Michael Sean Breeden & Rebecca King Ferraro

Shows

Conversations on Dance (464) Michael & Rebecca, catching up + 10th anniversary season!This week on Conversations on Dance, it's just Michael and Rebecca. We catch up on what we have been up to since Vail Dance Festival in August. Michael talks about working as a rehearsal director for James Whiteside in Mexico, and staging Justin Peck's 'Heatscape' at New York City Ballet this Fall.SPONSOR:San Francisco-based choreographer Alyssa Mitchel presents the premiere of Endure, a multimedia dance production taking place at Dance Mission Theater on October 3rd, 4th and 5th. The piece features six dancers, the graphic art and animations of designer Zach Litoff and re...

2025-09-1034 min

Conversations on Dance (460) Mira Nadon, Chun Wai Chan, and Gilbert Bolden III, NYCB Principals, LIVE from the 2025 Vail Dance FestivalJoin Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a live podcast recording with New York City Ballet’s exciting new generation of principal dancers: Chun Wai Chan, Mira Nadon, and Gilbert Bolden III. These dynamic artists are shaping the future of classical ballet with their exceptional talent, artistry, and fresh perspectives. Hear about their paths to principal status, experiences dancing with NYCB, and their aspirations both on and off the stage. This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on August 3, 2025....

2025-08-031h 03

2025-08-021h 02

Conversations on Dance (459) BalletX dancers Savannah Green and Francesca Forcella, LIVE from the 2025 Vail Dance FestivalJoin Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a live podcast recording featuring BalletX dancers Savannah Green and Francesca Forcella. Known for their innovative artistry and bold performances, these talented dancers bring fresh energy and perspective from one of America’s leading contemporary ballet companies. Join us for an engaging conversation about their artistic journeys, creative process, and what it means to be part of BalletX’s groundbreaking repertoire. This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on August 2, 2025.Ticket...

2025-08-021h 02

Conversations on Dance (458) Vail Dance Festival’s Rising Voices: Gianna Reisen, My’Kal Stromile, and Rachel LockhartJoin Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a vibrant live podcast recording spotlighting the Vail Dance Festival’s Rising Voices: Gianna Reisen, My’Kal Stromile, and Rachel Lockhart. These dynamic emerging artists represent the new generation of dance innovators, each bringing a fresh voice and perspective to the art form. Hear about their journeys, creative visions, and the inspiration behind their work as they prepare to make their mark on the Festival stage. Reisen, Stromile, and Lockhart will be creating new work for this year’s NOW: Premieres program. This ep...

2025-08-021h 01

Conversations on Dance (457) Unity Phelan and Calvin Royal III, LIVE from the 2025 Vail Dance FestivalConversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome two of the Festival’s most beloved artists for a long-anticipated live podcast recording: Calvin Royal III, Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, and Unity Phelan, Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet. Royal and Phelan—widely regarded as one of the most iconic duos to emerge from the Vail Dance Festival—will reflect on their enduring partnership, born at Vail and nurtured through countless collaborations across stages and companies. This conversation explores the artistic trust, chemistry, and shared vision that have made them audience favorites...

2025-07-311h 11

Conversations on Dance (456) Isabella Boylston and Chloe Misseldine, American Ballet Theatre principal ballerinas, LIVE from the 2025 Vail Dance FestivalJoin Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a special live recording with American Ballet Theatre principal ballerinas Isabella Boylston and Chloe Misseldine. Powerhouses on the international stage and here at home, Boylston and Misseldine will share their journeys to principal status, their experiences performing with ABT, and their artistic perspectives as leading women in classical ballet today. This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 30, 2025.Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival on s...

2025-07-3153 min

Conversations on Dance (455) Melissa Toogood, VDF Artist-in-Residence LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalJoin Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a live podcast recording with one of the Vail Dance Festival’s most celebrated returning artists and this year’s Artist-in-Residence, Melissa Toogood. Toogood, a Bessie Award-winning dancer and former member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, has just been named Director of The Juilliard School’s Dance Division and will share her vision for the next chapter of one of the world’s most prestigious conservatories. She also debuts a new work for the Festival’s NOW: Premieres program this year.This...

2025-07-2955 min

Conversations on Dance (454) Tap Visionary, Michelle Dorrance, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalMacArthur Fellow and tap visionary Michelle Dorrance joins Conversations on Dance for a live podcast recording with hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden. A festival mainstay, Dorrance shares insight into her newest work, The Center Will Not Hold, co-created with b-girl and choreographer Ephrat Asherie. Following last year’s sold-out performance, this new evening-length piece blends rhythm tap with a wide range of street, club, and social dances—brought to life by an electric ensemble and live music by composer Donovan Dorrance and percussionist John Angeles. Gain a behind-the-scenes look into Dorran...

2025-07-281h 05

2025-07-271h 09

Conversations on Dance (453) Michael Novak, Artistic Direction of Paul Taylor Dance Company, LIVE from the 2025 Vail Dance FestivalJoin Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a live podcast recording with Michael Novak, Artistic Director of the legendary Paul Taylor Dance Company. As the company returns to the Vail Dance Festival for the first time since 2018, Novak reflects on honoring the legacy of Paul Taylor—one of the most influential figures in American modern dance—on what would have been Taylor’s 95th birthday.This special conversation offers insight into the company’s tribute performance, featuring the beloved Company B and the 50th anniversary presentation of Esplanade, a masterwork hailed f...

2025-07-271h 09

2025-06-1840 min

Conversations on Dance (448) Rebecca & Michael Catch Up: Vail Live Event tickets on sale now + Clive Barnes AwardsTickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/Today it's just us as we catch up on the past few weeks: Miami City Ballet's recent announcement of Gonzalo Garcia as the new Artistic Director, Michael's time in Amsterdam, the Clive Barnes awards, and we go through all our events that are coming up at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival. You can support the Clive Barnes Foundation by donating here: https://www.clivebarnesfoundation.org/.SPONSOR:Felice Lesser Dance Theater celebrates...

