Ballet & Dance Podcast

In this podcast Russell Maliphant, the critically acclaimed, award winning choreographer, dancer and artistic director of Russell Maliphant Dance Company, discusses his career and work that firmly places this artist as one of Britain's most important choreographers creating work today. Next year, Russell Maliphant Dance Company is set to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. Listen to Russell share his journey from training with The Royal Ballet School, dancing with Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet), before deciding to forge an independent dance career, that led to him establishing Russell Maliphant Dance Company. Russell is a deeply considered artist, eternally curious and highly academic. Listen to Russell as he discusses his interest and research into anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, Rolf Method of Structural Integration, somatic practice and more. He also talks about his exploration of flow and energy and the relationship between movement, light and music in his award winning work. Russell Maliphant (c) Panayiotis Sinnos At the time of this podcast recording, dance was just returning to the stage in London and unfortunately due to the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hitting the UK and Europe, performances have again been cancelled or delayed. Russell Maliphant choreographed a piece for English National Ballet's REUNION - which was to be their first live performance since the initial lockdown - unfortunately this is currently delayed. Russell Maliphant Dance Company is scheduled to perform in Europe in early 2021. The company has also made their Digital Archives available and they are also holding online classes, workshops and more. Stay up to date with Russell Maliphant Dance Company performance dates and discover more here. PRESS PLAY!

English National BalletandDutch National Ballet former Artistic Director, former Royal Ballet Senior Principal Dancer and world renowned choreographer Wayne Eagling, talks to The Wonderful World of Dance about his dance career, training with Dame Ninette de Valois, working with Sir Kenneth MacMillan and Sir Frederick Ashton, life at the famous Royal Opera House and hanging out with his friend Rudolf Nureyev. In this podcast, Wayne gives an insight into his 22 years with The Royal Ballet, his time as Artistic Director for the Dutch National Ballet and returning home after 14 years to become the Artistic Director of the English National Ballet. This wonderful conversation also looks into his extensive body of choreographic work for top companies around the world from The Royal Ballet, La Scala, Rome Opera Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Kremlin Ballet and during his tenures at English National Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet. New English Ballet Theatre in 'REMEMBRANCE' by Wayne Eagling. Photo by Deborah Jaffe Wayne talks about his latest project, working with the New English Ballet Theatre who premiered on YouTube, his dynamic narrative ballet, ‘REMEMBRANCE’, (available on YouTube until 15 December 2020). REMEMBRANCE tells the universal story of love, loss and war based on the life of Dame Marie Rambert – founder of Britain’s first and oldest ballet company – and her husband, the playwright Ashley Dukes. Listen to Wayne talk about working with the New English Ballet Theatre, rehearsing with the dancers and seeing his work move online during the coronavirus pandemic. NEBT in 'REMEMBRANCE' by Wayne Eagling. Photo by Deborah Jaffe PRESS PLAY!

Viviana Durante is an international ballet star and formerprincipal dancer with The Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, La Scala and K-Ballet. Hailed as one of the most dramatic dancers of her time, Viviana has forged an esteemed career as an Artistic Director, Producer, Coach, Judge and Author. In this podcast, Viviana talks about training at the Royal Ballet School, dancing with The Royal Ballet, establishing her own company and the influence on her new role as the Artistic Director of English National Ballet School, following her appointment just a year ago as the School's Dance Director. Viviana also shares her experience as the Artistic Director of Viviana Durante Company and curating ground breaking programmes, featuring a roster of famous dancers from The Royal Ballet, Ballet Black and Scottish Ballet. Listen to Viviana's vision for the English National Ballet School, the rigours ofballet training, the challenges faced by students during the covid pandemic, and how the School is supporting their young dancers as they return to class. PRESS PLAY!

Tiler Peck, New York City Ballet Principal is not only a famous ballerina in the US, she has become a global household name following her uber successful live ballet classes #turnoutwithtiler, launched during the covid pandemic. In this podcast, Tiler gives an insight into her inspiration for starting the online classes and the incredible feedback received from dancers around the world. Tiler shares one special story about a dancer in Iran, who was able to take class in the privacy of her own home, in a country where dancing in public is forbidden. This is the power of dance, and the power of digital dance during the pandemic. Listen to Tiler talk about her experience of lockdown and months away from the studio, following an extensive break from dancing as a result of a serious neck injury last year. In Tiler's uplifting style, she shares how she has been dealing with dancing at home and how she's ensuring she's ready for when the New York City Ballet is able to perform live. She also gives some insightful advice for other dancers, who are in a similar situation waiting for dance to return to the stage. Tiler has used this time away from the studio and rehearsals to create A New Stage, which is having its world premiere online on 16 October (then available to stream). Hear Tiler talk about curating and staring in A New Stage, which includes three new pieces from ballet to hip-hop to tap; working withLil Buck, Sierra Boggess, Brooklyn Mack and the Syncopated Ladies, who take the stage in works by Chloe Arnold and Jennifer Weber, and a world premiere from Christopher Wheeldon. PRESS PLAY!

Hofesh Shechter is an award winning, critically acclaimed choreographer, composer and artistic director of the ground-breaking and mind-blowing Hofesh Shechter Company. The renowned contemporary dance company presents work that is deeply visceral with performances that are spellbindingly raw, often raging, completely unexpected and a full assault on the senses. Hofesh talks in this podcast about growing up in Israel, travelling to Europe, and arriving in London to dance with the Jasmin Vardimon Company, before deciding take a year out to create his own work, which led to the formation of his own company. Listen to Hofesh describe his movement language, how he creates new work, his inspirations, and how he works with the dancers to deliver powerful performances of his distinct choreographic vocabulary. Hofesh also talks about the impact of lockdown and the shift to focus on digital, with the collaboration with Sadler’s Wells. Their Digital Stage In Focus series gives you the opportunity to take one of Hofesh Shechter Company workshops and learn exerts from his distinctive choreography. PRESS PLAY!

American Ballet Theatre Soloist, Gabe Stone Shayer talks in this podcast about his journey from Philadelphia to becoming the first African-American male graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, the first in the 250 year history of this prestigious school. Gabe shares his experience of dancing and living in Moscow, touring with the Bolshoi Ballet and returning to the US to join the American Ballet Theatre. Having performed many soloist and principal roles over the years, and creating roles with the acclaimed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, Gabe was promoted to Soloist during the lockdown and awaits to return to perform on stage. During the lockdown, Gabe has drawn on his love of choreography and launchedthe Creative Genesis project and has raised more than $30,000 to go towards creating and presenting new choreographic work. This project importantly helps support other dancers during these covid times, giving them work and an opportunity to perform as they wait for the theatres to reopen. You can DONATE HERE to the Creative Genesis project! PRESS PLAY!

Akram Khan MBE is without doubt one of the most innovative and important choreographers of our time. He has created some of the most profound and moving works over the last 20 years of Akram Khan Company, a company he founded with Farooq Chaudry. In this podcast, Akram talks about his experience of lockdown that led to feelings of depression, caused by the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. He gives us an insight into how he began creating again and collaborating on their 20th celebration programmeThe Silent Burn Project. Akram looks back over his dance career; from his dance training in Kathak South Asian classical dance and contemporary dance, to the influences and inspirations that led to him choreographing works that tell stories which critically address subjects ranging from power, oppression and racism. Listen to Akram talk about his approach to creating new works, his process of working with his visual, musical and design collaborators and dancers when he goes in the studio. In this intimate discussion, Akram reflects on his career highlights, on working with Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Antony Gormley, prima ballerinaSylvie Guillem CBE, creating Giselle with English National Ballet, and his hotly anticipated premiere of ENB's Creature which has been delayed due to coronavirus. We also talk about his creations;Dust,Until the Lions,Xenos,DESH and more. As we delve into Akram Khan Company, Akram gives a glimpse of what to expect fromThe Silent Burn Project, which features world famous prima ballerina Misty Copeland, plus dance short films, debates and more exciting content to celebrate the last two decades of this astounding company. The Silent Burn Project premieres worldwide for FREE via livestream on the company'swebsite, YouTube channel and Facebook Liveon 4 October 2020 at midday UK time. PRESS PLAY! https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/2Akram+khan.mp3 Also available to listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and other podcast providers!

Principal dancer Carlo di Lanno moved from SanFrancisco Ballet to Semperoper Ballett in Germany just as the coronavirus pandemic started to hit Europe. After arriving in the company's home in the city of Dresden, Carlo immediately quarantined for two weeks before going into the studio to take company class and start rehearsals for the season that has already seen cancellations. Listen to Carlo talk about his lockdown dance experience and what it's like joining a new ballet company when required to socially distance from your colleagues, while taking class metres apart from another, on rotating schedules. Semperoper Ballett is stepping back on stage with aseries of gala events called»Semper Essenz: We Will Dance!«, being performed at the wonderful opera house accompanied by their world-famous orchestra. With so many dance companies around the world cancelling their entire seasons, furloughing dancers and making staff redundant, it is uplifting to see ballet dancers set to perform to live audiences with a live orchestra - it's almost semi-normal! Carlo also shares his journey from growing up in south Italy to dancing with La Scala in Milan, Staatsballett Berlin and moving to San Francisco Ballet and working with world renowned choreographers William Forsythe, David Dawson, Benjamin B. Millepied, Christopher Wheeldon and more. »Semper Essenz: We Will Dance!«is on 25 September and1, 4, 16, 18 & 25 October 2020 - get your tickets. Photo: Sofiane Sylve and Carlo Di Lanno in On the Nature of Daylight by Ian Whalen PRESS PLAY! https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/Carlo.mp3 Podcast also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and other podcast providers!

In this podcast, English National Ballet'sIsabelle Brouwersgives us an insight into her lockdown experience that coincided with recovering from an injury; she also talks about how she prepared to return to the studio and what it's like dancing with a mask. https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/2Isabelle+Brouwers.mp3 It is an understatement to say that Covid has presented enormous challenges for the dance industry. Dancers have been especially hit, as they have strived to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing within the confines of their homes, often isolated and separated from their families as well as their dance colleagues. And this is before the industry-wide redundancies, covid infections and shifting government policies restricting and delaying live performances around the world. Isabelle Brouwers, English National Ballet (c) Nath Martin However, throughout this period Isabelle has remained positive. She shares how she used the time at home with her sister to rehabilitate her injured foot, while taking courses to further her academic career, and writing about dance and reviewing online shows. These goals helped to keep her focused and ensure she was ready to return to ENB's new multi-million pound home in East London. Listen to Isabelle describe the feeling of finally being back in the studio, and how the company has managed the dancers' return to keep them safe, with staggered start times, one-way systems and dance social 'bubbles'. Isabelle is absolutely relishing being back at the barre, even though this means taking company class in a mask - something dancers around the world are having to get used to. It's intriguing to hear a dancer describe how a small piece of cloth has an impact on how a dancer experiences their space, their body and their artform. Isabelle Brouwers, English National Ballet (c) Alex Fine Isabelle also looks back at her journey from Germany to the Royal Ballet School and English National Ballet School; her experience of joining ENB where she's risen through the ranks from the corps de ballet to First Artist. Isabelle talks about picking up awards including Youth America Grand Prix (2007),Genée International Ballet Competition (Silver Medal 2013),Young British Dancer of the Year in 2013 with nominations in 2015 & 2016, and ENB'sEmerging Dancer Finalist in 2017. As Isabelle looks to the future, she discusses how Covid is affecting the upcoming season that would normally see her touring the UK and the world. And after six years with the company, she's drawing on her experiences of working with acclaimed choreographers like Akram Khan and the hope of performing his new work 'Creature' later this year, to keep her inspired as the dance world and devoted audiences wait for live performances to recommence and for the show to go on. PRESS PLAY or LISTEN ON ITUNES, GOOGLE PODCASTS,SPOTIFY! https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/2Isabelle+Brouwers.mp3 Isabelle Brouwers, English National Ballet (c) Nathan Carlson Isabelle Brouwers, English National Ballet (c) Alexander Yip

In this podcast, National Ballet of Canada acclaimed Principal dancer and award winning Associate ChoreographerGuillaume Côté talks about his 22 year career with the company that has fostered his drive to create roles and new ballets and perform across the world withcompanies including La Scala Theatre Ballet, English National Ballet, The Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Hamburg Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet. Guillaume is also the Artistic Director of Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur - one of the largest summer dance festivals in Canada. This year’s 29th festival is forging ahead and responding to the challenges of covid by launching a new project called 'A Shared Solitude', with 20 artists, 20 creations, forming 1 voice. Each week from 5 July works will be released online from artists including: Daina Ashbee on a score by Alejandra Odgers performed by flautist Caroline SéguinMarie Chouinard on a score by Louis Dufort performed by percussionist Alexandre LavoieGuillaume Côté with Yannick Nézet-Séguin at the piano on a score by Éric ChampagneAnne Plamondon on a score by Cléo Palacio-Quintin performed by trombonist Patrick RicherCrazy Smooth on a score by Marc Hyland performed by clarinetist Simon Aldrich Listen toGuillaume talk about the how the 20 artists have created works during lockdown, life as a principal dancer, his love of music, his passion for ballet, being a dad and his partnership with his wife, fellow principal dancerHeather Ogden. PRESS PLAY! https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/2Guillaume+Cote.mp3 Also available to listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and with other podcast providers! Guillaume Côté. Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic (courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada) Guillaume Côté. Photo by Karolina Kuras