Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast

A special announcement from host and Artistic Director of The Moving Architects, Erin Carlisle Norton.

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Movers & Shapers has been podcasting interviews with those who shape the dance field since 2015. Connect with our archive of 175 interviews: themovingarchitects.org/podcasts

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When Decisions are Commitments with Rachel Damon

Joining us today is Rachel Damon, a choreographer, theatrical designer, performer, and co-founder and artistic director of Synapse Arts, a Chicago-based dance theater company. Rachel's self-made career is a testament to her multidisciplinary talents, blending onstage and backstage roles to create dynamic performance works through collaboration, improvisation, and teamwork. In this episode, Rachel shares her remarkable journey from lovable weirdo at musical theatre summer camp to internationally-renowned production stage manager and performer who lives her life by making decisions as commitments. Tuning in, you’ll discover how her dual passions for choreography and crafting have fueled her personal and professional growth, the power of educating performers to negotiate their value, ensuring that art is recognized as legitimate work, and why diversity is a cornerstone of Synapse Arts' identity. We also explore Rachel's love for theatre production, her innovative partnership with the Chicago Park District, and the unique site-specific performances born from this collaboration. Join us for an engaging conversation that covers all this and more!

Key Points From This Episode:

·       An overview of Rachel’s background and what sparked her interest in dance and theatre.

·       The immediacy that she loves about theatre production work and stage management.

·       How Links Hall in Chicago acted as a springboard for her career.

·       Insight into Synapse Arts, how it got started, and how it has evolved since.

·       Synapse’s partnership with the Chicago Park District’s Arts & Culture Unit (ACU).

·       Rachel’s site-specific and outdoor performances that punctuate everyday life.

·       The significance of her interdisciplinary work, including her “textile dances.”

·       Challenges she has encountered in her onstage and backstage career.

·       How Rachel empowers artists and advocates for art to be valued as work.

·       Ways that you can contribute to Synapse’s 20th Birthday Bash Campaign.

·       Why a diversity of identities and lived experiences is important in the arts.

“Being with the weird people who are risky, accepting, and idea-driven [is] where I feel safe and inspired.” — Rachel Damon

Rachel Damon is a Chicago-based theatrical designer, choreographer, and performer whose self-made career bridges onstage and backstage.

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The Deeper Meaning of Dance, Dance and Emerging Technology, and Navigating an Economy that Exploits Dancers with Sydney Skybetter

Creating a successful career as a dancer in a world where there are few opportunities to thrive is particularly challenging. However, today’s guest has created a fascinating career for himself in the world of academia, research, and even dancing robots! Sydney Skybetter joins us today to discuss his life as a dancer, dance educator, and entrepreneur. In this conversation, you’ll hear all about how Sydney was introduced to dance, the beauty in the chosen family he created at art school, and his incredible Conference for Research and Choreographic Interfaces (CRCI). After Sydney’s studies, he was forced to hustle his way through a variety of odd jobs to survive financially and he tells us all about the important lessons he has learned from every job he’s ever had. We also delve into why dance programs should consider the dangers of sending dancers out into a world and economy that isn’t built for them, the connection between dance and emerging technology, potential problems for dancers and AI, and much more. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

·       An overview of Sydney’s life and how he got into dance. 

·       The connection between dance history and emerging technology. 

·       A commentary about the body-type expectations for dancers.

·       Insight into Sydney’s dance training and the chosen family he created. 

·       All about the Conference for Research and Choreographic Interfaces (CRCI) he started. 

·       Comparisons between writing and performance. 

·       Some of his “weird jobs” and why he did them. 

·       The danger of pumping out dancers into an economy that will not make good use of them. 

·       How Sydney got into academia and what his experience at Brown University has been like.  

·       What he is most excited about right now and the research he is currently doing. 

·       How artists and dancers are being exploited, especially when it comes to technology. 

·       What Sydney is excited about for his career in the near future. 

“I came to realize that the academy was one of the few places where artists held longitudinal power.” — Sydney Skybetter

Sydney Skybetter is the first choreographer to receive tenure at Brown University, where he serves as the Deputy Dean of the College for the Curriculum and Co-Curriculum.

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Dance for a Violence-Free Future with Giada Matteini

Today's guest, Giada Matteini, embodies the belief that artists have the extraordinary ability to shape a world free from violence. As a performer, educator, choreographer, and cultural producer, Giada founded WADE (Wandering Avian Dance Experience), a women-led performing arts company that brings awareness to gender-based violence and offers healing through the transformative power of dance. In this episode of Movers & Shapers, Giada shares a panoramic view of her international dance career, brimming with hope and inspiration for those driven by their passion for art, movement, and self-expression. She speaks candidly about her personal experience with domestic violence and the profound role that dance played in her healing process; emphasizing how WADE emerged as a platform to raise awareness, initiate important conversations, empower survivors, and build a compassionate community of creative minds. You’ll gain insight into Giada's journey, her dedication to her craft, and her unwavering commitment to using art as a catalyst for social change. This episode is a testament to the boundless potential of dance and resilience, so be sure to tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

·       Giada’s love for movement and teaching and an overview of her dance career.

·       The story of how she first came to the United States (and what made her stay).

·       How she learned English from The Cure and honed her American slang with TV.

·       Her early days in New York and how she began to build a career for herself.

·       Insight into her passion for learning and her formal dance education.

·       The haven that dance provided for Giada when life was difficult.

·       How WADE was born and how it became so much more than a dance company.

·       The bird that inspired the name and the four foundational pillars in the logo.

·       Touching stories about some of the most poignant moments from Giada’s career.

·       Why Giada refers to ballet as “the greatest equalizer” and her somatic approach to it.

·       Insight into her plans to use dance as a tool to build a violence-free future for all.

“My life was hard; emotionally hard, physically hard, financially hard. Dance was – my haven.” — Giada Matteini

Giada Matteini is an Italian performer, educator, choreographer, and cultural producer based in New York City, who is the Founder and Director of WADE (Wandering Avian Dance Experience), a women-led multifaceted performing arts company working at the intersection with social justice and focused on supporting the voices and artistic expressions of women and historically underrepresented artists.

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The Journey of Creating Dance for Video with Mimi Garrard

Video dance work has become increasingly popular as technology has advanced, but not many dancers and choreographers have made it their primary medium of work. Today’s guest, Mimi Garrard, is the exception, having spent most of her extensive career focusing on video dance. In this episode of Movers & Shapers, we hear all about Mimi’s life, what led her to dance, her training under Alwin Nikolais, why she chose video dance, and what she loves about it. We delve into how she combines video and live dancing before Mimi expands on how technology has changed her work, the lighting system her husband designed for her, and some of her biggest influences throughout her career and life. Mimi feels that intuition has always been a driving force for her, and today, she tells us how that has served her work. We even discuss how AI might impact her work and what’s next for Mimi Garrard Dance Theatre. This is a fascinating episode filled with unique perspectives carved from Mimi’s special journey, so be sure to tune in!

Key Points From This Episode:

·       An overview of Mimi’s life and what led her to dance. 

·       Her training and touring program with Alwin Nikolais and the pieces she did with him.

·       Mimi’s move to the country, her outdoor work, and how madness is a theme of her work. 

·       What informed her decision to combine video with live dance and how it has been received. 

·       Who has influenced her work most throughout her career. 

·       What Alwin Nikolais was like (according to our guest!)

·       How Mimi got hooked on video dance and how her work has evolved with technology. 

·       The lighting system her husband came up with for her dance videos. 

·       How Mimi’s intuition has served her throughout her career. 

·       The importance of learning and continuously working as a beginner. 

·       What’s next for Mimi and her curiosity about how AI will affect her work. 

·       Why she doesn’t attend screenings of her own work. 

“If I don’t know what to do, it’s my intuition that tells me what to try next.” — Mimi Garrard

Mimi Garrard is an award-winning choreographer for the stage and for video.