2025-06-1840 min

2025-05-3002 min

Conversations on Dance Special COD Announcement!! 15th Anniversary Clive Barnes AwardsRebecca here to share some big news!!! Join us on Monday June 9th for the 15th Anniversary Clive Barnes Awards!The Clive Barnes Foundation will honor outstanding theater and dance professionals at the 15th Anniversary Clive Barnes Awards, Monday, June 9 at 5:30pm at the National Arts Club in New York City. Carrying on the legacy of legendary dance and theater critic Clive Barnes and his encouragement of young artists, the annual Awards will recognize three theater performers and three dance performers as Honored Artists. This year, Conversations on Dance is proud to be the recipient of the...

2025-05-3002 min

Conversations on Dance (427) Happy New Year: Listener Survey reviewToday it's just Michael & Rebecca. We go through the listener survey submissions and start building our 2025 guest wish list! Thank you to everyone who took the time to take our listener survey!LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-emailLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceCOD MerchListen to COD on YouTubeJoin our email listSponsorship information H...

2025-01-0840 min

Conversations on Dance (426) Best of 2024Today, we sit down for our annual "Best of" episode! We saw great dance this year and talked with amazing guests. Cheers to another year with all of you. Thank you for coming on this ride with us! Please take 5 mins to take our listener survey. We want to hear from you.Episodes referenced:Maria Calegari - Part 1 Part 2Jennifer Lin - (382) The story of George Lee, the original Tea in Balanchine's 'Nutcracker', with Jennifer LinGeorge Lee & Jennifer Lin - (396) Jennifer Lin and George Lee, the original Tea in B...

2024-12-1840 min

Conversations on Dance (425) Michael & Rebecca catch up, plus, take our listener survey!Today it's just Michael and Rebecca checking in. Please take 5 mins to take our listener survey. We want to hear from you!LINKS related to this episode:Take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/UU6eFZD2WH6JCmjG7Episode with Silas Farley: https://www.conversationsondancepod.com/episodes-transcripts/416-silas-farley-teacher-and-choreographer. If you donate dance books to a local dance school, please let us know! We would love to hear about it: info@conversationsondancepod.com.Episode with Mathilde Froustey, Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversations-on-dance/id1128237763?i=1000413007256Golden State Ballet's Nutcracker...

2024-12-0428 min

Conversations on Dance (413) Denys Drozdyuk and Antonina Skobina, internationally renowned ballroom dancers, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalThis episode was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on August 3, 2024. In this final live recording of the Conversations on Dance podcast, hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden, chat with internationally renowned ballroom dancers: Denys Drozdyuk and Antonina Skobina. A staple of the Vail Dance Festival for a few years now, the duo delights audiences with their dazzling dancing. This conversation will center around how they came to ballroom dance, their early careers, how they came to partner together, and their collaborative, “DNA.”LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bi...

2024-08-141h 01

Conversations on Dance (411) Adji Cissoko and Youba Cissokho, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalWhile artistic gifts can often run in the family, they are seldom able to cross forms in collaboration as searingly as Adji Cissoko and Youba Cissokho did at last year’s Vail Dance Festival. Adji is a ballerina with the LINES ballet (and last year’s VDF Artist-In-Residence) and Youba is a 72nd generation kora player. The two will join Conversations On Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden in a discussion about their family’s deep artistic roots, what their first collaboration meant to them and how they look forward to creating this year at the Vail D...

2024-08-0551 min

Conversations on Dance (409) The Next Generation, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalThis episode was recorded live on August 1, 2024 from the Vail Dance Festival. Today we are joined by: India Bradley (New York City Ballet), Mayfield Myers (Philadelphia Ballet), Olivia Bell (New York City Ballet), Philip Duclos (Royal Danish Ballet), and Spencer Lenain (freelance artist).Every year at the Vail Dance Festival, new budding talents from companies all over get the first opportunities to take the stage with the world class dancers who populate the cast list of VDF’s performances. Watching young dancers cut their teeth in some of their early major opportunities has become as thrilling to...

2024-08-031h 02

Conversations on Dance (408) Sara Mearns and Jamar Roberts, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalEvery year audiences at the Vail Dance Festival watch the Artist-In-Residence delve deeply into their craft, pushing outside their comfort zone to create rapidly in the ten days the festival spans. This year audiences will be treated to two such artists, the beloved New York City Ballet ballerina Sara Mearns, and highly acclaimed and sought after choreographer Jamar Roberts. Sara and Jamar sit down with Conversations On Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden to discuss what their artistic output at the festival will be and how the artistic direction of the festival this year is guiding...

2024-08-0153 min

Conversations on Dance (406) BONUS: Q & A with Michael & Rebecca, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalThis episode was recorded live on July 30, 2024 at the Vail Dance Festival. In this episode, Michael and Rebecca sit down with our Vail Dance Festival audience for a Q & A before our guest, Catherine Hurlin joins us. Our episode with Catherine is now in the feed in episode 407.Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival is generously supported by the Town of Vail. Upcoming Conversations on Dance events at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/y...

2024-07-3137 min

Conversations on Dance (405) Dante Puleio and Joey Columbus on the legacy of José Limón, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalThis episode was recorded live on Monday, July 29th, 2024 at the Vail Dance Festival. At the vanguard of American modern dance since its inception, Limón Dance Company returns to the Vail Dance Festival after making their debut in 2022. The company’s first performance at the festival earned rave reviews and now they return to celebrate the incredible dance legacy of this beloved and historic company. Join Conversations On Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden as they sit down with Limón Dance Company Artistic Director, Dante Puleio, and company artist Joey Columbus, to dig into the...

2024-07-291h 01

Conversations on Dance (404) Choreographer Larry Keigwin, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalThis episode was recorded live at the Vail Dance Festival on Sunday, July 28, 2024. Larry Keigwin has the kind of versatility in his choreographic portfolio that makes him an instant fit for the Vail Dance Festival: commissions from iconic organizations like the Paul Taylor Dance Company and Martha Graham Dance Company, acclaimed work on broadway, and the founding of his own ensemble, Keigwin + Company, now in its 20th season. Conversations On Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden sit down with Keigwin to talk about his rich personal history as a dance maker, his passion for dance education...

