Ballet & Dance Podcast

In this podcast, Iain Webb, Director of The Sarasota Ballet shares his inspiring journey from taking his first dance steps in Yorkshire, England to leading one of America's most dynamic ballet companies. Speaking from his office - surrounded by his collection of ballet books and signed photographs from ballet luminaries (watch the video) - Iain reflects on his lifelong passion for the art form and his incredible experience working with so many ballet greats. Listen as Iain shares special moments with ballet icons Sir Frederick Ashton, Dame Ninette de Valois, Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anthony Dowell. From his time performing with The Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet to meeting his wife, former principal dancer Margaret Barbieri, Iain’s journey is filled with captivating stories. Iain discusses rising through the ranks, to leaving the stage and working with Matthew Bourne as Rehearsal Director for Swan Lake and Ballet Master with K-Ballet Company in Japan, before becoming Director of The Sa

In this inspiring podcast, we share the remarkable story of strength and resilience of Ukrainian principal dancer Anna Muromtseva, who faced the most devastating and unimaginable experience of fleeing her home following the Russian invasion and restarting her life and dance career with the Hungarian National Ballet. Listen to Anna’s heartfelt interview as she looks back to growing up in Ukraine and rising through the ranks from corps de ballet to soloist and principal dancer. She gives an insight into the demanding yet fulfilling dance life with the National Ballet of Ukraine, their repertoire and the rigorous performance and rehearsal schedules. Anna’s deeply personal story takes a dramatic turn with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which forced her to flee her homeland along with her family. Leaving behind all her dancewear and pointe shoes, Anna faced the daunting task of finding a new company which led to auditioning for the Hungarian National Ballet alongside other displaced Ukrainian dancers. And

Welcome to The Wonderful World of Dance Podcast! We're excited to share our new podcast with Christopher Marney, award-winning dancer, teacher, choreographer and Artistic Director of London City Ballet. London City Ballet was first established in 1978 as the resident company of London’s Sadler's Wells and was one of the world's leading dance companies. Before the company closed in 1996, Diana, Princess of Wales was the Royal Patron and often visited the company in Covent Garden. Under Chris' visionary leadership, the company has been reformed and is embarking on its first season in 30 years, with a tour spanning the UK and international stages. Listen to Chris as he shares memorable moments from his time dancing with renowned companies such as Balletboyz and Matthew Bourne's New Adventures. He also discusses his experience of working with acclaimed choreographers and the inspiration that ignited his passion for choreography. Discover his journey from dancer, choreographer to the artistic director leading Lond

In this podcast, Principal Dancer Isaac Hernández shares his unique story of growing up in Mexico as one of 11 kids, being taught to dance by his father and dancing with ABT II, San Francisco Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, his move to English National Ballet, and the decision to return to San Francisco Ballet.  Isaac also shares his passion for inspiring the next generation of dancers in Mexico, where he has established projects that provide opportunities for future dance stars. Listen to Isaac talk about his experience of guesting around the world, and working with renowned choreographers, including Christopher Wheeldon as he reprises the role of Prince Guillaume in Wheeldon's dazzling Cinderella. Don't miss the chance to see Isaac perform in Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella running until 8 April 2023. Get your tickets for Romeo & Juliet, from 21-30 April. For more information visit: San Francisco Ballet PRESS PLAY Isaac Hernández in Forsythe's Blake Works I © Lindsay Thomas

Cathy Marston, internationally renowned, award winning British Choreographer and Artistic Director has created critically acclaimed works for The Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Northern Ballet, English National Ballet, Cuban National Ballet, Ballet Black and more. In this insightful podcast, Cathy shares her journey from dancer to choreographer, her inspiration for creating narrative ballets, her choreographic process and how she works with the dancers in the studio. We also discuss the importance of women choreographers and diverse voices in the dance industry. Houston Ballet Principals Jessica Collado as Alma, Chase O’Connell as John and Soloist Mackenzie Richter as the Angel in Cathy Marston’s Summer and Smoke. Photo by Lawrence Elizabeth Knox (2023), Courtesy of Houston Ballet. This month sees the world premiere of Cathy's interpretation of Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke with Houston Ballet, America's fourth largest ballet company. Listen to Cathy describe this

