Ballet & Dance Podcast

In this podcast, Precious Adams , English National Ballet, First Artist shares her journey from the US to training in Canada, Europe and Moscow, before moving to the UK to dance with the English National Ballet . Precious is a rising ballet star who is celebrated for her artistry, technique and her contributions to improving diversity in the dance industry. We featured Precious in The Wonderful Wo...

Alina Cojocaru is the much loved principal with the English National Ballet and guest artist with the Hamburg Ballet who has garnered adoring fans and numerous accolades throughout her illustrious career. We’re in for a real treat as Alina is presenting her own curated programme of classical and contemporary pieces at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, simply called: ‘Alina at Sadler’...

The critically acclaimed award-winning Annabelle Lopez Ochoa is a choreographer that you need to know. A prolific artist, she has created dance works for over 60 top ballet and dance companies including:  English National Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, The Washington Ballet, Ballet Black, Dance Theatre of Harlem and so many more. Annabelle has recently been bestowed anothe...

In this podcast we take a look at the life of one of the most visionary and influential choreographers in the world, Merce Cunnigham . The legendary dancer and choreographer’s journey from struggling artist to rejected and misunderstood creator and finally to becoming a celebrated icon, is told in a beautiful new 3D film simply titled ‘ Cunningham ’. Dance filmmaker Alla Kovgan shares her ex...

The decision for any dancer or creator to move from their hometown to the big city, whether across the country or to the other side of the world, is often a daunting and exciting prospect. It’s not just the actual relocation or the unknown, but there’s also the challenge of finding a place and success within a new, larger dance scene. In this podcast, Australian contemporary dancer and...

In this podcast, we’re joined by Subhash Gorania , a  cutting-edge, British choreographer and dancer and Artistic Director of Morph Dance Company . Subhash creates works that blends Indian classical dance, hip-hop and contemporary dance and has a very unexpected dance story. At the age of 23, Subhash was stacking tins in the supermarket (after having to drop out of uni after being injur...

In this podcast, we talk to principal dancer Mi Deng, who is one of the most famous and successful ballerinas from China. We discuss her role as the Princess in the innovative high- tech show, Sleeping Beauty Dreams. Mi Deng gives an insight into the stunning visuals created by the dancers who are hooked up to the technology; and she shares the challenges as a dancer working with the tech (it...

In this podcast episode we discuss the important subject of dancer mental health and wellbeing, with former Royal Ballet dancer and dance counsellor Terry Hyde . Former Royal Ballet dancer and counsellor Terry Hyde We shine a light on the challenges faced by dancers, including depression, injury, rejection, confidence, and performance anxiety. Terry talks about his own dance career and how his uni...

Dance creation is ever changing and evolving with the influence of new technologies on sound, lighting, staging, visualisations and performance. Critically acclaimed choreographer and dancer Tom Dale is an innovator in bringing these elements together to create new ways of experience and performing dance. Taking this tech approach to a new level, Tom Dale’s new work  Step Sonic sees the danc...

Every so often you come across a personal story that must be told and shared. Cutting edge dance theatre creator and performance artist, Stuart Waters , tells his story of depression, addiction and destruction in a new autobiographical work  Rock Bottom . In this podcast, Stuart candidly shares his deeply personal journey and talks with honesty about the challenges he’s faced and how he...

In this podcast, Australian born Rose Alice – ballet dancer, choreographer and Artistic Director of the International Arts Collective  – shares her experience of forging her own path as a successful and inspiring freelance artist. Trained at prestigious ballet schools that includes the École de Danse Classique in France and Basel Theatre Ballet School, Rose Alice was a f...

In this podcast we talk with Sadler’s Wells Young Associate Ruby Portus who is a dancer and choreographer using her voice to tackle sociopolitical issues in a playful way. Listen to Ruby talk about how the Sadler’s Wells Young Associates programme has helped develop her work, reach a wider audience and build her emerging choreographic career. Ruby also talks about what it means to be a...

In this podcast, we talk to Birmingham Royal Ballet First Artist and Choreographer Ruth Brill about her decision to hang up her pointe shoes to focus on a full-time choreographic career. Ruth talks about her distinguished ballet career that saw her dance with the English National Ballet for 5 years before heading to Birmingham Royal Ballet – a company that became her home for the last 7 year...