2024-07-2852 min

Conversations on Dance (403) Rebecca & Michael preview the 2024 Vail Dance FestivalWe are leaving for the Vail Dance Festival in just a few days, so today we sit down to talk through the performances that we will be catching during the festival and preview who we will be talking to during our live events.Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/Vail Dance Festival performances: https://vaildance.org/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-CODLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.com

2024-07-2241 min

Conversations on Dance (401) Michael & Rebecca on Michael's setting of Alexei Ratmansky's 'The Fairy's Kiss'It's just us this week and we catch up on Michael's staging of Alexei Ratmansky's 'The Fairy's Kiss' at Dutch National Ballet. PLUS - JUST ANNOUNCED! Tickets for Conversations on Dance at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival are on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-CODLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceCOD MerchListen to COD on YouTubeJoin our email...

2024-06-2050 min

Conversations on Dance (391) Michael Vernon, Professor of Music (Ballet) at Indiana University Jacobs School of MusicOn today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance', we are joined by internationally acclaimed ballet teacher and professor at Indiana University Michael Vernon. We talk to Michael about how his early artistic influences shaped his life's work as teacher and choreographer, his own philosophies of how to approach ideas in the classroom and how he is shaping the young dancers of Indiana University today. Take Michael's class on YouTube that we discuss in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMFj_pX_Oug.THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:Megan Wil...

2024-04-0250 min

Conversations on Dance (389) Michael and Rebecca check inIt's just us this week! We check in on some of the dance we have seen recently and talk about Michael's work as a repetiteur.THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:Unlock your potential with the Graduate Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship from the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma. In partnership with the prestigious Price College of Business, this innovative program is expertly designed for the aspiring arts entrepreneur, blending your creative and artistic talents with the business knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to successfully launch and manage arts-related enterprises. Affordable and...

2024-03-1939 min

Conversations on Dance (384) Bring your friends to see live dance! with Michael, Rebecca, and ScottieThis week, Michael and Rebecca welcome their friend, Scottie Norton. Since becoming friends and roommates with Michael, Scottie has been thrust into the ballet world. We talk with Scottie to get the perspective of a new dance lover: what might grab a new ballet-goer, what can the art form do to welcome new audience members, and why it's important (and fun!) to introduce your friends to live dance.We hope that this episode will inspire you all to bring a friend or family member and introduce them to the world of live dance in 2024.

2024-02-1337 min

Conversations on Dance (381) Michael and Rebecca, catching up after Michael's staging of 'Rodeo' at Semperoper BallettThis week, Michael and Rebecca sit down to catch up. Michael tells Rebecca about his experience over the past 3 weeks in Dresden, Germany setting Justin Peck's 'Rodeo.' We also chat about miscellaneous items including Johan Inger's Swan Lake, auditions for Golden State Ballet, and the Artistic Director opening at Lexington Ballet Company. LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-CODLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceCOD Merch

2024-01-2340 min

Conversations on Dance (378) Michael and Rebecca's Best of 2023Michael and Rebecca sit down for our annual "Best of 2023." Hop over to our Instagram account to comment and share with us some of your fave dance moments you experienced this year: @conversationsondance.Happy New Year and thank you for your support of Conversations on Dance this past year!LINKS FOR THIS EPISODE:Janet Eilber on Martha Graham Dance Company in 'Cave': https://www.conversationsondancepod.com/episodes-transcripts/janet-eilber-vail-dance-festivalRussell Janzen 'On Leaving the Life of the Body: A Dancer Reports': https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/20/arts/dance/dancer-retirement-new-york-city-ballet.html

2023-12-2751 min

Conversations on Dance (370) Interview with Martha GrahamOn today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance', we are joined by Michael Small, former reporter for People Magazine and the host of the podcast 'I Couldn't Throw It Out'. Michael tells us about a fascinating experience he had interviewing Martha Graham at age 95, an interview that Michael luckily held onto on cassette tape for nearly three decades because he, naturally, couldn't throw it out.We listen to the interview here, but for a deep dive on Michael's other interview subjects, including an upcoming with Tupac Shakur, check out his podcast on Apple Podcasts or at throwitoutpodcast.c...

2023-10-2557 min

Conversations on Dance BONUS: Michael on Staging Justin Peck's 'Year of the Rabbit' at Nashville BalletToday's episode is a special bonus episode and cross over with Nashville Ballet's Inside the Ballet Podcast. In this episode, Michael takes the guest chair and chats with two members of the Nashville Ballet team, Briona Richardson, Senior Manager of Community Engagement and Nick Mullikin, Artistic Director. This episode gives a behind the scenes look at the work Michael did helping bring JustinPeck's 'Year Of the Rabbit' to Nashville Ballet. If you're in the Nashville area, visit nashvilleballet.com to purchase tickets for performances Sep 22-24. Listen to Nashville Ballet's Ins...

2023-09-2145 min

Conversations on Dance (361) Catching up, with Michael and RebeccaIt's just us this week. We chat about the 2023 Vail Dance Festival (listen to episodes from the fest here) and catch up on what else we have been up to recently.Email us: info@conversationsondancepod.comRebecca's website: rebeccaferraro.comLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-CODLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceCOD MerchListen to COD on YouTube

2023-08-1527 min

Conversations on Dance (334) Welcome to the new COD! with Michael and RebeccaWelcome to the brand new Conversations on Dance! We are pleased to announce we are now a part of the Acast Creator Network. Check out what else is new:New website: conversationsondancepod.comMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODSpotify Playlists: COD Fave Ballets Program A and Program BJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-CODThis episode's sponsor:Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami: Auditions for DDTM's 2023/2024 season! April 23 in Miami. More info: https://www.dimensionsdancemia.com/auditionsLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.com

2023-04-0429 min

Conversations on Dance (331) Cathy Marston on ‘Summer and Smoke’ at Houston BalletOn today's episode of ‘Conversations On Dance', we have celebrated choreographer Cathy Marston on to discuss her upcoming premiere for Houston Ballet, ‘Summer and Smoke'. Cathy tells us what drew her to Tennesse Williams' play as source material for a new ballet, her casting process and creating to composer Michael Daugherty's original score for the work. If you are in the Houston area, you can attend performances of ‘Summer and Smoke' from March 9 through 19th, with tickets available to purchase on houstonballet.org. LINKS:Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RwJqWcJoin...

