Conversations on Dance

Today we are so pleased to bring you our interview with George Lee, the original 'Tea' dancer in George Balanchine's 'The Nutcracker.' Also joining us for the second time, is documentary filmmaker Jennifer Lin. Jennifer's latest film 'Ten Times Better' explores the life and legacy of George. Jennifer talked to us about this film in episode 382, before it's premiere. Today, George tells us about his story and the pair talk about how they came to connect and what filming the documentary was like. We hear about the response to the film and what it has meant to George to know so many people are touched by his story.For information about upcoming screenings or to get in touch with Jennifer, visit tentimesbetterfilm.com.Episode 382 with Jennifer Lin: Listen here.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

Today on the Conversations on Dance podcast, we are joined once again by Susan Jaffe, Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre. We last had Susan on the podcast in late 2022 in episode 309 as she was about to take the helm of the company. This week we get the opportunity to hear from Susan about what her first year has been like, some of the challenges she has faced, and we get a preview of what is next for the company. For more information about upcoming performances of American Ballet Theatre, visit, abt.org. Listen to episode 309.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

Today on Conversations on Dance, we welcome back Phil Chan, author and co-founder of 'Final Bow for Yellowface.' Back in May of 2023 in episode 339, we had Phil on the podcast with Doug Fullington and Sarah Wroth to tell us about how the idea for 'Star on the rise : La Bayadère ... reimagined!' came about, and what made Indiana University a great place to mount this production. Now, following the premiere, Phil joins us again to tell us about the finished product and what the reactions have been.We are thrilled to share that 'Star on the rise' is now streaming on IU's website. Click here to watch now for free: https://media.dlib.indiana.edu/media_objects/gb19g015j/section/1g05g3541Episode 339 with Phil, Doug, and Sarah: https://www.conversationsondancepod.com/episodes-transcripts/339-la-bayadere

Today on 'Conversations on Dance', we are joined by choreographer and director of Sydney Dance Company Rafael Bonachela and composer Bryce Dessner. Bryce and Rafael take us through their personal journeys towards finding their art as a profession, the inspiration and collaborative process behind their latest collaboration 'Impermanence', and how COVID delays extended and altered the work into its present form. 'Impermanence' will have its US premiere at the Kennedy Center this April 25th with shows running through the 27th. If you're in the Washington, DC area and would like to purchase tickets, visit kennedy-center.org.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 fast-track, you can achieve this transformative education remotely in less than 12 months. To learn more and apply, visit ou.edu/finearts.New York Theatre Ballet’s Summer Repertoire Workshops offer pre-professional, collegiate, and post-collegiate dancers full-day training sessions of classes, rehearsals, and new choreography at their studios in lower Manhattan. Each two-week session, May 6th through 17th and June 10th through 21st, provides individualized instruction, movement analysis, and immersion in NYTB’s acclaimed repertoire. Aspiring students are invited to submit video auditions by April 30. Merit-based scholarships are available. For more information, please visit nytb.org/auditions.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

Today on the Conversations on Dance podcast, we are joined by Alastair Macaulay, critic and historian of the performing arts, and former Chief Dance Critic of the New York Times. While Alastair is no stranger to the podcast, today we get to delve into the history of numerous rare Balanchine ballets. Ahead of Alastair's program at the New York Public Library on the topic, he gives a preview of what audiences can expect, what films will be shown, and gives us the backstory of some of these works that were only seen a few times. Plus, he tells us about some of the works that aren't able to be shown and why. If you are in the New York area, don't miss 'Alastair Macaulay on Balanchine Rarities' on May 6th at 6pm at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Reserve your spot here: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2024/05/06/alastair-macaulay-balanchine-rarities.Visit Alastair's website for more of his writings on dance: alastairmacaulay.com.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 fast-track, you can achieve this transformative education remotely in less than 12 months. To learn more and apply, visit ou.edu/finearts.artÉmotion’s popular adult summer intensive program returns this May 27 - June 1. This program includes Advanced, Intermediate Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner classes, with no prior dance experience needed for the beginner level. Let artÉmotion be the bridge between audience and the studio. Come dance this summer. For more information visit https://artemotionballetschool.com/.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

On 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 Williams Dance Projects presents the World Premiere of Smile, though your heart is aching, April 5, 6 and 7 at the James and Martha Duffy Performance Space at Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn, New York. In collaboration with acclaimed composer Eve Beglarian, Williams has created a lush movement landscape drawing on themes of love, passion, desire, loss, and yearning. For tickets, visit https://www.mwdanceprojects.com/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 fast-track, you can achieve this transformative education remotely in less than 12 months. To learn more and apply, visit ou.edu/finearts.artÉmotion’s popular adult summer intensive program returns this May 27 - June 1. This program includes Advanced, Intermediate Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner classes, with no prior dance experience needed for the beginner level. Let artÉmotion be the bridge between audience and the studio. Come dance this summer. For more information visit https://artemotionballetschool.com/.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

This week we welcome back friend of the pod, and frequent guest host, Kate Penner. Kate does the social media marketing for the Vail Dance Festival, so we come together to talk about social media and specifically TikTok culture's impact on ballet and dance. Plus, we hear about Kate and Michael's trip to see Boston Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' in December.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 fast-track, you can achieve this transformative education remotely in less than 12 months. To learn more and apply, visit ou.edu/finearts.artÉmotion’s popular adult summer intensive program returns this May 27 - June 1. This program includes Advanced, Intermediate Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner classes, with no prior dance experience needed for the beginner level. Let artÉmotion be the bridge between audience and the studio. Come dance this summer. For more information visit https://artemotionballetschool.com/.LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

It'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 fast-track, you can achieve this transformative education remotely in less than 12 months. To learn more and apply, visit ou.edu/finearts.artÉmotion’s popular adult summer intensive program returns this May 27 - June 1. This program includes Advanced, Intermediate Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner classes, with no prior dance experience needed for the beginner level. Let artÉmotion be the bridge between audience and the studio. Come dance this summer. For more information visit https://artemotionballetschool.com/.The White Feather: A Persian BalletThe Kennedy Center: https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/dance/2023-2024/the-white-feather-persian-ballet/New York City: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-white-feather-tickets-800305734997LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

On today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance', we are joined by Jake Roxander, rising star at American Ballet Theatre. Jake tells us about the intensity of his training growing up in a family of ballet dancers, why it's important for dancers to keep an open mind about the companies and goals they set their sights on, and how he's handled the challenges of a year marked by numerous major principal role debuts. You can catch Jake in ABT's upcoming New York City MET spring season, June 18th through July 20th. THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR: artÉmotion’s popular adult summer intensive program returns this May 27 - June 1. This program includes Advanced, Intermediate Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner classes, with no prior dance experience needed for the beginner level. Let artÉmotion be the bridge between audience and the studio. Come dance this summer. For more information visit https://artemotionballetschool.com/.BALLET COLLECTIVE Commission for Developing Choreographers: https://balletcollective.com/forchoreographers2025The White Feather: A Persian BalletThe Kennedy Center: https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/dance/2023-2024/the-white-feather-persian-ballet/New York City: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-white-feather-tickets-800305734997LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD