Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast

Dance is a beautiful medium to honor the past while building community in the present. Today, we are joined by Bhumi B Patel of Patel Dance Works to discuss her distinguished career. In this episode, you'll hear all about Bhumi's life, her creative interests, her college education at a women's liberal arts institution, her love for constant learning and education, and so much more! We delve into her MFA experience and working through injury before discussing her dissertation on how queer of color performance is informed by improvisational practice and the 'ghosts' of the past. She even tells us about getting her Ph.D. during COVID, what her research was about, and how she managed to finish it in just four years. Lastly, Bhumi tells us how she plans on expanding her dissertation work into a book and what else we can expect from her in the future. From her master's thesis encompassing the upheaval after World War Two, to her deep love for dance writing, Bhumi's talents, interests, and achievements are fascinati

If you want long-term success in the dance industry, you need to be very clear on why you're doing it and who it's for above anything else! In this conversation, you'll hear all about Winifred Haun's introduction to dance, how her craft has evolved over the years, some of the incredible dance practitioners she has learned from, how she decided she wanted to dance for her career, and what it was like to start her company, Winifred Haun and Dancers. We delve into the importance of balancing unique ideas with appealing entertainment for audiences before discussing how her company has evolved over the years and how Winifred continues to create work. Winifred goes on to remind us of the power and importance of collaboration in the dance space and shares why she loves mentoring people so much. We even hear about some of the incredible projects she's been part of, including her recurring Community Dancer Project, what making site-specific dance work is like, and what the future holds for her. To hear all this and so

In this episode of Movers & Shapers, we welcome the founder of the Bang Group, David Parker, to talk about his incredible career and how his life and dancing are entwined. Tuning in, you'll hear all about David's life, how a film about the Golden Age of entertainment sparked his love for dance, the training he received, and so much more! David tells us all about his time in New York, his love for tap dancing, and what it was like to experience 'the Dance Boom'. We delve into his decision to start choreographing later in life and how his sexual awakening informed his work before discussing how he combined dancing and acting in his choreography. David goes on to tell us about how choreography became his passion and why he still sees the importance of being able to dance when he wants to, even in his 60s. We even talk about some of the challenges he's faced in his career and touch on some of the highlights of his career. Finally, our guest tells us what he is working on now. To hear all this, and so much mor

A lifelong devotion to movement can shape not just an artist's career, but an entire community. Today, choreographer, educator, and Artistic Director Jessica Gaynor shares how her path began in gymnastics before finding her true calling in modern dance. From her early days studying with the legendary Alice Teirstein to becoming a mentor and leader in her own right, Jessica's story is one of passion, resilience, and creativity. In our conversation, Jessica reflects on the freedom and self-expression she discovered through improvisation, her formative years studying dance at Brown and CalArts, and the drive that led her to form her own company back in New York. She recalls milestone performances, collaborations with composers, and the challenges of sustaining a company while teaching full-time. Today, her work as Artistic Director of the Young Dancemakers Company continues to empower teens to create original work in partnership with professional composers, carrying forward the legacy of her mentor. Tune in to h

With a heavy heart, KDH Dance Company announced the passing of their fierce founder and dearest friend, Kathy Dunn Hamrick. Kathy has had an enormous impact, with ripples throughout Austin and beyond, as she is loved by so many.  The organization is heartbroken, but committed to honoring Kathy and her legacy for years to come. Read more in the KDH Dance Company newsletter. Today's podcast is a re-airing of an interview with Kathy from 2024. Kathy Dunn Hamrick was the Artistic Director of Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company, an award-winning modern dance company based in Austin, Texas. Kathy happily committed her professional life to dancing, teaching, choreographing, presenting, mentoring, and advocating for modern dance and dancemakers. She created over 50 dances that have been described as "strikingly athletic and wonderfully expressive," "heavenly," "smart" and "masterly," and garnered numerous recognitions for the dance company, including Austin Critics Table awards for Best Choreographer, Best Dance Concert

From Iowa to Juilliard, from Israel to screens, Bobbi Jene Smith's Journey through dance is anything but ordinary and defies borders and expectations! In this episode, we are joined by internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and filmmaker Bobbi Jene Smith. Known for her deeply personal and raw approach to movement, Bobbi shares the milestones that shaped her path; from leaving home at the age of 11, to ultimately moving to Israel to join Batsheva Dance Company. Bobbi opens up about the challenges of living abroad and the profound ways in which her relationship with dance evolved through her time in Israel before reflecting on her decision to leave Batsheva and return to the US. We also hear about her transition to dance filmmaking, her current projects, and what it means to her to continuously practice and live through her craft. Finally, Bobbi leaves us with thoughtful reflections on identity, artistry, and her hopes for the future. Thanks for tuning in!  Key Points From This Episode: Welcoming to

Morgan Teel is the mind behind Dance Waterloo, an organization making dance more accessible through site specific and site responsive shows in Austin, Texas. During this episode, she joins us to share the story of how she first fell in love with dance, what deepened her knowledge of choreography, and the motivation behind launching Dance Waterloo. Morgan also shares what first drew her to site-specific work and how Austin audiences have embraced it, from intimate community performances to larger shows like Quixotic States at the Zilker Hillside Theatre Stage. We discuss her inventive projects, including a spelling bee themed dance production, and how she works to make the creative process as visible as the final product. Along the way, she reveals where she finds inspiration for her pieces and why accessibility, experimentation, and community connection remain at the heart of her vision for Dance Waterloo's future. Key Points From This Episode: Morgan Teel's introduction to the world of dance as a child.

Joining Erin on Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast today is Mickela Mallozzi. Mickela is a four-time Emmy® Award–winning host and executive producer of Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi, a PBS and Amazon Prime travel series celebrating global dance traditions. A professional dancer and trained musician, she travels the world exploring how everyday people express their cultures through movement.  In today's conversation, Erin and Mickela delve into the origins of her dance journey, how a middle-of-the-night dream blossomed into her life project, Bare Feet, and she recounts the impact of growing up in an immigrant family on both herself and the TV show. Mickela unpacks how she worked hard to get her show off the ground, in the process starting a blog, and emphasizes the weight of storytelling in producing the episodes. She touches on what it's like going into different cultural settings, how she has overcome challenges throughout the year, and when she realized that Bare Feet was more than just a travel show!

Some creative partnerships do more than grow over time; they help shape an entire artistic landscape. In this episode of The Movers and Shapers Podcast, we meet Sara Coffin and Susanne Chui, co-artistic directors of Mocean Dance, whose long shared history and collaborative vision have transformed contemporary dance in Nova Scotia. Sara begins by tracing her path from early choreography to training across Canada and the United States, and how returning home eventually led her into a leadership role with Mocean Dance. Susanne shares her parallel journey, from a childhood in community dance to professional training in Toronto and the decision to return to Halifax, where she built an independent career before joining the company. Together, they reflect on the evolution of Mocean Dance from a dancer-centered company to a community-focused hub for creation, training, and sector-wide collaboration. They discuss how their friendship, complementary strengths, and improvisational ethos shape their working relationship,

A dancer's career is often shorter than many others, and for the most part, there comes a time when the performer must pivot and find other ways to find value and joy in their craft. Joining us today is Danielle Guillermo, a former dancer turned dance consultant, as well as brand strategist and web designer. We begin with Danielle's background and how she got into the world of dance before learning how her home and school support structures gave her the confidence needed to excel in performance. Then, we examine how her career goals have evolved since high school, how being rejected from Juilliard was a blessing in disguise, her role at the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and other early-career experiences, and everything that happened to instigate the second phase of her career. We also discover how Danielle began building websites, her journey as a brand strategist, why she chose the teaching route, and why it's possible (and healthy) for artists to have financial aspirations without compromising their a

