Ballet & Dance Podcast

Daria Klimentová, prima ballerina, dance teacher and photographer, is one of the most acclaimed dancers of our times. After a glittering career as a senior principal dancer with the English National Ballet, she is now moulding the future dance stars at the Royal Ballet Upper School. Listen to Daria share her experience of deciding to hang up her pointe shoes and step off the stage and her transition to becoming a dance teacher. Daria talks about her partnership and friendship with the incredible principal dancer Vadim Muntagirov, her passion for passing on her professional experience to the next generation of dancers and her love of photography. Daria gives us an insight into the training at the Royal Ballet School and the challenges for dancers today; she also talks about her renowned International Ballet Masterclass in Prague, which attracts dancers from around the world. It was a privilege to speak with Daria and to feature her in The Wonderful World of Dance Magazine Act II, photographed by the wonderfully talented Karolina Kuras at The Library in London, dressed by Teatum Jones and having a make-up by Paulina Kozdra! PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Daria+Klimentova%CC%81.mp3

Charlotte Darbyshire is the co-Artistic Director (along with Ben Wright) of Candoco Dance Company – a contemporary dance company of disabled and non-disabled dancers in the UK that’s made up of highly trained and passionate dancers from around the world. The company is presenting work across the UK and we’ve just reviewed their Double Bill at London’s Sadler’s Wells, which our wonderful reviewer Francesca Marotto said “celebrates the power of diversity” (read full review here). As a founding member of Candoco, Charlotte has an inspiring and trailblazing journey over the last 25 years, championing and pioneering diversity in dance, training disabled dancers and creating opportunities and choreographing for disabled and non-disabled dancers. Listen to Charlotte talk about how she became interested in practice and research into inclusive and creative approaches to dance practice for disabled and non-disabled people, trained and untrained dancers. Charlotte also talks about her many roles as choreographer, teacher, dancer, dance lecturer, dance film director and the work being presented by Candoco Dance Company (check out locations near you). PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/charolette+15+march+18.mp3

Charlotte Darbyshire is the co-Artistic Director (along with Ben Wright) of Candoco Dance Company – a contemporary dance company of disabled and non-disabled dancers in the UK that’s made up of highly trained and passionate dancers from around the world. The company is presenting work across the UK and we’ve just reviewed their Double Bill at London’s Sadler’s Wells, which our wonderful reviewer Francesca Marotto said “celebrates the power of diversity” (read full review here). As a founding member of Candoco, Charlotte has an inspiring and trailblazing journey over the last 25 years, championing and pioneering diversity in dance, training disabled dancers and creating opportunities and choreographing for disabled and non-disabled dancers. Listen to Charlotte talk about how she became interested in practice and research into inclusive and creative approaches to dance practice for disabled and non-disabled people, trained and untrained dancers. Charlotte also talks about her many roles as choreographer, teacher, dancer, dance lecturer, dance film director and the work being presented by Candoco Dance Company (check out locations near you). PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/charolette+15+march+18.mp3

Neon Dance Artistic Director and Choreographer Adrienne Hart is bringing an exciting evening of curated contemporary dance celebrating international Piano Day to Sadler’s Wells on 22 & 23 March. The Wild Card evening starts with a photographic exhibition in the foyer, features flowers being pollenated by a piano tuning fork, and there’s two pieces created by Adrienne showcasing Neon Dance. Adrienne’s curated Wild Card is set to be a night to remember. She’s presented works on stages from the Radialsystem V in Berlin to Glastonbury and in countries from Norway to Kosovo. Listen to Adrienne talk about her own dance journey, the integral support she’s received as an emerging choreographer that led to her creating her own company and how she’s selected the works and collaborations for Wild Card. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/final+adrienne+hart+6+march+18.mp3