For more on this episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast

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Finding Your Artistry Beyond Words with Stefanie Nelson

One of the beautiful things about dance is the ability to express yourself without words. You can just dance. Joining Erin on the podcast today is Stefanie Nelson, Founder and Director of Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup (SND), a contemporary dance company based in NYC. Stefanie also established Dance Italia, an international summer dance program in Lucca, Italy. Today, she shares what kickstarted her lifelong love of dance and the influence that Alice Teirstein had on her journey. She also offers insight into her college journey and what it takes to make it as an artist in New York City. Tuning in, you’ll learn how she transitioned from dancer to choreographer and how 9/11 ultimately led her to Italy. She details her time dancing and choreographing in Italy before returning to America and shares her vision for Dance Italia. To learn more about Stefanie’s career highlights, challenges, and the different projects and initiatives that keep her busy, be sure not to miss this episode of Movers & Shapers. Thanks for listening in!

Key Points From This Episode:

·       How quitting piano led Stefanie to a lifelong love of dance.

·       Alice Teirstein and what led her to become a dancer.

·       What it means to “make it work” as an artist in New York City.

·       How Stefanie eventually transitioned into creating her own work as a choreographer.

·       Running away to Italy after 9/11 and how it played out.

·       Highlights from her time dancing and choreographing in Italy. 

·       Details about the Dance Italia festival and the vision behind it. 

·       How the organization and planning for Dance Italia have changed over the years.

·       The different projects and initiatives that Stefanie is busy with. 

·       Insight into her upcoming work in 2025 and beyond.

·       Highlights, challenges, and other obstacles from Stefanie’s career journey. 

·       Her hopes, aspirations, and dreams for the future. 

“There’s something very beautiful about being able to express yourself without having to articulate words, ideas, thoughts, and sentences in a linear way.” — Stefanie Nelson

Stefanie Nelson is the Founder and Director of Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup (SND), a contemporary performance group based in NYC; DANCE ITALIA, an international summer dance festival in Lucca, Italy; and Motore 592, a bold, new, center for contemporary movement practices in Lucca, IT. 

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Creating a Modern Dance Culture and Community with Kathy Dunn Hamrick

Establishing a modern dance company is no easy feat, but today’s guest managed to create a successful organization and build a wonderful modern dance community in Austin, Texas. Today on Movers & Shapers, we welcome Kathy Dunn Hamrick, the Artistic Director of Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance, to discuss her work and how she helps dance grow in Austin. Kathy found a love for dance at a young age and quickly decided that she needed to dedicate her life to it. In this episode, you’ll hear all about Kathy’s life and career, her decision to teach, and how her desire to be ‘in charge’ led her to start her company. We discuss the difficulty of balancing a family and career, her gorgeous piece choreographed on platforms on a lake, and starting the Austin Dance Festival. We delve into Kathy’s recent cancer diagnosis and how her community has showed up for her, and Kathy opens up about next steps of sharing her knowledge with the next generation of dancers and choreographers. Finally, we walk through Kathy’s career highlights and struggles. To hear all this and more, press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

·       We delve into the who behind Kathy Dunn Hamrick and learn about how she got into dance.

·       The wonderful mentors Kathy has had and how they shaped her career. 

·       Kathy tells us about her move to New York and why she decided to get her MFA. 

·       Transitioning into the role of dance teacher and founding namesake company; Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance.  

·       How Kathy balances her family and business while keeping her career interesting for herself. 

·       The incredible dance piece that was choreographed by Kathy and performed on a lake.

·       The modern dance culture in Austin and why Kathy started her dance festival. 

·       How COVID affected Kathy’s business and festival. 

·       Kathy’s diagnosis with stage four cancer and what’s next for her and the organization. 

·       Why finances have always been Kathy’s biggest business struggle. 

·       The highlights of Kathy’s career and the wonderful dance community she’s built. 

“From a very young age I knew I wanted a family and I knew I wanted to dance and I’ve achieved both of those [things] so I’m living my best life honestly.” — Kathy Dunn Hamrick 

Kathy Dunn Hamrick is the Artistic Director of Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company and the Founder and Executive Producer of Austin Dance Festival.

