Magazine, and has global campaigns with ASICS and Capezio. He has also danced for recording artists Erykah Badu, Jennifer Holliday, The Skins, and D.R.A.M. Antuan has toured internationally with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's second company, Ailey II, and has performed with The Washington National Opera Ballet, Keigwin + Co., Mark Morris Dance Company, as well as solo work by Kyle Abraham. Antuan has been an ambassador for the Joyce Theater, Company Management Assistant for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and is currently on the Steering Committee of Dance Artists' National Collective (DANC) and a founding member of the Black Caucus at the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA). Antuan is currently dancer The Metropolitan Opera Ballet, performing a diverse repertory including Christopher Wheeldon, Mark Morris, Lorin Latarro, Susan Stroman, Kim Brandstrup, Alexei Ratmansky, Sue Lefton, and Philippe Giraudeau. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
There's nothing better than when you're in the flow and flexing your artistic muscles. We all have artistic muscles, you just have to discover what yours are. In this conversation, I was joined by a longtime friend of mine that I've known since high school, Jacqueline Green. Jacqueline is a principal dancer for Alvin Ailey and has been in love with the art of dance since she was younger. We chatted about taking the first step of being courageous and how she overcame all odds to become a professional dancer. She shares how she uses dance for release, the importance of self-love and why you need to listen to your body. What you'll find in this episode: How she became a principal dancer for Alvin Ailey What made it possible for her to show up and step forward What happens when you fall in love with your passion How she uses dance as a release How Jacqueline overcame all of the odds of being a professional dancer Why you should love on yourself for being different Why you need to slow down and listen to your body About Jacqueline: Jacqueline began her dance training at the age of 13 at the prestigious Baltimore School for the Arts. She is a 2011 cum laude graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program under the direction of Denise Jefferson. During that time she also received training at the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet, the Chautauqua Institution for Dance, and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. In her career she has performed works by a wide range of choreographers, including Wayne McGregor, Jiří Kylián, Elisa Monte, Ronald K. Brown, and Kyle Abraham. In 2016 she performed as a guest artist with The Royal Ballet. Ms. Green is a 2018 Bessie nominee for sustained achievement with the Company, a 2014 Dance Fellowship recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, a 2015 Clive Barnes Award nominee, a 2009 recipient of the Martha Hill Fund's Young Professional Award, and a 2010 recipient of the Dizzy Feet Foundation Scholarship. In 2018 she performed on BET's Black Girls Rock honoring Judith Jamison. Ms. Green is also a two time New York Times featured artist. She was a member of Ailey II in 2010 and joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2011, where she is currently a principle dancer. Connect with Jacqueline: Instagram Links mentioned:Self Pleasure Challenge Now is your opportunity to really dive DEEP into your pleasure and see what's possible! Connect with me on my website, on Instagram or join us in my free Facebook community, The Pleasure Circle to get in on the conversation. Want even more tantalizing insights to embody and harness the power of your erotic energy? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode and so you can get on the path to living a life of wealth, ease and hot juicy sex!
This week, Hannah and Carly talk with Paige Fraser, a professional modern dancer and former dancer with Ailey II and Visceral Dance Chicago. Paige, an advocate for dancers with scoliosis, shares the importance of taking care of your body in a holistic way. Hannah and Page bond over both being diagnosed with scoliosis as young dancers, and dive deep into their own experiences. The three women also talk about the importance of being open to new opportunities throughout a dance career. Paige: @lovingthispaige @thepaigefraserfoundation paigefraser.net thepaigefraserfoundation.org Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email to countmeinpodcast@gmail.com! Follow us on instagram @countmeinpodcast, and rate on iTunes! Carly: @CarlyFayedance Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings
Jennifer Archibald is the founder and Artistic Director of the Arch Dance Company and Program Director of ArchCore40 Dance Intensives. She is a graduate of The Alvin Ailey School and the Maggie Flanigan Acting Conservatory where she studied the Meisner Technique. Archibald has choreographed for the Atlanta Ballet, Ailey II, Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, and worked commercially for Tommy Hilfiger, NIKE and MAC Cosmetics as well as chart-listed singers and actors. She was recently appointed as the first female Resident Choreographer in Cincinnati Ballet’s 40-year history. In 2018 she created new works for Cincinnati Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, Amy Seiwert’s Imagery, and Stockholm’s Balletakademien and will create a new works for Ballet West, Ballet Nashville, and Sacramento Ballet in 2020. She was recently Movement Director for Michael Kahn’s The Oresteia at the Shakespeare Theatre Company. Jennifer is currently an Acting Lecturer at the Yale School of Drama. She was appointed as Guest Faculty Lecturer to develop the Hip Hop dance curriculum at Columbia/Barnard College. Jennifer is also a guest artist at several universities including Fordham/Ailey, Purchase College, Princeton, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of South Florida, Goucher College, Columbia College Chicago, and Bates College. In 2019, she premiered new works for Miami New World School of the Arts, South Carolina’s Governor’s School of the Arts, Ailey Fordham, Boston Conservatory, and Point Park and will create new works for Missouri State, University of Alabama, Jacksonville University, and South Carolina’s Governors School for 2020. Please also note the opening statement from the director Shoni Currior. www.batesdancefestival.org
After a week off, and amidst the pandemic chaos, Carly is back (without Hannah) to chat with Nathaniel Hunt. A former MD dancer and graduate from AACPS, Nate shares his late start in dance and how he ended up dancing with Ailey II, & The Met Opera. They discuss how important representation is, and the challenges in body image for men in dance. His favorite memory may be our favorite of all time as well! Instagram: @nathanielhunt_ Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email to countmeinpodcast@gmail.com! Follow us on instagram @countmeinpodcast, and rate on iTunes! Carly: @CarlyFayedance Nathaniel: @nathanielhunt_ Hannah: @hannahmae92 Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings
Jennifer Archibald, Choreographer and Artistic Director of Arch Dance Company, is set to premiere her new work for Nashville Ballet as part of their 'Other Voices' programme. Other Voices brings together four renowned choreographers to create new works that explore gender. Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Paul Vasterling set 4 questions for the choreographers: - what does it mean to be a man - what does it mean to be a woman - what does it mean to be both - what does it mean to be neither In this podcast, Jennifer talks about how she created work in response to: 'what does it mean to be a woman', plus she describes her process for working with dancers. Nashville Ballet - Other Voices She also shares her journey from training with The Alvin Ailey School to becoming a choreographer and creating work for top companies across the USA, including the Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Memphis Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Tulsa Ballet II, and Ailey II. Jennifer Archibald is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the Arch Dance Company and she gives an insight into running her own company and choreographing for her dancers. Check out Nashville Ballet's 'Other Voices' programme dates here. Follow Jennifer Archibald and Arch Dance Company on Instagram! PRESS PLAY! https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Jennifer+Archibald.mp3 Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other podcast providers!
On July 1, 2012, Troy Powell became only the second person to lead Ailey II since its inception in 1974. A native New Yorker, Mr. Powell began his dance training at the age of nine as a scholarship student at The Ailey School. Following his graduation from The High School of Performing Arts, he became a member of Ailey II and then joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1991. He toured throughout the United States, South America, Europe, and South Africa for ten years with the Company before becoming a master teacher at The Ailey School and resident choreographer of Ailey II. Mr. Powell has choreographed ballets for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, National Dance Company of the Bahamas, and Alaska Dance Theater, as well as three episodes of “Sesame Street.” His guest artist credits include performing with companies including Batsheva, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Complexions. Mr. Powell has been featured in an American Express commercial with the Ailey company and has also appeared on television in George C. Wolfe's The Colored Museum, the PBS Great Performances: Dance in America special “A Hymn for Alvin Ailey,” choreographed by Judith Jamison, “America's Next Top Model,” and most recently the Polish version of “So You Think You Can Dance.”
