Ballet & Dance Podcast

Lauren Lovette is lovely. Not only is she an inspirational dancer with an enviable ballet career, a massive social media following and is an upcoming choreographer, but she’s genuinely a lovely lovely person. In this podcast episode, Lauren talks about being homeschooled before her natural talent being discovered in a local ballet store and receiving a life changing scholarship that led her to The School of American Ballet in NYC. She reveals the jobs she had throughout her time at SAB to help pay for her pointe shoes and NYC living. Lauren also talks candidly and emotionally about her experience of graduating from SAB and seeing classmates becoming apprentices with New York City Ballet, but finding she wasn’t giving a position. This crucial moment almost led Lauren to quit ballet altogether, but instead steered her to a new opportunity that has helped shape her career and inspired her budding choreographic career. Listen to Lauren talk about her love for dancing in the corps and the many masks she wore on stage, life as a soloist and her favourite roles, but also the disappointment of achieving principal while being laid up on a sofa with an injury. Lauren also reveals the inspiration for her new work, For Clara, a true love story with a dark twist. As an upcoming choreographer, Lauren humbly talks about her inspirations, the challenges as a dancer, the difficulties she’s overcome and her words of advice for other dancers dreaming of following in her pointe steps! PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Lauren+Lovette+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance+Podcasts.mp3

Lauren Lovette is lovely. Not only is she an inspirational dancer with an enviable ballet career, a massive social media following and is an upcoming choreographer, but she’s genuinely a lovely lovely person. In this podcast episode, Lauren talks about being homeschooled before her natural talent being discovered in a local ballet store and receiving a life changing scholarship that led her to The School of American Ballet in NYC. She reveals the jobs she had throughout her time at SAB to help pay for her pointe shoes and NYC living. Lauren also talks candidly and emotionally about her experience of graduating from SAB and seeing classmates becoming apprentices with New York City Ballet, but finding she wasn’t giving a position. This crucial moment almost led Lauren to quit ballet altogether, but instead steered her to a new opportunity that has helped shape her career and inspired her budding choreographic career. Listen to Lauren talk about her love for dancing in the corps and the many masks she wore on stage, life as a soloist and her favourite roles, but also the disappointment of achieving principal while being laid up on a sofa with an injury. Lauren also reveals the inspiration for her new work, For Clara, a true love story with a dark twist. As an upcoming choreographer, Lauren humbly talks about her inspirations, the challenges as a dancer, the difficulties she’s overcome and her words of advice for other dancers dreaming of following in her pointe steps! PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Lauren+Lovette+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance+Podcasts.mp3

Often dancers grow up wanting a career with a top ballet or dance company, but for many as they grow older this either becomes unattainable or undesirable. However, this doesn’t have to be the end of the road for a dancer. There are so many different options in the dance world that gives dancers a career in dance that they love and fulfill them both creatively and financially. In this podcast episode, we explore the life and opportunities for freelance dancers with Abbi Burns, founder of a website dedicated to providing information and support for freelance dancers, called The Female Dancer. Abbi is also the founder and artistic director of dance company Darley Dance, which employs freelance dancers to perform at a wide range of events. Abbi gives us an insight into the life of a freelance dancer, the types of dancers she looks for to join her company and the information available through The Female Dancer. Follow Abbi on Instagram: @abbiburns PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Abbi+Burns+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance+Podcast.mp3

Often dancers grow up wanting a career with a top ballet or dance company, but for many as they grow older this either becomes unattainable or undesirable. However, this doesn’t have to be the end of the road for a dancer. There are so many different options in the dance world that gives dancers a career in dance that they love and fulfill them both creatively and financially. In this podcast episode, we explore the life and opportunities for freelance dancers with Abbi Burns, founder of a website dedicated to providing information and support for freelance dancers, called The Female Dancer. Abbi is also the founder and artistic director of dance company Darley Dance, which employs freelance dancers to perform at a wide range of events. Abbi gives us an insight into the life of a freelance dancer, the types of dancers she looks for to join her company and the information available through The Female Dancer. Follow Abbi on Instagram: @abbiburns PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Abbi+Burns+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance+Podcast.mp3

