KUNST n'all

What does it really mean to become an artist?

In this episode, we speak with Natalie Wong of Staatsballett Hannover about her transition from student life at Juilliard to the realities of becoming a professional artist. From navigating the expectations of a professional company to being entrusted with major roles early in her career, Natalie reflects on the challenges, uncertainties, and discoveries that shape those first years on stage.

From portraying the grandmother in Schmetterling by Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon to preparing for the role of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet by Goyo Montero, she shares what it means to step into characters far beyond her own life experience, find her artistic voice, and grow into opportunities before she necessarily feels ready for them.

A conversation about artistic identity, vulnerability, ambition, and the ongoing process of discovering who you are not just as a dancer, but as an artist.

This episode is in collaboration with Staatsballet Hannover

In this episode, principal dancer of Finnish National Ballet Michal Krčmář reflects on the pressure of success, the injury that kept him off stage for a year, the struggle to rebuild his confidence, and how becoming a father changed his perspective on life and career.

We talk about identity beyond the title, surviving the difficult chapters, adapting to a changing ballet world, and learning who you are when the stage is no longer the only thing that defines you.

A conversation about ambition, resilience, fatherhood, and the man behind the dancer.

From dancer to choreographer, from searching for a voice to creating a world of her own.

In this conversation, Sofia Nappi reflects on the beginnings of her journey, the process of discovering her choreographic language, and what happens when you step into the studio without knowing exactly where the work will lead.

She speaks about intuition, the unexpected, the dancers who shape her work, building a company and community, and the questions that continue to drive her as an artist.

At the heart of it all is a simple but profound question: why do we keep creating?

A conversation about dance, identity, curiosity, and the courage to keep searching.

KUNST n'all return back from the holidays with a few news!

What happens when a world-renowned ballerina steps beyond the system that made her?

In this powerful conversation, Maria Kochetkova reflects on dancing across continents, rising through ballet’s strict hierarchy, challenging tradition, and ultimately redefining herself as an independent artist.

From principal stages to creative freedom, we explore identity, power, perfection, and the courage it takes to question the very world you once dreamed of conquering.

A conversation about ballet—but also about transformation, voice, and daring to create on your own terms.

From Gibraltar to the international stage, Naia Bautista shares her journey through the rigor of elite ballet institutions, the discipline of company life, and the deeply personal process of self-discovery within traditionally rigid systems. In this episode, Naia reflects on navigating ballet as a trans queer artist, balancing classical expectations with individuality, and how embracing identity transformed both artistry and movement. Together, we explore representation, inclusion, and what it means to create safer, more expansive spaces for the next generation of dancers.

KUNST n’ Roger van der Poel: From First Steps to Nederlands Dans Theater

This week’s guest, Roger van der Poel, shares the journey of his career—from his first steps in the studio to becoming a dancer with Nederlands Dans Theater.

We dive into the intensity, the identity, and the legacy—

from working closely with Paul Lightfoot & Sol León

to staging their work around the world.

From performing at the highest level to staging work that demands both precision and soul, we unpack what it truly means to carry a choreographic legacy forward.

In this episode, Kenedy Kallas reflects on a life shaped by dance—from early beginnings to an evolving artistic voice, and the collaborations that have defined her path.

At the heart of the conversation is “I Am Afraid to Forget Your Smile” by Imre & Marne van Opstal—a work exploring memory, death, and human connection. The piece will be part of the upcoming double bill “Transformations”, premiering April 18 at Staatsoper Hannover.

Having both performed and staged the work, she shares how choreography transforms as it moves between bodies—and what it means to carry something so fleeting while allowing it to become new.

A conversation about memory, transformation, and the fragile beauty of what we try to hold onto.

This Episode is in collaboration with Staatsballett Hannover.

Kenedy's Books Recommendation:

> Womb Awakening: Seren & Azra Bertrand

> Kali Kaula: a manual of Tantric Magick - Jan Fries

> Magdalene Mysteries- Seren & Azra Bertrand

> Tantra - Osho

> The Mary Magdalene Oracle Deck- Megan Watterson

> Kali Oracle Deck- Alana Fairchild

What does confidence really mean in dance — and why do so many talented dancers still struggle with it?

In this episode, we sit down with Kirsten Kemp, known as The Confident Dancer, to explore the mental side of performance. From her journey through professional ballet to becoming a mindset coach, Kirsten shares powerful insights into overcoming perfectionism, building resilience, and unlocking true artistic expression.

We dive into:

• The hidden mental blocks dancers face

• Confidence beyond technique

• The role of identity in performance

• Turning setbacks into growth

This conversation is for dancers, artists, and anyone navigating pressure, self-doubt, and performance.

In this episode, we sit down with legendary Italian dancer and teacher Pompea Santoro for a deeply personal conversation about artistry, identity, and transmission. From her early training between southern Italy and Turin to her extraordinary 25-year collaboration with Mats Ek at the Cullberg Ballet, Pompea reflects on the choices, risks, and inner transformations that shaped her path.

She shares what it meant to embody iconic roles such as Giselle and Carmen, including the role of M. created specifically on her by Ek — a performance that later received an Emmy Award. We explore presence, vulnerability, and what it truly means to “serve the work” without losing yourself inside it.

The conversation also traces her transition from performer to mentor, her ongoing work restaging Ek’s repertoire worldwide, and the vision behind the EkoDance International Project, created to nurture the next generation of artists.

Honest, profound, and full of lived wisdom, this episode is an intimate reflection on artistic growth, legacy, and what it means to remain human — both on and off the stage.