Conversations on Dance

Join the ‘Conversations On Dance’ podcast in an exploration of two art forms and how they coalesce into a single harmonious ballet. Join musician, Johnny Gandelsman of Brooklyn Rider and Choreographer Justin Peck as they will talk about how the ways in which their art forms intersect and diverge and how the collaborative process informs and elevates their own work. Please note: ‘Conversations On Dance’ co-host, Rebecca King Ferraro, will be on maternity leave this summer.  These live events will be hosted by Michael Sean Breeden with special guest hosts throughout the festival. This episode was recorded on August 5, 2022. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of Conversations on Dance and the Vail Dance Festival. This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge. _________________________________ Join Brooklyn-based contemporary ballet company, konverjdans for their performances of “Kwento” on August 26 and 27 at 7:30pm at Triskelion Arts in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Featuring three new works choreographed by each of the artistic directors, Amy Saunder, Jordan Miller and Tiffany Mangulabnan, “Kwento,” also the Tagalog word for ‘story’, tells stories of love, friendship, loss, and reunion through dance, live and original music, costume design, and film projection. Visit www.konverjdans.com for ticket information and more.

Vail Dance Festival is thrilled to welcome Dance Aspen in its inaugural season. Artistic Director Laurel Winton joins the ‘Conversations On Dance’ podcast in a discussion about Colorado’s newest dance company, and how dancers and director alike will seek to implement the company’s artistic goals and identity.  Please note: ‘Conversations On Dance’ co-host, Rebecca King Ferraro, will be on maternity leave this summer.  These live events will be hosted by Michael Sean Breeden with special guest hosts throughout the festival. This episode was recorded on August 6, 2022. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of Conversations on Dance and the Vail Dance Festival. This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge.

Join the ‘Conversations On Dance’ podcast in a discussion with one of Vail’s most celebrated mainstays, Lil Buck, and one of its newest artists, New York City Ballet dancer KJ Takahashi. Buck and KJ will take us on a tour of their own relationships with ballet and street dance and how these two forms of dance have intersected for each of them in their own artistic identity.  Please note: ‘Conversations On Dance’ co-host, Rebecca King Ferraro, will be on maternity leave this summer.  These live events will be hosted by Michael Sean Breeden with special guest hosts throughout the festival. This episode was recorded on August 8, 2022 with special guest host, Kate Penner. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of Conversations on Dance and the Vail Dance Festival. This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge.

Choreographer Jodi Melnick has found international acclaim with her unique approach to the art form, encapsulating seemingly disparate moments of subtlety, nuance, recklessness and drama. The ‘Conversations On Dance’ podcast leads a discussion with Melnick about her artistic identity, creative process and her new work premiering at VDF this year, set to a commissioned score by Andreia Pinto-Correia.  Please note: ‘Conversations On Dance’ co-host, Rebecca King Ferraro, will be on maternity leave this summer.  These live events will be hosted by Michael Sean Breeden with special guest hosts throughout the festival. This episode was recorded on August 4, 2022 with special guest host, Patricia Delgado. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of Conversations on Dance and the Vail Dance Festival. This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge.

At the vanguard of American modern dance since its inception, Limon Dance Company is celebrating its landmark 75th anniversary this season. Making their VDF debut this summer, come celebrate the incredible dance legacy of this beloved and historic company. Artistic Director Dance Puleio will join the ‘Conversations On Dance’ podcast in a discussion about preserving the company’s incredible heritage while pushing forward into the future with new commissions.    Celebrating its landmark 75th anniversary season, the Limón Dance Company makes its Festival debut this summer. Please note: ‘Conversations On Dance’ co-host, Rebecca King Ferraro, will be on maternity leave this summer.  These live events will be hosted by Michael Sean Breeden with special guest hosts throughout the festival. This episode was recorded on August 1, 2022 with special guest host, Patricia Delgado. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of Conversations on Dance and the Vail Dance Festival. This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge. Photo by Christopher Duggan

Sara Mearns and Pam Tanowitz are two of the most talked about dance artists of their generation, both regarded for their bold, fearless and personal interpretations of their respective art forms. At this years’ festival, Mearns will be premiering in a new work by Bobbi Jene Smith, while Tanowitz will create a new work to the music of Kate Davis. Join these mavericks of the industry for a discussion with the ‘Conversations On Dance’ podcast about these premieres and the collaboration Mearns and Tanowitz most recently worked on together at the New York City Ballet. Please note: ‘Conversations On Dance’ co-host, Rebecca King Ferraro, will be on maternity leave this summer.  These live events will be hosted by Michael Sean Breeden with special guest hosts throughout the festival. This episode was recorded on August 3, 2022. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of Conversations on Dance and the Vail Dance Festival. This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge.

