It's that time of year again! Get ready for daily drops from Conversations on Dance all throughout the 2025 Vail Dance Festival through August 3rd. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a moment.Today we are joined by four dancers from LINES Ballert: Adji Cissoko, Lorris Eichinger, Ilaria Guerra, and Shuaib Elhassan. In this mornings conversation, explore the companys return to the Vail Dance Festival with a program that includes Ode to Alice Coltranea tribute to the legendary spiritual jazz iconand Mother Goose, a mesmerizing reimagining of Ravels beloved 1912 suite, Ma mre lOye. Hear behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process behind these visionary works and get to know the artists shaping them. The conversation will be followed by an open audience Q&A. This episode was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 26, 2025.
While 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 years Vail Dance Festival. Adji is a ballerina with the LINES ballet (and last years 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 familys deep artistic roots, what their first collaboration meant to them and how they look forward to creating this year at the Vail Dance Festival. Stream the closing night performance, 'NOW Premieres,' from the 2024 Vail Dance Festival from August 5-13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU1-Yq_0Alc
Adji Cissoko is an artist of striking elegance and daring, whether as a performer or choreographer. With Cissokos selection of 2023s Artist-in-Residence, Festival audiences will be treated to ample amounts of both. For this live recording of the Conversations On Dance podcast, Adji will talk about her years at the Vail Dance Festival past and what the opportunities as Artist-in-Residence mean for her creative output this year.This episode was recorded live on August 1st, 2023 at the Manor Vail Lodge. Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival is generously underwritten by the Town of Vail.VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL IS GOING ON NOW! Conversations on Dance events: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/Performance tickets: https://vaildance.org/
This 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.
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/
Today, on the Conversations on Dance podcast, we are sharing our chat with American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancers, Isabella Boylston and James Whiteside, that was recorded as a part of the 2020 Vail Dance Festival: Digital Edition. Through August 15th, you can watch our Zoom chat with James and Bella on the Vail Dance Festival Facebook page or on their YouTube Channel. While you are there, we encourage you to explore the incredible 8 evenings of content that truly highlights what makes this festival so special! But hurry, videos are only available through August 15th.
On this week's episode of Conversations On Dance, we are thrilled to be joined once again by American Ballet Theatre principal Isabella Boylston. We caught up with her at the Vail Dance Festival, where we talked about her most recent season at the Met with ABT, how her second year running the Ballet Sun Valley Festival differed from the first, and her preparations for her first performances dancing Justin Peck's In Creases'.
This week we are joined by Isabella Boylston, American Ballet Theater Principal Dancer. Isabella was born in Sun Valley Idaho and started dancing at the age of 3. In 1994 she began training at a small studio, and by the age of 12 was commuting to Denver every day to study at the Academy of Colorado Ballet. After winning gold at the Youth America Grand Prix finals in New York City in 2001, she moved to Florida to study at the Harid Conservatory. After attending a summer course at American Ballet Theater, she joined the studio company in 2005, and joined the main company a year later. She was then promoted to Principal Dancer in 2014. She has danced many lead roles with the company, most noteably Giselle, Odette/Odile, Kitri in Don Quixote, and the lead in George Balanchines Theme and Variations. Recently she appeared as a guest star with the Royal Danish Ballet, and the Mariinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. Today we chat with Bella ahead of the opening of ABTs Fall Season at the Koch Theater in New York City starting this Wednesday and going through October 29th. We talk today about the path that brought her to ABT, what her first big opportunities in the company were like, about her time as Artistic Director of this summers Ballet Sun Valley festival, and get a preview of what she is dancing this week in New York. Get tickets now: abt.org.
The Vail Dance Festival is just around the corner and our coverage starts now! Today we are joined by American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer and friend of the pod, Herman Cornejo. Herman joins us in the midst of ABTs season where he is celebrating 25 incredible years with the company. We catch up with Herman about this season, what it means to be celebrating such an important milestone, what his plans are for the future, and what he will be dancing this year at the Vail Dance Festival. As a festival favorite, we are so looking forward to seeing him soon on the VDF stage.The Vail Dance Festival returns July 26 August 5:The Vail Dance Festival returns July 26 August 5 with THIRTEEN performances featuring dance luminaries from across the United States and around the world. This summer they welcome Dance Theatre of Harlem, Limn Dance Company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Colorado Ballet, and DanceAspen, as well as artists from Alonzo King LINES Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, BalletX, New York City Ballet, and so much more. Conversations on Dance will be bringing you a behind-the-scenes look at all the action. Join us in person for 8 live events featuring incredible festival artists including Catherine Hurlin, Sara Mearns, Robert Garland, Adji Cissoko and many more. If you are not able to join us in person, be sure to subscribe to Conversations on Dance wherever you get your podcasts to listen to the live episodes after the events.Get your tickets now for festival performances and vaildance.org. And claim your tickets for COD events at vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance.
