366 episodes

Welcome to Conversations on Dance, the top rated dance podcast on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by former Miami City Ballet Dancers, Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden, the Conversations on Dance podcast offers weekly chats with the dance world’s best and brightest. Enjoy engaging conversations about topics ranging from training, choreography, career advice, music, dance history, and much more. 

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Join our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD
YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/youtube-COD
Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance
Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance
Facebook Group:  facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriends
Twitter: twitter.com/convoondance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conversations on Dance Michael Sean Breeden & Rebecca King Ferraro

    • Arts
    • 4.9 • 258 Ratings

Welcome to Conversations on Dance, the top rated dance podcast on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by former Miami City Ballet Dancers, Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden, the Conversations on Dance podcast offers weekly chats with the dance world’s best and brightest. Enjoy engaging conversations about topics ranging from training, choreography, career advice, music, dance history, and much more. 

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Join our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD
YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/youtube-COD
Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance
Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance
Facebook Group:  facebook.com/groups/conversationsondancefriends
Twitter: twitter.com/convoondance

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    (393) Rafael Bonachela, choreographer and director of Sydney Dance Company, and Bryce Dessner, Composer

    (393) Rafael Bonachela, choreographer and director of Sydney Dance Company, and Bryce Dessner, Composer

    Today on 'Conversations on Dance', we are joined by choreographer and director of Sydney Dance Company Rafael Bonachela and composer Bryce Dessner. Bryce and Rafael take us through their personal journeys towards finding their art as a profession, the inspiration and collaborative process behind their latest collaboration 'Impermanence', and how COVID delays extended and altered the work into its present form. 'Impermanence' will have its US premiere at the Kennedy Center this April 25th with shows running through the 27th. If you're in the Washington, DC area and would like to purchase tickets, visit kennedy-center.org.
    THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

    Unlock your potential with the Graduate Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship from the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma. In partnership with the prestigious Price College of Business, this innovative program is expertly designed for the aspiring arts entrepreneur, blending your creative and artistic talents with the business knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to successfully launch and manage arts-related enterprises. Affordable and fast-track, you can achieve this transformative education remotely in less than 12 months. To learn more and apply, visit ou.edu/finearts.
    New York Theatre Ballet’s Summer Repertoire Workshops offer pre-professional, collegiate, and post-collegiate dancers full-day training sessions of classes, rehearsals, and new choreography at their studios in lower Manhattan. Each two-week session, May 6th through 17th and June 10th through 21st, provides individualized instruction, movement analysis, and immersion in NYTB’s acclaimed repertoire. Aspiring students are invited to submit video auditions by April 30. Merit-based scholarships are available. For more information, please visit nytb.org/auditions.
    LINKS:
    Website: conversationsondancepod.com
    Instagram: @conversationsondance
    Merch: https://bit.ly/cod-merch
    YouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-COD
    Join our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 1 hr
    (392) Balanchine Rarities with Alastair Macaulay, critic and historian of the Performing Arts

    (392) Balanchine Rarities with Alastair Macaulay, critic and historian of the Performing Arts

    Today on the Conversations on Dance podcast, we are joined by Alastair Macaulay, critic and historian of the performing arts, and former Chief Dance Critic of the New York Times. While Alastair is no stranger to the podcast, today we get to delve into the history of numerous rare Balanchine ballets. Ahead of Alastair's program at the New York Public Library on the topic, he gives a preview of what audiences can expect, what films will be shown, and gives us the backstory of some of these works that were only seen a few times. Plus, he tells us about some of the works that aren't able to be shown and why. If you are in the New York area, don't miss 'Alastair Macaulay on Balanchine Rarities' on May 6th at 6pm at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Reserve your spot here: https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2024/05/06/alastair-macaulay-balanchine-rarities.
    Visit Alastair's website for more of his writings on dance: alastairmacaulay.com.
    THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:

