Conversations with Ballet & Dance Icons

Christine Shevchenko, Principal, American Ballet Theatre shares her journey from Ukraine to the States, becoming the youngest recipient of the Princess Grace Award, rising through the ranks of ABT from corps de ballet to soloist and being promoted to principal.

Listen to Christine talk about her love of ABT inspired by ballet greats Dame Alicia Markova and Mikhail Baryshnikov. She also gives an insight into life as a principal dancer, her approach to preparing for new roles, how to maintain her body and prevent injuries; plus how she relaxes outside of the studio (ps it includes cakes and cookies!).

Christine talks about preparing for a busy season with Giselle, Swan Lake and Theme and Variations (check dates and programme) and shares her advice for aspiring dancers.

Following Christine on IG.

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In this podcast, Sir Richard Alston looks back over his 50-year career that included training with Merce Cunningham, leading Rambert as artistic director and establishing his own company Richard Alston Dance Company more than 25 years ago, building it into one of the most renowned contemporary dance companies and forging a critically acclaimed and award-winning choreographic career comprising more than 100 works.

Listen to Richard talk about his decision to fold his company due to a lack of funding from the UK’s Arts Council and how he has responded by looking to the next stage in his choreographic career that’s sees him take up the role of Resident Choreographer with the New York Theatre Ballet.

This podcast shares a unique opportunity to hear from one of the most important living contemporary dance choreographers of our time, and listen to his own words as he describes how he creates new work, his inspirations and special moments from his esteemed career.

Richard Alston Dance Company is saying farewell with a tour entitled ‘The Final Edition’, which is coming to London’s Sadler’s Wells on 7 & 8 March, giving his devoted audiences an opportunity to say goodbye to a company that they have loved and grown up with over the years.

If you’re in Cambridge you can see The Final Edition on 2 & 3 March – for tickets: www.richardalstondance.com

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Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and with other podcasts providers!

In this podcast, British-born choreographer, performer and educator, Freddie Opoku-Addaie shares his journey from East London to studying at London’s top contemporary dance school and going on to create a successful freelance career working with renowned companies such as Clod Ensemble, Candoco Dance Company, Arthur Pita, Wayne McGregor’s Random Dance and more.

Freddie is also the Founder and Artistic Director of SystemsLAB, a platform that gives opportunities to a range of artists to showcase their work. Listen to Freddie talk about curating the SystemsLAB mixed bill, featuring the work of THĒO INART, Becky Namgauds, Ffion Campbell-Davies/ tyroneisaacstuart and hip hop legend Jonzi D; through which he raises interesting and important questions about contemporary dance history and the framework and voices within the industry.

SystemsLAB Triple Bill is showing 6 March at University of Canterbury and 12 and 13 March at Trinity Laban.

Follow Freddie and SystemLabs on Instagram!

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In this podcast, Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Hispanico, choreographer and former principal dancer talks about his dance career, training with Martha Graham Company and The Alvin Ailey School, launching his own company and leading America’s leading Latino dance organisation.

This year Ballet Hispanico celebrates their 50th Anniversary. Listen to Eduardo talk about curating the celebratory programme that features renowned choreographers Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato, Andrea Miller, Ramón Oller, Vicente Nebrada, Pedro Ruiz, Graciela Daniele, as well as a piece of his own.

Eduardo also shares the history of the company and his vision for its future, plus the important education and community work to explore and engage more dancers and audiences in Latino culture and dance. He also gives his insights into the challenges facing dancers today and has some words of advice.

Ballet Hispanico 50th Anniversary programme is heading on a USA and international tour – check dates and locations here.

Follow Eduardo and Ballet Hispanico on Instagram: @ervilaro  @ballethispanico

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Jennifer Archibald, Choreographer and Artistic Director of Arch Dance Company, is set to premiere her new work for Nashville Ballet as part of their ‘Other Voices’ programme.

Other Voices brings together four renowned choreographers to create new works that explore gender.

Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Paul Vasterling set 4 questions for the choreographers:

– what does it mean to be a man

In this podcast, Jennifer talks about how she created work in response to: ‘what does it mean to be a woman’, plus she describes her process for working with dancers.

She also shares her journey from training with The Alvin Ailey School to becoming a choreographer and creating work for top companies across the USA, including the Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Memphis Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Tulsa Ballet II, and Ailey II.

Jennifer Archibald is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the Arch Dance Company and she gives an insight into running her own company and choreographing for her dancers.

Check out Nashville Ballet’s ‘Other Voices’ programme dates here.

Follow Jennifer Archibald and Arch Dance Company on Instagram!

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https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Jennifer+Archibald.mp3

In this podcast with Lizzie Gough – dancer, choreographer, TV dance judge and mentor – we discuss life of a freelance artist and her upcoming role in Kate Prince’s ‘A Message In A Bottle’.

