Ballet & Dance Podcast

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

Elmhurst Ballet School graduate Hamish Scott and winner of Bronze at this year’s Genée International Ballet Competition, shares his experience of training at this prestigious ballet school. This is the second in our 3 part podcast series on the Elmhurst Ballet School, that trains dancers who enter companies such as Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet, Scottish Ballet and other top companies around the world. 19 year old Hamish shares his journey from local ballet school to auditioning for Elmhurst, his daily dance life, and his aspirations for his future dance career. Listen to Hamish talk about his trip to Sydney to participate in the infamous Genée International Ballet Competition, meeting other dancers from around the world, preparing to perform and ultimately winning Bronze. We will be following Hamish’s journey as he graduates from Elmhurst Ballet School and enters the professional dance world. PRESS PLAY https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/hamish_scott_7_june.mp3

Elmhurst Ballet School graduate Hamish Scott and winner of Bronze at this year’s Genée International Ballet Competition, shares his experience of training at this prestigious ballet school. This is the second in our 3 part podcast series on the Elmhurst Ballet School, that trains dancers who enter companies such as Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet, Scottish Ballet and other top companies around the world. 19 year old Hamish shares his journey from local ballet school to auditioning for Elmhurst, his daily dance life, and his aspirations for his future dance career. Listen to Hamish talk about his trip to Sydney to participate in the infamous Genée International Ballet Competition, meeting other dancers from around the world, preparing to perform and ultimately winning Bronze. We will be following Hamish’s journey as he graduates from Elmhurst Ballet School and enters the professional dance world. PRESS PLAY https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/hamish_scott_7_june.mp3

Elmhurst Ballet School Artistic Director Robert Parker, is an award winning former principal dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Elmhurst is the oldest and one of the most successful ballet schools not just in the UK, but across the world. Elmhurst schools young ballet students to succeed in the professional dance world, providing high quality, holistic vocational dance training. Significantly, this renowned ballet school trained a quarter of this year’s finalists of the prestigious Genée International Ballet Competition.  One of their students, Hamish Scott, went on to win Bronze. This is the first in our 3 part mini-podcast series on Elmhurst Ballet School, starting with Artistic Director Robert Parker, followed by dance graduates Hamish Scott and Lydia Holt. Together they provide a unique insight into the school, the artistic and academic vision, what it’s like as a student, and how the school prepares young dancers for their first step into professional dance life. Robert shares his own dance journey from training with the Royal Ballet School before joining Birmingham Royal Ballet, under the directorship of the incredible Sir Peter Wright where he rose quickly to principal dancer. After almost 10 years with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Robert took a sabbatical where he learned to fly! He also obtained a Master’s degree in Philosophy in Education, and attained RAD Professional Dancers’ Teaching Diploma with distinction. Robert became Artistic Director of Elmhurst almost 5 years ago, and he talks about his vision for the school, new programmes he’s introduced and the key elements of ballet training for the next generation of ballet dancers. Listen to Robert’s advice for students seeking a position at Elmhurst Ballet School. Elmhurst Ballet School Summer Show – 7 to 14 July 2017 You can also get tickets to Elmhurst Ballet School’s Summer Show and see the fabulous graduate students performing in David Bintley CBE, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet‘s first choreographic work for the school. Entitled Comic Cuts, the 15 minute work in five sections has witty bursts of entertainment will showcase the personalities of each dancer. David Bintley said: “I have very much enjoyed returning to Elmhurst to choreograph my new piece for the summer show. Many of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s current dancers trained at the school, and former dancers have gone on to teach there, so it is an incredibly important part of the Company. The Upper School students have impressed me with their professionalism, energy and enthusiasm. Many of them will be graduating from the school this summer, and I wish them all the best for the future.” The shows take place at Elmhurst’s studio theatre in the school’s Birmingham home from Friday 7 to 14 July 2017. Book Now! PRESS PLAY  https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Robert+Parker+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

