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
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Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode was recorded live on October 18, 2025 at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami before the opening of Miami City Ballet's 40th anniversary season. Guests in this episode are is Tony Award winning choreographer, Justin Peck, and Miami City Ballet Artistic Director, Gonzalo Garcia.
The pre-performance talk coordinated with the all Peck program that the company opened their season with, which included "Year of The Rabbit," "Chutes and Ladders," and "Heatscape." WATCH this episode on YouTube! Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je6FADBH-eQ
Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance
LINKS:
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Instagram: @conversationsondance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode was recorded live on October 17, 2025 at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami before the opening of Miami City Ballet's 40th anniversary season. This pre-performance talk coordinated with the all Peck program that the company opened their season with, which included "Year of The Rabbit," "Chutes and Ladders," and "Heatscape."
Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance
LINKS:
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Instagram: @conversationsondance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by superstar NYCB ballerina Tiler Peck and Garen Scribner, former SFB soloist and the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Dance Film Festival. Tiler recounts how her harrowing recovery from a potentially life altering injury was captured on film after Garen suggested the process be turned into a documentary. The resulting project is "Tiler Peck: Suspending Time", a documentary film making its premiere at the SF Dance Film Festival this October 24th at the Lucasfilm Premier Theater. To purchase tickets, visit sfdancefilmfest.org.
Announcement:
We are thrilled to announce that we will be returning to Miami City Ballet October 17th-19th to host live pre-performance talks for the opening weekend of the company’s 40th anniversary season. For each talk, we will be joined by Gonzalo Garcia as he ushers the company into its first season under his direction. Full details below. This program is truly not to be missed: the all Peck program includes ‘Year of the Rabbit’, ‘Chutes and Ladders’, and ‘Heatscape.’ If you are in the Miami area come join us.
DETAILS:
FRI October 17 with Gonzalo Garcia at 6:30pm
SAT October 18 with Gonzalo and Justin Peck at 6:30pm
SUN October 19 with Gonzalo and Patricia Delgado at 1pm
Admission to pre-performance talks at the Arsht Center is complimentary with ticket purchase. Tickets available here: https://www.miamicityballet.org/tickets-and-events/202526-season/peck/. If you are unable to join us in person, subscribe to the Conversations on Dance podcast feed through your favorite podcast app, where we will be publishing recordings of the events.
LINKS:
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Instagram: @conversationsondance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Conversations on Dance podcast we are thrilled to have two fabulous guests: Maria Calegari and Bart Cook. We have have both Maria and Bart on the podcast before, but this married couple danced together and now sets ballets together, so we knew we had to get them on the podcast together to hear more about their careers and their work as repetiteurs for the Balanchine Trust and for the Robbins Trust. We talk through their experiences dancing together, then some of the specific ballets that they have set together: basically it’s just an hour and a half of bunhead time.
Maria & Bart are currently offering virtual and in-person private lessons for pre-professional and professional ballet dancers ages 15 and up. Lessons are structured to focus on your specific artistic goals to identify the stylistic and technical nuances that you can use to improve your movement quality, advice that goes beyond the typical class format. For more information visit: https://calegariteacher.com/.
Announcement:
We are thrilled to announce that we will be returning to Miami City Ballet October 17th-19th to host live pre-performance talks for the opening weekend of the company’s 40th anniversary season. For each talk, we will be joined by Gonzalo Garcia as he ushers the company into its first season under his direction. Full details below.
This program is truly not to be missed: the all Peck program includes ‘Year of the Rabbit’, ‘Chutes and Ladders’, and ‘Heatscape.’ If you are in the Miami area come join us. And if you aren’t, time to look for flights!
DETAILS:
FRI October 17 with Gonzalo Garcia at 6:30pm
SAT October 18 with Gonzalo and Justin Peck at 6:30pm
SUN October 19 with Gonzalo and Patricia Delgado at 1pm
Admission to pre-performance talks at the Arsht Center is complimentary with ticket purchase. Tickets available here: https://www.miamicityballet.org/tickets-and-events/202526-season/peck/. If you are unable to join us in person, subscribe to the Conversations on Dance podcast feed through your favorite podcast app, where we will be publishing recordings of the events.
SPONSOR:
Friday through Sunday, November 7th through 9th, join Amanda Treiber and Company for their debut performances at the Mark O’Donnell Theater in Brooklyn! Featuring a cast of international artists, including dancers and musicians from New York City Ballet, and a world premiere to music by Philip Glass, these performances showcase NYC-based choreographer and dancer Amanda Treiber's ability to create worlds through unique movement vocabularies and her deep collaborations with dancers, musicians, and visual artists. You won't want to miss it! Reserve your tickets today at amandatreiber.com.
LINKS:
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Instagram: @conversationsondance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by Dante Puleio, Artistic Director of the Limón Dance Company, and esteemed choreographer Diego Vega Solorza, whose work for the company will premiere in the company's upcoming Joyce season. Dante tells us how he became familiar with Diego's work and why it was a natural fit for the company and the season, while Diego dives into his creative process and how the Limón dancers have shaped this particular work. The Limón Dance Company will perform at the storied Joyce theater in New York City from Tuesday, October 14th through Sunday October 19th. To purchase tickets visit joyce.org.
SPONSOR:
Friday through Sunday, November 7th through 9th, join Amanda Treiber and Company for their debut performances at the Mark O’Donnell Theater in Brooklyn! Featuring a cast of international artists, including dancers and musicians from New York City Ballet, and a world premiere to music by Philip Glass, these performances showcase NYC-based choreographer and dancer Amanda Treiber's ability to create worlds through unique movement vocabularies and her deep collaborations with dancers, musicians, and visual artists. You won't want to miss it! Reserve your tickets today at amandatreiber.com.
LINKS:
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Instagram: @conversationsondance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by Gonzalo Garcia, former principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet and the New York City Ballet, and the new artistic director of the Miami City Ballet. Gonzalo gives us an inside view on his plans to shape Miami City Ballet as only the third director in its 40 year history, including his thoughts on repertoire he wants to bring, honing his fundraising skills for the company's long term financial health and how he plans to be involved in daily coaching and teaching. Miami City Ballet's 40th anniversary season kicks off at the Arsht Center on October 17th with an all Justin Peck program. To purchase tickets, visit miamicityballet.org.
SPONSOR:
Chicago's Wrightwood 659 presents Joffrey + Ballet in the U.S., a large-scale exhibition celebrating the rich history of The Joffrey Ballet and the life of Robert Joffrey. Drawing from the Joffrey archive, acquired by the Jerome Robbins Dance Division in 2017 as the Library’s largest acquisition in a decade, the exhibition offers an in-depth look at the Joffrey’s contributions to ballet in the U.S. Highlights include rare film from the original performance of the groundbreaking ballet Astarte and Anna Sokolow’s Opus 65, as well as costumes, props, pointe shoes, posters, correspondence, and other ephemera from the company and Robert Joffrey’s life. On view October 3rd through Dec 20th. For more information, visit wrightwood659.org
LINKS:
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Instagram: @conversationsondance
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On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by choreographers Christopher Bruce and Jacquelyn Long, whose works will be featured on the upcoming Houston Ballet program "Rock, Roll & Tutus". They take us through their creative processes, how they select and interpret music through dance and each of their long artistic relationships with Houston Ballet, with Christopher honing his work with the company for decades and Jacquelyn rising to the rank of soloist before being singled out for her choreographic talents. To purchase tickets to "Rock, Roll & Tutus", premiering September 18th and running through the 28th, visit houstonballet.org.
SPONSOR:
Chicago's Wrightwood 659 presents Joffrey + Ballet in the U.S., a large-scale exhibition celebrating the rich history of The Joffrey Ballet and the life of Robert Joffrey. Drawing from the Joffrey archive, acquired by the Jerome Robbins Dance Division in 2017 as the Library’s largest acquisition in a decade, the exhibition offers an in-depth look at the Joffrey’s contributions to ballet in the U.S. Highlights include rare film from the original performance of the groundbreaking ballet Astarte and Anna Sokolow’s Opus 65, as well as costumes, props, pointe shoes, posters, correspondence, and other ephemera from the company and Robert Joffrey’s life. On view October 3rd through Dec 20th. For more information, visit wrightwood659.org
LINKS:
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Instagram: @conversationsondance
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Conversations on Dance, it's just Michael and Rebecca. We catch up on what we have been up to since Vail Dance Festival in August. Michael talks about working as a rehearsal director for James Whiteside in Mexico, and staging Justin Peck's 'Heatscape' at New York City Ballet this Fall.
SPONSOR:
San Francisco-based choreographer Alyssa Mitchel presents the premiere of Endure, a multimedia dance production taking place at Dance Mission Theater on October 3rd, 4th and 5th. The piece features six dancers, the graphic art and animations of designer Zach Litoff and recorded interviews with six marathon runners. This new work celebrates running while paying tribute to the enduring human spirit, with the intention of empowering audience members to persevere through difficult challenges. Tickets are on sale now at dancemissiontheater.org. You can follow Alyssa Mitchel on Instagram at @alymitchel or visit alyssaevemitchel.com for more information.
LINKS:
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Instagram: @conversationsondance
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Today on Conversations on Dance we are joined by Dominika Afanasenkov from the Vail Dance Festival. Dominika is a ballerina with the New York City Ballet. She talks to us about how growing up in cities all over the world impacted her training, how she’s approached the breakthrough opportunities she’s received so far, and what her first experience at the Vail Dance Festival was like.
This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival.
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/COD-email
LINKS:
Website: conversationsondancepod.com
Instagram: @conversationsondance
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On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by Nikolaj Hübbe, star dancer of the New York City Ballet, and both former principal and artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet. Nikolaj takes us through his story, from his starry eyed fascination as a child with the productions in Denmark, his meteoric rise to principal and subsequent leap of faith joining the New York City Ballet, and his years as leader of the Royal Danish Ballet. He also shares his experiences in his first year as a coach at the Vail Dance Festival, highlighting what it is that makes the artistic process in Vail so special.
This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival.
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/COD-email
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On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by Michèle Steinwald, guest curator of the 2025 Kaatsbaan Annual Festival. Michèle takes us through their artistic beginnings, as a teenager shaped by experiences as diverse as being in a punk rock band, posing in a meat dress for an installation or simply buying a at ticket to performances at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, to where they are now, shaping artistic experiences and interactions with communities that are everywhere from the gorgeous surroundings of Kaatsbaan to a neighborhood bar. If you are in the Hudson Valley area of New York state, or would like to make the trip to see this year's dynamic and artistically varied lineup at the festival, as curated by Michèle, please visit kaatsbaan.org.
Festival schedule & Ticketing: https://kaatsbaan.org/performances-festivals
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/COD-email
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Join Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a live podcast recording with New York City Ballet’s exciting new generation of principal dancers: Chun Wai Chan, Mira Nadon, and Gilbert Bolden III. These dynamic artists are shaping the future of classical ballet with their exceptional talent, artistry, and fresh perspectives. Hear about their paths to principal status, experiences dancing with NYCB, and their aspirations both on and off the stage.
This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on August 3, 2025.
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/COD-email
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Join Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a live podcast recording featuring BalletX dancers Savannah Green and Francesca Forcella. Known for their innovative artistry and bold performances, these talented dancers bring fresh energy and perspective from one of America’s leading contemporary ballet companies. Join us for an engaging conversation about their artistic journeys, creative process, and what it means to be part of BalletX’s groundbreaking repertoire.