2023-03-0632 min

Conversations on Dance (327) ‘The Night Falls’ and ‘Copland Dance Episodes’ with Michael and RebeccaIt's just Michael and Rebecca this week. We start by catch up after Michael's live events at Works & Process at the Guggenheim and Inside NYCB. Michael tells us about seeing Justin Peck's newest work at New York City Ballet, ‘Copland Dance Episodes,' then about his work on ‘The Night Falls' with Troy Schumacher and BalletCollective. See ‘The Night Falls' February 9th through 12th at Montclair State University. Tickets for ‘The Night Falls’ can be found at peakperfs.org. Watch the Works & Process event on their YouTube Channel, or click here: https://youtu.be/FfidIh8pi0o.This Epi...

2023-02-1031 min

Conversations on Dance (324) Mira Nadon, NYCB soloist, on Justin Peck’s new full length work, ‘Copland Dance Episodes’On today's episode of ‘Conversations On Dance', we are joined by New York City Ballet soloist Mira Nadon. Mira joins us for a special bonus episode discussing her role as the central ballerina in Justin Peck's upcoming premiere ‘Copland Dance Episodes'. She gives us an inside view of NYCB's first non-narrative full length premiere since George Balanchine's ‘Jewels', discussing the creative process, her character's emotional arc and what audiences can expect to see at the premiere this January 26th at the David H. Koch theater. This Episode’s Sponsors:• The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy is ex...

2023-01-1932 min

Conversations on Dance (322) Talking all thing Summer Intensives with Kate PennerOur friend, Kate Penner, returns to the pod this week as our special guest host to talk all things Summer Intensives. We talk about our personal stories with summer training, how to choose the school that's right for you, why you should cast a wide net, and some tips and tricks for auditioning. This Episode’s Sponsors:• Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School is training the next generation of professional dancers by providing ballet and dance education of the highest caliber that prepares students for professional careers in dance. PBT’s school focuses on the dancer as a whole...

2023-01-1144 min

Conversations on Dance (320) Best of 2022 with Michael and RebeccaIt's just us this week for our annual year-end wrap up. What a year 2022 has been! We list our favorite episodes from this year, our favorite performances we saw, our FOMO list of what we didn't get to see but wished we had, and we share what we learned this year.Check out our COD Reading List for some last minute gift ideas for the dance lover in your life: https://conversationsondancepod.com/cod-reading-list/Support COD: https://conversationsondancepod.com/support/This episode’s sponsors:Just in time for holiday gift-giving, DANCIO, the...

2022-12-2038 min

Conversations on Dance (310) Michael & Rebecca: catching up from CopenhagenIt's just us this week on Conversations on Dance. Michael is in Denmark setting a ballet for choreographer Justin Peck at Royal Danish Ballet, so he fills us in on how it's going, 3 weeks in. Rebecca fills us in on how everything is going with her new baby. Links:Rate and Review us on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3RwJqWcJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/3USVfcpInstagram: instagram.com/conversationsondanceFacebook: facebook.com/conversationsondanceFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriendsTwitter: twitter.com/c...

2022-10-1340 min

Conversations on Dance (306) Michael & Rebecca: We’re Back!It's just Michael and Rebecca this week. We're back and catch up on what we have been up to this summer and we dive into some recent news. Subscribe to Conversations on Dance wherever you get your podcasts to notified of our upcoming content featuring dance this fall, all new interviews, and much more!The post (306) Michael & Rebecca: We're Back! appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceCOD MerchListen to COD on YouTubeJoin our...

2022-09-1342 min

Conversations on Dance (305) Jovani Furlan, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalIn his first year at VDF, New York City Ballet soloist Jovani Furlan is set to take Vail audiences by storm. Joining the ‘Conversations On Dance’ podcast, Furlan will discuss his dance upbringing in his native Brazil, the leap to american stages and what dancing at VDF for the first time has been like. 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 9, 2022 with special guest host...

2022-09-0653 min

Conversations on Dance (304) Claudia Schreier and Lauren Lovette, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalAcclaimed Choreographer Claudia Schreier returns to the Vail Dance Festival this year with a new work to commissioned music by Conrad Tao. A classic Vail success story, join the ‘Conversations On Dance’ podcast as they talk to Claudia about her origins at VDF as an intern and chart her path to one of the most highly sought after choreographers in the country.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 epis...

2022-08-3053 min

Conversations on Dance (303) Choreographer, Justin Peck, and musician, Johnny Gandelsman, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalJoin 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 recor...

2022-08-2353 min

Conversations on Dance (302) DanceAspen’s Laurel Winton and Kaya Wolsey, LIVE from Vail Dance FestivalVail 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 th...

2022-08-1752 min

Conversations on Dance (301) Lil Buck and KJ Takahashi, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalJoin 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 throug...

2022-08-1556 min

Conversations on Dance (300) Jodi Melnick, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalChoreographer 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...

2022-08-1036 min

Conversations on Dance (299) Dante Puleio and Nicholas Ruscica of Limón Dance Company, LIVE from Vail Dance FestivalAt 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 mat...

2022-08-0942 min

Conversations on Dance (298) Pam Tanowitz and Sara Mearns, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalSara 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: ‘Conversa...

2022-08-0755 min

Conversations on Dance (297) Justin Peck, LIVE from the Vail Dance FestivalFew 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 p...

2022-08-0652 min

Conversations on Dance (296) Patricia Delgado On Her Return to The Stage at Vail Dance FestivalToday 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...

