Conversations on Dance
Conversations on Dance is an award winning podcast hosted by former Miami City Ballet dancers Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden. Since 2016, the podcast has provided an inside look at the world of dance through in-depth interviews with the field’s most influential dancers, choreographers, musicians, directors, and educators. With a mission to educate, inspire, and connect, Conversations on Dance goes beyond performance to uncover the stories, insights, and artistry that shape the dance world today.
Each week, listeners are invited into candid conversations that highlight the intelligence, passion, and creative process of those working at the highest levels of the art form. With hundreds of episodes and partnerships with institutions like the Vail Dance Festival, San Francisco Ballet, The Kennedy Center, Guggenheim’s Works & Process, and more, the podcast has become a trusted and celebrated voice in the global dance community.
Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement.
Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts.
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Join our email list: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/5taTM5H/COD
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@conversationsondance
Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance
Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance
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- Update frequency
- every 5 days
- Average duration
- 44 minutes
- Episodes
- 440
- Years Active
- 2017 - 2025
(253) Russell Janzen, New York City Ballet Principal Dancer
Today we chat with New York City Ballet Principal Dancer, Russell Janzen, from the 2021 Vail Dance Festival. Russell was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and began his dance training at the age of s…
(252) Wes Chapman, former Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre and Chairman of the Jury for the Universal Ballet Competition
On today's episode of Conversations On Dance we speak with Wes Chapman, former American Ballet Theatre principal, former director of Alabama Ballet, and sought after teacher and coach. Wes tells us a…
(251) Nicole Mitchell Mommen, NYCB Assistant Stage Manager, and Brandon Stirling Baker, Lighting Director and Lighting Designer of Boston Ballet
On this episode of Conversations on Dance, recorded at the 2021 Vail Dance Festival, we give you an inside look at two roles that are essential to every dance and ballet performance. Today we are jo…
(250) Cleveland Ballet Artistic Director, Gladisa Guadalupe, and dancer, Marla Minadeo
Today we are joined by mother-daughter duo, Gladisa Guadalupe, and Marla Minadeo. Gladisa is the co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Cleveland Ballet and her daughter, Marla, is a dancer in the …
(249) Nel Shelby, Dance Videographer
On today's episode of Conversations On Dance, we are joined by Nel Shelby, dance videographer and founder of Nel Shelby Productions. Nel tells us about her dance training and aspirations, falling in …
(248) Gretchen Smith, dancer with New York City Ballet
Today we are joined by New York City Ballet dancer Gretchen Smith, from the 2021 Vail Dance Festival earlier this month. Gretchen was born in Evansville, Indiana, and began her dance training at the …
(247) James Whiteside on his new book, “Center Center”
Today, we are chatting with friend of the pod and American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer, James Whiteside, from the 2021 Vail Dance Festival. James tells us all about his new (self-proclaimed) “al…
BONUS: USA Women’s Gymnastics with Kate Penner
We were busy at the Vail Dance Festival during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With the news that was coming out of USA Women's Gymnastics with Simone Biles pulling out of elements of the competition, we h…
(246) Justin Peck and Robbie Fairchild, LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival
Today we are sharing with you our final LIVE event recording from the 2021 Vail Dance Festival. In this episode, we are joined by New York City Ballet Resident Choreographer, Justin Peck, and dancer…
(245) Esteban Hernandez, Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet
Today we are joined by Esteban Hernandez, principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet. Esteban talks to us about training with his father and siblings, moving abroad at a young age to study ballet…
(244) Cleo Parker Robinson, LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival
LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival, we are joined by choreographer, Cleo Parker Robinson. Cleo is the found of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. She gives us background on her career, coming, and her chor…
(243) Lauren Lovette and Lil Buck LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival
In our next installment of LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival, we are joined by New York City Ballet principal dancer, Lauren Lovette, and Memphis Jookin star, Lil Buck. We chat with the pair about wh…
(242) Cameron Grant, Pianist, LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival
In our next installment of LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival, we are joined by New York City Ballet pianist, Cameron Grant. Cameron has played for the ballet for nearly 40 years, and shares with us …
(241) Jamar Roberts, Resident Choreographer at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, LIVE from Vail Dance Festival
We are joined today by Jamar Roberts, dancer and Resident Choreographer at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival. We talk with Jamar about his origins in dance, his lo…
(240) Tiler Peck and Herman Cornejo, LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival
We are joined today by Tiler Peck, principal dancer with New York City Ballet and Herman Cornejo, principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. The pair tell us about their partnership here at the f…
BONUS: Livestream the Vail Dance Festival on August 9, 2021 with Kate Penner
Today we are joined by Kate Penner, social media manager for the Vail Dance Festival. Kate tells us how her role has evolved since her first year at the festival, how the marketing team works with p…
(239) Christine Cox, Artistic & Executive Director of BalletX, LIVE from Vail Dance Festival
We are joined today by Christine Cox, Artistic & Executive Director of BalletX. This episode was recorded LIVE from the Vail Dance Festival, where BalletX is the resident company. We chat with Chri…
(238) Calvin Royal III, Principal with ABT, LIVE from Vail Dance Festival
LIVE from Vail Dance Festival, today we chat with American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer and Vail Dance Festival Artist in Residence, Calvin Royal III. We hear from Calvin about his beginnings in …
(237) Jonathan Stafford, Artistic Director of NYCB, LIVE from Vail Dance Festival
Welcome to our first live podcast recording from the Vail Dance Festival. First up, we chat with New York City Ballet Artistic Director, Jonathan Stafford. We talk with Jon about his pathway to NYC…
(236) Rebecca and Michael catch up
We have been off this month, but on Thursday we head to Vail for the Vail Dance Festival. So we hopped on our last zoom before we are back together in person recording episodes and live podcast reco…