Few choreographers have impacted the dance world in the past decade the way Justin Peck has. He burst onto the scene ten years ago with major commissions for New York City Ballet, eventually becoming the company’s Resident Choreographer. This was followed by his Tony Award-winning Broadway debut choreographing Carousel, and his cinematic debut for Steven Spielberg’s award-winning film remake of West Side Story. Peck joins the ‘Conversations On Dance’ podcast to talk about his world premiere at VDF this year, where he will collaborate with bluegrass artist Chris Thile (Punch Brothers, National Public Radio), as well as the Vail premiere of his most recent New York City Ballet work, Partita. Please note: ‘Conversations On Dance’ co-host, Rebecca King Ferraro, will be on maternity leave this summer.  These live events will be hosted by Michael Sean Breeden with special guest hosts throughout the festival. This episode was recorded on July 30, 2022. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of Conversations on Dance and the Vail Dance Festival. This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge. Photo by Christopher Duggan

Today we are joined by our friend and former colleague at Miami City Ballet, Patricia Delgado. While we have had Patricia on the podcast many times in the past, it has been a few years since we have had her back. We catch up with her on her work she did as a part of the West Side Story movie, working closely with her husband, Justin Peck. She talks about her experience as a producer on both Broadway and as a part of #QueertheBallet with friend of the pod, Adriana Pierce. This summer, Patricia will be back at the Vail Dance Festival and making her return to the stage for the first time in years and after the birth of her daughter, Lucia. She will also be stepping in as a Conversations on Dance guest host with Michael for some live events from Vail. This is our last episode before the Vail Dance Festival. Our Festival Forum events will be published on the COD feed, so be sure to subscribe to Conversations on Dance wherever you get your podcasts so that you will automatically be notified when these episodes go live. For tickets to the performances and Festival Forum events, visit, validance.org. Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival July 30 – August 9: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance. Tickets on sale now. ____________________________ LINKS: Join our email list: https://bit.ly/3basX5g Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance Facebook Group:  facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriends Twitter: twitter.com/convoondance conversationsondancepod.com Photo: Niko Tavernise / 20th Century Studios

On today’s episode of ‘Conversations On Dance’, we are joined by Ephrat Asherie, Bessie Award winning b-girl and choreographer. We caught up with Ephrat on her artistic output since her first appearance on the podcast in January 2021, including her work for Guggenheim Works & Process, collaborating with the elders of the underground dance scene, and touring her work ‘Odeon’. Ephrat is returning to the Vail Dance Festival this year where ‘Odeon’ and a new choreographic work will be performed. Catch Ephrat Asherie Dance at the festival on July 31st. Tickets available at vaildance.org. SPONSORS: Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival July 30 – August 9: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance. Tickets on sale now. Ali Phillips Embodied Leadership Coach – aliphillips.org. For Conversations on Dance listeners only- mention that you heard about Ali through the podcast, and if you sign up in the month of June you’ll receive 20% off her new 10 week coaching program. ____________________________ LINKS: Join our email list: https://bit.ly/3basX5g Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance Facebook Group:  facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriends Twitter: twitter.com/convoondance conversationsondancepod.com

Today we are joined by New York City Ballet soloist Mira Nadon. Mira last joined us on the podcast in April 2020, episode 180, where we talked about her training, early career and the early days of the pandemic. For her second appearance, we catch up with Mira about navigating the year and a half without performances at NYCB, her promotion to soloist and the numerous debuts she’s conquered in the first half of 2022.  SPONSORS: Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival July 30 – August 9: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance. Tickets on sale now. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of the Vail Dance Festival and this episode of Conversations on Dance. ____________________________ LINKS: Join our email list: https://bit.ly/3basX5g Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance Facebook Group:  facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriends Twitter: twitter.com/convoondance conversationsondancepod.com

On today’s episode of ‘Conversations On Dance’ we are joined by Dance Theatre Of Harlem ballerina, Ingrid Silva. Ingrid has been breaking barriers and gaining industry wide attention since she first joined Dance Theatre Of Harlem for the company’s revival in 2013. We talk about her leap of faith in leaving her home country of Brazil, the impact that Arthur Mitchell had on her early career, and her experience being a new mother while keeping up with DTH’s demanding touring and performing schedule. This episode was recorded as a part of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s “Sunday Matinee” virtual series.  An abbreviated version of this interview appeared in this virtual performance, accompanied by beautiful photos and video clips.  To watch that portion of this interview, plus the programming we discuss in this episode, click here: https://youtu.be/fObNVpRJfkk. SPONSORS: Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival July 30 – August 9: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance. Tickets on sale now. Ali Phillips Embodied Leadership Coach – aliphillips.org. For Conversations on Dance listeners only- mention that you heard about Ali through the podcast, and if you sign up in the month of June you’ll receive 20% off her new 10 week coaching program. ____________________________ LINKS: Join our email list: https://bit.ly/3basX5g Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance Facebook Group:  facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriends Twitter: twitter.com/convoondance conversationsondancepod.com

