
The Background Dancer (Jason Yap)
Explorez tous les épisodes de The Background Dancer
Date | Titre | Durée | |
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01 Mar 2022 | Finale: Ask Jason | Ask Me Anything Special | 00:45:02 | |
After a year long run, it's time to recollect our thoughts and engage in a little one on one with a very special AMA episode. Here, we listen to 13 unique questions about Jason as a dance artist, podcaster and person in general. Although some were not the most suitable to tackle first hand, this was a wonderful thought experiment and window into the host, producer and founder of the Background Dancer journey.
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01 Mar 2022 | Finale: Becoming the Background | Season Round-up | 00:43:29 | |
So, we have come full circle and successfully completed a full season of content and creation! While it has not been easy, it was through your truest support and consistency to the show that we have made it. 10 categories, 12 months' worth of content! What do you think about personal anecdotes, stats, tokens of gratitude and so on? As they all obviously provide a very different outlook, it's important to round up with as comprehensive a rundown as possible.
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05 Jun 2022 | Special: Cultural Wars of the Invasion | Oleksandra Korotchuk | 01:30:26 | |
What would it take to finally gain cultural and political independence from Russia? How is the cultural landscape changing amidst this relentless conflict? After many false promises of a no invasion stance from President Putin, Russia crossed the border into Ukraine under the guise of a special military operation on February 24, 2022. Almost three months on, that so-called operation continues to wage on in the form of a full scale war. But even after incessant shelling, killing and unspeakable atrocities, Ukraine perseveres. What is it like to be an artist based there now? What is in store for Ukrainian artists heading into the future? What’s next in this evidently cultural war? Throughout this special episode, we explore the five biggest lessons learnt as a Ukrainian artist, told from the experiences of Oleksandra herself. Ready to dive deep into the cauldron of topical fire? Join us as we foreground dance and arts in the background!
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31 Jul 2022 | Special: The Thesis | 00:24:28 | |
How does intercultural exchange influence dance? And are people as interdisciplinary as art is? Upon receiving a plea to help out a friend's graduate thesis, a study which investigates how the reality of intercultural exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration and working in Slovakia as a foreign artist all intertwine in the year 2022, we duly complied in providing the best possible account. After being based here in Central Europe for the past three years, there inevitably exists an impression or two about the local landscape. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk | Waterbeat - DJ Lengua Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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04 Sep 2022 | Special: Dance & Protest | Why Dance? by J-Cast | 00:34:10 | |
Welcome to a whole new wave of specials, featuring a roundtable version of the show alongside two new co-hosts in Jacob Caldwell and Joshua Sailo. Throughout this 10 episode series, we present extracts from our Clubhouse sessions on the Why Dance? by J-Cast clubroom. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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18 Sep 2022 | Special: Dance & Leadership | Why Dance? by J-Cast | 00:38:57 | |
Welcome to a whole new wave of specials, featuring a roundtable version of the show alongside two new co-hosts in Jacob Caldwell and Joshua Sailo. Throughout this 10 episode series, we present extracts from our Clubhouse sessions on the Why Dance? by J-Cast clubroom. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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02 Oct 2022 | Special: Dance & Technology | Why Dance? by J-Cast | 00:29:01 | |
Welcome to a whole new wave of specials, featuring a roundtable version of the show alongside two new co-hosts in Jacob Caldwell and Joshua Sailo. Throughout this 10 episode series, we present extracts from our Clubhouse sessions on the Why Dance? by J-Cast clubroom. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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16 Oct 2022 | Special: Dance & Philosophy | Why Dance? by J-Cast | 00:30:12 | |
Welcome to a whole new wave of specials, featuring a roundtable version of the show alongside two new co-hosts in Jacob Caldwell and Joshua Sailo. Throughout this 10 episode series, we present extracts from our Clubhouse sessions on the Why Dance? by J-Cast clubroom. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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20 Nov 2022 | Special: Dance & Community | Why Dance? by J-Cast | 00:34:08 | |
Welcome to a whole new wave of specials, featuring a roundtable version of the show alongside two new co-hosts in Jacob Caldwell and Joshua Sailo. Throughout this 10 episode series, we present extracts from our Clubhouse sessions on the Why Dance? by J-Cast clubroom. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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06 Nov 2022 | Special: Dance & Education | Why Dance? by J-Cast | 00:31:26 | |
Welcome to a whole new wave of specials, featuring a roundtable version of the show alongside two new co-hosts in Jacob Caldwell and Joshua Sailo. Throughout this 10 episode series, we present extracts from our Clubhouse sessions on the Why Dance? by J-Cast clubroom. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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14 Aug 2022 | Special: Dancers' Adversities | J-Cast | 01:41:04 | |
What was the worst dance injury you've ever experienced? How did you eventually overcome it? As a dancer, injuries are almost a given. Some are little niggles, others are massive and potentially career-ending. Since everyone is bound to suffer at the fate of the injury bug at some point, shouldn't there be more support systems in place to prepare a dancer for such circumstances? In this very case, it's most definitely recovery over prevention as prevention is almost impossible. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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04 Dec 2022 | Special: Dance & Interdisciplinarity | Why Dance? by J-Cast | 00:33:52 | |