    Unlock your potential with the Graduate Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship from the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma. In partnership with the prestigious Price College of Business, this innovative program is expertly designed for the aspiring arts entrepreneur, blending your creative and artistic talents with the business knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to successfully launch and manage arts-related enterprises. Affordable and fast-track, you can achieve this transformative education remotely in less than 12 months. To learn more and apply, visit ou.edu/finearts.artÉmotion’s popular adult summer intensive program returns this May 27 - June 1. This program includes Advanced, Intermediate Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner classes, with no prior dance experience needed for the beginner level. Let artÉmotion be the bridge between audience and the studio. Come dance this summer. For more information visit https://artemotionballetschool.com/.LINKS:
    Website: conversationsondancepod.com
    Instagram: @conversationsondance
    Merch: https://bit.ly/cod-merch
    YouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-COD
    Join our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 54 min
    (391) Michael Vernon, Professor of Music (Ballet) at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

    (391) Michael Vernon, Professor of Music (Ballet) at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

    On today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance', we are joined by internationally acclaimed ballet teacher and professor at Indiana University Michael Vernon. We talk to Michael about how his early artistic influences shaped his life's work as teacher and choreographer, his own philosophies of how to approach ideas in the classroom and how he is shaping the young dancers of Indiana University today. 
    Take Michael's class on YouTube that we discuss in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMFj_pX_Oug.
    THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:
    Megan Williams Dance Projects presents the World Premiere of Smile, though your heart is aching, April 5, 6 and 7 at the James and Martha Duffy Performance Space at Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn, New York. In collaboration with acclaimed composer Eve Beglarian, Williams has created a lush movement landscape drawing on themes of love, passion, desire, loss, and yearning. For tickets, visit https://www.mwdanceprojects.com/
    Unlock your potential with the Graduate Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship from the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma. In partnership with the prestigious Price College of Business, this innovative program is expertly designed for the aspiring arts entrepreneur, blending your creative and artistic talents with the business knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to successfully launch and manage arts-related enterprises. Affordable and fast-track, you can achieve this transformative education remotely in less than 12 months. To learn more and apply, visit ou.edu/finearts.
    artÉmotion’s popular adult summer intensive program returns this May 27 - June 1. This program includes Advanced, Intermediate Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner classes, with no prior dance experience needed for the beginner level. Let artÉmotion be the bridge between audience and the studio. Come dance this summer. For more information visit https://artemotionballetschool.com/.
    LINKS:
    Website: conversationsondancepod.com
    Instagram: @conversationsondance
    Merch: https://bit.ly/cod-merch
    YouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-COD
    Join our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 50 min
    (390) Social media's impact on ballet & dance, with Kate Penner

    (390) Social media's impact on ballet & dance, with Kate Penner

    This week we welcome back friend of the pod, and frequent guest host, Kate Penner. Kate does the social media marketing for the Vail Dance Festival, so we come together to talk about social media and specifically TikTok culture's impact on ballet and dance. Plus, we hear about Kate and Michael's trip to see Boston Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' in December.
    THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:
    Unlock your potential with the Graduate Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship from the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma. In partnership with the prestigious Price College of Business, this innovative program is expertly designed for the aspiring arts entrepreneur, blending your creative and artistic talents with the business knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to successfully launch and manage arts-related enterprises. Affordable and fast-track, you can achieve this transformative education remotely in less than 12 months. To learn more and apply, visit ou.edu/finearts.
    artÉmotion’s popular adult summer intensive program returns this May 27 - June 1. This program includes Advanced, Intermediate Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner classes, with no prior dance experience needed for the beginner level. Let artÉmotion be the bridge between audience and the studio. Come dance this summer. For more information visit https://artemotionballetschool.com/.
    LINKS:
    Website: conversationsondancepod.com
    Instagram: @conversationsondance
    Merch: https://bit.ly/cod-merch
    YouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-COD
    Join our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 57 min
    (389) Michael and Rebecca check in