2022-07-0750 min

Conversations on Dance (286) BONUS: Michael and Rebecca spring dance roundupIt's just Michael and Rebecca in this bonus episode, where we chat about the great dance performances we have seen over the past few months, including Royal Danish Ballet, Miami City Ballet, New York City Ballet, Ragamala, Karole Armitage's Armitage Gone Dance!, and more!Support COD: conversationsondancepod.com/supportSPONSORS:Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival July 30 – August 9: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance. Tickets go on sale May 20th.MENAJI Skin Care: www.menskincare.com. Use code COD30 to receive 30% savings on all individual products.________________________________LINKS:Jo...

2022-05-1940 min

Conversations on Dance (282) Michael & Rebecca on our 2022 listener surveyIt's just Michael and Rebecca this week as we come together for a catch up, plus we go through responses to our 2022 listener survey. Thank you to everyone who participated! Your feedback was very valuable and will help us plan our content moving forward. This past weekend we were together in Miami to see Miami City Ballet in ‘Jewels,' which we will be discussing in an upcoming episode of COD.Be sure to subscribe to COD wherever you get your podcasts. Information on the 2022 Vail Dance Festival is now available on their website. Information coming soon re...

2022-04-2647 min

Conversations on Dance (272) Karole Armitage, Artistic Director of Armitage GONE! Dance CompanyToday we are joined by Karole Armitage, Artistic Director of the New York-based Armitage GONE! Dance Company. Karole has had an extensive career as a dancer and choreographer. She began her professional career in 1973 as a member of the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève, Switzerland, under the direction of George Balanchine. In 1976, she was invited to join Merce Cunningham's company, where she remained for five years, performing leading roles in Cunningham's landmark works. She began her choreographic career in 1979, showcasing her unique voice in the dichotomy of classical and modern dance. Requests for commissions came...

2022-03-0156 min

Conversations on Dance (265) Welcoming 2022, with Rebecca and MichaelIt's 2022 and COD is back! We are ushering in the new year by celebrating some of the great things that friends of the pod have been up to recently, discussing the complexity surrounding dancer promotions, and how the change in the social media landscape in the past few years is affecting content that dancers and companies are putting out. Plus, we tease next week's guest.We have lots of exciting things coming your way this year, so thank you for tuning in and for supporting the pod.In the beginning of this episode, we mention...

2022-01-1137 min

Conversations on Dance (258) Shaunna Vella and Andrew Pearson on St. Mary’s College’s LEAP ProgramToday on the podcast, we check in with our friends at St. Mary's College's LEAP Program. We last heard about LEAP from the program's Associate Director, Stephanie Miller, in episode 170 from January of 2020. When we spoke with her right before the pandemic, the program was working on launching an online program. Since then, the program has expanded exponentially to reach more dancers throughout the country. Today we talk with Shaunna Vella, LEAP Program Director, and Andrew Pearson, Program Coordinator, Online. We hear about how the program works, how it is growing and shifting, and how interested dancers can inquire...

2021-11-0155 min

Conversations on Dance (257) Jacob Jonas, Director, Choreographer, and Artistic Director of Jacob Jonas the CompanyThis week on Conversations on Dance, we are joined by Jacob Jonas, Director, Choreographer, and Artistic Director of Jacob Jonas the Company. Jacob started dancing at the age of 13 when he came across a street-performing group in Venice Beach. From there, his passion for dance expanded into various technique and across many different mediums. He is the founding Artistic Director of Jacob Jonas the Company, a creative company that intersects dance across mediums to make original works and initiate nontraditional collaborations. Experience Jacob's newest project, Films.Dance. Through non-traditional collaborations across cultures and continents, and led by J...

2021-10-2542 min

Conversations on Dance (256) Marzia Memoli, Chorus dancer with Martha Graham Dance CompanyToday on Conversations on Dance, we talk with Marzia Memoli, chorus dancer with Martha Graham Dance Company. Marzia is from Palermo, Italy, where she started her dance and ballet training. She graduated from the Academy of Teatro Carcano in Milan and the Bejart’s school, where she performed with the Bejart Ballet Lausanne. In 2016, she joined the Martha Graham Dance Company. We initially chatted with Marzia this summer to hear about her career, what lead her to Martha Graham, and how she spent her time off from dancing during the shuttering of theaters during the pandemic. At th...

2021-10-181h 05

Conversations on Dance (255) Georgina Pazcoguin on her new book ‘Swan Dive’Today on Conversations on Dance, we are joined by friend of the pod and New York City Ballet Soloist, Georgina Pazcoguin. This summer, Georgina's new book, “Swan Dive” was released, so we caught up with her between rehearsals and performances to chat. While she sat outside of the David H Koch Theater, she told us about the inspiration behind the book, her writing process, what she hopes readers take away from “Swan Dive,” and what her return to stage this past month has felt like. You can get your copy of Swan Dive wherever books or sold, or click here: ht...

2021-10-1252 min

Conversations on Dance (254) Nathalia Arja, Principal Dancer with Miami City BalletToday we are joined by one of our former colleagues, Nathalia Arja, principal dancer with Miami City Ballet. Nathalia was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she began taking dance classes at the age of five at her mother's ballet school. As a young dancer she competed in and won several dance competitions, where she was offered scholarships to various prestigious schools. At her mother's suggestion, she auditioned for Miami City Ballet School at 15, receiving a full scholarship to attend the year-round program. She joined Miami City Ballet as an apprentice in 2009. In March 2020, during the company's last p...

2021-10-0443 min

Conversations on Dance (253) Russell Janzen, New York City Ballet Principal DancerToday we chat with New York City Ballet Principal Dancer, Russell Janzen, from the 2021 Vail Dance Festival. Russell was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and began his dance training at the age of six at The Rock School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enrolled as a full-time student at the School of American Ballet in the winter of 2005. In June 2008, he joined the New York City Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet and was promoted to principal in February 2017.We talk with Russell about his training, dealing with a myriad of injuries during his first few y...