Alia Kache, a New York based dancer, choreographer, and educator, was born in Chattanooga, TN and attended a performing arts school beginning in the 6th grade. She soon earned a scholarship to the Chattanooga Ballet where she trained while also taking classes at school. After high school she began training with world renowned dance company, Alvin Ailey. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre is primarily an African-American modern dance company based in New York, New York and founded in 1958. After graduating from the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. program in 2004, she subsequently joined Ailey II and later became rehearsal director. As an Enneagram Type 1, her attention to detail has been such a gift in her career. But, as we’ve heard from other type 1s, that ‘inner critic' –that voice in the head that constantly challenges you to do better – can make or break you. She refers to that voice as an ‘unwelcome roommate’. Alia says, “at times it’s helpful but only because I’m stubborn!" I think she sums it up perfectly when she says, “If I can rally myself to spite myself, I more than persevere!” Alia has appeared in Laurie Simon’s Music of Regret – Act III (pocket watch), Radio City Christmas Spectacular 75th Anniversary DVD, and Cordoniu Navidad 2007 (Barcelona, Spain). She was a featured dancer in Big League Theatricals’ Aida and performed with Disney’s The Lion King (Gazelle Tour). Alia performed in 2019 on Broadway in The Lion King and will be performing with the Lion King touring company beginning in March, 2020. She has recently choreographed for the Memphis Ballet and for Ailey II. She is currently choreographing a duet for Houston Contemporary based on the Inner Critic of an Enneagram Type 1 that is entitled “One”. This is a 5-minute contemporary dance piece that follows two dancers as they duel (complete with fencing inspired costumes and footwork) to determine who will persevere. Oh, and I get to call her my daughter-in-law. For more information visit Alia’s website : AliaKache.com Follow her on Instagram at: @luvlicap
Ephraim Sykes is what we call in sports as a 5 tool player, but he holds that label in two fields, sports and the arts, While attending Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, FL, he was a dancer, a musician, a basketball and football player. He graduated from the Alvin Ailey/Fordham University BFA program with departmental honors and toured with the Ailey II company for two years. His TV/film credits include Marvin in HBO’s Vinyl, , Marvel’s Netflix series Luke Cage, Leave It on the Floor, , 30 Rock.the feature film Detroit, and as Seaweed J. Stubbs on NBC’s Hairspray Live He made his Broadway debut in The Little Mermaid and was in the original casts of Hamilton: An American Musical, Memphis, Newsies, and Motown The Musical. He currently stars as the Iconic David Ruffin in Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations, Tune in each week on 540 am in NY NJ CT and streaming on www.sportstalknylive.com at 7pm Sundays for the live broadcast.Please take a moment to like our fan page WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY and follow us on twitter @sportstalkny
Anthony Burrell, Philadelphia born celebrity Choreographer, Actor and now Creative Director of the Anthony Burrell Center for Dance located in Atlanta, is seen as the creative force on E! Entertainment for Mariah's World, Mariah Carey’s Vegas Residency 1 to Infinity, Sweet Sweet Fantasy Tour, Un-Silent Night Christmas, and All I Want for Christmas at the Beacon Theater. Anthony is part of the artistic team behind Beyonce’s Super Bowl 50 halftime show, The Formation World Tour, and countless music videos. He has won an MTV Video Music Award for ‘Best Choreography’ in Beyonce’s ‘Formation’ and was also nominated for ‘Best Choreography’ in Beyonce’s ‘Sorry’. He has also worked with major celebrities such as Prince, Stevie Wonder, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Brandy, Destiny’s Child, Mary J Blige, Kesha, Jennifer Hudson, En Vogue, and Jay-Z. Listen as he shares with us his trials and triumphs of growing up in Philadelphia dealing with sexual abuse, parental drug addiction, and unstable living conditions as he rises through the ranks of the dance world from the age of eighteen. Starting with being hand picked by none other than Artistic Director Emeritus Judith Jamison to join Ailey II and The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. As a principal dancer, he has performed in the MasterWork Revelations for President Barack Obama and the first family. He also shares with us his love, passion, and purpose for his new endeavor The Anthony Burrell Center for Dance (ABCD) which is a non-profit 501 (c3) Listen, rate and write a review: Apple Podcast, Spotify or Stitcher You can donate at: giveabcd.com follow Anthony Burrell on instagram @anthonyburrell Follow me on Instagram @janebond___ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/fromexecutiontoexcellence/message