We are joined today by Tiler Peck, principal dancer with New York City Ballet and Herman Cornejo, principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. The pair tell us about their partnership here at the festival and Justin Peck's newest work. This episode was recorded LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival, This episode was recorded on August 4, 2021 at the Manor Vail Lodge. Experience the Vail Dance Festival from wherever you are this Monday, August 9th, 2021. Enjoy a live-streamed event of the festival's closing evening: NOW Premieres, which we discuss in this episode. Access will be available for one week on VDF's YouTube Channel. More information on VDF's social media channels. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of the Vail Dance Festival and Conversations on Dance live podcast recordings. This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge. Thank you to Tom Boyd for producing this episode.
American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer, Herman Cornejo, sits down with us from the Vail Dance Festival. We talk about his year of dance since we last saw him in Vail, his 20th anniversary with ABT, and about what he is dancing this year at the festival. You will want to listen to the end where he shares some BIG news with us!
The Vail Dance Festival has announced their dates for their 2019 festival and to celebrate, we are diving into our archives from our time last year at the festival. Today we are joined by festival favorite, Herman Cornejo. Herman was born in Argentina and began his ballet studies at the age of eight. At the age of 14 he attended the School of American Ballet, and upon returning home he joined Ballet Argentino under the direction of Julio Bocca. In 1999 he joined American Ballet Theatre, was promoted to Soloist in 2000 and to Principal Dancer in 2003. Cornejo has performed as a guest artist with numerous companies around the world, La Scala Ballet, Universal Ballet of Korea, National Ballet of Japan, Kremlin Ballet, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, and many others. We talk to Herman about his time as a young dancer being mentored by Julio Bocca, what his early years in American Ballet Theatre were like, and what keeps bringing him back to the Vail Dance Festival.
This episode was recorded live on July 30, 2024 at the Vail Dance Festival. In part two of this episode, we are joined by American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer, Catherine Hurlin. Look for part one of this episode, now in the feed.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/
This week on Conversations on Dance, we are joined from the Kennedy Center by American Ballet Theatre soloist, Catherine Hurlin. Born in New York City, Catherine began her dance training at Scarsdale Ballet Studio and Westchester Dance Academy. She was awarded the Hope Award at the 2007 Youth American Grand Prix New York City Finals, and went on to receive a full scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre. Hurlin joined ABT as an apprentice in December 2013 and the corps de ballet in June 2014. She was promoted to Soloist in September 2018. Hurlin was the recipient of a 2018 Princess Grace Award and just this past weekend it was announced that Catherine has been awarded the Erik Bruhn Prize, one of the ballet worlds most prestigious awards. Today we talk with Catherine about moving through the ranks at ABT starting in the school, about her mother who was a former Paul Taylor dancer and her impact on her career, and about her many accolades she has accumulated over her career.
Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome two of the Festivals 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 Phelanwidely regarded as one of the most iconic duos to emerge from the Vail Dance Festivalwill 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/
Welcome to a special bonus episode from the 2024 Vail Dance Festival. Today we welcome back our friend, Calvin Royal III, Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre. We chat about his met season at ABT, his experience this year at the Vail Dance Festival, and about the ballet festival he is producing at the Joyce this month.UNITE: Joyce Ballet Festival, directed and co-produced by Calvin Royal III. August 13-18, 2024Tickets: https://www.joyce.org/performances/118/unite/ballet-festival
LIVE from Vail Dance Festival, today we chat with American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer and Vail Dance Festival Artist in Residence, Calvin Royal III. We hear from Calvin about his beginnings in dance, his promotion to principal, how he stayed inspired during the pandemic, and being artist in residence at this year's festival. This episode was recorded on July 31, 2021 at the Manor Vail Lodge. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of the Vail Dance Festival and Conversations on Dance live podcast recordings. This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge. Thank you to Tom Boyd for producing this episode. Photo by Chris Kendig.
Today, on the Conversations on Dance podcast, we are sharing our chat with American Ballet Theatre Soloist, Calvin Royal III, that was recorded as a part of the 2020 Vail Dance Festival: Digital Edition. Through August 15th, you can watch our Zoom chat with Calvin on the Vail Dance Festival Facebook page or on their YouTube Channel. While you are there, we encourage you to explore the incredible 8 evenings of content that truly highlights what makes this festival so special! But hurry, videos are only available through August 15th.
This week we are going back into our vault from our time at the Vail Dance Festival this past summer, for another episode with a festival favorite. Today we talk Calvin Royal III, American Ballet Theatre Soloist. Calvin started his formal ballet training at the age of 14 in St. Petersburg, Florida. In April of 2006 he was a finalist at the Youth America Grand Prix Scholarship Comeptition in New York City, and joined ABTs Jacqueline Kennedy Onnasis School a few months later. He joined ABT II (now the ABT Studio Company) in 2007, and joined the main company in 2010. Royal was a 2014 winner of a grant from the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship Fund. He was promoted to soloist just this past summer. We talk with Calvin about how he got his start in ballet despite being 14, how he quickly caught up with his peers, what the Fellowship Fund grant has afforded him, and what he looks forward to as a new soloist.
Jose SebastianSoloist
This week we are joined by Jose Sebastian, dancer with American Ballet Theatre and Director of ABT Incubator. Jose, a native of New York City, started his dance training at age 8 with the School of American Ballet and continued training there for nearly 10 years. He joined ABT Studio Company in 2006 and American Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in January 2009 and became a member of the corps de ballet in January 2010. In 2020, Sebastian was appointed director of ABT Incubator, ABTs choreographic workshop program for inspiring the creation of new work. To learn more about ABT Incubator, visit abt.org, and to watch some of the films from this year's program, visit American Ballet Theatre's YouTube Channel. T
This week we are joined by Christine Shevchenko, Principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. Christine was born in Ukraine, where she was chosen to train in rhythmic gymnastics and ballet at an Olympic school. At eight years of age, she moved with her family to the United States where she trained for nine years at Pennsylvania Ballets Rock School. In 2003, Christine became the youngest recipient of the Princess Grace Award. She won a Bronze Medal in the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, and a Gold Medal at the Moscow International Ballet Competition. She joined American Ballet Theatres Studio Company in August 2006 and moved through the ranks, being promoted to Principal in September 2017. We talk with Christine from the Vail Dance Festival about her intense early training in Ukraine, dancing at the Rock School, her career at ABT, and her first time at the Vail Dance Festival.
On today's episode of Conversations On Dance, we are joined by Devon Teuscher, principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. In 2006, after completing her training at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, Devon was invited to join ABT's studio company. Consistent soloist work led to her first promotion in 2014, and following a triumphant turn as Odette/Odile in the full length Swan Lake', she was promoted to principal in 2017. We sat down at the Vail Dance Festival with Devon to discuss how she pushed through difficult early years in the corps de ballet, the hours of hard work and thought that went into shaping her Swan Lake', and what she wants next from her career. Photo: Sarah Kehoe
Vail Dance Festival has long committed to bringing artists at all different points in their journey and development, and 2023 is no different. The Conversations On Dance podcast is joined by this years Scholar-In-Residence Spencer Lenain and his childhood dance idol esteemed American Ballet Theatre principal James Whiteside for a live podcast recording. The pair will talk about how having such a range bolsters the experiences of dancers and audiences alike.This episode was recorded live on August 3rd, 2023 at the Manor Vail Lodge. Conversations on Dance at the Vail Dance Festival is generously underwritten by the Town of Vail.VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL IS GOING ON NOW! Conversations on Dance events: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/Performance tickets: https://vaildance.org/
On today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance' we are joined by principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre James Whiteside to discuss his upcoming directorial debut film 'Daytripper'. James catches up to speed about his recovery from knee surgery, transforming his book 'Center Center' into a play and the creative concept and filming process for 'Daytripper'. You can stream 'Daytripper' as part of the All Arts Artist In Residence series this April 23rd at 10:55pm on PBS or stream the film on the All Arts app.
Today, we are chatting with friend of the pod and American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer, James Whiteside, from the 2021 Vail Dance Festival. James tells us all about his new (self-proclaimed) almost-memoir that just hit bookshelves called Center Center. We hear about how long he has dreamt of writing a book, how the idea came about, what the writing process was like, and what he hopes readers will take away. At the end of the episode he tells us a little bit about his newest ballet that he created for the Vail Dance Festival that was a part of the festival's closing night performance. Center Center is available wherever books are sold, and in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook. Get your copy now: https://amzn.to/3ymmrnr This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge.
Today we are brining you a live podcast recording from the Vail Dance Festival with American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer, James Whiteside. This episode was recorded on July 27th, the morning before the premier of his newest work, New American Dream. Unfortunately, we did come up against some technical difficulties, so we are sharing this episode from a backup file, with a little lower quality than we are used to. We appologize for the inconvenience, but we felt that this conversation with James was too enjoyable for our audience to miss. Enjoy.
Today on Conversations on Dance, we welcome Theresa Ruth Howard, founder of Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet, and Katlyn Addison, principal dancer with Ballet West. We first had Katlyn on the podcast in February of 2024 in episode 383, where we talk all about her career. We are happy to welcome Katlyn back on to talk about the upcoming "Pathways to Performance: Exercises in Reframing the Narrative" performance at the Kennedy Center. Theresa was the guest curator of "Reframing the Narrative" at the Kennedy Center for it's inaugural season in 2022 and Theresa is returning again this year with her hand-picked group of dancers coming together from all across the country to feature a newly commissioned ballet and excerpts of recently premiered works by Black choreographers. Katlyn was selected by Theresa in 2022 to be a part of this project and is returning again this year. The pair tell us about "Pathways to Performance: Exercises in Reframing the Narrative," how the project came about, what was so special about the experience in 2022, and how they will be expanding upon the work now in 2024. Don't miss "Pathways to Performance: Exercises in Reframing the Narrative" July 2 and 3 at the Kennedy Center. Tickets are available at kennedy-center.org.WATCH:Reframing the Narrative: Blacks in Ballet | A Kennedy Center Digital Stage Original (2022 documentary)Donald Byrd's "From Other Suns" | A World Premiere Ballet from The Kennedy Center
On today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance', we are joined by Katlyn Addison, principal dancer with Ballet West. Katlyn takes us on the journey through her early training days in Canada, the decision to take a risk by leaving her first major company for new terrain, and how that risk paid off through years of hard work and steady promotions. Katlyn will be making her premiere as Odette/Odile in Ballet West's upcoming performances of 'Swan Lake', which is having its run this February 9th through the 17th. If you are in the Salt Lake City area and would like to purchase tickets, visit balletwest.org.
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 Americas leading contemporary ballet companies. Join us for an engaging conversation about their artistic journeys, creative process, and what it means to be part of BalletXs 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/
This week on Conversations on Dance, we are joined by Savannah Green, dancer with BalletX. Savannah was born and raised in New York City, receiving her initial dance training from Manhattan Youth Ballet. In 2017 she graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Political Science. She has been a member of BalletX since 2020. Savannah has been going to the Vail Dance Festival since she was about 11, and has now participated in the festival as an artist and a member of BalletX for the past several years. We chat with Savannah about her training, her love for dance, discovering her home with BalletX, and her years of experience at the Vail Dance Festival. See Savannah and BalletX onstage at the Vilar Performing Arts Center on August 6th at 6pm. Ticket available here. VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW! Conversations on Dance events: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/Performance tickets: https://vaildance.org/
On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by two dancers currently on tour with Twyla Tharp, Renan Cerdeiro and Alex Peters. They take us through their journey with Twyla, first as principal dancers with the Miami City Ballet performing her repertoire, then to the creative process for both her new work and a challenging revival, and finally through the experience of taking these works across America. They continue their tour with Twyla through April 20th.
Today we are joined by two of our close friends, former Miami City Ballet Principal Dancer, Patricia Delgado, and current MCB Principal, Renan Cerdeiro. Patricia has been on our podcast quite a few times in the past, so to hear more from Pat, visit our past catalog of episodes. Renan was born in Rio de Janiero, Brazil and started dancing at a young age. In 2008, he was named a finalist at the Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland, and was awarded a scholarship to train at Miami City Ballet School. He joined MCB in 2010, and was promoted to Principal in 2013. Patricia and Renan often danced together at Miami City Ballet, and became one of the companys most beloved onstage couples. We caught up with the pair when they were guesting as The Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavelier in Next Generation Ballets Nutcracker this past December. Hear them talk about their first time dancing together, what makes their partnership so special, their experience dancing Romeo and Juliet together, and what it feels like to reunite here in Tampa with Next Generation Ballet.
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 companys incredible heritage while pushing forward into the future with new commissions. Celebrating its landmark 75th anniversary season, the Limn 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
Today on 'Conversations On Dance', we are joined by Lloyd Knight, a long time veteran of the Martha Graham Dance Company. We catch up with Lloyd about the work he has done in the past year with Twyla Tharp and on tours with the Graham company, as well as the time he's spent this year as one of the New York Public Library's Dance Research Fellows. The program this year is centered on Martha Graham, and Lloyd will present his research in the Jerome Robbins Dance Division's Annual Symposium alongside the other fellows on January 26th. There will also be a virtual Symposium on February 2nd. Tickets are free and can be reserved via Eventbrite: CLICK HERE. For more information about the Jerome Robbins Dance Divison, visit nypl.org. Try Audible Plus free for 30 daysGive the gift of Audible Plus
Today we are joined by Lloyd Knight, Principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Born in England and raised in Miami, Lloyd trained at Miami Conservatory of Ballet and New World School of the Arts. He joined Martha Graham Dance Company in 2005 and performs the major male roles of the Graham repertory including in Appalachian Spring, Embattled Garden, Night Journey and many others. He is currently a principal guest artist for The Royal Ballet of Flanders. We talk with Lloyd about his start in dance, his beginnings with Martha Graham Dance Company, some of his favorite onstage memories, and his first year participating in the Lake Tahoe Dance Festival. Since the festival is going virtual in 2020, we will all get the privilege of watching Lloyd's duet with Wendy Whelan in Martha Graham's Moon.
Marzia Memoli
Today 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 Bejarts 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 the end of the episode, we recently caught up with Marzia again to hear about her preparations to return to the stage and the company's upcoming performances at the Joyce Theater October 26-31. Tickets for two joyous programs celebrating the exhilarating return to live theater at the Joyce are available on their website, joyce.org. _______________________________
Today we are joined by Leslie Andrea Williams, chorus dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Leslie was born in Newport News, Virginia and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. She received her BFA from The Juilliard School. Ms Williams has danced in the Martha Graham Dance Company for six seasons. She performs numerous featured roles in iconic Graham ballets such as The Woman in White in Diversion of Angels and The Pioneering Woman in Appalachian Spring. Her most notable role has been performing the Lead in Chronicle the first Black dancer to do so. Her performance recently earned Ms. Williams a mention in The New York Times Best Dance of 2019 list. Ms. Williamss work has been described as hypnotic and larger than life, and in 2016 she was named in dance magazine as a dancer On the rise. Today we talk with Leslie about her training, her transition to the Graham technique, and her time with the company. As a note: we wanted to let you know that we will be taking a short time off from Conversations on Dance due to other work commitments. This will be our last episode until the middle of November. We are hoping to make it up to you with some extra bonus content in November, so stay tuned. In the meantime, be sure to connect with us on social media @conversationsondance. One more note. During the editing process of this episode we realized we had some background noises that were not apparent to us while we were recording. While we tried to edit the episode as much as possible, we appreciate your patience with at home Zoom recordings. Enjoy the episode and we can't wait to be back with you in November!
This week on the Conversations on Dance podcast, we are joined by Martha Graham Dance Company Principal Dancer, Xin Ying. Ying was born in China and began dancing at the age of 6 taking classes in Chinese folk dance. At just 15 she entered college and after graduating, she went on to teach dance at the Sichuan University of Culture and Arts. After years of teaching, she decided that she wanted to travel to further her understanding of dance, then bring that knowledge back to her students. Ying received funding from her University to travel to New York City and attend the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. From there, her love for the Martha Graham technique blossomed: she took a position in the second company and would go on to join the main company in 2011. We talk with Ying about her training and education in China, her incredible career trajectory, what made her fall in love with the Graham technique, and what this past year has been like for her. We recorded this episode on Friday, April 30th before the companys return to live shows this past weekend. For more information on the companys live and virtual programming, please visit marthagraham.org.
Today 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 performances before the pandemic hit, Nathalia was promoted to Principal. We talk with Nathalia about her career, how she became aware of Miami City Ballet, navigating the company's change direction early in her tenure, her promotion to principal, and the company's upcoming streaming of George Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream.' Since its premiere in 2016, Miami City Ballets reimagining of Balanchines A Midsummer Nights Dream has been beloved by audiences and acclaimed by critics. Now, enjoy the online premiere of this shimmery, shadowy, magical jewel box of a show from the comfort of your home. Midsummer's virtual premiere is available online from October 14-31, 2021. Tickets are $20 and are available on their website, miamicityballet.org/midsummer.
This 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 VDFs performances. Watching young dancers cut their teeth in some of their early major opportunities has become as thrilling to Vail audiences as seeing its international stars. Come watch Conversations On Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden interview some of these stars-in-the-making about their experiences at Vail before you catch them making career breakthroughs in the evenings performance. Upcoming Conversations on Dance events at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/
This week we talk with New York City Ballet dancer, India Bradley, from the 2021 Vail Dance Festival this past summer, before the company returned to work. India last appeared on the podcast at the Vail Dance Festival prior to beginning her first season at NYCB as a member of the corps de ballet. You can listen to our chat with her in episode 159. Today, India talks about giving herself grace during the pandemic to step away from dance, how she has found her way back, and what she has most enjoyed about returning to the studio and stage. Photo credit: Christopher Duggan __________________________________
This week on COD, we are joined by New York City Ballet dancer India Bradley. With a history of dance in her family, India began her training in her home state of Michigan. After training at DTH and SAB, India was accepted into NYCB. After just one year in the company, she has proven to be an in demand talent elsewhere, with a spate of additional performing opportunities that have included the Ashley Bouder Project, Vail Dance Festival and BalletCollective. We talk to India about her early experiences at NYCB, her experiences with a multitude of side projects and what the leadership transition at NYCB has been like for the newest generation of dancers. This episode is generously supported by Yumiko (yumiko.com), Vail Dance Festival, and BalletCollective. Conversations On Dance would like to take this opportunity to invite you to an evening of dance and music that finds NYCB soloist Troy Schumacher's trailblazing BalletCollective collaborating with the groundbreaking orchestral collective The Knights. Comprised entirely of dancers from the New York City Ballet, and featuring world premieres by two of its dancers, Schumacher and Preston Chamblee, the evening will build on BalletCollective's tradition of creating forward-thinking, collaboration driven art that reflects the world we live in. Hailed by the New York Times as being unforced, experimental and refreshing', BalletCollective has been at the forefront of collaborative art for nearly a decade. Don't miss their performances at the Gelsey Kirkland Arts Center in Brooklyn, this Oct 23, 25 and 26. You can purchase tickets at www.balletcollective.com/tickets.
Join Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a live podcast recording with New York City Ballets 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.
Today on Conversations On Dance, we are joined by New York City Ballet soloist Chun Wai Chan. Chun began his ballet training in his native China, before breaking out onto the international stage through the competition scene. A finalist spot in the Prix de Lausanne sparked the interest of Houston Ballet, where he joined in the second company and quickly rose through the ranks. We talk to Chun about his early training days in China, choosing Houston Ballet over a multitude of other offers, and what it took for him to make the daring decision to drastically alter his artistic existence by joining the New York City Ballet as a soloist.
In 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, Mira Nadon. 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.
This week we are joined by our friend, Jovani Furlan, soloist with New York City Ballet. Born in Joinville, Brazil, Jovani started dancing at the age of 11 at The Bolshoi Theater School in Brazil. In 2010 he participated in the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, and was offered a full scholarship to attend the Miami City Ballet School by Edward Villella. He began his training at the MCB School in 2011 and joined Miami City Ballet in 2012. He was promoted to soloist in 2015 and was named an MCB principal dancer in 2017. Jovani joined NYCB as a soloist in August 2019. We talk with Jovani, who we both danced with for many years in Miami, about his origins with ballet, why he had his eye on coming to dance in the US, joining MCB during the directorship transition, and how his new position at New York City Ballet came about.
On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we dive into the new documentary "The Nutcracker At Wethersfield", a film that explores the chaotic, thrilling experience of a huge team of dancers, artists and volunteers coming together to ensure that the "Nutcracker" holiday tradition could continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are joined by the choreographer Troy Schumacher and ballerina Ashley Laracey, the Sugar Plum Fairy in this production, both veteran NYCB soloists who had not had a year without Nutcracker in their lives for more than two decades. They take us through the numerous complications to consider while mounting the production, from legal constraints, health concerns and the logistics of building a massive production in just five weeks, and how this experience ultimately came to be a documentary that perfectly encapsulates a moment unlike any of us shall ever experience again in our lives. "The Nutcracker At Wethersfield" will be available to stream on demand from December 21st through January 5th through the website nutcrackerfilm.com.
Every 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 them in their own creative pursuits. Upcoming Conversations on Dance events at the 2024 Vail Dance Festival: https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/
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.
This week we bring you an episode we recorded at New York Citys Guggenheim museum in January. We wanted to catch up with New York City Ballet Principal Dancer, Sara Mearns, and Jodi Melnick, contemporary choreographer to hear about their Works and Process at the Guggenheim that they were putting together. We chatted with the pair quickly between rehearsals, so we could offer our listeners a preview of this work One of Sixty-Five Thousand Gestures/ NEW BODIES that will be going to the Spoleto Festival in Charelston, South Carolina June 7-10. For more information about the festival and performances running May 25-June 10th, visit Spoletousa.org. To get tickets to see Sara and Jodi, search NEW BODIES on the Spoleto website, or click here.
Today we are bringing you another episode from Next Generation Ballet in Tampa. We sit down with esteemed New York City Ballet Principals Sara Mearns and Amar Ramasar who were performing as guest artists for NGBs Nutcracker this past December. Sara has been on the pod before, so if you havent heard our interview with her, check out episode 24. Amar and Sara have been dancing together since they joined the company in 2000 and 2003 respectively. They have had works created on them and surrounding their partnership by countless choreographers including Justin Peck, Peter Martins, Chris Wheeldon, and Alexei Ratmansky to name a few. Today we talk with them about what makes a successful partnership, how they worked through some difficult times, why they work so well together, and they share with us some of their favorite onstage moments together.
New York City Ballet up-and-coming corps member, Roman Mejia, sits down with us from the Vail Dance Festival. We talk about his year of dance since we last saw him in Vail, working with Edward Villella, and on performing Alexei Ratmansky's Fandango' here at Vail Dance Festival on August 2nd, 2019. This episode was recorded at Manor Vail Lodge.
Roman Mejia is one of the newest members of the New York City Ballet, having burst onto the scene at the Vail Dance Festival fresh out of the School of American Ballet. In just his first year at the company, hes garnered critical acclaim for numerous solo roles, and is quickly gathering momentum as a dancer to be seen. We talk with Roman about the pressures of being thrust into the spotlight so soon into his career, how he prepares for these challenges, and how coming from a ballet family has prepared him in his career. (Note: This episode was recorded on August 4th, 2018) Photo: Roman Mejia in Pas de Deux from William Tell at the 2018 Vail Dance Festival. Photo by Erin Baiano
This week on Conversations on Dance, we are joined by New York City Ballet dancer, Miriam Miller from last summers Vail Dance Festival. Miriam was born in Iowa City, Iowa, and began her dance training in 2001. She attended summer courses at the School of American Ballet (SAB) in 2011 and 2012, enrolling as a full-time student during the 2012 winter term. Ms. Miller became an apprentice with NYCB in January 2015. While still an apprentice with NYCB, Miller performed the role of Titania in George Balanchines A Midsummer Nights Dream, as well as featured roles in Balanchines Harlequinade and Peter Martins Swan Lake. She joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in January 2016. We talk with Miriam about her start with ballet, how her first show of Titania came about, her hopes for her career, and going to college while dancing full time.
Join Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a live podcast recording with New York City Ballets 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.
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.
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.
This week we are joined by Mira Nadon, New York City Ballet Corps de Ballet dancer. Mira began her ballet training at the age of six at the Inland Pacific Ballet Academy in Montclair, California. She attended summer courses at the School of American Ballet (SAB), in 2014 and 2015, before entering SAB full-time for the 2015 winter term. In November 2017, Ms. Nadon became an apprentice with NYCB and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in November 2018. We talk with this rising star about her training, joining NYCB as an apprentice at just 16, and her career accomplishments at such a young age. Photo: Nadon in Peter Martins' The Sleeping Beauty. Erin Baiano, Courtesy NYCB
On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by superstar NYCB ballerina Tiler Peck and Garen Scribner, former SFB soloist and the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Dance Film Festival. Tiler recounts how her harrowing recovery from a potentially life altering injury was captured on film after Garen suggested the process be turned into a documentary. The resulting project is "Tiler Peck: Suspending Time", a documentary film making its premiere at the SF Dance Film Festival this October 24th at the Lucasfilm Premier Theater. To purchase tickets, visit sfdancefilmfest.org. Get Tiler's new book: https://amzn.to/4oXookXAnnouncement:We are thrilled to announce that we will be returning to Miami City Ballet October 17th-19th to host live pre-performance talks for the opening weekend of the companys 40th anniversary season. For each talk, we will be joined by Gonzalo Garcia as he ushers the company into its first season under his direction. Full details below. This program is truly not to be missed: the all Peck program includes Year of the Rabbit, Chutes and Ladders, and Heatscape. If you are in the Miami area come join us.DETAILS:FRI October 17 with Gonzalo Garcia at 6:30pmSAT October 18 with Gonzalo and Justin Peck at 6:30pmSUN October 19 with Gonzalo and Patricia Delgado at 1pmAdmission to pre-performance talks at the Arsht Center is complimentary with ticket purchase. Tickets available here: https://www.miamicityballet.org/tickets-and-events/202526-season/peck/. If you are unable to join us in person, subscribe to the Conversations on Dance podcast feed through your favorite podcast app, where we will be publishing recordings of the events.
We are joined today by Tiler Peck, principal dancer with New York City Ballet and Herman Cornejo, principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. The pair tell us about their partnership here at the festival and Justin Peck's newest work. This episode was recorded LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival, This episode was recorded on August 4, 2021 at the Manor Vail Lodge. Experience the Vail Dance Festival from wherever you are this Monday, August 9th, 2021. Enjoy a live-streamed event of the festival's closing evening: NOW Premieres, which we discuss in this episode. Access will be available for one week on VDF's YouTube Channel. More information on VDF's social media channels. Special thanks to the Town of Vail for their support of the Vail Dance Festival and Conversations on Dance live podcast recordings. This episode was recorded at the Manor Vail Lodge. Thank you to Tom Boyd for producing this episode.
Today we are bringing you a live podcast recording from the Vail Dance Festival with New York City Ballet Principal Tiler Peck. In her 11th year at the Vail Dance Festival, Tiler continues to explore her work as a choreographer with a revival of last year's premiere Lincoln Square' and new premiere to Caroline Shaw's Thousandth Orange'. We talk to her about her choreographic inspirations, and the thought process behind her latest work. This episode was recorded on August 6, 2019.
Welcome to Live From the Kennedy Center: Damian Woetzel & Tiler Peck on Jerome Robbins. Two weeks ago we were in Washington, DC to cover a busy weekend of ballet at the Kennedy Center. We arrived on Friday night just in time to watch an exceptional performance entitled DEMO: Jerome Robbins- An American Dance Genius. These DEMO programs are curated by former New York City Ballet Principal, Artistic Director of the Vail Dance Festival, and incoming president of Julliard, Damian Woetzel. Damian hosted the evening, which gave audiences an educational behind the scenes look at working with Jermone Robbins and dancing his ballets. He brought 5 New York City Ballet dancers with him to demonstrate multiple excerpts of Robbins ballets: Tyler Angle, Tiler Peck, Unity Phelan, Amar Ramasar, and Daniel Ulbricht. Damians wife, and former New York City Ballet Principal, (also a former Conversations on Dance guest) Heather Watts, was a special guest for the evening. The dancers were all clad in rehearsal attire, the stage was bare, with the exceptions of a few barres to constitue sets, organized onstage just as they are in the studios for rehearsals. The evening started with Robbins' first work Fancy Free, and moved in mostly chronological order, to include his Broadway work, his return to NYCB in 1969, and his interest in choreographing to Chopins music. One highlight of the evening was when Ms. Watts coached Ms. Peck in Afternoon of a Faun. The evening included so much history, details, and background on these ballets, that we invited Damian and Tiler Peck to join us the next day for a debrief of the performance. For more information on performances and events at the Kennedy Center, visit kennedy-center.org.
Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome two of the Festivals 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 Phelanwidely regarded as one of the most iconic duos to emerge from the Vail Dance Festivalwill 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/
This week we are joined by New York City Ballet soloist, Unity Phelan. Born in Princeton, New Jersey, Unity began her training at the age of 5 at the Princeton Ballet School. In 2008 and 2009 she attended the School of American Ballet for the summer, becoming a year-round student in the fall of 2009. In December 2012 she was asked to become an apprentice with the New York City Ballet, and was promoted to soloist just this past February. Today we talk with Unity from the Vail Dance Festival back in August. We discuss her quick rise through the ranks at New York City Ballet, being selected to dance a Principal role in a new ballet at just 20 years old, and the role Vail Dance Festival plays in her development as an artist. This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. We are happy to offer a special $30 off your first order at Blue Apron for all of our listeners by visiting conversationsondancepod.com/blueapron.
On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we dive into the new documentary "The Nutcracker At Wethersfield", a film that explores the chaotic, thrilling experience of a huge team of dancers, artists and volunteers coming together to ensure that the "Nutcracker" holiday tradition could continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are joined by the choreographer Troy Schumacher and ballerina Ashley Laracey, the Sugar Plum Fairy in this production, both veteran NYCB soloists who had not had a year without Nutcracker in their lives for more than two decades. They take us through the numerous complications to consider while mounting the production, from legal constraints, health concerns and the logistics of building a massive production in just five weeks, and how this experience ultimately came to be a documentary that perfectly encapsulates a moment unlike any of us shall ever experience again in our lives. "The Nutcracker At Wethersfield" will be available to stream on demand from December 21st through January 5th through the website nutcrackerfilm.com.
On this week's episode of Conversations On Dance', we are joined by Boston Ballet principal Misa Kuranaga. A native of Japan, Misa first came to dance professionally in America with the San Francisco Ballet, before additional training at the School of American Ballet. In 2003, she joined Boston Ballet, where was quickly handed major soloist and principal opportunities, ultimately rising to the rank of principal dancer in 2009. We talk to her about her path to Boston Ballet, fighting through periods of uncertainty and lack of motivation, and how she continues to develop her artistry after nearly ten years as a principal