Lizzie gives us an insight into how she created a successful freelance street dance career in the UK and abroad, that has included exciting projects in dance, theatre, film and TV. You may have seen Lizzie on So You Think You Can Dance, where she came third, and she’s been featured on the BBC, plus danced in music videos, commercials and on stage in shows like ZooNation’s smash-hit sensation Some Like It Hip Hop.

Lizzie is not only dancing in Kate Prince’s ‘A Message In A Bottle’, she’s also the Assistant Choreographer. Listen to Lizzie share her experience working with Kate Prince and music from Sting in this show that deals with the important issue of refugees through dance.

This podcast gives a great insight into the life of a freelancer, how it works, the challenges, what it’s like to audition, how to deal with injuries as Lizzie shares her advice for other dancers looking to build a freelance career.

Check out Lizzie in ‘A Message In A Bottle’ at Sadler’s Wells from 6 February to 21 March 2020.

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https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/Lizzie+Gough.mp3

In this podcast, Dwight Rhoden, Complexions Contemporary Ballet co-Founder, co-Artistic Director and Choreographer, talks about his dance career that kicked off at the late age of 17 and led him to become a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, before setting up his own company.

Together with the legendary Desmond Richardson, they founded the groundbreaking and award-winning Complexions Contemporary Ballet in 1994. Listen to Dwight share his journey from dancer to choreographer and creating over 60 works for Complexions and other top companies around the world.

Dwight also gives us an insight into his role as Artistic Director, and what type of dancer he looks for to join the company. Through his work with Complexions Contemporary Ballet Education Initiatives, Dwight aims to inspire nextgen dancers and he shares with us his words of advice to help dancers succeed.

New York-based Complexions is heading on tour across Germany, and Dwight has a full roster of new and remounted work with the Atlanta Ballet – Heart/Beat that features live gospel music, Pittsburg Ballet with Simon Says to music by Paul Simon and new work with the West Australian Ballet. Check out dates and location here.

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In this podcast former principal dancer and Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Ashley Wheater talks about his experience of leading the company for the last 13 years.

Born in Scotland, Ashley was recently appointed MBE by the Queen for his exceptional service to dance in the UK.

Ashley began his esteemed career training at The Royal Ballet School before joining the London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) and moving across the world to dance with The Australian Ballet and then onto the Joffrey Ballet and finally the San Francisco Ballet until he retired following an injury.

Listen to Ashley share his experience of working with ballet greats including Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, William Forsythe, David Bintley and more, plus acclaimed choreographers Christopher Wheeldon, Cathy Marsden, Stephanie Martinez, Justin Peck, Yuri Possokhov…and the list continues!

As Artistic Director, Ashley gives an insight into building on the legacy of founding director, choreographer and dancer Robert Joffrey, what he looks for in dancers, how a company without a hierarchy works, his advice for the next generation of dancers, plus his vision for the future.

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https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/Joffrey+Ballet+Ashley+Wheater.mp3

In this podcast, Precious Adams, English National Ballet, First Artist shares her journey from the US to training in Canada, Europe and Moscow, before moving to the UK to dance with the English National Ballet. Precious is a rising ballet star who is celebrated for her artistry, technique and her contributions to improving diversity in the dance industry.

We featured Precious in The Wonderful World of Dance Magazine (Act 5) along with stunning photos captured by Dean Barucija, Pickled Thoughts Photography which showcase her elegance and stunning lines.

Listen to Precious talk about how she uses her varied training in the studio as she switches from Russian to English technique, her transition into company and touring life at ENB as well as how she deals with the demands of dance life, studying and building a side business.

Precious is an inspiration and a role model for aspiring dancers and she gives great advice and insights into life as a professional ballerina.

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Alina Cojocaru is the much loved principal with the English National Ballet and guest artist with the Hamburg Ballet who has garnered adoring fans and numerous accolades throughout her illustrious career.

We’re in for a real treat as Alina is presenting her own curated programme of classical and contemporary pieces at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, simply called: ‘Alina at Sadler’s Wells’.

In this podcast, Alina talks about how she selected each piece for her programme that includes Sir Frederick Ashton’s divine Marguerite and Armand. She also gives a heartfelt introduction to the special guests who’ll be joining her on stage, including her partner the Danish ballet star Johan Kobborg.

The softly spoken ballerina shares her experience gained from dancing with The Royal Ballet, Kiev National Ballet, Hamburg Ballet and ENB. She takes us behind the scenes of her dance life and gives an insight into curating her own show. And lastly, Alina gives some pearls of wisdom for the next generation of dancers, some of which may be surprising.

A wonderful conversation with an incredible dancer, a deeply considered artist and an inspiring woman.

Alina at Sadler’s Wells runs from 20 to 23 February.

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https://djwpodcasts.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/alina+final.mp3