Amber Sloan's life in dance has unfolded through curiosity, community, and constant reinvention. Growing up in Virginia, her early exposure to improvisation and composition in high school sparked not just a love of movement but a way of thinking that would shape her future. Her time at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign deepened that foundation and connected her with the people and places that helped her put down artistic roots. From piecing together income through unexpected jobs, to choreographing for the Joyce SoHo and seeking to scale her work in the years leading up to the pandemic, Amber has never shied away from the uncomfortable or the uncertain. She's navigated performance anxiety, surgery and recovery, and the challenge of being involved in many facets of the dance world, from performing with David Parker to presenting work through platforms like Women in Motion. Today, with recent pieces like her show at Kestrels (set to return next year), she continues to build a career that defies the as

MSP 188: Attuning to the Beauty of Passion with Sara Veale The incredible beauty of passion lies in the relentless dedication of one's entire being, a force that radiates outward to inspire and elevate others. Today on the Movers & Shapers podcast, Erin is joined by author and dance critic Sara Veale. A North Carolina native, dancer turned dance writer, currently living in London, UK. Tune into the conversation as they dance into what inspired Sara into a lifelong journey in dance, how dance became an integral part of her identity, and what sparked her journey to shift into one that centers around her writing. They discuss her transition from the US to London, UK, the differences in the dance world, and she unpacks the responsibility of writing dance reviews and why she ultimately finds the Stars system to be fundamentally flawed. They then dive into an in-depth discussion on her book, Wild Grace: The Untamed Women of Modern Dance, breaking down what inspired the writing, how she approached the structure

The Curiosity That Moves Us with Ann Carlson At the heart of every great artistic work is the exploration of curiosity and a commitment to the process of creation. Today on Movers & Shapers, Ann Carlson joins us to discuss her illustrious career in interdisciplinary arts and shares the deep curiosity she possesses about movement, meaning, and the human experience, with work borrowing from the disciplines of dance and performance as well as visual, conceptual, and social art practices. In this conversation, Ann reflects on how she first discovered her love of dance, how working with Meredith Monk and exploring performance art shaped her creativity, and the thriving performance scenes in NYC in the 90s that opened doors for experimentation. She shares the inspiration behind her work with animals, the reality of supporting herself financially as an artist, and how she navigated motherhood and her dance career. She also dives into the delicate marriage between process and product in creation before discussing

Welcome to a new season of Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast, hosted by Erin Carlisle Norton, choreographer and Artistic Director of The Moving Architects. In this update episode, Erin shares what she's been up to, including the company’s site-specific project Where She Once Stood, which brought Montclair’s Crane House & Historic YWCA to life through dance, history, and storytelling. This podcast is made possible this season by The Ohio State University Dance Department’s Dance Preservation Grant and a generous anonymous donor. Special thanks to both for supporting the podcast and helping preserve and share dance stories with artists and audiences everywhere. Erin also previews the season ahead, featuring interviews with dancers, choreographers, and leaders shaping contemporary dance today. Tune in for stories, insights, and artistry that continue to inspire, guide, encourage, and connect the dance community. Movers & Shapers: Instagram & Facebook Learn more about The Moving Architects' recent

Summer podcast announcement from host and Artistic Director of The Moving Architects Erin Carlisle Norton. Support this one-of-a-kind podcast with a tax-deductible donation! themovingarchitects.org/support Movers & Shapers is celebrating 10 years of podcasting! Connect with our archive of nearly 200 interivews: themovingarchitects.org/podcasts Follow us for the latest on Instagram and Facebook!