Neon Dance Artistic Director and Choreographer Adrienne Hart is bringing an exciting evening of curated contemporary dance celebrating international Piano Day to Sadler’s Wells on 22 & 23 March. The Wild Card evening starts with a photographic exhibition in the foyer, features flowers being pollenated by a piano tuning fork, and there’s two pieces created by Adrienne showcasing Neon Dance. Adrienne’s curated Wild Card is set to be a night to remember. She’s presented works on stages from the Radialsystem V in Berlin to Glastonbury and in countries from Norway to Kosovo. Listen to Adrienne talk about her own dance journey, the integral support she’s received as an emerging choreographer that led to her creating her own company and how she’s selected the works and collaborations for Wild Card. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/final+adrienne+hart+6+march+18.mp3

Choreographer Ben Wright’s personal journey reads like a real-life Billy Elliot. Growing up he experienced bullying at school for not being the sporty type and he incredibly only started to learn to dance at the age of 19, after being spotted and nurtured into an accomplished dancer. Ben has most famously danced the lead role as the Prince in Matthew Bourne’s male Swan Lake. He’s danced with UK’s leading contemporary dance companies, went on to form his own company bgroup, he’s choreographed dance, theatre and opera and was the Associate Director of Skånes Dansteater in Sweden for three years. Listen to Ben share his journey that’s brought him back home to tour his new work Point of Echoes in rural communities throughout the UK. Point of Echoes is on tour until 19 March – you can get your tickets here. PRESS PLAY! https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/ben+wright+master.mp3

Choreographer Ben Wright’s personal journey reads like a real-life Billy Elliot. Growing up he experienced bullying at school for not being the sporty type and he incredibly only started to learn to dance at the age of 19, after being spotted and nurtured into an accomplished dancer. Ben has most famously danced the lead role as the Prince in Matthew Bourne’s male Swan Lake. He’s danced with UK’s leading contemporary dance companies, went on to form his own company bgroup, he’s choreographed dance, theatre and opera and was the Associate Director of Skånes Dansteater in Sweden for three years. Listen to Ben share his journey that’s brought him back home to tour his new work Point of Echoes in rural communities throughout the UK. Point of Echoes is on tour until 19 March – you can get your tickets here. PRESS PLAY! https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/ben+wright+master.mp3

Ballet British Columbia, Canada’s leading contemporary dance company, is heading to the UK for their first tour in 2018. Founded in 1986, Ballet British Columbia has been under the artistic directorship of Emily Molnar since 2009. Emily was recently appointed to the Order of Canada for her artistic leadership of the company and its contribution to advancing contemporary dance in Canada. In this podcast interview held at the Canadian Embassy in London, Emily shares her journey from taking over the company at a time when it was nearing bankruptcy, to transforming the company into the leading contemporary dance company in Canada. Emily revolutionised the company from the ground up, starting with the technical capabilities of the dancers, to re-invigorating the repertoire by bringing new choreographers to create new and exciting works on the company. Emily shares how her own successful dancer career – forged with the National Ballet of Canada, Ballet Frankfurt and as a principal with Ballet BC – influenced her approach to rescuing the company that was struggling artistically and financially. The UK tour is part of Emily’s artistic vision for the future of the company, setting it firmly on the international stage. Ballet British Columbia and its 18-strong dancer-workforce return to the UK with the same evening of dance that wowed the festival audience in 2016. During the 2018 spring tour, the company makes its London debut as part of the six-venue engagement that presents work by three of the world’s most celebrated female choreographers: – 16+ a room by Emily Molnar – Solo Echo by the globally renowned choreographer Crystal Pite – Bill by Tel Aviv-based Sharon Eyal. Emily’s 16+ a room is inspired by the work of Virginia Woolf, Jeannette Winterson and Emily Dickinson. Sparked with explosive, fast-paced choreography that pushes the dancers to their athletic and technical limits, 16+ a room displays Molnar’s unique choreographic language through a complex study of time, transition and stillness. 16+ a room received its world premiere for Ballet British Columbia in October 2013. Music is arranged and composed by Dirk P. Haubrich. Lighting design is by Jordan Tuinman with lighting direction by James Proudfoot and costumes by Kate Burrows. Vancouver-born Crystal Pite is a former dancer with Ballet British Columbia. Pite made her choreographic debut with the company in 1990 with Between the Bliss and Me. The success of the work allowed Pite to create additional pieces for Ballet British Columbia and since then she has created over 40 works for some of the world’s top dance companies. Inspired by two sonatas for cello and piano by Brahms and the poem ‘Lines for Winter’ by Mark Strand, Pite’s Solo Echo portrays a man coming to terms with himself at the end of his life as the choreographer explores recurring themes of acceptance and loss. Solo Echo received its world premiere in February 2012 (Nederlands Dans Theater) and its Canadian premiere in November 2015 (Ballet British Columbia). Lighting design is by Tom Visser, set design by Jay Gower Taylor and costume designs by Crystal Pite and Joke Visser.   A Sadler’s Wells’ Associate Artist, Pite has won a number of prestigious awards including two Oliviers for Polaris in 2015 and Betroffenheit in 2017. The final piece is Bill by Tel Aviv-based choreographer Sharon Eyal. Dancers showcase their extraordinary skills in synchronised ensemble sections and solos in the work created by Eyal with her long-time collaborators Gai Behar and Ori Lichtik. Bill received its world premiere in May 2010 (Batsheva Dance Company) and its Canadian premiere in May 2016 (Ballet British Columbia).