2021-09-2751 min

Conversations on Dance (252) Wes Chapman, former Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre and Chairman of the Jury for the Universal Ballet CompetitionOn today's episode of Conversations On Dance we speak with Wes Chapman, former American Ballet Theatre principal, former director of Alabama Ballet, and sought after teacher and coach. Wes tells us about his illustrious career performing on the Met stage with ABT, how he came to direct Alabama Ballet, and how he now shepherds young dancers into their own professional careers as the chairman of the jury for the Universal Ballet Competition.LINKS:This episode is brought to you by Yumiko (yumiko.com).More information on Universal Ballet Competition and 2021-2022 tour dates available on their...

2021-09-2057 min

Conversations on Dance (251) Nicole Mitchell Mommen, NYCB Assistant Stage Manager, and Brandon Stirling Baker, Lighting Director and Lighting Designer of Boston BalletOn this episode of Conversations on Dance, recorded at the 2021 Vail Dance Festival, we give you an inside look at two roles that are essential to every dance and ballet performance. Today we are joined by NYCB Assistant Stage Manager, Nicole Mitchell Mommen, and Lighting Director and Lighting Designer of Boston Ballet, Brandon Stirling Baker. Nicole was the stage manager at Miami City Ballet for many years while we danced there, Brandon is Justin Peck's go-to lighting designer, and both Nicole and Brandon were two of our earliest guests on the podcast. These two have worked very closely for...

2021-09-1746 min

Conversations on Dance (250) Cleveland Ballet Artistic Director, Gladisa Guadalupe, and dancer, Marla MinadeoToday we are joined by mother-daughter duo, Gladisa Guadalupe, and Marla Minadeo. Gladisa is the co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Cleveland Ballet and her daughter, Marla, is a dancer in the company. We talk with the pair about how they each were introduced to ballet, balancing their professional life with their family life, the many incarnations of Cleveland Ballet, and what the company has coming up as they enter their 2021-2022 season.Join Cleveland Ballet for its first performance of Momentum set to the magnificent score of Felix Mendelssohn, with choreography by Gladisa, in the city of...

2021-09-1344 min

Conversations on Dance (249) Nel Shelby, Dance VideographerOn today's episode of Conversations On Dance, we are joined by Nel Shelby, dance videographer and founder of Nel Shelby Productions. Nel tells us about her dance training and aspirations, falling in love with film and how she's blended these two passions together to become one of the industry's most in demand video producers. Nel also talks about the experience filming Lincoln Center's 9/11 tribute ‘The Table of Silence Project', which will be streaming on Saturday, September 11th beginning at 8AM, in partnership with Dance/NYC as part of their #RestartStages series. You can enjoy Nel's digital content fo...

2021-09-0748 min

Conversations on Dance (236) Rebecca and Michael catch upWe have been off this month, but on Thursday we head to Vail for the Vail Dance Festival. So we hopped on our last zoom before we are back together in person recording episodes and live podcast recordings at the festival, just for a check in.Links:Tickets for live events July 30 – August 10Master Classes August 2 & 3This episode is brought to you by Yumiko (yumiko.com).The post (236) Rebecca and Michael catch up appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.com...

2021-07-2626 min

Conversations on Dance Re-Release: Michael Langlois, Author and Former ABT DancerWe are off this week as we work to prepare for our live podcast events at the 2021 Vail Dance Festival later this month, so we are taking this opportunity to re-release an old episode. As we continue to highlight great summer dance reads, enjoy this chat with former American Ballet Theatre dancer and author Michael Langlois from May 2019. (Fortunately, as you will be able to tell, our technology and sound quality has improved over the past 2 years.)Today we are joined by Michael Langlois. Michael began studying ballet at the age of 10 and once he began getting...

2021-07-1550 min

Conversations on Dance COD July Update + Come see us at Vail Dance Festival!Rebecca pops in today to share some COD updates, including live events and master classes at Vail Dance Festival, and publishing schedule this month.Links:Live events: https://vaildance.org/festival-forums-2021/Master classes: https://vaildance.org/master-class-series-2021/Thank you to Yumiko for their continued support of COD. Shop online at Yumiko.com. Follow us on social media @conversationsondanceThe post COD July Update + Come see us at Vail Dance Festival! appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.com

2021-07-0704 min

Conversations on Dance (219) Rebecca and Michael, a check inIt's just Rebecca and Michael this week on the pod. We do a check in on what we have been up to (Michael got the vaccine!), we take a couple detours, then share a few books we are looking forward to getting our hands on. Thank you to Yumiko for their continued support of the pod. Shop online at Yumiko.com and connect with them on Instagem: @yumiko. Links:Join our email list: https://bit.ly/3basX5ginstagram.com/conversationsondancefacebook.com/conversationsondancetwitter.com/convoondance...

2021-03-0432 min

Conversations on Dance (200) Rebecca and Michael: Our 200th EpisodeIt's our 200th episode of Conversations on Dance! To celebrate, Rebecca and Michael get together to chat about the beginnings of COD, some favorite memories, and catch up on what they have been up to recently.If you would like to give to the Miami City Ballet dancer relief fund, you can do so here: https://tickets.miamicityballet.org/donate/q/dsfThank you as always to our amazing sponsor, Yumiko (yumiko.com). Be sure to check out their new release, the Camila, and enjoy a 15% off introductory rate on all ready to wear and...

2020-09-0842 min

Conversations on Dance (185) Gavin Larsen on Teaching OnlineThis week we are continuing our conversation about teaching ballet classes online during the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk with Gavin Larsen, a former principal dancer with Oregon Ballet Theatre, now living in Asheville, NC, where she teaches and writes about dance. After training at the School of American Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, she danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Alberta Ballet, and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet before joining OBT. For the first half of this episode, we get to know Gavin by chatting about her extensive career. Starting around 35 minutes in, we dive into how she...