Today's guest is Francesca Harper. Francesca is an internationally acclaimed, multifaceted artist. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Francesca Harper Project and former principal dancer with Ballet Frankfurt under William Forsythe. Francesca has choreographed works for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Tanz Graz, Hubbard Street II, and Dallas Black Dance Theater, and enjoys her appointment as an adjunct professor at New York University and the Juilliard School. Francesca was awarded a two-year choreographic fellowship with Urban Bush Women, providing support toward her latest dance-theater work An Unapologetic Body. She is committed to works rooted in artistic expression, empowerment, and social awareness. For more info on this episodes and other interviews on Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast: http://themovingarchitects.org/podcasts/
MEET PAIGE FRASER PAIGE FRASER, originally from the Bronx, NY is a young dancer of color who is breaking boundaries and paving her own road. As a child she trained at Ballet Atlantic Academy under the direction of Leslie Otto. She went on to continue training at Professional Performing Arts High School which had a dance program tied to the Ailey School. Throughout her training Ms. Fraser attended many summer intensives all as a scholarship recipient; ABT, DTH, Complexions, Jacobs Pillow, and The Juilliard School. In 2008 Ms. Fraser attended Dominican University/Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet and later transferred/graduated Cum Laude from Fordham University/Alvin Ailey BFA in 2012. Ms. Fraser was a member of Ailey II for the 2011-2013 seasons under the artistic direction of Sylvia Waters and Troy Powell. While in AileyII she traveled both domestically and internationally. In 2013 Ms. Fraser became a founding dancer of Visceral Dance Chicago where she danced for 6 seasons. She has been a guest artist with Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Ruth Page Civic Ballet, and Randy Duncan’s highly acclaimed finale for Dance For Life Chicago (2014-2016). She appeared in Beyonce’s “Bow Down” 2013 tour opener and in V Magazine’s holiday video featuring model Chanel Iman. Ms. Fraser has been featured in Dance Magazine, Dance Teacher, Essence, Lucky, and graced the 2016 cover of both Revolution Dancewear and Streetwise Chicago. Paige has received a steady stream of recognition over the last few years; from winning a Princess Grace Award, to Dance Magazine’s 25 To Watch, and landing an international commercial with Intel as well as a segment on ESPN Latin America. As a Scoliosis advocate who faced the prospect of surgery at an early age that might have ended her dream of becoming a professional dancer, Paige embraces what she has overcome to raise awareness about pursuing dreams and overcoming challenges. Her story was recently featured by ELLE “The Movement Series. Ms. Fraser performed at the FOCOS 10th Anniversary in honor of Mayor Bloomberg and his daughter who is a Scoliosis survivor. She is the founder of The Paige Fraser Foundation, a non- profit that aims to bring awareness to dancers with or without disabilities and provide a safe space for them to reach their full potential. EXTRAS: https://www.instagram.com/lovingthispaige/ (https://www.instagram.com/lovingthispaige/) https://twitter.com/lovingthispaige (https://twitter.com/lovingthispaige) www.paigefraser.net (http://www.paigefraser.net) https://www.thepaigefraserfoundation.org/ (https://www.thepaigefraserfoundation.org/) SUPPORT THE PODCAST AND GET GREAT CBD OIL! If you’re looking for a high-quality CBD Oil click on the link and try out zilis. I’ve been using them for a few weeks and I’m sleeping better and have less joint pain. Zilis CBD Oil (https://shop.zilis.com/#/shop/from/7143366) This podcast is brought to you by Audible. I have used Audible for years, and I love audiobooks. Click on the link to get a 30-day free trial, complete with a credit for a free audiobook download Audible.com (http://www.audibletrial.com/Yuri)
Anxiety. Finding your artistic voice. Stripping labels and connecting with humanity. We cover a broad spectrum with Juel D Lane. Juel is an American dancer, choreographer, filmmaker, and one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch.” With elite training from Tri-Cities High School and the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, Lane earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a focus on Contemporary Dance. Currently dancing with Bessie Award-winning Camille A. Brown & Dancers, Lane made history in 2012 as the first local and independent black choreographer to have his work commissioned by the Atlanta Ballet. From there, he participated in the 2015-2016 Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation New Directions Choreography Lab, and collaborated with dance legends across the United States. His dance films, "Just Another Day," "How to Kill a Ghost," and "When The Beat Drops," showcase the complexity, playfulness and creativity within this dynamic choreographer’s mind.