This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on August 2, 2025.
Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/
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/COD-email
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Join Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a vibrant live podcast recording spotlighting the Vail Dance Festival’s Rising Voices: Gianna Reisen, My’Kal Stromile, and Rachel Lockhart.
These dynamic emerging artists represent the new generation of dance innovators, each bringing a fresh voice and perspective to the art form. Hear about their journeys, creative visions, and the inspiration behind their work as they prepare to make their mark on the Festival stage. Reisen, Stromile, and Lockhart will be creating new work for this year’s NOW: Premieres program.
This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on August 1, 2025.
Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/
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/COD-email
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Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome two of the Festival’s most beloved artists for a long-anticipated live podcast recording: Calvin Royal III, Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, and Unity Phelan, Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet.
Royal and Phelan—widely regarded as one of the most iconic duos to emerge from the Vail Dance Festival—will reflect on their enduring partnership, born at Vail and nurtured through countless collaborations across stages and companies. This conversation explores the artistic trust, chemistry, and shared vision that have made them audience favorites.
This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 31, 2025.
Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/
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/COD-email
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Join Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a special live recording with American Ballet Theatre principal ballerinas Isabella Boylston and Chloe Misseldine. Powerhouses on the international stage and here at home, Boylston and Misseldine will share their journeys to principal status, their experiences performing with ABT, and their artistic perspectives as leading women in classical ballet today.
This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 30, 2025.
Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/
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/COD-email
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Join Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a live podcast recording with one of the Vail Dance Festival’s most celebrated returning artists and this year’s Artist-in-Residence, Melissa Toogood.
Toogood, a Bessie Award-winning dancer and former member of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, has just been named Director of The Juilliard School’s Dance Division and will share her vision for the next chapter of one of the world’s most prestigious conservatories. She also debuts a new work for the Festival’s NOW: Premieres program this year.
This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 29, 2025.
Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/
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/COD-email
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MacArthur Fellow and tap visionary Michelle Dorrance joins Conversations on Dance for a live podcast recording with hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden. A festival mainstay, Dorrance shares insight into her newest work, The Center Will Not Hold, co-created with b-girl and choreographer Ephrat Asherie.
Following last year’s sold-out performance, this new evening-length piece blends rhythm tap with a wide range of street, club, and social dances—brought to life by an electric ensemble and live music by composer Donovan Dorrance and percussionist John Angeles.
Gain a behind-the-scenes look into Dorrance’s creative process, her collaborative spirit, and how she continues to expand the boundaries of tap dance.
This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 28, 2025.
Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/
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/COD-email
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Join Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden for a live podcast recording with Michael Novak, Artistic Director of the legendary Paul Taylor Dance Company. As the company returns to the Vail Dance Festival for the first time since 2018, Novak reflects on honoring the legacy of Paul Taylor—one of the most influential figures in American modern dance—on what would have been Taylor’s 95th birthday.
This special conversation offers insight into the company’s tribute performance, featuring the beloved Company B and the 50th anniversary presentation of Esplanade, a masterwork hailed for transforming everyday movement into mythic dance.
This episode is brought to you by Discover Vail and was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 27, 2025.
Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/
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/COD-email
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It's that time of year again! Get ready for daily drops from Conversations on Dance all throughout the 2025 Vail Dance Festival through August 3rd. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a moment.
Today we are joined by four dancers from LINES Ballert: Adji Cissoko, Lorris Eichinger, Ilaria Guerra, and Shuaib Elhassan. In this morning’s conversation, explore the company’s return to the Vail Dance Festival with a program that includes Ode to Alice Coltrane—a tribute to the legendary spiritual jazz icon—and Mother Goose, a mesmerizing reimagining of Ravel’s beloved 1912 suite, Ma mère l’Oye.
Hear behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process behind these visionary works and get to know the artists shaping them. The conversation will be followed by an open audience Q&A.
This episode was recorded live from the Vail Dance Festival on July 26, 2025.
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