For more on this episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast

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Enjoying the Art, Expression, and Freedom of Dance with Julie Lemberger

Welcome to the latest episode of the Movers and Shapers podcast, where today we're delighted to welcome our guest, Julie Lemberger. Julie is a multifaceted individual — she's had a life as a dancer, dance photographer, and educator. She has dedicated over 15 years to capturing the ephemeral beauty of concert dance. Her lens has encapsulated the essence of New York City's dance scene at the turn of the 21st century. Julie's stunning dance photography has graced the pages of prestigious publications like The New York Times, Dance Magazine, and numerous national and international journals and websites since 1993. Join the conversation to hear about what sparked her interest in dance, why she was initially turned off of modern dance, and how her ballet journey led her to places like The Netherlands, Germany, and New York.  We delve into her diverse dance ventures and then pivot to hear about her transition to Plan B: starting college. Julie shares the fascinating intersection of her worlds; photography and dance, and articulates the emotions she experiences when capturing dance through her camera. Don't miss out on this intriguing discussion! Tune in now to hear all this and much more. Thanks for listening! 

Key Points From This Episode:

·       We discover how The Nutcracker sparked Julie’s interest in dance.

·       Her thoughts on being more of an artist and enjoying ballet for the artistry of it. 

·       Why she decided to stick to the discipline of ballet while growing up.

·       Julie shares a turning point, and realization, in her dance career.

·       She delves into her time in Europe (The Netherlands, Germany, England).

·       We are transported forward, back to New York, and her other endeavors at the Graham School, Jacob’s Pillow, and more. 

·       Her Plan B: starting college.

·       Why starting college was the saddest day of her life.

·       She recalls the time she got her first camera, at age 23.

·       When the two worlds collide: dance and photography.

·       What Julie enjoyed most about dance photography: her master’s degree experience.

·       She expresses what taking photos of dance makes her feel. 

·       Julie highlights what she’s excited about, and what gives her energy, these days.

“I realized that having my photographs judged was so much easier than having my body and my dancing judged.” — Julie Lemberger

A former dancer, Julie Lemberger photographs dance in New York City for 30 years, and whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Dance Magazine and many other journals, books and digital platforms. Check out her coloring book Modern Women: 21st Century Dance.

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Being part of the global dance community can be deeply rewarding but it also has the potential to be exceptionally challenging and toxic. Not only are you competing for highly limited resources, but you also need to contend with how your self-worth can become contingent on the opinion of others. Today’s guest, Betsy Miller, has experienced many of the highs and lows familiar to almost any dancer but ultimately counts herself blessed and deeply fortunate to have found genuine places of community within the dance world. Join us as we talk with Betsy about her early love of dance (and fashion!), her studies at Connecticut College, and how she uncovered her love of teaching while earning her MFA at The Ohio State University. She shares how establishing a collective with her former cohort allowed her to work in the collaborative models that would come to define her later approach to dance and how she earned her position as the Associate Professor of Dance at Salem State University, where she still finds herself today. We also learn about her ongoing american / woman dance project, and the circumstances that inspired it, before discussing how she chose to reorient the fundamental relationship between choreographer and dancer. For an expansive conversation on creative research, the beauty of being part of a dance community, and much more, be sure to tune in!

Key Points From This Episode:

·       Betsy’s early love of ballet and fashion and her discovery of modern dance.

·       The incredible faculty members and guest artists she studied under at Connecticut College

·       How she co-founded the Propel-her dance collective with her former cohort and friends.

·       How grad school helped her uncover her love of teaching.

·       How she became a tenured professor

·       The multitude of factors that led Betsy to start the american / woman project.

·       How she has used the american / woman project to interrogate the title subject matter and reorient the choreographer-dancer relationship.

·       Betsy shares the highs, lows, and biggest challenges of her career.

“It's always about community and the places in which I find community in the dance world. Something about the way that we bring our bodies into the spaces and that we are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable because we are embodied, makes this community really special.” — Betsy Miller

Based in Salem Massachusetts, Betsy Miller is a dance artist, educator and facilitator whose current mission is to collaborate with women-identifying dancers in every state of the country.

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Happy Holidays from Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast! Listen to a special announcement from Host and Artistic Director of The Moving Architects, Erin Carlisle Norton.

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