    (389) Michael and Rebecca check in

    It's just us this week! We check in on some of the dance we have seen recently and talk about Michael's work as a repetiteur.
    THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS:
    Unlock your potential with the Graduate Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship from the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts at the University of Oklahoma. In partnership with the prestigious Price College of Business, this innovative program is expertly designed for the aspiring arts entrepreneur, blending your creative and artistic talents with the business knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to successfully launch and manage arts-related enterprises. Affordable and fast-track, you can achieve this transformative education remotely in less than 12 months. To learn more and apply, visit ou.edu/finearts.
    artÉmotion’s popular adult summer intensive program returns this May 27 - June 1. This program includes Advanced, Intermediate Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner classes, with no prior dance experience needed for the beginner level. Let artÉmotion be the bridge between audience and the studio. Come dance this summer. For more information visit https://artemotionballetschool.com/.
    The White Feather: A Persian Ballet
    The Kennedy Center: https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/dance/2023-2024/the-white-feather-persian-ballet/
    New York City: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-white-feather-tickets-800305734997
    LINKS:
    Website: conversationsondancepod.com
    Instagram: @conversationsondance
    Merch: https://bit.ly/cod-merch
    YouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-COD
    Join our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 39 min
    (388) Jake Roxander, soloist with American Ballet Theatre

    (388) Jake Roxander, soloist with American Ballet Theatre

    On today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance', we are joined by Jake Roxander, rising star at American Ballet Theatre. Jake tells us about the intensity of his training growing up in a family of ballet dancers, why it's important for dancers to keep an open mind about the companies and goals they set their sights on, and how he's handled the challenges of a year marked by numerous major principal role debuts. You can catch Jake in ABT's upcoming New York City MET spring season, June 18th through July 20th. 
    THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR: 
    artÉmotion’s popular adult summer intensive program returns this May 27 - June 1. This program includes Advanced, Intermediate Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginner classes, with no prior dance experience needed for the beginner level. Let artÉmotion be the bridge between audience and the studio. Come dance this summer. For more information visit https://artemotionballetschool.com/.
    BALLET COLLECTIVE Commission for Developing Choreographers: https://balletcollective.com/forchoreographers2025
    The White Feather: A Persian Ballet
    The Kennedy Center: https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/dance/2023-2024/the-white-feather-persian-ballet/
    New York City: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-white-feather-tickets-800305734997
    LINKS:
    Website: conversationsondancepod.com
    Instagram: @conversationsondance
    Merch: https://bit.ly/cod-merch
    YouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-COD
    Join our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 53 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
258 Ratings

258 Ratings

JerryfromGrandJunction ,

To learn about dance, this podcast is all you need!

I have enjoyed dance, especially ballet and modern for many years, but at a superficial level. My wife and I started going to the Vail Dance Festival about 8 years ago, initially one or two nights but more recently all of the performances. As a part of the Festival there were conversations with the dancers, and other artists associated with the event. Rebecca and Michael were the interviewers. Initially we went to just one or two but have recently been going to almost all. We have really enjoyed the deeper perspective on what we were seeing, what it took for the performers to get to this stage in their careers, how choreographers got into choreography, etc. This podcast is, for us, a continuation of our learning more about all elements of dance, and a bit more about the personalities of the dance world. The recent episode on an interview with Martha Graham done by Michael Small when she was 95. Michael and Rebecca do a wonderful job of interviewing Small, introducing his recording, and pausing the interview to reflect on what was being said. It was so funny to hear about how she told Mikhail Baryshnikov to move out of the way at one practice. And it was heartbreaking to hear her reflect on how much she still missed dancing at the end of the interview.

The thing is, this is just one of the many great interviews available at COD. If you are at all interested in ballet, this podcast is a must!

Viveca1 ,

Love it!

Both hosts are very talented and lively and well prepared. I really enjoy these interviews. Thank you for making a great show!!!

CatherineKBee ,

Best ballet podcast out there!

After one episode, you’ll want to hear the rest! Every interview is perfect and they feature so many incredible dancers/choreographers!

Top Podcasts In Arts

Fresh Air
NPR
The Moth
The Moth
99% Invisible
Roman Mars
Snap Judgment Presents: Spooked
Snap Judgment
Fantasy Fangirls
Fantasy Fangirls
The Magnus Archives
Rusty Quill

You Might Also Like

City Ballet The Podcast
New York City Ballet
Moving Moments
Artful Narratives Media
Aria Code
WQXR & The Metropolitan Opera
Dance And Stuff
The Dance And Stuff Show
TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live
TBTL
Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast
Joshua Weilerstein