2020-05-181h 00

Conversations on Dance (182) Rebecca and Michael: Balanchine Masterworks Tournament BracketThis week on the pod, Rebecca and Michael fill out a Balanchine masterwork tournament bracket to crown the ultimate Balanchine ballet. In March, two students at Indiana University sent us an email: they were missing March Madness and decided to create a bracket for Balanchine Masterworks as a fun activity for the dance department. They were kind enough to share their bracket with us. So today, we each fill out our bracket, share our results, and defend our choices. Our bracket discussion starts at time marker 16:00.Follow along with us (file below and on conversationsondancepod.com) and...

2020-05-011h 05

Conversations on Dance (178) Alicia Graf Mack, Director, Dance Division at the Juilliard SchoolIn January and February we put together a higher education series to explore dance programs in schools across the country. Today we are adding to this distinguished list of programs as we talk with the Juilliard School's Director of the Dance Division, Alicia Graf Mack. Alicia enjoyed a distinguished career as a leading dancer of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She has also been a principal dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and she has danced as a guest performer with Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet. She graduated from Columbia University and holds an MA in...

2020-03-3153 min

Conversations on Dance (177) Rebecca and Michael: Quarantine Guide for Ballet Dancers and FansToday, Rebecca and Michael connect via Skype from quarantine. We discuss some options of ballet related content to consume while the world is social distancing during the Coronavirus Pandemic. We list some online class options, resources for dancers who are out of work, and our favorite dance related books, movies, and much more. This list was put together based on internet research and content that we are familiar with. Pointe Magazine and Dance Magazine are also offering a lot of great up to date resources. Conversations on Dance is brought to you by Yumiko. (Yumiko.com)Remember...

2020-03-1937 min

Conversations on Dance (174) Michael Montgomery, Alonzo King LINES BalletThis week on Conversations on Dance, we are joined by Michael Montgomery, dancer with Alonzo King LINES Ballet from the 2019 Vail Dance Festival. Michael was born in Long Beach, CA, trained at the Orange County High School of the Arts and studied at the Alvin Ailey School in the Certificate program. In 2011 he graduated from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program at Dominican University of California. In 2010, he joined LINES Ballet and was named to the list of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine in 2013. We talk with Michael about his origins in dance, the BFA program at Dominican Univ...

2020-02-2534 min

Conversations on Dance BONUS: Rebecca and Michael: Nutcracker Gigs, Part DeuxLast week, in episode 168, we talked about Michael's coming out of retirement for Nutcracker guesting. Unfortunately due to scheduling, this episode was cut short, so in a BONUS episode this week, we are finishing that chat, and taking a few detours along the way!The post BONUS: Rebecca and Michael: Nutcracker Gigs, Part Deux appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceCOD MerchListen to COD on YouTubeJoin our email listSponsorship...

2020-01-2429 min

Conversations on Dance (168) Rebecca and Michael: Nutcracker GigsNutcracker may be over, but this week Rebecca and Michael sit down to catch up and discuss Michael's Nutcracker gigs. Rebecca asks Michael about coming out of retirement for his return to the Nutcracker this past December. We chat about how he prepared, what the rehearsal process was like, and we get nostalgic over other Nutcracker memories from years past. This week we are happy to welcome a new sponsor, Veyette Virtual Ballet School. Be sure to check them out: veyettevirtualballetschool.com. As always, thank you to Yumiko for their continued support of COD: yumiko.com.

2020-01-1327 min

Conversations on Dance (161) Adji Cissoko, Dancer With Alonzo King LINES BalletThis week we are joined from the 2019 Vail Dance Festival by Adji Cissoko, dancer with Alonzo King LINES Ballet. Adji grew up in Munich, Germany where she trained at Ballet Academy Munich. She attended the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre on full scholarship, before joining the National Ballet of Canada in 2010. In 2014, she joined LINES Ballet. We talk with Adji about her training, her long audition process to find the right company for her, how she shifted her goals for her career, and why LINES Ballet is the perfect place for her.This episode is b...

2019-11-1234 min

Conversations on Dance (155) Rebecca & Michael Respond to COD Listener SurveyThis week it's just Rebecca and Michael. We sit down to go through the responses from our listener survey. We talk about some of the statistics that came to light from our questionnaire, go through some of the guest requests, talk about the ins and outs of creating the podcast, and go through your feed back. If you have not yet taken our survey, it's not too late: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9XVM5KJ.If you wish to request a guest or put us in touch with a potential guest, email us at info@conversationsondancepod.com...

2019-09-2356 min

Conversations on Dance (152) Boys Dance – Our Reaction to Lara Spencer and GMAIt's just Rebecca and Michael this week, breaking down everything that happened surrounding Lara Spencer's comments on Prince George studying ballet on Good Morning America. We are guessing that this story may have made it on your radar over the past few days, but we are here to break down the dance community's reaction, why it was important, and how Good Morning America reacted on Monday morning.This episode is brought to you by Yumiko. Please take a moment to fill out our 9 question listener survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9XVM5KJThe post (152) Boy...

2019-08-2629 min

Conversations on Dance (144) Rebecca and Michael: Catching Up & Vail Dance Festival PreviewIt's just Rebecca and Michael this week on the pod. We talk about looking forward to this year's Vail Dance Festival, our 3 year anniversary, what Michael has been up to, and we answer your questions from social media.This episode is brought to you by Yumiko (yumiko.com.)The post (144) Rebecca and Michael: Catching Up & Vail Dance Festival Preview appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceCOD MerchListen to COD on YouTubeJoin o...

2019-07-0222 min

Conversations on Dance (139) Michael and Zoe Zien, On Staging ‘Year of the Rabbit’ in Hong KongThis week, through the magic of Skype, Rebecca talks with Michael and friend of the pod, Zoe Zien, who are in Hong Kong setting Justin Peck's “Year of the Rabbit” for Hong Kong Ballet. Michael and Rebecca danced with Zoe at Miami City Ballet for the majority of her 13 years with the company. Listen to our full episode with Zoe about her career and training in episode 58. Today, Michael and Zoe talk with Rebecca about their first international experience as repetiteurs, what their process has been like, dealing with jet lag, and they break down some of their favorite experie...