Juel D. Lane was asked by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to Choreograph for Ailey II. He talks about how he used dance to find his voice in a world where black voices are so often suppressed. Juel gives his 3 tips for budding dancers and creatives to making meaningful art, especially in the world of instant social media gratification. His inspiring story will show you that anything is possible as long as you stay TRUE to you! Go to our website to join thousands of other black people in our global community and get unapologetically black empowerment, inspiration, and tangible tips delivered directly to your inbox once per week: motivationforblackpeople.com Hosted by Justin Michael Williams
Today's episode comes to you LIVE from the lobby of Sarah's hotel lobby. Sarah was in town with Alvin Ailey''s ballet company to perform in Minneapolis. We met in the lobby and had a great conversation covering topics from tattoos to life on the road and meditation. It was great to reconnect with Sarah. Sarah Daley (South Elgin, IL) began her training at the Faubourg School of Ballet in Illinois under the direction of Watmora Casey and Tatyana Mazur. She is a 2009 graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance. Ms. Daley has trained at institutions such as the Kirov Academy, National Ballet School of Canada, The San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and intensives at Ballet Camp Illinois and Ballet Adriatico in Italy. She is a recipient of a Youth America Grand Prix Award and an ARTS Foundation Award. She was a member of Ailey II and joined the Company in 2011.
First, Troy Powell, Artistic Director of the Ailey II dance company, talks about his life as a dancer and an upcoming event in New Orleans. Then, Jasiri X, a Pittsburgh-based hip-hop artist, talks about empowering members of marginalized communities to express themselves using music and technology; and we preview one of his tracks. Finally, we’re joined by New Orleans native Anais St. John, a jazz vocalist, to talk about her tribute to Donna Summer and career.
Sarah Daley(South Elgin, IL) began her training at the Faubourg School of Ballet in Illinois under the direction of Watmora Casey and Tatyana Mazur. She is a 2009 graduate of the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Program in Dance. Ms. Daley has trained at institutions such as The Kirov Academy, National Ballet School of Canada, The San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and intensives such as Ballet Camp Illinois and Ballet Adriatico in Italy. She is a recipient of a Youth America Grand Prix Award and an ARTS Foundation Award. She was a member of Ailey II and joined the Company in 2011.
Fawnda tracks down Trent Wilkie (of Mostly Water Theatre, and myriad journalistic pursuits about town) to talk about Alberta Ballet’s presentation of the athletic and surprising AILEY II.
Fawnda tracks down Trent Wilkie (of Mostly Water Theatre, and myriad journalistic pursuits about town) to talk about Alberta Ballet's presentation of the athletic and surprising AILEY II. https://idontgetityeg.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/i-dont-get-it-s1e8.mp3★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Thang Dao, director for the Thang Dao Dance Company, resides in Los Angeles and New York City as a freelance choreographer, teacher, and coach. He holds a MA degree from New York University's Gallatin School. Dao received his formal dance education from the Juilliard School and The Boston Conservatory, where he received his BFA in 2001. Dao danced with the Stephen Petronio Company and the Metropolitan Opera until 2006, leaving to choreograph for Ballet Austin, Ballet Austin II, Ailey II, Ballet X, Philadanco, the Boston Conservatory along with many universities and performing arts schools nationally and internationally. His works have toured throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia with acclaimed reviews. His ballet Stepping Ground, choreographed for Ballet Austin for the 1st Biannual New American Dance Talent, received the Audience Choice Award all four nights. Dao is the recipient of the 2008 Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship, the 2009 Special Project Grant, and the 2012 Vilcek finalist for Creative Promises in choreography. In 2012, his work Waiting Women was featured at NYCDAF Gala: Destiny Rising at the Joyce Theater in New York. Dao was on the creative team for the James Brown Project: Get On The Good Foot commissioned and produced by the Apollo Theater under the direction of Otis Salid. http://www.thangdaodancecompany.com/a... Quiet Imprint https://vimeo.com/517546696/08fad8c113 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy