This month's guest is Lynn Dally. Lynn is a pioneering tap dancer, choreographer, and educator whose artistry helped define the modern tap renaissance. A co-founder of the groundbreaking Jazz Tap Ensemble in 1979, Dally fused the improvisational spirit of jazz with the rhythmic precision of tap, bringing the form to concert stages around the world and re-establishing tap as a serious contemporary art. In 2001, Dally became the first tap dancer ever awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in Choreography, affirming her trailblazing role in expanding the boundaries of rhythm dance. Her choreography celebrates musical collaboration, syncopation, and the voices of women in tap—work that includes the acclaimed documentary Gotta Move: Women in Tap and the nation's first conference dedicated to female tap artists. Through her performances, teaching, and global outreach, Lynn Dally has preserved tap's lineage while propelling it forward. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of dancers who see in her career a bridge between tap's vernacular roots and its vibrant, evolving future. OhioDance: A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of   each month through November 2025. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through  increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of  dance in Ohio. In  2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the  achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate  diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and  weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call  the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2025 we have highlighted  44 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles  and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio.⁠ vdc.ohiodance.org⁠ [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to⁠ ohiodance.org⁠ [https://ohiodance.org/] and  click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that  come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate  button.

This month's guest is Suzan Bradford Kounta. Suzan is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and cultural leader dedicated to the preservation and celebration of West African traditions. She is the first African American woman to serve as Executive Director of Columbus's historic Lincoln Theatre, where since 2009 she has guided its vision and operations while championing its role as a cultural anchor for the community. As co-founder and Artistic Director of the Thiossane West African Dance Institute—now celebrating 25 years—Suzan has built a nationally respected company and educational program devoted to passing on the dance, music, and cultural heritage of West Africa to future generations. Her work emphasizes not only cultural preservation but also physical and mental wellness, youth empowerment, and community building. Suzan's artistic and academic contributions extend into higher education and public life. She has served nearly a decade as adjunct faculty in The Ohio State University's Department of Dance, previously taught at Antioch College, and is regularly invited to share her expertise at universities, conferences, and community gatherings across the country. Her dedication to the Central Ohio arts community spans more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership, arts advocacy, and intergenerational mentorship. Having studied extensively in Senegal, Suzan continues to travel biannually to deepen her knowledge of traditional West African dance and culture. She has taught and choreographed for countless schools, community centers, treatment programs, and professional stages, fostering spaces where the arts are a constant source of resilience and connection. Forward-thinking and committed to collective action, Suzan embodies the belief that "as the world turns, the arts remain the constant variable for humanity." OhioDance  A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of   each month through November 2025. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through  increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of  dance in Ohio. In  2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the  achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate  diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and  weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call  the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2025 we have highlighted  42 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles  and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio.⁠ vdc.ohiodance.org⁠ [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to⁠ ohiodance.org⁠ [https://ohiodance.org/] and  click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that  come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate  button.

This month's guest is Cervilio Miguel Amador. Cervi  is a multifaceted artist, entrepreneur, and transformative figure in  the dance world. He received his education and training at the  Vocational Ballet School in Camagüey, Cuba, and the National Ballet  School of Cuba. Cervi began his professional career with the National  Ballet of Cuba, starting as a Corps de Ballet dancer and later advancing  to the role of Corifeo (demi-soloist). In 2004, he joined Cincinnati  Ballet as a Soloist, and in 2006, he was promoted to Principal Dancer,  becoming one of the youngest in the company's history. After  retiring as a Principal Dancer during the 2019-2020 season, Cervi  transitioned to the role of Rehearsal Director, where he focused on  coaching and mentoring dancers both inside and outside the studio. He  also played an active role in the Cincinnati Ballet's Diversity, Equity,  Inclusion, and Accessibility Task Force, advocating for sustainable  change for current and future dancers. In  September 2023, the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees appointed Cervi  as Interim Artistic Director. In this capacity, he actively planned the  repertoire for upcoming seasons, curated and commissioned new works,  and collaborated with the leadership team to shape his artistic vision  for the company. Cervi has been instrumental in fostering community  partnerships and broadening the reach of the art form both locally and  internationally. The Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees appointed Cervi  as permanent Artistic Director in December 2024. OhioDance  A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of   each month through November 2025. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through  increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of  dance in Ohio. In  2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the  achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate  diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and  weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call  the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2025 we have highlighted  42 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles  and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio.⁠ vdc.ohiodance.org⁠ [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to⁠ ohiodance.org⁠ [https://ohiodance.org/] and  click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that  come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate  button.