Zarely is the gorgeous dance wear company founded by former ballet dancer Mateo Klemmeyer. After a stellar career on stage, Mateo is now a hugely successful serial entrepreneur, who owns 4 companies across manufacturing and the arts industries, turning over more than $15million and employing 130 people. Mateo shares how he went from dancing on stage to creating multi-million dollar companies and building the most beautiful dance wear brand worn by famous ballerinas around the world. Zarely dance wear includes tights, tops, leggings and active wear for both men and women, made by high end fabrics and uber cool designs. Check out Zarely.co to see the fabulous range inspired by Iana Salenko, Sonia Rodriguez, Maia Makhateli and more. You can also watch the video interview with Mateo. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Mateo+Interview+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

Zarely is the gorgeous dance wear company founded by former ballet dancer Mateo Klemmeyer. After a stellar career on stage, Mateo is now a hugely successful serial entrepreneur, who owns 4 companies across manufacturing and the arts industries, turning over more than $15million and employing 130 people. Mateo shares how he went from dancing on stage to creating multi-million dollar companies and building the most beautiful dance wear brand worn by famous ballerinas around the world. Zarely dance wear includes tights, tops, leggings and active wear for both men and women, made by high end fabrics and uber cool designs. Check out Zarely.co to see the fabulous range inspired by Iana Salenko, Sonia Rodriguez, Maia Makhateli and more. You can also watch the video interview with Mateo. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Mateo+Interview+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

Edinburgh Festival Fringe is celebrating their 70th Anniversary of showcasing norm defying performance. With over 140 dance shows, we’ve asked The Place’s Senior Producer, Christina Elliot to give us the low down on the hottest dance at the Festival. The Place is London’s leading contemporary dance training, creation and performance house, home to the London Contemporary Dance School and the Richard Alston Dance Company. Listen to Christina talk about the importance of dance at EdFringe, what to see (check out: Dance Guide to Edinburgh Festival Fringe), and the 4 amazing pieces The Place is taking to the famous festival. We also talk about her role, what a producer does and her typical day – there isn’t one! The Place also sponsors the Total Theatre Awards for Dance, which celebrates innovation in dance, Christina gives us an insight into how the winners are selected for the prestigious prize. Click here for Edinburgh Festival Fringe Dance Hot List!   https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/The+Place+-+Interview+-+Aug+2017.mp3

Edinburgh Festival Fringe is celebrating their 70th Anniversary of showcasing norm defying performance. With over 140 dance shows, we’ve asked The Place’s Senior Producer, Christina Elliot to give us the low down on the hottest dance at the Festival. The Place is London’s leading contemporary dance training, creation and performance house, home to the London Contemporary Dance School and the Richard Alston Dance Company. Listen to Christina talk about the importance of dance at EdFringe, what to see (check out: Dance Guide to Edinburgh Festival Fringe), and the 4 amazing pieces The Place is taking to the famous festival. We also talk about her role, what a producer does and her typical day – there isn’t one! The Place also sponsors the Total Theatre Awards for Dance, which celebrates innovation in dance, Christina gives us an insight into how the winners are selected for the prestigious prize. Click here for Edinburgh Festival Fringe Dance Hot List!   https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/The+Place+-+Interview+-+Aug+2017.mp3

Ballet United Founder and Dancer Tom Attard-Manché talks to The Wonderful World of Dance about the inspiration behind Ballet United and the Gala, being held in London on 19 July at Cadogan Hall. Tom also shares his own dance journey, developing glandular fever and having to take time off dancing, and his vision for Ballet United. Ballet United brings together some of the world’s brightest and boldest talent to captivate new audiences and inspire fresh minds, for one night only in London. This unique Gala will see pioneering ballet dancers from premier international companies  take to the stage in an electrifying night showcasing the very best of ballet and accompanied by world class musicians, book your tickets to see: The Royal Ballet Paris Opera Ballet Dutch National Ballet Semperoper Dresden Northern Ballet Norwegian National Ballet Vienna State Ballet Rome Opera Ballet Book tickets to the Ballet United Gala on 19 July, Cadogan Hall, London. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/tom+podcast.mp3

Ballet United Founder and Dancer Tom Attard-Manché talks to The Wonderful World of Dance about the inspiration behind Ballet United and the Gala, being held in London on 19 July at Cadogan Hall. Tom also shares his own dance journey, developing glandular fever and having to take time off dancing, and his vision for Ballet United. Ballet United brings together some of the world’s brightest and boldest talent to captivate new audiences and inspire fresh minds, for one night only in London. This unique Gala will see pioneering ballet dancers from premier international companies  take to the stage in an electrifying night showcasing the very best of ballet and accompanied by world class musicians, book your tickets to see: The Royal Ballet Paris Opera Ballet Dutch National Ballet Semperoper Dresden Northern Ballet Norwegian National Ballet Vienna State Ballet Rome Opera Ballet Book tickets to the Ballet United Gala on 19 July, Cadogan Hall, London. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/tom+podcast.mp3

Every dancer has a story, and Claudia Suárez‘s (Apprentice Ballerina, with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida) story sees her fleeing her home in politically unstable Venezuela and landing on the stage in Miami. 19 year old Claudia started dancing at the age of 5, however her training was interrupted by having to move numerous times and eventually travelling with her mum to London, where she studied for a time with the Central School of Ballet. In Miami, Claudia trained with the Vladimir Issaev School of Classical Ballet in North Miami Beach, Florida, graduating in 2015. As a budding ballerina, Claudia won the Silver Medal at the Caracas National Ballet Competition, and was awarded Top Ten Dancer at Universal Ballet Competition in Florida. At the age of 15, she won a scholarship to attend Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida’s Summer Intensive, which led to being appointed as a Trainee and then a year later promoted to Apprentice. Claudia shares her unique experience of becoming a ballerina, and how disruption and sacrifice have shaped her young career, her experience entering into competitions, and being photographed by the famous dance photographer Gene Schiavone. Claudia gives us an insight into her daily life as an Apprentice, working alongside seasoned dance professionals, the challenges she’s had to over come, her aspirations for the future and her deep love of dance and dance history. We are proud to have Claudia sharing her love of writing as a contributor for The Wonderful World of Dance. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Claudia+Suarez+-++The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

Every dancer has a story, and Claudia Suárez‘s (Apprentice Ballerina, with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida) story sees her fleeing her home in politically unstable Venezuela and landing on the stage in Miami. 19 year old Claudia started dancing at the age of 5, however her training was interrupted by having to move numerous times and eventually travelling with her mum to London, where she studied for a time with the Central School of Ballet. In Miami, Claudia trained with the Vladimir Issaev School of Classical Ballet in North Miami Beach, Florida, graduating in 2015. As a budding ballerina, Claudia won the Silver Medal at the Caracas National Ballet Competition, and was awarded Top Ten Dancer at Universal Ballet Competition in Florida. At the age of 15, she won a scholarship to attend Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida’s Summer Intensive, which led to being appointed as a Trainee and then a year later promoted to Apprentice. Claudia shares her unique experience of becoming a ballerina, and how disruption and sacrifice have shaped her young career, her experience entering into competitions, and being photographed by the famous dance photographer Gene Schiavone. Claudia gives us an insight into her daily life as an Apprentice, working alongside seasoned dance professionals, the challenges she’s had to over come, her aspirations for the future and her deep love of dance and dance history. We are proud to have Claudia sharing her love of writing as a contributor for The Wonderful World of Dance. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Claudia+Suarez+-++The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

