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This week I’m joined by Italian-British dance artist Selene Travaglia. Selene and I have just completed a tour of Sonia Sabri’s “Same Same… But Different” and Selene is now beginning a tour of “Squidge” by Wriggle Dance Theatre which will be touring the UK till May. We discuss what makes a great dancer, the choreographer who changed the way she thought about what a dance piece could be, the virtues of improvised dance, and the beauty of connecting with audiences throughout the tour of “Same Same…But Different” and “Squidge”. Selene is a talented and experienced performer, and it was a pleasure diving into her incredible dance journey.  To find out more: Selene’s insta @sele.nene Sonia Sabri co. insta @soniasabrico Wriggle Dance Theatre insta @wriggledance

This week on the podcast I’m joined by the Scotland-based choreographer David West. We discuss how mental health is depicted on the stage and how he handles these issues in his new work Sanctuary. We talk about his approach to creating the work including working with memories, the use of repetition, and creating improv structures. I hope you enjoy this podcast as deep dive into the nitty gritty of his choreographic process and values. To find out more about David West and Sanctuary check out David’s Instagram: @eqdanceco

This month on the podcast, I’m joined by Newcastle-based dance artist Benedicta Valentina Mamuini. We talk about her tour with balletLORENT’s “The Lost Happy Endings” and her amazing journey with the company. Also, we discuss new approaches to auditioning and the challenges of maintaining dance skills post-degree. Lastly, we start to unpack the creation of her collection of works in development “Other” with collaborator Lila Naruse and how the work explores themes of mixed heritage. To find out more about the projects discussed in this podcast: Benedicta Valentina Mamuini Instagram: @benedictavalentina Lila Naruse Instagram: @lila.j.naruse BalletLorent Instagram: @balletlorent Dance City Instagram: @dance_city_newcastle Ps. Yes, we are back! I'll be posting new episodes monthly, so click the subscribe/follow button for new episodes. 

The world is opening up again and so is dance. It's nice to be working again. This week I talk about my experience dancing at the Manchester International Festival and choreographing a new pop up outdoor piece.  This will be the end of Season 1. I am taking a break to focus on work creation and we'll be back in the Winter. Subscribe to find out when I start releasing episodes again. 

This week I try a new solo format called "Dancer reacts.." and do a commentary podcast on Jiří Kylián's "Petite Mort". Created back in '91 this work is by the choreographer who headed up Nederlands Dans Theater for two decades. I've been binge watching his back catalogue on marquee.tv/ and this piece and another piece "Bella Figura" I was really struck by. To watch it with me check out David's Dance Podcast on YouTube as I unpack the choreography. I also talk about photographer Tyler Mitchell's book "I Can Make You Feel Good". Mitchell's depiction of young Black Americans in playful scenarios, speaks to an artist that is reclaiming the narratives around the representation of himself and people like him, young Black men. While not dance, his work has to do with the body and how it is represented both aesthetically and in conversation with culture and historical narratives. In that way it is a great discussion launcher for those interested in dance and the performative body.  My instagram: @dance_across_mediums Email me: [email protected]

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by the co-directors of Traceworks Dance, Julian Lewis and James Aiden Kay. We discuss what a lifeline online teaching has been for dance professionals as well as individuals and families. We delve into the process behind their new outdoor popup performance developed with and for communities and southeast London. I joined James and Julian on their first studio day of rehearsals, so the excitement of being back in the studio is a very real, and I look forward to seeing what this talented duo create. To find out more about Traceworks and the new work: Traceworks: @traceworksdance Julian Lewis: @juliandavidlewis James Aiden Kay: @jamesaidenk

This week I’m joined by a dancer operating in both Contemporary and Vogue circles, Faye Stoeser. It’s difficult to be good at more than one style, but this dancer manages to be excellent at both with her signature precision and serpentine style. We talk about Faye’s journey from studio dancer to Contemporary dance and introduction to Vogue. We discuss the development of the ballroom scene, the influence of her research into learning on her dance practice, and the differences in working within both repertoire and in a creative process.  To find out more: Instagram: @fayerevlon You can watch Faye on tour in: Richard Chappell’s “Infinite Ways Home”: Follow @richard.chappell.dance for announcements Jose Agudo’s “Carmen”: Follow @joseagudo.co.uk and visit https://www.joseagudo.co.uk/portfolio/carmen/ to watch the trailer

This week on the podcast, I am joined by the tremendously talented Ben Knapper. We talk about his growth as a company dancer with BalletBoyz, learning to explore the emotional world of a dance work and tap into what we're feeling in performance. We discuss how he's taken these skills in building a character through movement into his role movement directing the play White (Other). Ben is also exploring new possibilities as a performer in Christopher Mathews' immersive installation at Sadler's Wells, my body's an exhibition. I enjoyed this time with Ben digging into the processes and headspaces that drive dance performances that really transcend physical technique.  To find out more: Ben's Instagram: @benknapper White (Other) at Brighton Fringe by @polevaulttc : https://www.brightonfringe.org/whats-on/white-other-147212/ My body's an exhibition by @christopher_matthews_choreo : https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2020/wild-card-christopher-matthews-formed-view-my-bodys-an-exhibition/ Ample space dance space in Hackney Wicks: @amplespace.co.uk

This week on the podcast I’m joined by a dance artist and movement consultant representing Mexico and London, Mariana Lorenzano. She is the owner of the dance school, specializing in early years, Ballet North. By night she is a fierce and glittery voguer and ballroom culture activist representing House of Valentino. We discuss how teaching has changed since the pandemic, her journey into the vouge scene, the history and health of the scene today, and challenging ourselves creatively as dancers. To find out more: The in-between words and movement project: @thei.nbetween Ballet North: @ballet_north Queer ballet info through Mariana's profile: @mariana.puma Technical note: There's a bit of scratchiness on the audio, but it clears up after minute 11. I put it in anyway, because I didn't want you to miss any of this great podcast. 

This week on the podcast I talk to the Deepraj (Deeps) Singh. Deeps has a background in contemporary dance and street styles and is currently working with Rosie Kay Dance Company on a new production of Romeo & Juliet. Much of our discussion this week revolved around how our mindset and an awareness of mindset can support our dancing. We talk about the role of therapy, faith, dancing in nature, the choreographic process and how these things can support us as human beings and as such as dancers. Deepraj is a such a lovely, warm and humble guy and I had a lot of fun doing this podcast with him and I hope you enjoy it too. To find out more: Deep's instagram: @howdeepisyourraj Rosie Kay's Romeo & Juliet, world premiere 8 Sept 2021: https://rosiekay.co.uk/project/rj/

This week I talk about my experiences becoming a father, balancing dance and daddy duties, dealing with set backs, and the ways in which social media is changing the way we dance. I want to hear from you, the people who share this podcast with me. Email me at [email protected] and let me know a time you struggled in your dance journey and how you overcame it, I'll share it on the podcast and maybe it can be a launching point for a conversation. Throw in a highlight as well as a spoon full of sugar... You can also message me on instagram: @dance_across_mediums I hope you have a great week, David

This week I’m joined by dancer, writer, and podcaster, Rachel Elderkin. We discuss the origins of her podcast Dance Dialogues, the merits of podcasting as a medium to facilitate conversations around dance, and her approach to writing about dance. Through this we hit on a conversation about how if we can apply just as much creativity to how we talk about dance as to the artistic process itself, more diverse conversations can emerge. Between her podcast and artistic network, Sanctuary on the Fault Line, a network of female dance artists creating public performance in wild places, there is a DIY attitude about Rachel’s approach to dance that doesn’t wait for permission, but instead creates new dialogues, new paradigms. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. Dance Dialogues Podcast Insta: @dancedialoguespodcast  Dance Dialogues Podcast Twitter: @podcastdance Rachel Elderkin all social media: @rachel_elderkin Sanctuary on the Fault Line Insta: @faultlinesdancenetwork