Welcome to a whole new wave of specials, featuring a roundtable version of the show alongside two new co-hosts in Jacob Caldwell and Joshua Sailo. Throughout this 10 episode series, we present extracts from our Clubhouse sessions on the Why Dance? by J-Cast clubroom. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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01 Jan 2023 | Special: Dance & Business | Why Dance? by J-Cast | 00:23:23 | |
Welcome to a whole new wave of specials, featuring a roundtable version of the show alongside two new co-hosts in Jacob Caldwell and Joshua Sailo. Throughout this 10 episode series, we present extracts from our Clubhouse sessions on the Why Dance? by J-Cast clubroom. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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18 Dec 2022 | Special: Dance & The Future | Why Dance? by J-Cast | 00:33:43 | |
Welcome to a whole new wave of specials, featuring a roundtable version of the show alongside two new co-hosts in Jacob Caldwell and Joshua Sailo. Throughout this 10 episode series, we present extracts from our Clubhouse sessions on the Why Dance? by J-Cast clubroom. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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15 Jan 2023 | Special: Dance & Failures | Why Dance? by J-Cast | 00:32:45 | |
Welcome to a whole new wave of specials, featuring a roundtable version of the show alongside two new co-hosts in Jacob Caldwell and Joshua Sailo. Throughout this 10 episode series, we present extracts from our Clubhouse sessions on the Why Dance? by J-Cast clubroom. Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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05 Feb 2023 | Artunio Talks 1: Is Social Media Suitable for Artists? | Timotej Vrab | 00:31:10 | |
Is social media suitable for artists? What are some of the challenges posed by Facebook or Instagram for artists and creators looking to build sustainable careers? While it might have been a great avenue to promote and network with fellow peers initially, much of social media has regressed over the years. Nowadays, we are seeing an increased aversion towards its application especially upon the creative industries. But all of this isn't new, is it? And where are the solutions, if any at all? Like what we do? Help us grow by
Soundtrack: Waterbeat - DJ Lengua | Something Elated - Broke For Free Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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12 Feb 2023 | Artunio Talks 2: Does Social Media Downgrade Creativity? | Timotej Vrab | 00:29:08 | |
Does social media actually downgrade your creativity? What are the obvious disadvantages of constantly churning out content for such platforms? A lot has changed from their humble beginnings and who knows how much more is changing as we speak. Even photographers who once upon a time came flocking over to Instagram, are now finding themselves leaving along with their dreams. Still think this doesn't concern you? Think again.
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19 Feb 2023 | Artunio Talks 3: Is the Environment on Social Media Ridiculous? | Timotej Vrab | 00:30:24 | |
Is the overall environment on social media just absurd? Is it appropriate to place art next to irrelevant content such as pets, pranks and political correctness? But that herein lies the problem we face when squaring up to mass content on platforms that treat us not as the content itself, but the product in which to profit off from. The reality is, we cannot expect social media to change. We need to assume accountability and build a new one that is designed for art and artists with conditions that are beneficial for the whole community. Listen, isn’t it always better to build your own house than to live under the restrictions of someone else's?
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26 Feb 2023 | Artunio Talks 4: Compromising Your Art for Exposure on Social? | Timotej Vrab | 00:29:10 | |
Are you compromising your art for more exposure, followers and following on social media? What do artists really need? Simply, we need to be discovered by people who are interested in what we have to share. Just think about it. Instagram is not a search engine like Google or YouTube where you can easily type, for example – ‘dancers’ – choose style of dancing, and you get a list of 100 000 dancers around the world with which you can filter out and identify exactly what you want. In the end, you’re just left hoping your work is ‘’engaging” enough for a much larger audience than Instagram takes you for. Welcome to a brand new mini series covering our proposed launch of an up and coming digital space, suite of professional tools and dedicated ecosystem for the arts and culture - Artunio. Throughout the next four episodes, join me and Timotej Vrab as we look into the core issues of mainstream social media and how Artunio presents itself not only as an alternative, but a collective movement hoping to change the landscape once and for all.
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03 Mar 2024 | Co-directing an International Festival | Wieland & Poulinas | 00:54:00 | |
What does it take to stage a dance festival? Have you ever wanted to initiate an international platform with long-term sustainability? Despite the overwhelming number of contemporary dance festivals around today, very few have peaked at the level of a Deltebre Dansa, ImPulsTanz or Jacob's Pillow. However, B12 has managed to achieve such status in an even shorter time, which makes their story doubly more remarkable. And the secret to all of this? A stellar management team of course!
Soundtracks:
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17 Mar 2024 | Institutional Leadership and Culture | Pamela Tatge | 00:48:29 | |
What does it mean to be a leader in the arts? Have you ever dreamt of heading an international platform which boasts both historical and current prestige? As far as dance goes dance, very few are like The Jacob's Pillow. Established on a treasured 220-acre national landmark, it is one of the oldest running dance festivals and home to the USA's most influential dance icons, including the man who started it all, Ted Shawn.