Ballet British Columbia, Canada’s leading contemporary dance company, is heading to the UK for their first tour in 2018. Founded in 1986, Ballet British Columbia has been under the artistic directorship of Emily Molnar since 2009. Emily was recently appointed to the Order of Canada for her artistic leadership of the company and its contribution to advancing contemporary dance in Canada. In this podcast interview held at the Canadian Embassy in London, Emily shares her journey from taking over the company at a time when it was nearing bankruptcy, to transforming the company into the leading contemporary dance company in Canada. Emily revolutionised the company from the ground up, starting with the technical capabilities of the dancers, to re-invigorating the repertoire by bringing new choreographers to create new and exciting works on the company. Emily shares how her own successful dancer career – forged with the National Ballet of Canada, Ballet Frankfurt and as a principal with Ballet BC – influenced her approach to rescuing the company that was struggling artistically and financially. The UK tour is part of Emily’s artistic vision for the future of the company, setting it firmly on the international stage. Ballet British Columbia and its 18-strong dancer-workforce return to the UK with the same evening of dance that wowed the festival audience in 2016. During the 2018 spring tour, the company makes its London debut as part of the six-venue engagement that presents work by three of the world’s most celebrated female choreographers: – 16+ a room by Emily Molnar – Solo Echo by the globally renowned choreographer Crystal Pite – Bill by Tel Aviv-based Sharon Eyal. Emily’s 16+ a room is inspired by the work of Virginia Woolf, Jeannette Winterson and Emily Dickinson. Sparked with explosive, fast-paced choreography that pushes the dancers to their athletic and technical limits, 16+ a room displays Molnar’s unique choreographic language through a complex study of time, transition and stillness. 16+ a room received its world premiere for Ballet British Columbia in October 2013. Music is arranged and composed by Dirk P. Haubrich. Lighting design is by Jordan Tuinman with lighting direction by James Proudfoot and costumes by Kate Burrows. Vancouver-born Crystal Pite is a former dancer with Ballet British Columbia. Pite made her choreographic debut with the company in 1990 with Between the Bliss and Me. The success of the work allowed Pite to create additional pieces for Ballet British Columbia and since then she has created over 40 works for some of the world’s top dance companies. Inspired by two sonatas for cello and piano by Brahms and the poem ‘Lines for Winter’ by Mark Strand, Pite’s Solo Echo portrays a man coming to terms with himself at the end of his life as the choreographer explores recurring themes of acceptance and loss. Solo Echo received its world premiere in February 2012 (Nederlands Dans Theater) and its Canadian premiere in November 2015 (Ballet British Columbia). Lighting design is by Tom Visser, set design by Jay Gower Taylor and costume designs by Crystal Pite and Joke Visser.   A Sadler’s Wells’ Associate Artist, Pite has won a number of prestigious awards including two Oliviers for Polaris in 2015 and Betroffenheit in 2017. The final piece is Bill by Tel Aviv-based choreographer Sharon Eyal. Dancers showcase their extraordinary skills in synchronised ensemble sections and solos in the work created by Eyal with her long-time collaborators Gai Behar and Ori Lichtik. Bill received its world premiere in May 2010 (Batsheva Dance Company) and its Canadian premiere in May 2016 (Ballet British Columbia).

