Conversations with Ballet & Dance Icons

American born Royal Ballet Soloist Tristan Dyer talks to us ahead of World Ballet Day (2 Oct), giving us an insight into life with the prestigious ballet company, his favourite roles, and how he prepares for the stage.

Listen to Tristan talk about what he loves most about dancing, what inspired him to join The Royal Ballet and one of his favourite career moments of dancing with the gorgeous Sarah Lamb (pictured above – photo by Bill Cooper).

Tristan also shares his experiences of studying with The Royal Ballet School, The Australian Ballet School, The National Ballet of Canada School and shares his advice for aspiring dancers.

Follow Tristan on Instagram: @tristandyer

You can read the interview here.

PRESS PLAY!

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Tristan+Dyer+Royal+Ballet.mp3

World Ballet Day

SAVE THE DATE: 2 October 2018

WATCH: The Royal Ballet’s live-stream broadcast via Facebook live

USE HASHTAG: #WorldBalletDay – to share your love

This is a story of love, creativity and passion. In this podcast we discover the story of two dancers and choreographers – Rae Piper and Paul Chantry – whose chance meeting changed the course of their lives, both as dancers and people.

Listen to Rae and Paul talk about their remarkable 6 year journey that led them to creating Chantry Dance Company, debuting at London’s famous Sadler’s Wells, establishing the Chantry School of Contemporary & Balletic Arts, and launching a unique community outreach programme.

And if that wasn’t enough, they also fitted in a wedding and honeymoon, a move from London to Lincolnshire, creating new works, become champions of their local area and have grown their own freelance careers!

Chantry Dance Company is taking their new ballet ‘Dracula – Welcome to D’s – on tour across the UK, with a world premiere at the Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham. 

The company will be performing from 21 September to 14 October 2018 in towns and cities such as Stamford, Worcester, Andover, Horsham, Halifax, Lincoln, London, and Manchester. 

Shannon Parker, ex-dancer with Northern Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet and Ballet Du Rhin, and finalist on Britain’s Got Talent with her partner, Peter Parker, will be performing the role of Lucy in ‘Dracula – Welcome to D’s’ UK Tour.

PRESS PLAY!

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/chantry.mp3

The international dance sensation Carlos Acosta is celebrating his 30 year dance career by performing alongside his company Acosta Danza at London’s Royal Albert Hall, 2-5 October.

In this podcast episode, Carlos Acosta shares his greatest moments from his dance career, his favourite roles that he’s danced, his experience of creating his own dance company and his advice for the next generation of dancers.

Listen to Carlos talk about growing up in Cuba, the youngest of 11 children in an improvised family and how dance changed his life. He reflects on his career with The Royal Ballet, becoming an acclaimed choreographer and life after retiring from the stage.

Carlos tells us about the works being presented at the Royal Albert Hall, including the UK premiere of Christopher Bruce’s Rooster, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s critically acclaimed Mermaid, and a reworked version of Acosta’s Carmen full of Latin influences and accompanied by a live orchestra.

PRESS PLAY.

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/carlos.mp3

Argentinian-born Herman Cornejo joined the American Ballet Theatre almost two decades ago, rising through the ranks to principal dancer in 2003.

His stellar career has seen him dance all the major roles, working with an impressive roster of choreographers and artists, receiving multiple nominations, awards and distinctions.

And he’s just about to add another award to the collection, with the honour of the prestigious ‘Positano Premia la Danza‘ 2018 Award as a ‘Dancer of the Year‘.

Herman follows an esteemed line of dancers who have been bestowed this award, including Margot Fonteyn, Rudolf Nureyev, Vladimir Vasiliev, Ekaterina Maximova, Natalia Makarova, Carla Fracci, Alessandra Ferri, Roberto Bolle, Alicia Alonso, Uliana Lopatkina, Ivan Vassiliev, Natalia Osipova, Yuri Grigorovich, Mats Ek, Ana Laguna, Lutz Förster, Vladimir Vassiliev.

The Wonderful World of Dance has attended the glamorous award ceremony, that takes place in Positano, Italy every year.

In this podcast episode, Herman talks about what it means to receive this award, as he prepares to head to the Amalfi Coast for the star-studded gala event.

Listen to Herman talk about growing up and dancing in Buenos Aires, his move to the US and joining the American Ballet Theatre, the company of his dreams and his special relationship with the incredible Alessandra Ferri.

PRESS PLAY.

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Herman+Cornejo.mp3

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo – the multi-award winning all-male, comedy ballet company – is set to tour UK/Ireland from September to October.

Although a comic ballet company, the dancers are serious trained artists. In this podcast, Italian born ballet dancer Alberto Pretto gives us an insight into the life in this company that’s steeped in history and honoured with countless awards.

Alberto talks about his obsession with pointe shoes and learning to dance en pointe, and leaving a traditional dance company to join the all male company to dance the classical ballets in tutus and gorgeous costumes.

Listen to Alberto explain his hilarious stage names – Nina Immobilashvili & Stanislas Kokitch – his makeup routine, and life on the road with Les Trocks. 

In his spare time (where does he find the time!), Alberto has launched his own dance wear range – Alby Pretty (check insta @albypretty). Alberto tells us about his love of dance and fashion and growing a business on the side of his dance career.