Today we are joined by Vail Dance Festival’s Artistic Director, Damian Woetzel. While we have had Damian on the podcast many times, we ask him about his earliest memories in Vail as a dancer, we talk about some of his memories from over the years, and what to expect from this year’s festival coming to the stage July 29 – August 9. Audiences are in for another great year of new works, classics, new artists, familiar faces, and new collaborations. For more information on performances, programming, and festival artists, visit the Vail Dance Festival website. Tickets are on sale now at validance.org, or click the link in the description of this episode. SPONSORS: Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival July 30 – August 9: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance. Tickets on sale now. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of the Vail Dance Festival and this episode of Conversations on Dance. ____________________________ LINKS: Join our email list: https://bit.ly/3basX5g Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance Facebook Group:  facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriends Twitter: twitter.com/convoondance conversationsondancepod.com

This week, we are joined by Mikko Nissinen, Artistic Director of Boston Ballet. We first spoke with Mikko about his career and his 20 plus years at the helm of Boston Ballet in episode 183 from May 2020. Today we catch up with Mikko to hear about how Boston Ballet weathered the pandemic, how the company reacted to COVID and the Black Lives Matter movement, and their recent ChoreograpHER program. Boston Ballet will be on tour for the first time since the pandemic hit this month at Ballet Sun Valley. Ballet Sun Valley’s Festival 2022 will feature Boston Ballet in two distinct programs. Mikko takes us through the programming for these performances and how he curated these evenings of dance that is sure to delight audiences. Catch Boston Ballet’s debut at Ballet Sun Valley June 24th and 25th, 2022 at 7pm in the Sun Valley Pavilion. Tickets are available at balletsunvalley.org or click the link in the description of this episode. SPONSORS: Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival July 30 – August 9: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance. Tickets on sale now. ____________________________ LINKS: Join our email list: https://bit.ly/3basX5g Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance Facebook Group:  facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriends Twitter: twitter.com/convoondance conversationsondancepod.com

Today on ‘Conversations On Dance’ we are joined by Diana Byer, founder and artistic director of New York Theatre Ballet. Diana has been at the helm of NYTB for over 4 decades, guiding the company to critical acclaim and providing a home for many nearly-lost works of master choreographers like Antony Tudor, Agnes DeMille and Frederick Ashton. We talk to Diana about the serendipitous nature of her career, her training and its impact on her own teaching methods and how preserving forgotten and infrequently performed works of genius choreographers became such an important part of NYTB’s artistic identity.  Vulcan Productions and Beaufort 9 Films, in association with JustFilms | Ford Foundation and Catapult Film Fund, are pleased to present the World Premiere of LIFT at the 2022 Tribeca Festival, starting June 12, 2022. Directed by Oscar®-nominated filmmaker David Petersen and counting Sam Pollard as one of its executive producers and Misty Copeland as its principal advisor, LIFT shines a spotlight on the invisible story of homelessness in America through the eyes of a group of young home-insecure ballet dancers in New York City and the mentor who inspires them. The film will be featured in the festival’s Viewpoints section. SPONSORS: Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival July 30 – August 9: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance. Tickets on sale now. The tenth annual Lake Tahoe Dance Festival: tickets are on sale now at laketahoedancefestival.org. ________________________________ LINKS: Join our email list: https://bit.ly/3basX5g Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance Facebook Group:  facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriends Twitter: twitter.com/convoondance conversationsondancepod.com

Today on ‘Conversations On Dance’ we are joined by Meg Booth and Claire Williamson, who offer us an inside look behind the scenes of what it takes to keep a major performing arts organization running successfully beyond the stage. Meg has been the CEO at Performing Arts Houston since 2018, while Claire joined as Director of Education and Community Engagement in early 2020. They take us through the ways they put together programming years in advance, engage with local artists and how they executed a decision as difficult as changing the name of a decades old institution. Performing Arts Houston is now accepting applications for its Houston Artist Commissioning Project through June 12th. 3-4 working performing artists or groups within the Greater Houston Metro Area will be awarded commissions to create a new 20-25 minute work to premiere in Festival Format on the Cullen Theater stage at the Wortham Center in Spring 2023. For more information, visit performingartshouston.org. SPONSORS: Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival July 30 – August 9: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance. Tickets go on sale May 20th. The tenth annual Lake Tahoe Dance Festival: tickets are on sale now at laketahoedancefestival.org. ________________________________ LINKS: Join our email list: https://bit.ly/3basX5g Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance Facebook Group:  facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriends Twitter: twitter.com/convoondance conversationsondancepod.com