The Dancer's Dialogue

In this captivating interview, Yuriko Kajiya shares the remarkable journey that took her from an eight-year-old in Japan to an internationally celebrated principal ballerina. She reflects on the challenges of leaving home at ten to train in China, describing the difficulty of the transition and the discipline it instilled in her. Surprisingly, she admits that ballet wasn’t an immediate passion — it was in the quiet hours of practice, pushing herself beyond what she thought possible, that she fell in love with the art form. She offers invaluable advice to young dancers, emphasizing avoiding comparison to others as well as the importance of seeking out challenges rather than avoiding them, as true growth comes from constantly pushing past one’s limits. Her wisdom and warmth shine through as she discusses how she continues to evolve, treating each new role as an opportunity to refine her artistry and deepen her emotional connection with the audience.

The Dancer’s Dialogue is a project in association with DanceApply.com. Please like, subscribe and tell your friends. Visit DanceApply.com for more content and resources on dance auditions.

Hosted by Erika June Christina Laing
Music by Working Breed, Song title: “Ballerina”

The Dancer's Dialogue © 2024-2025 by Dancers Connect LLC is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

In this episode of The Dancer’s Dialogue, Zhongjing Fang offers a compelling look into her evolution from a young dancer in Shanghai to a celebrated soloist and choreographer with the American Ballet Theatre. The conversation delves into her remarkable ability to overcome adversity, from recovering from a career-threatening injury to navigating the challenges of balancing motherhood with a demanding career. Fang shares how investing in herself—through discipline, creativity, and self-care—has been key to her resilience and continued growth as an artist. Filled with practical advice and personal anecdotes, the interview serves as a source of inspiration and empowerment for aspiring dancers, demonstrating the value of perseverance and self-belief in achieving artistic excellence.

The Dancer’s Dialogue is a project in association with DanceApply.com. Please like, subscribe and tell your friends. Visit DanceApply.com for more content and resources on dance auditions.

Hosted by Erika June Christina Laing
Music by Working Breed, Song title: “Ballerina”

The Dancer's Dialogue © 2024-2025 by Dancers Connect LLC is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

In this episode of The Dancer’s Dialogue, former ABT ballerina Renata Pavam shares her journey from Brazil, influenced by Cuban and Royal Academy styles, to American Ballet Theatre. She discusses her corps de ballet experiences, solo roles, and challenges. After retiring due to injuries, Renata became a dance photographer, utilizing her knowledge as a professional dancer to render fantastic shots of her peers and clients. She speaks to the unique challenges of capturing dancers through the lens, and offers advice on career transitions, backup plans, exploring interests beyond dance, and trusting one’s teachers.

The Dancer’s Dialogue is a project in association with DanceApply.com. Please like, subscribe and tell your friends. Visit DanceApply.com for more content and resources on dance auditions.

Hosted by Erika June Christina Laing
Music by Working Breed, Song title: “Ballerina”

The Dancer's Dialogue © 2024-2025 by Dancers Connect LLC is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

In this episode of The Dancer’s Dialogue, Joshua Peugh, founder and artistic director of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance, explores his journey in dance and how cultural identity, literature, and personal experience shape his choreography. Peugh discusses drawing inspiration from iconic characters, challenging societal norms through works like his queer Western, and creating accessible performances for diverse audiences. He emphasizes authenticity, mental health, and the power of community in his creative process, offering valuable insights into the importance of relationships and the evolving nature of dance.

The Dancer’s Dialogue is a project in association with DanceApply.com. Please like, subscribe and tell your friends. Visit DanceApply.com for more content and resources on dance auditions.

Hosted by Erika June Christina Laing
Music by Working Breed, Song title: “Ballerina”

The Dancer's Dialogue © 2024-2025 by Dancers Connect LLC is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

This episode of The Dancer’s Dialogue focuses on William Moore from Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, detailing his start in ballet as influenced by family to his full-time training at the Royal Ballet School and eventual career with the PBT. Moore discusses the challenges and rewards of elite training and being a professional soloist, as well as his transition to choreography, with an emphasis on the audition process, resilience, the importance of diverse feedback, and the roles of teamwork and community. Moore's journey from Ipswich to the international stage showcases the multifaceted aspects of a ballet career and the continuous pursuit of artistic growth.

The Dancer’s Dialogue is a project in association with DanceApply.com. Please like, subscribe and tell your friends. Visit DanceApply.com for more content and resources on dance auditions.

Hosted by Erika June Christina Laing
Music by Working Breed, Song title: “Ballerina”

The Dancer's Dialogue © 2024-2025 by Dancers Connect LLC is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

This episode of The Dancer’s Dialogue details Luciana Voltolini’s journey from her Bolshoi school days in her native country of Brazil to becoming a soloist at Staatsballett Berlin. Voltolini discusses her challenges and how she overcame them through the help of her community, her mother and the Brazilian government. Pilates plays a major role in Voltolini’s life and she explains its utility in injury recovery and as a complementary activity to classical ballet training. Additionally, we touch on her approach to preparing for the characters of her dance roles, mental health and the importance of support systems, choosing to become a mother, and how to maintain resilience in the face of a professional career in ballet performance.

The Dancer’s Dialogue is a project in association with DanceApply.com. Please like, subscribe and tell your friends. Visit DanceApply.com for more content and resources on dance auditions.

Hosted by Erika June Christina Laing
Music by Working Breed, Song title: “Ballerina”

The Dancer's Dialogue © 2024-2025 by Dancers Connect LLC is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/