The Wonderful World of Dance has arrived in the vibrant city of Sydney, Australia to explore the dynamic dance scene of this beautiful country. And, of course, we couldn't miss the chance to visit Sydney Dance Company, the leading contemporary dance company in Australia. In this podcast, we had the privilege to sit down with the company's Artistic Director and Choreographer Rafael Bonachela at the stunning studio overlooking the magnificent Sydney Harbour. On the eve of Sydney Dance Company's much-anticipated Sydney premiere of their latest triple bill Ascent, Bonachela shares his journey from Barcelona to London and then to Sydney, and how his vision has shaped the company over the past 14 years. Bonachela discusses the acclaimed choreographers that he has brought to work with the company and gives an insight into his process for creating his own works. He also shares the inspiration behind Ascent, which includes two world premieres - Bonachela's I Am-ness and Marina Mascarell's The Shell, A Ghost,

In this podcast Russell Maliphant, the critically acclaimed, award winning choreographer, dancer and artistic director of Russell Maliphant Dance Company, discusses his career and work that firmly places this artist as one of Britain's most important choreographers creating work today.  Next year, Russell Maliphant Dance Company is set to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. Listen to Russell share his journey from training with The Royal Ballet School, dancing with Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet), before deciding to forge an independent dance career, that led to him establishing Russell Maliphant Dance Company. Russell is a deeply considered artist, eternally curious and highly academic. Listen to Russell as he discusses his interest and research into anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, Rolf Method of Structural Integration, somatic practice and more. He also talks about his exploration of flow and energy and the relationship between movement, light and music in his award winnin

English National Ballet and Dutch National Ballet former Artistic Director, former Royal Ballet Senior Principal Dancer and world renowned choreographer Wayne Eagling, talks to The Wonderful World of Dance about his dance career, training with Dame Ninette de Valois, working with Sir Kenneth MacMillan and Sir Frederick Ashton, life at the famous Royal Opera House and hanging out with his friend Rudolf Nureyev. In this podcast, Wayne gives an insight into his 22 years with The Royal Ballet, his time as Artistic Director for the Dutch National Ballet and returning home after 14 years to become the Artistic Director of the English National Ballet. This wonderful conversation also looks into his extensive body of choreographic work for top companies around the world from The Royal Ballet, La Scala, Rome Opera Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Kremlin Ballet and during his tenures at English National Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet. New English Ballet Theatre in 'REMEMBRANCE' by Wayne Eagling. Photo by Deborah Jaffe

Viviana Durante is an international ballet star and former principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, La Scala and K-Ballet.  Hailed as one of the most dramatic dancers of her time, Viviana has forged an esteemed career as an Artistic Director, Producer, Coach, Judge and Author. In this podcast, Viviana talks about training at the Royal Ballet School, dancing with The Royal Ballet, establishing her own company and the influence on her new role as the Artistic Director of English National Ballet School, following her appointment just a year ago as the School's Dance Director.  Viviana also shares her experience as the Artistic Director of Viviana Durante Company and curating ground breaking programmes, featuring a roster of famous dancers from The Royal Ballet, Ballet Black and Scottish Ballet. Listen to Viviana's vision for the English National Ballet School, the rigours of ballet training, the challenges faced by students during the covid pandemic, and how the School is

Tiler Peck, New York City Ballet Principal is not only a famous ballerina in the US, she has become a global household name following her uber successful live ballet classes #turnoutwithtiler, launched during the covid pandemic. In this podcast, Tiler gives an insight into her inspiration for starting the online classes and the incredible feedback received from dancers around the world. Tiler shares one special story about a dancer in Iran, who was able to take class in the privacy of her own home, in a country where dancing in public is forbidden. This is the power of dance, and the power of digital dance during the pandemic. Listen to Tiler talk about her experience of lockdown and months away from the studio, following an extensive break from dancing as a result of a serious neck injury last year. In Tiler's uplifting style, she shares how she has been dealing with dancing at home and how she's ensuring she's ready for when the New York City Ballet is able to perform live. She also gives some in