Elmhurst Ballet School Artistic Director Robert Parker, is an award winning former principal dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Elmhurst is the oldest and one of the most successful ballet schools not just in the UK, but across the world. Elmhurst schools young ballet students to succeed in the professional dance world, providing high quality, holistic vocational dance training. Significantly, this renowned ballet school trained a quarter of this year’s finalists of the prestigious Genée International Ballet Competition.  One of their students, Hamish Scott, went on to win Bronze. This is the first in our 3 part mini-podcast series on Elmhurst Ballet School, starting with Artistic Director Robert Parker, followed by dance graduates Hamish Scott and Lydia Holt. Together they provide a unique insight into the school, the artistic and academic vision, what it’s like as a student, and how the school prepares young dancers for their first step into professional dance life. Robert shares his own dance journey from training with the Royal Ballet School before joining Birmingham Royal Ballet, under the directorship of the incredible Sir Peter Wright where he rose quickly to principal dancer. After almost 10 years with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Robert took a sabbatical where he learned to fly! He also obtained a Master’s degree in Philosophy in Education, and attained RAD Professional Dancers’ Teaching Diploma with distinction. Robert became Artistic Director of Elmhurst almost 5 years ago, and he talks about his vision for the school, new programmes he’s introduced and the key elements of ballet training for the next generation of ballet dancers. Listen to Robert’s advice for students seeking a position at Elmhurst Ballet School. Elmhurst Ballet School Summer Show – 7 to 14 July 2017 You can also get tickets to Elmhurst Ballet School’s Summer Show and see the fabulous graduate students performing in David Bintley CBE, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet‘s first choreographic work for the school. Entitled Comic Cuts, the 15 minute work in five sections has witty bursts of entertainment will showcase the personalities of each dancer. David Bintley said: “I have very much enjoyed returning to Elmhurst to choreograph my new piece for the summer show. Many of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s current dancers trained at the school, and former dancers have gone on to teach there, so it is an incredibly important part of the Company. The Upper School students have impressed me with their professionalism, energy and enthusiasm. Many of them will be graduating from the school this summer, and I wish them all the best for the future.” The shows take place at Elmhurst’s studio theatre in the school’s Birmingham home from Friday 7 to 14 July 2017. Book Now! PRESS PLAY  https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Robert+Parker+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

Alain Platel is the director of Les Ballet C de la B, which is in fact not a ballet company, and definitely not your typical dance company. Based in Belgium, Alain tells us how he started Les Ballet C de la B by accident and has over the last 30 years challenged the normal conventions of dance. Working with both professional and non-professional dancers, live musicians, and even animals, Alain creates work that makes us question ‘what is dance’, who is allowed to dance, what is a dancer, where does dance end and movement begin, is theatre dance? His piece Nicht Schlafen being shown at Sadler’s Wells (30 June and 1 July), is an example of his radical dance that deals with life and death. Alain explains the inspiration drawn from Austrian composer Gustav Mahler, political change, uncertainty and social tensions. With a cast of all men except one lone female dancer, Nicht Schlafen explores the role of men in today’s society, responding to, as Alain says, the new wave of feminism. Listen to Alain talk about his observations and influences and the importance of the music from composer Steven Prengels in his work. Thank you to Francesca Marotto for compiling the interview questions. PRESS PLAY  https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Alai+Platel+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

Alain Platel is the director of Les Ballet C de la B, which is in fact not a ballet company, and definitely not your typical dance company. Based in Belgium, Alain tells us how he started Les Ballet C de la B by accident and has over the last 30 years challenged the normal conventions of dance. Working with both professional and non-professional dancers, live musicians, and even animals, Alain creates work that makes us question ‘what is dance’, who is allowed to dance, what is a dancer, where does dance end and movement begin, is theatre dance? His piece Nicht Schlafen being shown at Sadler’s Wells (30 June and 1 July), is an example of his radical dance that deals with life and death. Alain explains the inspiration drawn from Austrian composer Gustav Mahler, political change, uncertainty and social tensions. With a cast of all men except one lone female dancer, Nicht Schlafen explores the role of men in today’s society, responding to, as Alain says, the new wave of feminism. Listen to Alain talk about his observations and influences and the importance of the music from composer Steven Prengels in his work. Thank you to Francesca Marotto for compiling the interview questions. PRESS PLAY  https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Alai+Platel+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

Sophie Laplane, First Artist with the Scottish Ballet was born in France, studied at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School, and danced with Le Ballet de Lorraine before moving to Scotland. Sophie shares with us her journey from Paris to Glasgow, her favourite roles, and her move into choreography that is being nurtured by the Scottish Ballet. The support Sophie has received from the Scottish Ballet has enabled her to create acclaimed pieces with students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland which she’s presented as part of The Royal Ballet’s First Drafts at The Royal Opera House in London. At a time when there is a critically important industry wide debate about the challenges facing female choreographers, it is inspiring to hear a story of a female dancer turned choreographer being supported by her dance company. LISTEN to Sophie talk about her love of dance, the creation of Sibilo for the Scottish Ballet (see images), choreographing a music video and life as dancer and choreographer. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Sophie+Laplane.mp3

Sophie Laplane, First Artist with the Scottish Ballet was born in France, studied at the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet School, and danced with Le Ballet de Lorraine before moving to Scotland. Sophie shares with us her journey from Paris to Glasgow, her favourite roles, and her move into choreography that is being nurtured by the Scottish Ballet. The support Sophie has received from the Scottish Ballet has enabled her to create acclaimed pieces with students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland which she’s presented as part of The Royal Ballet’s First Drafts at The Royal Opera House in London. At a time when there is a critically important industry wide debate about the challenges facing female choreographers, it is inspiring to hear a story of a female dancer turned choreographer being supported by her dance company. LISTEN to Sophie talk about her love of dance, the creation of Sibilo for the Scottish Ballet (see images), choreographing a music video and life as dancer and choreographer. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Sophie+Laplane.mp3

Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante is one half of the founders and artistic directors of award winning London hip hop dance company Boy Blue Entertainment. Together with choreographer Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy, composer Mikey J has blazed the hip hop trail and are at the forefront of the UK hip hop scene. With a string of awards, collaborations with incredible artists both here in the UK and abroad, acclaimed producer, composer, singer, dancer and DJ, Mikey J shares his journey from South London to LA and beyond. Boy Blue Entertainment is curating a special hip hop event at this year’s Latitude Festival, where you get down and give hip hop a go, learn the moves and be inspired by the hip hop show. Listen to Mikey J’s insightful words of advice, his thoughts on the future of hip hop and how he and H20 create their hit shows. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Michael+_Mikey_J_+Asante.mp3

Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante is one half of the founders and artistic directors of award winning London hip hop dance company Boy Blue Entertainment. Together with choreographer Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy, composer Mikey J has blazed the hip hop trail and are at the forefront of the UK hip hop scene. With a string of awards, collaborations with incredible artists both here in the UK and abroad, acclaimed producer, composer, singer, dancer and DJ, Mikey J shares his journey from South London to LA and beyond. Boy Blue Entertainment is curating a special hip hop event at this year’s Latitude Festival, where you get down and give hip hop a go, learn the moves and be inspired by the hip hop show. Listen to Mikey J’s insightful words of advice, his thoughts on the future of hip hop and how he and H20 create their hit shows. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Michael+_Mikey_J_+Asante.mp3

Imagine going into a field, meeting a random group of people, putting on headphones, hearing music, following instructions and performing choreography. This is the unique creation of choreographer Charlotte Spencer called Is this a Waste Land? Her work and company Charlotte Spencer Projects has been described as stretching the boundaries of choreography, challenging the normally accepted notion of ‘what is dance?’ But Charlotte’s work reaches new audiences, engages them differently, and creates an experience that is growing in popularity and being shared through word of mouth and across social media. In a world that can sometimes feel homogenised, people are seeking out what’s new and different and Is this a Waste Land? leaves audiences with a sense of personal transformation and a sense that they themselves created something. LISTEN to Charlotte talking about how she created Is this a Waste Land? and the incredible feedback from the audience who became part of the show. Is this a Waste Land? is on 12 – 14 May 2017 at Dance International Glasgow. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Charlotte+Spencer+-+Podcast+13+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

Imagine going into a field, meeting a random group of people, putting on headphones, hearing music, following instructions and performing choreography. This is the unique creation of choreographer Charlotte Spencer called Is this a Waste Land? Her work and company Charlotte Spencer Projects has been described as stretching the boundaries of choreography, challenging the normally accepted notion of ‘what is dance?’ But Charlotte’s work reaches new audiences, engages them differently, and creates an experience that is growing in popularity and being shared through word of mouth and across social media. In a world that can sometimes feel homogenised, people are seeking out what’s new and different and Is this a Waste Land? leaves audiences with a sense of personal transformation and a sense that they themselves created something. LISTEN to Charlotte talking about how she created Is this a Waste Land? and the incredible feedback from the audience who became part of the show. Is this a Waste Land? is on 12 – 14 May 2017 at Dance International Glasgow. PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Charlotte+Spencer+-+Podcast+13+-+The+Wonderful+World+of+Dance.mp3

Dance + Space Science = 8 Minutes by former Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer Alexander Whitley. After a wonderful career as a classical ballet dancer, Alex turned to contemporary dance before choreographing his own works and setting up his own dance company – Alexander Whitley Dance Company. Among his many accolades, Alex holds the prestigious position as a New Wave Associate at Sadler’s Wells, London’s acclaimed dance house and he’s also an associate of Rambert, London’s leading contemporary dance company.  Alex’s previous works had sold out shows at the Royal Opera House and Sadler’s Wells. For his new full length dance, 8 Minutes, Alex collaborated with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, the UK’s leading space science facility. 8 Minutes brings together science and art, using movement, film and music to explore complex scientific subjects such as astroparticle physics. LISTEN to Alex talking about  his creative process that inspired 8 Minutes, premiering at Sadler’s Wells on 27 June.  PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Alex_Whitley_Wonderful_Podcast_12.mp3

Dance + Space Science = 8 Minutes by former Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer Alexander Whitley. After a wonderful career as a classical ballet dancer, Alex turned to contemporary dance before choreographing his own works and setting up his own dance company – Alexander Whitley Dance Company. Among his many accolades, Alex holds the prestigious position as a New Wave Associate at Sadler’s Wells, London’s acclaimed dance house and he’s also an associate of Rambert, London’s leading contemporary dance company.  Alex’s previous works had sold out shows at the Royal Opera House and Sadler’s Wells. For his new full length dance, 8 Minutes, Alex collaborated with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, the UK’s leading space science facility. 8 Minutes brings together science and art, using movement, film and music to explore complex scientific subjects such as astroparticle physics. LISTEN to Alex talking about  his creative process that inspired 8 Minutes, premiering at Sadler’s Wells on 27 June.  PRESS PLAY. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/djwpodcasts/1wwwod/Alex_Whitley_Wonderful_Podcast_12.mp3