2019-05-2844 min

Conversations on Dance (133) Rebecca & Michael: Becoming a RepetiteurThis episode was recorded in February, when Rebecca & Michael were at the Kennedy Center to cover American Ballet Theatre's tour to Washington, D.C. We sit down to finally catch up on Michael's experience setting a ballet for the very first time. Michael spent about a month in Phoenix with the wonderful dancers of Ballet Arizona to teach them Justin Peck's ballet ‘In Creases.' He shares with us how he prepared, what the first day was like, how he modeled his work ethic, and what it felt like to see the ballet on stage for the first time.T...

2019-04-0936 min

Conversations on Dance (128) Rebecca & Michael: NYCB Directorship AnnouncementRebecca and Michael record an emergency podcast to discuss and react to the big news this week in the ballet world: the announcement of the appointment of Jonathan Stafford as artistic director and Wendy Whelan as associate artistic director of New York City Ballet. Our sound quality isn't our best, and for that we apologize, but we had to drop everything and get on the phone to chat about the news ASAP! Thanks for your understanding.Check out our social media channels on Monday March 4th, 2019 for a special giveaway from our sponsor Yumiko!The post...

2019-03-0131 min

Conversations on Dance (126) Rebecca & Michael: What to do if you didn’t get your contract renewedIt's just Rebecca and Michael this week. It's that time of year when company contracts are going out, which means that dancers across the country may not be getting their contracts renewed for the 2019-2020 season. We put together a handful of bullet points to help dancers navigate this tough time and discuss what to do next. We turn this challenging experience into something positive, this week on Conversations on Dance.This episode is sponsored by Yumiko and The Kennedy Center.The post (126) Rebecca & Michael: What to do if you didn’t get your contract renewe...

2019-02-1119 min

Conversations on Dance (105) Rebecca & Michael: Summer 2018 & NYCB Artistic Director Job PostingThis week, Rebecca & Michael sit down to discuss this past summer, what we are up to in the coming months, and to discuss the New York City Ballet Artistic Director job description. Here is the New York Times article by Michael Cooper which we reference.We are thrilled to welcome Yumiko as our newest sponsor of Conversations on Dance. Visit their Flagship boutique in New York City featuring the all new interactive Color Bar.___________________________________________We recorded this episode before the devastating news came last week that the dance world lost two greats: Paul Taylor...

2018-09-0445 min

Conversations on Dance (100) Rebecca & Michael celebrate 100 episodes!This week it's just Rebecca and Michael to celebrate our 100th episode. We take the time to reflect on the past two years of Conversations on Dance by counting down our top 10 favorite episodes. We have had so many incredible guests that it was hard to narrow it down, so a few other favorite moments come up. Thank you to all of our listeners who have made these past two years of podcasting such a wonderful journey and thank you to each and every one of our guests who took the time to talk with us a spread the good...

2018-07-3042 min

Conversations on Dance (99) Michael Novak, Artistic Director Designate of the Paul Taylor Dance FoundationThis we we are delighted to welcome Michael Novak, the Artistic Director Designate of the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation. Raised in Rolling Meadows, IL, Michael began studying dance at age ten. In 2001, he was offered a Presidential Scholarship to attend The University of the Arts in Philadelphia to pursue training in jazz and ballet. The following year, he undertook an apprenticeship at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society, where he remained until 2004. After moving to New York City, Michael was admitted to Columbia University’s School of General Studies where he was awarded scholarships for academic excellence. After being a freelanc...

2018-07-0244 min

Conversations on Dance (87) Dancers’ Negativity and Perspective Post-RetirementIt’s just Rebecca and Michael this week, together from New York City, as they return to discuss some of the feedback received after last week’s episode. They also discuss a recent article on dancers' and negativity (10:30), and how a dancer’s perspective on their career changes post retirement (16:29). They return to their interview format next week, and the following week will be reporting from San Francisco Ballet to cover their Unbound Festival. Subscribe now so you won’t miss a moment!The post (87) Dancers' Negativity and Perspective Post-Retirement appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.LINKS:

2018-04-1030 min

Conversations on Dance (86) Misty Copeland’s Clap Back & Ballet’s Chance for a Turning PointIt's just Rebecca and Michael this week as they sit down to discuss some of the stories that have been making news recently. We talk about Misty Copeland's epic and graceful response to a Twitter troll last week (7:55) and discuss Avichai Scher's article for the Huffington Post, “The Me Too Moment Is Ballet's Chance for a Turning Point” (16:15). We will be going to San Francisco April 20-25th to partner with San Francisco Ballet to bring you coverage from their massive “Unbound” Festival, which will feature 12 new works by 12 choreographers in 17 days (34:48). Subscribe now to Conversations on Dance in iTunes or whe...

2018-04-0237 min

Conversations on Dance (82) Michael and Rebecca on Retirement & Changes in the Ballet WorldThis week it is just Michael and Rebecca, taking some time to catch up. Rebecca has a big announcement to make, we talk changes happening at New York City Ballet and what it means for ballet as a whole (30:10), and we discuss what is coming up for Conversations on Dance (44:07).This episode is sponsored by Sudio headphones. Start listening to Conversations on Dance today with Sudio headphones. We are happy to be able to offer our listeners 15% off any purchase when you use promocode DANCE at checkout. To take advantage of this offer, go to https://goo.gl/f...

2018-03-0546 min

Conversations on Dance (77) Ashton and Balanchine: Parallel Lives with Alastair MacaulayToday we have a wonderful bunhead episode in store, with one of our favorite guests, The Chief Dance Critic of the New York Times, Alastair Macaulay. Alastair and Michael are together in Michael’s New York City apartment, while I call in to join the conversation. Today we are focusing on two of the most important choreographers of the 20th century: George Balanchine and Frederick Ashton. If you listen to the pod, you have heard us speak of Balanchine, and are likely a fan yourself, but we haven’t covered Ashton much, until today. Mr. Macaulay has been preparing for...

2018-01-291h 04