Welcome to the Dance Lens podcast, where we take a deep dive into all things dance.

Karen Valby in her latest book "The Swans of Harlem", sheds light on the founding and early dancers of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, capturing an intimate and almost lost history of artists, women, mothers, and the company itself, founded by the late great Arthur Mitchell.

Valby shares the emotional journey of writing the book, the vulnerability of the women who returned to spaces that had once harmed them, and the healing power of reclaiming their history. The discussion touches on the challenges these dancers faced, the complexities of their relationships with their art form and their director, and the broader implications for the dance industry today.

Tune in to hear about the inspiring stories of these pioneering ballerinas and the enduring legacy of the Dance Theatre of Harlem.