Conversations on Dance

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by Michéle Steinwald, guest curator of the 2025 Kaatsbaan Annual Festival. Michéle takes us through their artistic beginnings, as a teenager shaped by experiences as diverse as being in a punk rock band, posing in a meat dress for an installation or simply buying at ticket to performances at the National Centre for the Arts in Ottawa, to where they are now, shaping artistic experiences and interactions with communities that are everywhere from the gorgeous surroundings of Kaatsbaan to a neighborhood bar. If you are in the Hudson Valley area of New York state, or would like to make the trip to see this year's dynamic and artistically varied lineup at the festival, as curated by Michéle, please visit kaatsbaan.org.Festival schedule & Ticketing: https://kaatsbaan.org/performances-festivalsLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email

Join 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.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email

Join 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.Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival 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/COD-email

Join 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 episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on August 1, 2025.Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival 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/COD-email

Conversations 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. This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 31, 2025.Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival 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/COD-email

Join 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 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/COD-email

Join 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 episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 29, 2025.Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival 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/COD-email

MacArthur 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 Dorrance’s creative process, her collaborative spirit, and how she continues to expand the boundaries of tap dance. This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 28, 2025.Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival 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/COD-email

Join 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 for transforming everyday movement into mythic dance. This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 27, 2025.Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival 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/COD-email