This month's guest is pioneering artist, advocate, and cultural leader, Mary Verdi Fletcher. Mary is a nationally celebrated pioneer in physically integrated dance and a leading voice for disability rights in the arts. As President and Founding Artistic Director of the Dancing Wheels Company & School, she has spent over four decades reshaping the landscape of American dance, championing access, artistry, and equity for performers of all abilities. One of the first professional wheelchair dancers in the U.S., Mary founded Dancing Wheels in 1980, followed by a groundbreaking school in 1990, which quickly became a global hub for inclusive dance training. Under her leadership, the company has performed for over 6 million people, developed a repertory of 100+ works, and toured internationally, educating communities on the power and beauty of integrated dance. Mary's contributions extend far beyond performance. She played a pivotal role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and led efforts that secured public transportation access nationwide—earning her the nickname "The Rosa Parks of Cleveland." She was also instrumental in establishing Ohio's personal care assistance program, promoting independent living for thousands. Her advocacy has garnered numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award, the Cleveland Arts Prize Lifetime Achievement Award, the Governor's Award for Arts Education in Ohio, and national honors from Dance/USA. She has served on key arts and disability boards and committees, influencing cultural policy and arts education nationwide. Mary continues to innovate through virtual programs, teacher certification initiatives, and upcoming publishing projects, ensuring that access to the arts remains a right—not a privilege. Her legacy is a profound testament to how one individual can change laws, perceptions, and possibilities for generations to come. OhioDance  A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of   each month through November 2025. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through  increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of  dance in Ohio. In  2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the  achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate  diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and  weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call  the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2025 we have highlighted  42 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles  and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio.⁠ vdc.ohiodance.org⁠ [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to⁠ ohiodance.org⁠ [https://ohiodance.org/] and  click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that  come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate  button.

Ann Cooper Albright is  the author of How to Land: finding ground in an unstable world which  offers ways of thinking about and dealing with the uncertainty of our  contemporary lives; Engaging Bodies: The Politics and Poetics of  Corporeality; Modern Gestures: Abraham Walkowitz Draws Isadora Duncan  Dancing; Traces of Light: Absence and Presence in the Work of Loïe  Fuller; and Choreographing Difference the Body and Identity in  Contemporary Dance. She is founder and director of Girls in Motion, an  award winning afterschool program at Langston Middle School and   co-director of Accelerated Motion: Towards a New Dance Literacy, a  digital collection of materials about dance. Albright is also a veteran  practitioner of contact Improvisation, has taught workshops  internationally, and facilitated Critical Mass: CI @ 50 which brought  300 dancers from across the world to learn, talk, and dance together in  celebration of the 50th anniversary of this extraordinary form. The  book, Encounters with Contact Improvisation, is the product of one of  her adventures in writing and dancing with others. Her work has been  supported by the NEA, NEH, ACLS, The Guggenheim Foundation, and the Ohio  Arts Council. OhioDance  A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of   each month through November 2025. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through  increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of  dance in Ohio. In  2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the  achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate  diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and  weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call  the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2025 we have highlighted  42 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles  and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio.⁠ vdc.ohiodance.org⁠ [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to⁠ ohiodance.org⁠ [https://ohiodance.org/] and  click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that  come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate  button.

Season Two, Episode Six: Our guests for the season finale are Griset Damas-Roche and Amy Schofield.  Born in Havana, Griset Damas Roche studied ballet at Cuba's Instituto Superior de Arte and the Ballet of Havana. In 1998 she moved to Bogotá, Colombia, teaching flamenco and as a choreographer. In 2014, Griset moved to Columbus, with her family, where she taught for Flamenco del Corazón school. She opened UWillDance, a flamenco studio in Plain City. Griset was invited to join the city's promotion campaign "Columbus Makes Art". She has performed with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestra of Princeton. Griset leads the Flamenco Company of Columbus, which includes renowned and expert musicians from Ohio and Spain. Her newest project is Caña Flamenca, a trio of female flamenco dancers. Amy Schofield (she/her/ella) holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She has studied flamenco baile and cante at the Fundación de Arte Flamenco de Cristina Heeren in Seville and the Centro de Arte Flamenco y Danza Española Amor de Dios in Madrid, as well as numerous workshops in Spain and the US. Amy is a teaching artist with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana and is pursuing a PhD in Dance Studies at The Ohio State University where she researches flamenco dance in the US-American context and dance pedagogy. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2024. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2024 we have highlighted 37 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio. vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button.

Season Two, Episode Five: This month's guest is Samuel A. McIntosh. McIntosh is a talented dancer and choreographer specializing in street dance styles, including Popping, Animation, and Boogaloo. With 15 years of experience, he has learned from legends and competed internationally, achieving recognition in events across the globe. An arts administration graduate, he advocates for Hip-Hop's community-building potential through its core values, fostering empowerment and creativity in others. He is the Founder of 10K Movement, a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing access to authentic Hip Hop and Street dance programming and education. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2024. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2024 we have highlighted 37 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio. vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button.

Season Two, Episode Four: This month's guest is Eric Otto Artistic Director & Head of Curriculum, Toledo Ballet, Toledo Ohio. Eric was born and raised in Westchester County, New York. He began dancing at the age of seven with the School of American Ballet in New York City. He has danced professionally with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and BalletX. He was an original cast member of Twyla Tharp's Come Fly Away, performing the leading role of Sid. He has appeared on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera and toured with Twyla Tharp for her 50th Anniversary. As a choreographer, Eric has received commissions by Peoria Ballet Company, Albany Berkshire Ballet, The Joffrey Academy Of Dance, Saratoga Arts Fest, The Bruce Museum, Bucknell University and Skidmore College. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2024.This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2024 we have highlighted 37 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio. vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button.

Season Two, Episode Three: This month's guest is Al Evangelista and we are discussing Filipino/a/x American diaspora, queer identities, and bringing history into the room with technology. Al s a performer, choreographer, and educator. His creative works have been performed at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, American Theatre Company, Links Hall, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, and Moss Arts Center. Evangelista's work focuses on community-engaged practices, queer performance, social justice and Filipina/o/x-American diaspora. He also works in theatre, documentary-based work, and improvisatory collaboration. Evangelista has danced in works for Dance Exchange, the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Inconvenience, and performed at Chicago Opera Theatre, Adventure Stage Chicago, among others. He is an affiliate faculty member of Oberlin's Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies and a faculty fellow in the Center for Communicating Science at Virginia Tech. alevangelista.com [http://alevangelista.com/] Dancing Lab Developed by Al Evangelista is a Part of the National Center of Choreography at the University of Akron August 23, 2023 Al Evangelista is one of three dance artists whose work is being supported in 2023 through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to the National Center for Choreography at the University of Akron. Evangelista's project, developed in partnership with Daring Dances (Ann Arbor, MI), is part of NCCAkron [https://www.nccakron.org/_files/ugd/ad7034_b9ada3f044ff48bd8c4e952e68942324.pdf]'s Dancing Labs residency program. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2023. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2024 we have highlighted 37 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio. vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button.

Season Two, Episode Two: This month's guest is Dennis Dugan. Lighting Designer/OhioDance Board Member, Dennis is a recipient of the 1997 Ohio Dance Award for outstanding contributions to dance in Ohio and has been working with light since the seventies. His early experiences in New York focused primarily on modern dance. Dennis worked with The Kathryn Posin Dance Company. The New York years also included off-off Broadway theater. Since returning to the Cleveland area in 1982, Dennis has worked with dance and theater organizations throughout Ohio. Although dance is his favorite performance art, Dennis also enjoys exploring sculpture, photography, and lighting public art. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2023. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2024 we have highlighted 37 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio. vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button.

Season Two, Episode One: This month's guest is Padma Chebrolu. Padma is an accomplished teaching and performing dance artist and is the artistic director of the Cultural Centre of India (CCI) which she founded about 30 years ago in Cincinnati. Her exemplary artistic abilities, leadership, and creativity have created tremendous impact on the arts education and public appreciation for the heritage arts in Ohio's schools and community organizations. Padma is the recipient of the 2021 Ohio Heritage Fellowship Award from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC) in recognition of the dedication and significant contributions she had on the community through the advancement and preservation of traditional arts. She is also the recipient of the 2022 OAC Master Artist award for Traditional Arts Apprenticeship for preserving cultural heritage. She has been recognized by the Honorable Mayors of Cincinnati Mr. John Cranley (2019) and Mr. Aftab Pureval (2022) for her artistic influence and contributions to the Cincinnati community. She has been on the Ohio Teaching Artist Roster since 2019, Cincinnati Arts Association's Artist on Tour for schools in the Greater Cincinnati area since 1997, and has been recognized by Cincinnati Arts Association as the 2022 Art Educator. Padma frequently serves on OAC grant review panels. She is on the board of the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education and on the advisory board of OhioDance. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2023. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2024 we have highlighted 37 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio. vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button.

Season One, Episode Six: This month's guest is Damien Highfield. Damien began dancing at the age of four in his hometown of Columbus, where he trained at Balletmet for ten years, then became a member of Balletmet/Jazzmet. He then went to Butler University in Indianapolis. From there Damien performed for Atlanta Ballet, Ohio Ballet and GroundWorks DanceTheater.   Damien has performed as a guest artist with Indianapolis Opera, Columbus Opera, Alexandra Ballet, Fort Wayne Ballet and the Academy of Ballet Arts. Damien has danced the title role in Hamlet, Dracula, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Cinderella, and the pas de deux in Alonzo King's Heaven and Earth. He has been a featured choreographer for many professional and pre-professional companies.  Damien created a full-length ballet, The Toymaker, for the Roots of Choreography project. Damien returns for his 16th season with Ballet Theatre of Ohio. He originated the role of Mars in BTO's Beyond the Stars, performed with BTO during the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festivals, has danced in principal roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, and Wizard of Oz for BTO. Mr. Highfield is set to retire from dance this season and will focus his attention on the management of Stage Center, a dance apparel store located in Akron. Mr. Highfield, who is married with three daughters, choreographs, and teaches throughout Ohio. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2023. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2023 we have highlighted 33 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed 100 individuals in all five regions of Ohio. vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button.

Season One, Episode Five: This month's guest is Zelma Badu-Younge, Ph.D. Zelma Badu-Younge is Professor of Dance, and Director of the School of Dance, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. Zelma Badu-Younge, one of the most charismatic cultural fusion artists, captivates her audience as she steps on stage. This mesmerizing performer is considered one of the most electrifying choreographers, with her high-energy synthesis of West African traditions combined with other world dance forms. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2023. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2023 we have highlighted 33 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed 100 individuals in all five regions of Ohio. vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button.

Season One, Episode Four: This month's guest is Ira Weiss. Ira began working at the Ohio Arts Council in 1974. He started as a performing arts coordinator, then presenting touring coordinator, grants office assistant director, to information technology specialist. In 1980 Ira Weiss received the Association of Ohio Dance Companies award for significant contributions to the field of dance in the state of Ohio. Ira was the second person to receive this award. The first was in 1979 to Josephine Schwartz, Founder of Dayton Ballet. OhioDance was established in 1976 in response to a request by the Ohio Arts Council that dance companies in the state organize to provide a coherent channel of communication to, and within, the dance field. Ira Weiss was the staff member of the Ohio Arts Council that helped to make this happen. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2023. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2023 we have highlighted 33 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed 100 individuals in all five regions of Ohio.  vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button.

Season One, Episode Three: This month's guest is Labanotation expert, Dr. Valarie Williams. Dr. Williams is a Professor at The Ohio State University, Department of Dance. She is Director of the Dance Notation Bureau Extension Center for Education and Research at Ohio State. Dr. Williams teaches, stages, and documents movement nationally and internationally. She is a 1987 Presidential Scholars in the Arts honorable mention recipient in ballet, she apprenticed at the Paris Opera Summer Program in Evian les Bains, France; toured with Lincoln Center Institute Touring Programs for four years serving as dance captain; and performed with the Dallas Opera and Sharir Dance in Austin, Texas. Williams holds a BFA from The Juilliard School, an MFA and PhD from Texas Woman's University, and is a Certified Professional Notator. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2023. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2023 we have highlighted 33 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed 100 individuals in all five regions of Ohio.  vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button.

Season One, Episode Two: This month's guest is "Dayton Gem" Gregory Robinson. Robinson received his dance training at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. His career as a performer, teacher, ballet master, and choreographer, primarily with Dayton Ballet, in Dayton, Ohio, has spanned more than thirty years. He was named a "Dayton Gem" by the Dayton Daily News. His works have garnered critical praise and funding from regional and national arts agencies including MCACD, Culture Works, the H. Robert Magee foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2023. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2023 we have highlighted 33 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed 100 individuals in all five regions of Ohio. In this second episode we interviewed Gregory Robinson, a performer, teacher, ballet master, and choreographer, with Dayton Ballet.  vdc.ohiodance.org [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button. OhioDance would like to thank our funders: Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, The Ohio State University Dance Preservation Fund, The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Columbus Foundation and Akron Community Fund. Host: Rodney Veal Executive Producer: Jane D'Angelo Editor and Audio Technician: Jessica Cavender Music Composition: Matthew Peyton Dixon

OhioDance A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of each month through November 2023. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of dance in Ohio. In 2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2023 we have highlighted 33 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles and interviewed 100 individuals in all five regions of Ohio. In this inaugural episode we talk to Dr. Candace Feck, dance writer and oral historian for the Virtual Dance Collection about her life, her work with the VDC, and how inseparable dance is from our historical landscape. vdc.ohiodance.org [https://vdc.ohiodance.org/] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to ohiodance.org [https://ohiodance.org/] and click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate button. OhioDance would like to thank our funders: Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, The Ohio State University Dance Preservation Fund, The Greater Columbus Arts Council, Columbus Foundation and Akron Community Fund. Season One, Episode One: This month's guest is M. Candace Feck, Ph.D. Candace Feck is The OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection Oral Historian, Faculty Emerita in Dance, The Ohio State University, B.A. Cultural Anthropology; MA in Dance; PhD Art Education. Dr. Feck's essays, criticism and research have been shared in numerous presentations, and published in journals, films, websites and archives. She completed an oral history of Bebe Miller, housed in the New York Public Library Dance Collection. She was a member of the NEA-funded Accelerated Motion: Toward a New Dance Literacy in America. She is the recipient of a Michael Sherker Award (1998) and a National Dance Association Award (2000). Host: Rodney Veal Executive Producer: Jane D'Angelo Editor and Audio Technician: Jessica Cavender Music Composition: Matthew Peyton Dixon