Book tickets for a show near you! The tour runs 8 weeks, over 12 venues beginning at The Peacock, London on 11 September and concluding at Grand Opera House, Belfast on 3 November.

PRESS PLAY!

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Alberto+Pretto.mp3

It is inspiring to see young dancers taking their futures into their own hands, creating their own companies and creating their own work.

Australian born Briar Adams is one of those inspiring ballet dancers. She left her home country to embark on a dance career in London – one of the toughest dance centres in the world – and alongside a successful 15 year career, Briar also created her own dance company, ‘Hack Ballet’. 

Now in it’s 6th year, Hack Ballet maintains it’s mission of a strong aesthetic vision of the world as it is and as it could be – celebrating diversity and equality, tradition and originality.

As a choreographer, Briar creates thought provoking work, that blends classical ballet and contemporary dance techniques to create athletic, lyrical dance with a focus on social issues.

Listen to Briar talk about her dance journey, growing up and studying dance in Australia and her experience of coming to the UK and carving out a dance career and finding her own dance tribe.

Briar also shares her inspiration and experience of creating Hack Ballet and talks about her roles of Artistic Director, choreographer and dancer.

PRESS PLAY!

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

Hack Ballet goes to Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Briar has also set out to take Hack Ballet to this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, to present 15 performances of “Elicitations”, a triple bill showcasing: To The Edge, Argil and Grace.

Watch the video and support Hack Ballet by contributing to their tour fund! 

https://youtu.be/hr7sBbl6-qY

Briar Adams. Photo by James Markland

Katie McCann is a former ballet dancer, a performer and dance teacher. She is also the founder of the innovative dance company and dance event ‘Dance in the Parks‘, which presents dance in parks throughout the Chicago.

Katie is committed to showcasing dance across Chicago and giving the community the chance to see professional dancers on stage in their local area.

Dance In The Parks also gives many local dancers and dance students the chance to participate in this annual event, that is part of Chicago’s Night Out In The Parks.

As a former professional dancer with Kentucky Ballet Theater, Katie maintains professional standards for Dance In The Parks. She holds a tough annual audition, where she puts the dancers through their paces to select those who best suited to the challenging dance event.

Listen to Katie talk about how she has grown Dance In The Parks almost single-handedly from a small event to one that has seen 10,000 people come to the event over the last 9 seasons.

Katie is an inspiration, she has taken an idea and built it into a celebrated event through sheer hard work. Her passion is unbound, matched by her determination and creative vision that delivers a professional and exciting experience for all.

Katie is celebrating the 10th season of Dance In The Park – support Dance In The Parks here.

PRESS PLAY!

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/dance+parks+full.mp3

American choreographer, dancer, filmmaker and artist Juel D. Lane was voted Dance Magazine Top 25 To Watch and made history as the first black local independent choreographer from Atlanta to have a work commissioned by Atlanta Ballet.

In this podcast, Juel talks about growing up with severe anxiety as a child in Atlanta, Georgia and how dance gave him the confidence and creative outlet for his energy that took him from his hometown to dancing in New York City.

Listen to Juel talk about his fast paced choreography that that addresses political and gender issues. As Juel says, he’s a “black, gay, male dancer” and creates work that reflects his personal experiences.

Juel has also participated in the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation New Directions Choreography Lab, and collaborated with dance legends across the United States. 

As a passionate dance teacher, he’s also helping shape the next generation of young contemporary dancers and inspiring others following in his footsteps.

PRESS PLAY!

BBC London Radio host Jo Good is a former dancer and avid dance lover. After a successful stage career she has forged a high profile career on London’s airwaves.

Jo Good invited our editor, Savannah Saunders, to join the popular radio show to talk about the new and exciting launch of The Wonderful World of Dance magazine.

Listen to Jo Good asking Savannah about how she turned her passion into a beautiful magazine.

Jo Good goes through the glossy pages of the magazine and picks out some of her favourite photos and features.

Jo Good says that “it’s the most beautiful dance magazine and one of a kind!” She loves the the stunning photos of Iana Salenko photographed by Dean Barucija of Pickled Thoughts Photography.

Also favourites are the dance history feature by our dance historian, Caroline Hamilton with images provided by the Royal Academy of Dance.

Jo Good loves the photos of Royal Ballet dancers by Rick Guest, as well as the gorgeously designed dance wear pages, fashion and travel section.

Listen to the BBC London Radio interview.

PRESS PLAY.

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/bbc_23aug17.mp3

London contemporary dance artist Valerie Ebuwa’s work incorporates Hip Hop, African, Dancehall, Jazz and other movement forms such as Yoga and Capoeira.

Growing up in a family of lawyers, she carved out her own parth in pursuit of her passion for dance, which led her to performing internationally and being awarded the ‘Young Stoff’ award at Stockholm Fringe Festival.

As a freelance dance artist, Valerie is also a dance teacher, model and dance writer for I am Hip Hop magazine and she shares her views and dance experience on her own blog.

Valerie is the host of Woman SRSLY – a female-led performance platform which champions bold new performance by female-identified and socialised female artists through platforms and networking support.

In this podcast show we discuss domestic violence, diversity and feminism, the challenges facing female artists in the dance industry and how Woman SRSLY is creating a voice for female creators.

PRESS PLAY.

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Valerie+Ebuwa.mp3