MODPOD

Carolina Czechowska (iMod Director, Community Research and Engagement, California) found dance almost before she was old enough to read books without pictures. She spent her childhood and teen years in the most prestigious arts vocational school in Sweden. From this foundation, she grew to become one of the busiest and most respected freelance dancers in the San Francisco Bay Area dance scene. Listen as she tells you how she grew from a seedling to a mighty oak in dance.

Like most of the members of the International Museum of Dance team, Patrizia has had a rich background in dance. From her time dancing with the Martha Graham Company to her current role as a college professor of dance, she has been able to experience and to share many aspects of her dance life. Join us today as Patrizia gives us a guided tour of her path to IMOD.

Sneha Chakradhar, born of an artists' family, has embarked upon an inspiring journey performing one of the eight dance styles of classical Indian dance. From a childhood filled with dance and music is Delhi to sharing the roots of her personal artistry with the art-loving community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, hers has been a journey of self-discovery and cultural authenticity. Join us as Sneha discusses the roots of her art form.

At first glance, Lawrence, Kansas is an improbable place to birth an internationally acclaimed hip hop artist. But indigenous dancer, Brandon Roberts (aka B-Boy Bamm) found a community in the American heartland and grew his art to become a member of Jabbawokeez, one of the most celebrated hip hop dance crews in the world. B-Boy Bamm shares his journey and perspective in this episode.

For almost 40 years, Lizz Roman has been finding her own path through the dance world. First, by self-financing almost all her work, by choice, and with an improvisational and highly unstructured collaborative dance-making process that yields astonishing results. In this episode, Lizz Roman tells you the story of her journey and development of her art-making philosophy.

Lara Jean Mummert is a dancer who's path has taken many fortuitous turns. She has performed as a contemporary dancer, as a touring musical theater artist, and even as an award-winning actress in horror films with more than 40 credits (look her up on imdb). How did a budding ballerina find so much varied work? She tells you how in this episode.

Lynn Brilhante shares her perspective on the jazz dance art form, drawing on her many years of experience as a performer, choreographer, and educator. Follow her journey from her Oakland childhood, through her dance influences, and her sparkling career in dance. Also, glimpse her encyclopedic knowledge of the most celebrated prime movers and how she believes their legacy connects to the present.

ArVejon Jones has a passion for jazz dance and for documenting the contributions of the African Diaspora to the wider culture. This performer and dance educator talks about the influences in his practice and shares his thoughts on cultural appropriation and the erasure of some of the prime movers in contemporary dance. In this direct and unvarnished conversation, AJ pulls no punches in the service of his art.

Listen in on the honest journey of Irene Hsiao, a remarkable dance artist based in Chicago, Illinois. Hsaio tells the honest story of her dance career and where it started in San Francisco. Her curiosity for dance and what it became for her out of a life with little exposure or support is moving and encouraging.

Jodi Lomask has spent a career finding new ways of expression, with the goal of inspiring others to chart their own way. Whether is through her long-running dance company, Capacitor, mixing dance, science, and circus arts, or through her most recent endeavors, Sculptural Fitness (jodilomask.com) or Creative Journey, Jodi seeks to free everyone who comes into her life from the repression that denies their creative selves. Find out if Jodi Lomask’s journey is a reflection of your own.