21 year old ballet dancer Tala Lee-Turton is only the third ever British female to break through the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. In this podcast interview, Tala tells us about her life as a ballet student growing up in North England and discovering and falling in love with the Russian ballet technique. After successfully auditioning, Tala moved from the UK to Russia to train with the infamous Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Tala shares her experience of moving countries, what is was like in the first few months at the Bolshoi, how she made friends, learned to fluently speak Russian and what her days were like training at the notorious Russian school. After graduating, Tala this season joined the Russian ballet company, Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theatre, and set to return to the UK on tour this month. Tala gives us an insight into the transition from ballet school to professional company and what she’s looking forward to about coming back to England. As a young dancer, Tala is already looking to the future and has embarked on building her choreographic experience. Check out her films:     As well as a dancer, Tala is a model and a coach, and even at such a young age ensures she gives back to her local community in Barnsley (UK) by teaching local young students when she’s at home. Listen to Tala discussing her love of Russian ballet and her adopted city, her hopes and dreams for her career and her advice for other young dancers wanting to following in her pointe shoe steps. Follow Tala: Instagram / Facebook PRESS PLAY! https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Tala+Lee-Turton.mp3  

21 year old ballet dancer Tala Lee-Turton is only the third ever British female to break through the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. In this podcast interview, Tala tells us about her life as a ballet student growing up in North England and discovering and falling in love with the Russian ballet technique. After successfully auditioning, Tala moved from the UK to Russia to train with the infamous Bolshoi Ballet Academy. Tala shares her experience of moving countries, what is was like in the first few months at the Bolshoi, how she made friends, learned to fluently speak Russian and what her days were like training at the notorious Russian school. After graduating, Tala this season joined the Russian ballet company, Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theatre, and set to return to the UK on tour this month. Tala gives us an insight into the transition from ballet school to professional company and what she’s looking forward to about coming back to England. As a young dancer, Tala is already looking to the future and has embarked on building her choreographic experience. Check out her films:     As well as a dancer, Tala is a model and a coach, and even at such a young age ensures she gives back to her local community in Barnsley (UK) by teaching local young students when she’s at home. Listen to Tala discussing her love of Russian ballet and her adopted city, her hopes and dreams for her career and her advice for other young dancers wanting to following in her pointe shoe steps. Follow Tala: Instagram / Facebook PRESS PLAY! https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Tala+Lee-Turton.mp3  

Brogan McKelvey is young, fresh, fearless and switched on! Brogan recently joined Birmingham Royal Ballet and talks to fellow dancer and ballet friend Lydia Holt – our new podcast host for The Wonderful World of Dance – about his experiences at Elmhurst Ballet School, company life and his choreographic dreams. From starting in street dance, Brogan hasn’t had the smoothest journey from studio to stage, so we talk injuries, rejections and the pressures of todays classical training but also the importance of friendships and believing in your fate. Brogan has always been ‘the creative’ and his choreographic talents have consistently shone through, from winning competitions at Elmhurst Ballet School to having his ballet, ‘Classical Suite’, debuted in Tokyo. Brogan has already accomplished a lot for a 20 year old dancer. But that’s not enough for our Brogan, we discuss his inspirational colleagues at Birmingham Royal Ballet, his erratic but exciting choreographic process and what inspires him to keep creating. Brogan is definitely one to watch, his driven work ethic, immense artistic talents combined with oodles of charisma promise him a bright future; an inspiration for all young dancers that your tough times will pay off. Facebook: Brogan McKelvey Instagram: @broganmckelvey_choreographer You can also listen to Lydia talk about her own experiences of training with this prestigious school in our 3 part series on Elmhurst Ballet School.   https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Brogan+McKelvey+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance+Podcasts.mp3   Here are some lovely photos of Brogan and Lydia at Elmhurst Ballet School!

