Ballet & Dance Podcast

In this podcast, Iain Webb, Director of The Sarasota Ballet shares his inspiring journey from taking his first dance steps in Yorkshire, England to leading one of America’s most dynamic ballet companies.

Speaking from his office – surrounded by his collection of ballet books and signed photographs from ballet luminaries (watch the video) – Iain reflects on his lifelong passion for the art form and his incredible experience working with so many ballet greats.

Listen as Iain shares special moments with ballet icons Sir Frederick Ashton, Dame Ninette de Valois, Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anthony Dowell. From his time performing with The Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet to meeting his wife, former principal dancer Margaret Barbieri, Iain’s journey is filled with captivating stories.

Iain discusses rising through the ranks, to leaving the stage and working with Matthew Bourne as Rehearsal Director for Swan Lake and Ballet Master with K-Ballet Company in Japan, before becoming Director of The Sarasota Ballet in 2007, a role in which he has masterfully blended respect for ballet’s history with a forward-looking vision for the company’s future.

Under Iain’s leadership, The Sarasota Ballet has flourished with his dedication to preserving Sir Frederick Ashton’s legacy while expanding the company’s repertoire with contemporary works. One of the achievements of his tenure has been The Sir Frederick Ashton Festival in 2014, held to mark the 25th anniversary of Ashton’s passing. The festival drew national and international praise.

Earlier this year, the company embarked on their first international tour to London’s Royal Opera House presenting Ashton Celebrated. This tour brought Iain full circle, returning to his home country and presenting a programme of works from The Royal Ballet’s founding choreographer and one of the most influential dance figures of the 20th century.

Iain’s commitment to honouring ballet’s rich heritage with Sir Richard Aston’s works while nurturing new talent ensures Sarasota Ballet’s continued prominence in the dance world.

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In this inspiring podcast, we share the remarkable story of strength and resilience of Ukrainian principal dancer Anna Muromtseva, who faced the most devastating and unimaginable experience of fleeing her home following the Russian invasion and restarting her life and dance career with the Hungarian National Ballet.

Listen to Anna’s heartfelt interview as she looks back to growing up in Ukraine and rising through the ranks from corps de ballet to soloist and principal dancer. She gives an insight into the demanding yet fulfilling dance life with the National Ballet of Ukraine, their repertoire and the rigorous performance and rehearsal schedules.

Anna’s deeply personal story takes a dramatic turn with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which forced her to flee her homeland along with her family. Leaving behind all her dancewear and pointe shoes, Anna faced the daunting task of finding a new company which led to auditioning for the Hungarian National Ballet alongside other displaced Ukrainian dancers. And although Anna successfully secured a contract, the only available position available was in the corps de ballet.

Anna talks intimately about the physical and emotional challenges of transitioning from a principal dancer in Kyiv to the corps in Budapest. Fortunately, the company’s artistic director, Tamas Solymosi, provides opportunities for dancers of all ranks to perform a variety of roles. This has seen Anna return to dancing principal roles, such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and helped her rediscover the love of dance in the midst of so much devastation.

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Follow Anna Muromtseva on Instagram: @g.anna.muromtseva

Listen to the podcast interview on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and more. You can watch our interview on our YouTube.

Welcome to The Wonderful World of Dance Podcast!

We’re excited to share our new podcast with Christopher Marney, award-winning dancer, teacher, choreographer and Artistic Director of London City Ballet.

London City Ballet was first established in 1978 as the resident company of London’s Sadler’s Wells and was one of the world’s leading dance companies. Before the company closed in 1996, Diana, Princess of Wales was the Royal Patron and often visited the company in Covent Garden.

Under Chris’ visionary leadership, the company has been reformed and is embarking on its first season in 30 years, with a tour spanning the UK and international stages.

Listen to Chris as he shares memorable moments from his time dancing with renowned companies such as Balletboyz and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures. He also discusses his experience of working with acclaimed choreographers and the inspiration that ignited his passion for choreography. Discover his journey from dancer, choreographer to the artistic director leading London City Ballet’s exciting new chapter.

London City Ballet is presenting an exciting programme ‘Resurgence’ that includes the revival of Kenneth MacMillan’s 1972 one-act ballet Ballade, unseen in Europe for over 50 years. Ashley Page’s Larina Waltz marks the ballet’s 30th anniversary, and Olivier award-winner Arielle Smith premieres a new work.

Eve, a full company work by Christopher Marney (which premiered at Sadler’s Wells in 2022) will close the evening. At tour venues in Portugal and China the pas de deux from Kenneth MacMillan’s Concerto will also be performed.

London City Ballet 18-venue UK and international tour starts on 7 July. 

Find venues and tickets: londoncityballet.com

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In this podcast, Principal Dancer Isaac Hernández shares his unique story of growing up in Mexico as one of 11 kids, being taught to dance by his father and dancing with ABT II, San Francisco Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, his move to English National Ballet, and the decision to return to San Francisco Ballet. 

Isaac also shares his passion for inspiring the next generation of dancers in Mexico, where he has established projects that provide opportunities for future dance stars.

Listen to Isaac talk about his experience of guesting around the world, and working with renowned choreographers, including Christopher Wheeldon as he reprises the role of Prince Guillaume in Wheeldon’s dazzling Cinderella.

Don’t miss the chance to see Isaac perform in Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella running until 8 April 2023.

Get your tickets for Romeo & Juliet, from 21-30 April.

For more information visit: San Francisco Ballet

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Cathy Marston, internationally renowned, award winning British Choreographer and Artistic Director has created critically acclaimed works for The Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Northern Ballet, English National Ballet, Cuban National Ballet, Ballet Black and more.

In this insightful podcast, Cathy shares her journey from dancer to choreographer, her inspiration for creating narrative ballets, her choreographic process and how she works with the dancers in the studio. We also discuss the importance of women choreographers and diverse voices in the dance industry.

This month sees the world premiere of Cathy’s interpretation of Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke with Houston Ballet, America’s fourth largest ballet company. Listen to Cathy describe this tragic tale of love and betrayal, how she developed the characters’ movement motifs and the inventive staging that it set to impress audiences.

​​The world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke runs to 19 March 2023. For more information and tickets visit: Houston Ballet

The Wonderful World of Dance has arrived in the vibrant city of Sydney, Australia to explore the dynamic dance scene of this beautiful country. And, of course, we couldn’t miss the chance to visit Sydney Dance Company, the leading contemporary dance company in Australia.

In this podcast, we had the privilege to sit down with the company’s Artistic Director and Choreographer Rafael Bonachela at the stunning studio overlooking the magnificent Sydney Harbour.

On the eve of Sydney Dance Company’s much-anticipated Sydney premiere of their latest triple bill Ascent, Bonachela shares his journey from Barcelona to London and then to Sydney, and how his vision has shaped the company over the past 14 years.

Bonachela discusses the acclaimed choreographers that he has brought to work with the company and gives an insight into his process for creating his own works. He also shares the inspiration behind Ascent, which includes two world premieres – Bonachela’s I Am-ness and Marina Mascarell’s The Shell, A Ghost, The Host & The Lyrebird, plus the reprisal of Antony Hamilton’s award-winning Forever & Ever.

Ascent runs from 15 March – 26 March 2023 at the Sydney Opera House, followed by an Australian national tour from May – August 2023. For more information and tickets visit: Sydney Dance Company

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.

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.

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English National Ballet and Dutch 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.

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.

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Viviana Durante is an international ballet star and former principal 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 of ballet training, the challenges faced by students during the covid pandemic, and how the School is supporting their young dancers as they return to class.

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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 with Lil 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.

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