Moving Moments

Steven Melendez's path to the stage is extraordinary. Alicia and the Artistic Director of New York Theatre Ballet discuss the Emmy-nominated documentary LIFT based on Steven's incredible life journey while experiencing homelessness and why he was "saved" by dance. Steven goes on to reflect on his early adulthood leaving the South Bronx to perform in South America and Europe and how it colored his perspective of the dance world, what brought him back to the states, and his ultimate return to NYTB. To close it out Steven discusses the importance of representation, why he loves a good spreadsheet, his biggest fear and ambitions, what he sees as the key to the future of classical dance, and how he keeps a balanced life. Check out Steven Melendez on Instagram, Facebook, and on the web.You can learn more about Steven's documentary LIFT here.For more about New York Theatre Ballet, visit them on Instagram, Facebook, or the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.We need your help to amplify artistic voices. Please consider supporting this show by making a tax-deductible donation here.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.Photograph of Steven Melendez by Rachel Neville.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artistic Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, former Principal Dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and dance educator Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell embodies grace and grit. She sits down with Alicia to reflect on her early years as a natural mover and describes how she improvised (!!) her audition for the Baltimore School for the Arts. Talking about the many teachers who supported her dreams and prepared her for The Ailey School at age 16 and a life on stage, Linda-Denise goes on to share why she left Juilliard after a year to join Hubbard Street Dance Chicago as a dancer and then moved to AAADT. To close it out Alicia settles an urban-legend around Linda-Denise's return to dance after the birth of her first child.Check out Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell on Instagram and Facebook.For more about Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, visit them on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, or the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.Photograph of Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell by Michelle Reid.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President of The Juilliard School, Artistic Director of the Vail Dance Festival, and retired Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet Damian Woetzel is a visionary and arts advocate bringing together today's most creative voices and unlikely pairings in dance and music. In this special episode of Moving Moments, recorded live at Lincoln Center, Damian discusses his early beginnings at age 7 as Fritz in The Nutcracker with the Boston Ballet, how he knew he was destined for a life on stage by age 11, and when he realized his dance career was real. Alicia and Damian reflect on their experiences with famed dancer and choreographer Arthur Mitchell, the sense of purpose they get from being artists, and the thrill of being on stage. To close it out Damian recounts how his work at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, Aspen Institute, and the Jerome Robbins Foundation led to his current role at Juilliard and his vision for the institution.Check out Damian Woetzel on Instagram.For more information about The Juilliard School, visit them on the web and on Instagram.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre Calvin Royal III is the third African American to hold this role in the company's 85-year history. Immersed in music from a young age, Calvin recalls how a tv commercial for a local production of The Chocolate Nutcracker introduced him to dance and how years later he deftly pivoted a last minute change in performance at the Youth America Grand Prix, which earned him a scholarship at ABT's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and altered the trajectory of his life. Alicia asks about Calvin's watershed moment, his newest work UNITE at The Joyce Theater, and his hopes for his legacy.Check out Calvin Royal III on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, and the web.For tickets to see UNITE August 13th through the 18th, visit The Joyce Theater.For more information about American Ballet Theatre, visit them on the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.Photograph of Calvin Royal III by Karolina Kuras.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with more inspiring conversations featuring American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Calvin Royal III, Artistic Director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Hispánico Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director of the Limón Dance Company Dante Puleio, and many more!Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.Photograph of Calvin Royal III by Karolina Kuras, Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell by Michelle Reid, Eduardo Vilaro by Rachel Neville, and Dante Puleio by Kelly Puleio.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2024 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israeli choreographer and dancer Ohad Naharin was the Artistic Director of the internationally celebrated Batsheva Dance Company for nearly three decades before assuming his current title of House Choreographer. During his tenure with Batsheva, he developed Gaga, the innovative movement language and pedagogy that has defined the company's training and characterizes Israeli contemporary dance. Ohad discusses his relationship to Maxim Waratt and creating music, describes what it was like to work with famed modern dancer and choreographer Martha Graham, and shares why he feels rehearsing in front of mirrors is not as helpful as many dancers think.Check out Batsheva Dance Company on Instagram or the web.Learn more about the Gaga movement language on Instagram and the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Director of the company's affiliated school, Peter Boal was a Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet for over 20 years. Peter shares with Alicia the importance of moving to Fleetwood Mac in his childhood living room, how he lived a "double life" until classmates saw him perform in The Nutcracker, and what it was like to learn from famed dancer, choreographer, and director Jerome Robbins. He also discusses his arrival at PNB, how he has worked to broaden audience involvement and widen the company's approach to inclusivity. Peter discusses his new memoir and gives Alicia a valuable parenting tip.Check out Peter Boal on Instagram.To learn more about Peter, read his memoir Illusions of Camelot.Learn more about Pacific Northwest Ballet on Instagram and the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Second soloist with the Boston Ballet Michaela Mabinty DePrince has a personal journey to the stage that is nothing short of inspiring. Michaela describes her astonishing childhood in her homeland of war-torn Sierra Leone and how dance helped quiet the chaos of her life and ultimately gave her freedom. Michaela describes the importance of authenticity, what it means to wear tights of her own skin tone, and how she questioned her identity outside the dance world after an injury.Check out Michaela Mabinty DePrince on Instagram or the web.To learn more about Michaela, read her memoir Taking Flight.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Founder and Artistic Director of the Evidence Dance Company, Ronald K. Brown deftly fuses traditional African dances with modern dance styles. Despite having suffered from a debilitating stroke in 2021, he continues to choreograph and teach, inspiring generations of artists. Alicia recalls the pivotal role Ron played in her career as a professional performer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and he shares his memories of dancing everywhere as a child. Ron discusses how he went from wanting to be a journalist and a performer to becoming a choreographer, and reveals his love for telling stories and social dance.Check out Ronald K. Brown and Evidence Dance Company on Instagram or the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Princess Grace Award winner Ashton Edwards was promoted to the corps at the Pacific Northwest Ballet in 2022. Ashton is challenging traditional gender roles at the professional level and shifting industry standards, paving the way for a new generation of dancers. Ashton recalls the first time they performed in the Balanchine style, the importance of meeting Peter Boal and joining PNB, and why Covid was the most consequential time in their training. Ashton also describes putting on pointe shoes and finding the right fit, the responsibility they feel to carry on the legacy of excellence in the field, and their hopes for the future of the ballet world.Check out Ashton Edwards on Instagram.Learn more about Pacific Northwest Ballet on Instagram and the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After two decades as an acclaimed dancer and star of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jamar Roberts is one of today's most sought-after choreographers. The Bessie Award winner has created commissions for the Ailey company, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and The Juilliard School, just to name a few. Jamar recalls how his early obsession with music made him want to move, candidly shares the challenges of learning to be an artist, and discusses how he developed his choreographic voice. Alicia surprises Jamar with a treasured gift he made for her years ago and explains her thoughts behind matching his energy when they were dance partners at Ailey.Check out Jamar Roberts on Instagram and the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Executive Director of the Baryshnikov Arts Center Sonja Kostich was a celebrated dancer at American Ballet Theatre and Mikhail Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project. After 20 years as a professional dancer, Sonja shifted her focus to arts administration with roles at Mark Morris Dance Group, New York City Center, and Kaatsbaan Cultural Park. She shares with Alicia why she decided to go to business school and how leading an organization and being a dancer are quite similar in their collaborative nature.Check out Sonja Kostich on Instagram.Learn more about Baryshnikov Arts on Instagram, Facebook, and the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Legendary dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Director Emerita of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Judith Jamison is a Kennedy Center Honoree and Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People in the World. She tells Alicia what it was like to work with Mr. Ailey, how she originated one of the most important and enduring works of modern and contemporary dance history, and one of her proudest accomplishments.Check out Judith Jamison on the web.Learn more about Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tony Award winner and Resident Choreographer at New York City Ballet Justin Peck is also a celebrated director, filmmaker, and dancer. Hailed as a prodigy, Justin has created over 50 dance works with more than 20 for City Ballet alone, as well as collaborated with Stephen Spielberg. Alicia and Justin talk about the New Dances program at Juilliard, Justin's connection to music in his work, and why he finds the Anytune Pro app so valuable in creating new dances. He shares how his position at City Ballet allowed him to take greater risks in his career, the differences between choreographing for film and for the stage, and the importance of learning something new when taking on new commissions.Check out Justin Peck on Instagram or the web.Learn more about New York City Ballet on the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Principal Dancer with Alonzo King LINES Ballet Adji Cissoko attended the Ballet Academy Munich and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre in New York City on a full scholarship before joining the National Ballet of Canada. Adji shares with Alicia how she fell in love with classical ballet at a young age, and ultimately appreciated her musicality, joyful soul, and long limbs as a natural fit for the improvisational work of the LINES company. She describes the adjustment from dancing with a large ballet company to a significantly smaller one, the overwhelming experience of auditioning for Alonzo, and how she is her happiest and performs her best when she is not trying to be like anyone else.Check out Adji Cissoko on Instagram or on the web.Learn more about Alonzo King LINES Ballet on the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with more inspiring conversations featuring New York City Ballet's Resident Choreographer Justin Peck, Alvin Ailey's Artistic Director EmeritaJudith Jamison, Second Soloist with the Boston Ballet Michaela Mabinty DePrince, Batsheva Dance Company's House Choreographer Ohad Naharin, and many more!Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss.This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renowned dancer Michael Novak rose to prominence when he became the second Artistic Director in the history of Paul Taylor Dance Company, where he is working to preserve and expand upon the legacy of his predecessor. Michael shares how a speech impediment at age 12 rendered him nearly mute and how dance became his outlet for expression, why he gave up a career on stage at age 21, and how Paul Taylor’s style and aesthetic ultimately inspired him to return to a life in dance.Check out Michael Novak on Instagram and Facebook.Learn more about Paul Taylor Dance Company on the web, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

American dancer Bobbi Jene Smith spent nearly a decade with the Israeli company Batsheva, before expanding upon her own solo work and choreographic career. Bobbi Jene discusses her start as a serious gymnast and how she fell in love with dance, leading her to study at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, North Carolina School for the Arts, and the Juilliard School, where she met Ohad Naharin. Bobbi Jene shares what inspires her to create and collaborate and the importance of making a piece of work personal and universal.Check out Bobbi Jene Smith on Instagram.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Founder and Artistic Director of the dance company A.I.M, Kyle Abraham is an acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and a MacArthur "Genius Grant" Fellow. In addition to performing and developing new works for his company, Kyle has been commissioned by companies including the Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Kyle talks with Alicia about overcoming stage fright, working with choreographer Bill T. Jones, and changing the name of his dance company.Check out Kyle Abraham on Instagram.Check out A.I.M by Kyle Abraham on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or the web.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet Sara Mearns performs, she goes for broke, thus earning the nickname "Stage Animal" from famed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky. The star ballerina shares how she found the bravery to advocate for herself as a student at School of American Ballet, climbing the ranks to become a principal ballerina, and the advice Suzanne Farrell gave her to best prepare for performances. Sara explains how she has learned to maintain her physical and mental health, and her insatiable curiosity to explore modern and contemporary dance, thus earning herself another nickname from Alicia.Check out Sara Mearns on Instagram, YouTube, or at New York City Ballet.Follow Moving Moments on Instagram.Follow Alicia on Instagram.You can find out more about Artful Narratives Media on Instagram or the web.The Moving Moments theme song was composed by Saul Guanipa for Videohelper.Moving Moments was co-created by Alicia Graf Mack, Jessica Handelman, and David Krauss. This interview has been edited and condensed to fit the time format.Episode copyright © 2023 Artful Narratives Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.