One of the most important issues facing the dance industry is dancer health and wellbeing. It is critical that dancers, teachers and parents are educated and aware to ensure that dancers are positively nurtured; so that they love their body, embrace their differences, understand the challenges, learn how to improve positively, have support, knowledge and tools to rise to the heights of their dance dreams so that they have an enjoyable, successful and long dance career. Former professional ballet dancer Jessica Spinner is a health coach and founder of The Whole Dancer – a health and lifestyle coaching programme for high level dancers. Jess shares her own experiences as a professional dancer that led her to create The Whole Dancer and The Dancers Best Body Programmes.   Jess’ dance training included summer programmes at The Kirov Academy, North Carolina School for the Arts, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theater in New York and with Orlando Ballet. As a professional dancer Jess, danced with The Louisville Ballet and also studied dance and arts administration at Butler University, before freelancing as a dancer in Boston. Throughout her dance career, Jess experienced her own struggles with body image, food, confidence and what she perceived as shortcomings as a dancer. LISTEN to Jess tell us about The Whole Dancer and The Dancers Best Body Programme she created to provide support, education and tools for aspiring dancers who may be facing challenges relating to body image, health and wellbeing issues. PRESS PLAY https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Jessica+Spinner+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

One of the most important issues facing the dance industry is dancer health and wellbeing. It is critical that dancers, teachers and parents are educated and aware to ensure that dancers are positively nurtured; so that they love their body, embrace their differences, understand the challenges, learn how to improve positively, have support, knowledge and tools to rise to the heights of their dance dreams so that they have an enjoyable, successful and long dance career. Former professional ballet dancer Jessica Spinner is a health coach and founder of The Whole Dancer – a health and lifestyle coaching programme for high level dancers. Jess shares her own experiences as a professional dancer that led her to create The Whole Dancer and The Dancers Best Body Programmes.   Jess’ dance training included summer programmes at The Kirov Academy, North Carolina School for the Arts, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theater in New York and with Orlando Ballet. As a professional dancer Jess, danced with The Louisville Ballet and also studied dance and arts administration at Butler University, before freelancing as a dancer in Boston. Throughout her dance career, Jess experienced her own struggles with body image, food, confidence and what she perceived as shortcomings as a dancer. LISTEN to Jess tell us about The Whole Dancer and The Dancers Best Body Programme she created to provide support, education and tools for aspiring dancers who may be facing challenges relating to body image, health and wellbeing issues. PRESS PLAY https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Jessica+Spinner+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

Elmhurst Ballet School graduate Lydia Holt is our final guest in our 3 part podcast series on this prestigious ballet school. Prior to studying at Elmhurst, 19 yr old Lydia attended Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, where she was selected to perform with the English National Ballet in Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall, as well as St Petersburg Ballet in Don Quixote in Paris. As a scholarship student, Lydia joined Elmhurst Ballet School at the age of 12 and during her time she won: * 2015 Elmhurst Ballet Solo Competition performing Dance Concertantes by Sir Kenneth Macmillan * 2016 Musicality Award at the Cecchetti Classical Ballet Awards, Sadler’s Wells * Semi-finalist at the 2015 Royal Academy of Dance Genee Competition * Appointed Head Girl at Elmhurst Ballet School from 2015-16 * Olympic Torch Bearer at the start of the 2012 Olympic Games in London Lydia speaks eloquently about life as a ballet student, her passion for dance, working with acclaimed choreographers, the importance of dance history, the work required in the studio, balancing studies with preparing for life as a professional dancer. As a graduate Lydia has begun auditioning and she gives us an insight to her experience, her dreams for the future, and the roles that she would love to dance. We are excited to have Lydia join our wonderful team as a co-host of our podcast show. We are looking forward to Lydia showcasing the voice of the dance student and sharing her journey of becoming a professional ballerina. PRESS PLAY https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Lydia+Holt+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3