Natalia Osipova has often been described as an enigma, as a dancer who keeps her audiences on the edge of their seats with pure but unpredictable performances, that makes you hold your breathe, as you never know what you’re about to experience until this star steps on stage. I had the privilege of being invited into Natasha’s (yes she prefers to be called Natasha, although Natalia is t...

In this podcast, we explore the incredible photographic book released by dancer Marjorie Goodson titled ‘ MG ‘. The stunning hard cover coffee table style book features spectacular photos of Majorie Goodson photographed by Andreea Radutoiu. Majorie’s dance career spans three decades and this glossy book captures her in photos that are raw, gritty and sensual.  Listen to Marjorie talk a...

In this podcast with Norwegian choreographer  Alan Lucien Øyen , we discuss the work and company of one of the most important choreographers of the twentieth century, Pina Bausch. Alan Lucien Øyen is one of two choreographers (along with  Dimitris Papaioannou) who  has been given the honour of creating a new piece with the company Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch , following t...

Principal dancer Yolanda Correa was born in Cuba where she studied ballet before joining the National Ballet of Cuba . After only 5 years she was quickly promoted to Prima Ballerina and enjoyed a wonderful career performing in her home country. After 10 years with the company, she made the surprising decision to head to Europe to learn and push herself as a dancer and an artist. Listen to Yolanda...

Royal Ballet principal dancer Thiago Soares is celebrating his 20 years ballet career and 14 years with this prestigious ballet company. Thiago was born in Rio de Janeiro, where surprisingly he first started dancing hip-hop before he discovered ballet, which was to change his life forever. In this podcast, Thiago shares the highlights and challenges over the last two decades as he rose to become a...

Stephenie Herman is a former ballerina who has danced with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolph Nureyev and was a protégé of legendary choreographer George Balanchine. In this podcast episode Stephanie shares her memories of these ballet legends and gives us an insight from a ballerina’s unique point of view. Stephanie became a principal dancer at just 19 and moved from the US to Zurich to t...

In this podcast, we talk to former (Royal) New Zealand Ballet dancer Matthew Lawrence about his journey from the southern tip of the world to the northern end of the Scottish Shetland isles, where he’s created an important community dance school. The Shetland Community Ballet School  is a great example of a local dance school providing opportunities for young and mature dancers in remote loc...

Akram Khan is an extraordinary choreographer, whose work requires his dancers to adapt to his unique style of movement. In this podcast episode, we talk to two of Akram Khan Company dancers –  Nicolas Ricchini  and    Dennis Alamanos  – about what it feels like to perform Akram’s work. Nicolas and Dennis talk about their own journeys into the contemporary dance world, their decis...

Royal Ballet First Soloist Beatriz Stix-Brunell gives us a unique insight into this famous company ahead of World Ballet Day , as she describes her typical day at the Royal Opera House, the company’s repertoire and the supportive and warm dancers that have become her dance family as she’s risen through the ranks over the last 8 years. Beatriz reflects on her journey from New York to Paris to Londo...

American born Royal Ballet Soloist Tristan Dyer talks to us ahead of World Ballet Day (2 Oct), giving us an insight into life with the prestigious ballet company, his favourite roles, and how he prepares for the stage. Listen to Tristan talk about what he loves most about dancing, what inspired him to join The Royal Ballet and one of his favourite career moments of dancing with the gorgeous Sarah...

This is a story of love, creativity and passion. In this podcast we discover the story of two dancers and choreographers – Rae Piper and Paul Chantry – whose chance meeting changed the course of their lives, both as dancers and people. Listen to Rae and Paul talk about their remarkable 6 year journey that led them to creating  Chantry Dance Company , debuting at London’...

The international dance sensation Carlos Acosta is celebrating his 30 year dance career by performing alongside his company Acosta Danza at London’s Royal Albert Hall,  2-5 October. In this podcast episode, Carlos Acosta shares his greatest moments from his dance career, his favourite roles that he’s danced, his experience of creating his own dance company and his advice for the next g...