Lessons from 10 Years of Dance Conversations with Erin Carlisle Norton What does it take to lead a forward-thinking, boundary-pushing dance company in today’s ever-changing artistic landscape? After a decade of hosting Movers & Shapers and nearly 200 interviews, Erin Carlisle Norton, Artistic Director of The Moving Architects (TMA), steps into the guest seat for a special 10th-anniversary episode. In conversation with Megan Mizanty, Lead Editor of thINKingDANCE, Erin reflects on the podcast’s evolution, the inspiration behind it, and the guests and stories that have profoundly shaped her perspective. They explore the intersection of dance and community engagement, the role of adaptability and resilience in the arts, and how collaboration fuels creative growth. Erin also shares her dream interview guest, the unexpected insights and connections that have emerged from the podcast, and how these conversations have deepened her understanding of what it means to build a meaningful life in dance. Tune in for a b

Building the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company with Morgiana Celeste Varricchio & Samara Adell Every dance company has its own unique journey and characteristics, from how it was founded to the style of dance it specializes in. Today, we’re joined by the Producing Artistic Director and Founder of the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company (MDTC), Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, and the Artistic Director for Dance and Choreographer, Samara Adell. MDTC showcases the vibrant dance and folkloric heritage of the Mediterranean, spanning North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. Through captivating performances and educational initiatives, MDTC brings to life the region’s music, myths, and traditions, preserving and sharing its cultural tapestry. In this conversation, Morgiana and Samara share how they discovered their affinity for Middle Eastern dance, why they felt it wasn’t adequately represented in the US, and how they formed the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company. We discuss the many shows they’ve produced, including the

Twin Cities with Joanna Lees, Jesse Schmitz-Boyd, Erinn Liebhard Nestled along the Mississippi River, Minneapolis and Saint Paul offer a unique mix of natural beauty and culture. Winters are harsh, but skyways provide warmth, and frozen lakes set the scene. When summer arrives, the cities buzz with life, from thriving arts and food scenes to passionate sports fans. Each season brings a fresh energy to this dynamic and welcoming community. Today, we’re joined by three dance artists who call the Twin Cities home—Joanna Lees, Jesse Schmitz-Boyd, and Erinn Liebhard. Together, we dive into the Twin Cities dance and arts scene, exploring how they found their way there, their roles in the dance world, and how the region’s geography (and harsh winters) shape the artistic landscape. They share insights on leading dance companies, navigating the audition scene, and the importance of carving out a niche. We also discuss the concept of “all-encompassing physicality,” available resources for artists, and the gaps they hop

Something About the Way She Moves with Heidi Henderson Vibrant, humble, and down-to-earth, Heidi Henderson is a Professor at Connecticut College and also the artistic director of elephant JANE dance, where she brings her unique vision and creativity to the stage. From Maine, to New York City, to Rhode Island, Heidi is a four-time recipient of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Choreography Fellowship. Her work has been performed internationally in London and Korea, as well as at renowned venues like Jacob’s Pillow, The Flynn Space, and the Bates Dance Festival. She has danced with acclaimed companies and artists, including Bebe Miller, Nina Weiner, Paula Josa-Jones, Colleen Thomas, Peter Schmitz, and Sondra Loring, was a contributing editor at Contact Quarterly, a vehicle for moving ideas.  Join the conversation to hear what inspired her dance journey, what her experience was like in New York, what it was like to figure out the intricate logistics of performing in a roller-skating rink, and what inspi

A World Immersed in Art with Dancer, Filmmaker, Choreographer, and Artistic Director Jamila Glass Jamila Glass is a filmmaker, choreographer, and Artistic Director of L.A. Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC), where she has been a member since its founding in 2005. She has choreographed for Netflix, HBO, Hulu, BET, and PRADA, with her work featured in the NY Times, L.A. Times, and more. In 2024, she co-founded the Los Angeles Choreographers Institute and has directed 21 short dance films, a TV pilot, and music videos through her production company, The Cutting Room. A graduate of USC’s School of Cinema-Television, her work blends movement, storytelling, and world-building to reflect the human experience. On this episode of Movers and Shapers: A Dance Podcast, Erin sits down with Jamila Glass to discuss her love for dance, her time at a performing arts high school, and her journey through USC’s School of Cinema-Television. Jamila explores how dance and film began to intertwine in her life, unpacking her powerful