Hofesh Shechter is an award winning, critically acclaimed choreographer, composer and artistic director of the ground-breaking and mind-blowing Hofesh Shechter Company. The renowned contemporary dance company presents work that is deeply visceral with performances that are spellbindingly raw, often raging, completely unexpected and a full assault on the senses. Hofesh talks in this podcast about growing up in Israel, travelling to Europe, and arriving in London to dance with the Jasmin Vardimon Company, before deciding take a year out to create his own work, which led to the formation of his own company. Listen to Hofesh describe his movement language, how he creates new work, his inspirations, and how he works with the dancers to deliver powerful performances of his distinct choreographic vocabulary. Hofesh also talks about the impact of lockdown and the shift to focus on digital, with the collaboration with Sadler’s Wells. Their Digital Stage In Focus series gives you the opportunity to take one

American Ballet Theatre Soloist, Gabe Stone Shayer talks in this podcast about his journey from Philadelphia to becoming the first African-American male graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, the first in the 250 year history of this prestigious school. Gabe shares his experience of dancing and living in Moscow, touring with the Bolshoi Ballet and returning to the US to join the American Ballet Theatre. Having performed many soloist and principal roles over the years, and creating roles with the acclaimed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, Gabe was promoted to Soloist during the lockdown and awaits to return to perform on stage. During the lockdown, Gabe has drawn on his love of choreography and launched the Creative Genesis project and has raised more than $30,000 to go towards creating and presenting new choreographic work. This project importantly helps support other dancers during these covid times, giving them work and an opportunity to perform as they wait for the theatres to reopen.   You

Akram Khan MBE is without doubt one of the most innovative and important choreographers of our time. He has created some of the most profound and moving works over the last 20 years of Akram Khan Company, a company he founded with Farooq Chaudry. In this podcast, Akram talks about his experience of lockdown that led to feelings of depression, caused by the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. He gives us an insight into how he began creating again and collaborating on their 20th celebration programme The Silent Burn Project. Akram looks back over his dance career; from his dance training in Kathak South Asian classical dance and contemporary dance, to the influences and inspirations that led to him choreographing works that tell stories which critically address subjects ranging from power, oppression and racism. Listen to Akram talk about his approach to creating new works, his process of working with his visual, musical and design collaborators and dancers when he goes in the studio. In this intimate dis

Principal dancer Carlo di Lanno moved from San Francisco Ballet to Semperoper Ballett in Germany just as the coronavirus pandemic started to hit Europe. After arriving in the company's home in the city of Dresden, Carlo immediately quarantined for two weeks before going into the studio to take company class and start rehearsals for the season that has already seen cancellations. Listen to Carlo talk about his lockdown dance experience and what it's like joining a new ballet company when required to socially distance from your colleagues, while taking class metres apart from another, on rotating schedules. Semperoper Ballett is stepping back on stage with a series of gala events called »Semper Essenz: We Will Dance!«, being performed at the wonderful opera house accompanied by their world-famous orchestra.  With so many dance companies around the world cancelling their entire seasons, furloughing dancers and making staff redundant, it is uplifting to see ballet dancers set to perform to live audiences with

In this podcast, Royal Ballet First Artist Mayara Magri and Choreographer Ruth Mair Howard-Jones talk about creating the lockdown dance film ‘Sono Con Te’, which translates in English to ‘I Am With You’. Sono Con Te features 29 dancers from 18 countries and companies including Royal Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Cape Town City Ballet, New… The post Royal Ballet First Artist Mayara Magri & Choreographer Ruth Mair Howard-Jones on creating lockdown dance film ‘SONO CON TE’ appeared first on The Wonderful World of Dance Magazine.

In this podcast, Royal Ballet Artist Leticia Dias joins us from Rio where she has been staying with her family during lockdown. Listen to Leticia talk about growing up and studying ballet in Rio, winning a Prix de Lausanne scholarship that took her to the Royal Ballet Upper School at the age of 16. She… The post Royal Ballet’s Leticia Dias shares her journey from Rio to London, lockdown dance life and new film ‘SONO CON TE’ appeared first on The Wonderful World of Dance Magazine.