Brogan McKelvey is young, fresh, fearless and switched on! Brogan recently joined Birmingham Royal Ballet and talks to fellow dancer and ballet friend Lydia Holt – our new podcast host for The Wonderful World of Dance – about his experiences at Elmhurst Ballet School, company life and his choreographic dreams. From starting in street dance, Brogan hasn’t had the smoothest journey from studio to stage, so we talk injuries, rejections and the pressures of todays classical training but also the importance of friendships and believing in your fate. Brogan has always been ‘the creative’ and his choreographic talents have consistently shone through, from winning competitions at Elmhurst Ballet School to having his ballet, ‘Classical Suite’, debuted in Tokyo. Brogan has already accomplished a lot for a 20 year old dancer. But that’s not enough for our Brogan, we discuss his inspirational colleagues at Birmingham Royal Ballet, his erratic but exciting choreographic process and what inspires him to keep creating. Brogan is definitely one to watch, his driven work ethic, immense artistic talents combined with oodles of charisma promise him a bright future; an inspiration for all young dancers that your tough times will pay off. Facebook: Brogan McKelvey Instagram: @broganmckelvey_choreographer You can also listen to Lydia talk about her own experiences of training with this prestigious school in our 3 part series on Elmhurst Ballet School.   https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Brogan+McKelvey+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance+Podcasts.mp3   Here are some lovely photos of Brogan and Lydia at Elmhurst Ballet School!

Dance Umbrella is London’s largest dance festival and the 2017 programme showcases some of the world’s best choreography and dancers over 3 weeks. Dance Umbrella 2017 runs from 11 to 28 October with works being presented in unique locations across London. Artistic Director and CEO Emma Gladstone sees over 200 shows a year in order to curate the festival. In this interview Emma Galdstone talks about: – her role as Artistic Director – how she selects works for Dance Umbrella – what audiences can expect from this year’s programme – highlights of choreographers she has discovered – where to find some unusual dance in unexpected places in the capital Emma also talks about taking dance out of the theatre and into the community, showcasing work outdoors, in shipping containers, at Battersea Power Station, on the street and more. There is also free events, family friendly performances to give kids a fun and entertaining dance experience and a whole range of unique shows. We also discuss what ‘dance’ means, how we talk about and present ‘contemporary’ dance, what Dance Umbrella does to tackle diversity in dance and what her vision is for the future of the festival. Emma has over 30 years in dance and programming and this insightful interview reveals what it takes to put the programme together. Emma is an inspiring woman and a power house of dance knowledge and it’s so interesting to be able to hear from the woman behind this incredibly diverse Dance Umbrella festival. Book your Dance Umbrella tickets now! PRESS PLAY!   https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Emma+Gladstone.mp3

Dance Umbrella is London’s largest dance festival and the 2017 programme showcases some of the world’s best choreography and dancers over 3 weeks. Dance Umbrella 2017 runs from 11 to 28 October with works being presented in unique locations across London. Artistic Director and CEO Emma Gladstone sees over 200 shows a year in order to curate the festival. In this interview Emma Galdstone talks about: – her role as Artistic Director – how she selects works for Dance Umbrella – what audiences can expect from this year’s programme – highlights of choreographers she has discovered – where to find some unusual dance in unexpected places in the capital Emma also talks about taking dance out of the theatre and into the community, showcasing work outdoors, in shipping containers, at Battersea Power Station, on the street and more. There is also free events, family friendly performances to give kids a fun and entertaining dance experience and a whole range of unique shows. We also discuss what ‘dance’ means, how we talk about and present ‘contemporary’ dance, what Dance Umbrella does to tackle diversity in dance and what her vision is for the future of the festival. Emma has over 30 years in dance and programming and this insightful interview reveals what it takes to put the programme together. Emma is an inspiring woman and a power house of dance knowledge and it’s so interesting to be able to hear from the woman behind this incredibly diverse Dance Umbrella festival. Book your Dance Umbrella tickets now! PRESS PLAY!   https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Emma+Gladstone.mp3