In this podcast with Lizzie Gough – dancer, choreographer, TV dance judge and mentor – we discuss life of a freelance artist and her upcoming role in Kate Prince’s ‘A Message In A Bottle’. Lizzie gives us an insight into how she created a successful freelance street dance career in the UK and abroad, that has included exciting projects in dance, theatre, film and TV. You may have seen Lizzie on So You Think You Can Dance, where she came third, and she’s been featured on the BBC, plus danced...

In this podcast, Dwight Rhoden, Complexions Contemporary Ballet co-Founder, co-Artistic Director and Choreographer, talks about his dance career that kicked off at the late age of 17 and led him to become a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, before setting up his own company. Together with the legendary Desmond Richardson, they founded the groundbreaking and award-winning Complexions Contemporary Ballet in 1994. Listen to Dwight share his journey from dancer to...

In this podcast former principal dancer and Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet, Ashley Wheater talks about his experience of leading the company for the last 13 years. Born in Scotland, Ashley was recently appointed MBE by the Queen for his exceptional service to dance in the UK. Ashley began his esteemed career training at The Royal Ballet School before joining the London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) and moving across the world to dance with The Australian Ballet and...

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 World of Dance Magazine (Act 5) along with stunning photos captured by Dean Barucija, Pickled...

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’s Wells’. In this podcast, Alina talks about how she selected each piece for her programme that includes Sir Frederick...

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 another award, receiving the Jacob’s Pillow Choreography Award to add to her long list of...

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 experience of bringing the artist and his work to the screen through archive footage of the man himself...

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 choreographer Alice Robinson shares her journey from Australia to London and premiering her first...

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 injured), when he noticed a flyer for a hip-hop class, and without any previous dance experience decided to give...

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 doesn’t sound easy!). Listen to Mi also talks about growing up and dancing in China and her...

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. 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 unique perspective helps him help other dancers. It is essential that mental health and wellbeing is talked about within the dance industry; between...

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 dancers’ movements and breath create the live soundscape. The dancers movement affects and makes the sound,...

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 hit his ‘rock bottom’. He also shares how he has drawn on these times and found the strength to rebuild his...

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 finalist at the distinguished Prix de Lausanne. After moving to the UK, Rose Alice has been defining her own dance career...

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 young female creator and how she is using her voice to inspire change and conversation. She shares her...

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 years and who nurtured her choreographic talent. Ruth talks about her decision to retire from the stage...

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 the name on her passport!) home to meet her two gorgeous dogs and her new fiancé, fellow Royal Ballet dancer...

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 about the inspiration for the photos and how each of these incredible photographic essays were created and...

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 Tanztheter Wappertal Pina Bausch, following the death of Pina Bausch a decade ago. Listen to Alan talk about his experience of working with the 36 dancers from 3...

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 talk about dancing with Víctor Ullate Ballet before joining Norwegian National Ballet in Oslo...

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 celebrated principal dancer with The Royal Ballet. He also talks about dancing with Marianela...

Stephenie Herman is a former prima 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 train with Balanchine. Stephanie shares her dance journey and experience of suffering from injuries...

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 locations, where the demand for dance classes and training may just surprise you. Matthew’s career has...

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 decision to become freelance dancers and their experience of dancing with Akram Khan Company for the last 3 years. The...

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 London, training with the American Ballet School, Paris Opera Ballet School and the acclaimed Fabrice...