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31 Mar 2024 | Dance of Art Journalism | Margaret Fuhrer | 00:48:01 | |
Is journalism dead? What is the most trusted form of media today? While there isn’t a definitive answer, one company comes admirably close. Dance Media Publications is a multi-varied media platform that covers dance like no other and has been consistently delivering engaging content to the most dancers, dance professionals and dance lovers globally. Among its many satellite publications, the Dance Edit podcast stands out as a prominent voice for daily news and updates revolving around the world of dance.
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14 Apr 2024 | Pointe of Podcasting | Lauren Ritchie | 01:19:03 | |
What does it take to stand out as a podcaster anyways? Is the craze for this new medium truly justified for the world of dance? Like in every other sector, the field of dance-related podcasts is now beyond saturated. Yet, that didn’t discourage me from starting a show, completing a full season and then embarking on a whole new one right after! It starts with your message and the value it brings to listeners who are looking to learn something from you which they cannot do elsewhere - which I did through one of the first podcasts I ever listened to, The Dance Podcast.
Soundtracks:
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05 May 2024 | Pillars of Dance Science | Emma Redding | 01:00:54 | |
What exactly is Dance Science? What are the main foundations that constitute its rich and detailed history? Given dance's unique position at the intersection of arts and sports, it was inevitable that this field would eventually enter the mainstream. One pioneering institution that played a crucial role in this transformation was the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, with one individual standing out as a driving force behind this revolution – Professor Emma Redding. Soundtracks:
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19 May 2024 | Dance Medicine at Harkness | Dr. Donald Rose | 00:58:05 | |
Have you ever suffered a catastrophic injury? How does one recover and regain peak condition following damage to the anatomy? Amidst the many inherent challenges within the dance sphere — a beacon of hope shines at the NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital through the presence of the Harkness Center for Dance Injuries. Beyond their exceptional array of services encompassing physical therapy and injury prevention programs, they also provide comprehensive educational offerings, both online and in person. A noteworthy accomplishment is the full accreditation, secured in 2020, of the Harkness Center’s Postgraduate Performing Arts Physical Therapy Fellowship Program by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE).
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21 Oct 2024 | Transforming the Dance Teacher | Olivia Mode-Cater | 00:55:11 | |
Dance education is often likened to a Chinese proverb: 'A minute of work seen on stage takes 10 years of work off stage.' And while talent plays a role, education stands as the primary pillar shaping a dancer's journey. In our exploration of dance education during our first season, we delved into academia and the art of learning. Now, we take a closer look at the business of education, focusing on the creation of teaching resources essential for dance educators in the form of Dance Ed Tips. Soundtracks:
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02 Jun 2024 | Tailoring a Dancewear Venture | Sandra Meynier Kang | 01:07:04 | |
As a dancer, have you ever wondered about the significance of the clothes on your back? For most, the selection of brands and gear is a deliberate choice, a conscious decision shaping their dance journey. A notable name in this arena is SMK Dancewear, a label bearing the imprint of its founder and designer, Sandra Meynier Kang. The brand's ethos revolves around eco-friendly textiles, zero waste production, and a vegan, locally made product range. Soundtracks:
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16 Jun 2024 | Dance of Costume Design | Rike Zöllner | 00:40:31 | |
Costumes, costumes, costumes... they are everywhere, aren't they? From festive occasions to theatrical performances and even on the silver screen in movies. Whilst studying dance, I was always captivated by the costume design at the School of Theatre and Arts Entertainment. They were the ones I interacted with most, as they were responsible for crafting costumes and set designs for various other departments including Music, Drama and Chinese Opera. Soundtracks:
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07 Jul 2024 | Puppetry in Dance Theatre | Duda Paiva | 00:45:29 | |
While most of us aspiring contemporary dancers will decide to undergo formal training under the foundations of Graham, Cunningham, Limon and various others, a small subset has diverted into the wondrous world of puppet theatre. One such performer, choreographer and now puppeteer is Duda Paiva. After a few more years thriving as an independent theatrical artist, he initiated the Duda Paiva Company in Amsterdam, Holland, in 2004. Duda was educated as an actor, ballet and Butoh dancer in both Brazil and Japan. He moved to the Netherlands in 1996, where he worked as a professional contemporary dancer and choreographer. Curious and adept at researching multidisciplinary art forms, Paiva pushes the boundaries of visual theater and creates an exciting and unique idiom, blowing life into foam sculptures.
Soundtracks:
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21 Jul 2024 | Creativity in Screendance | Mike Tyus | 00:46:09 | |
Long before the formulation of the world’s first MA in Screendance by the LCDS, the genre had already dated as far back to the early days of cinema. Gene Kelly emerged as a prominent figure during the 1940s and 50s after he starred in and co-directed the classic film "Singin' in the Rain" (1952). In contemporary cinema, dance continues to play a significant role through films such as "Black Swan" (2010), "La La Land" (2016), which have all brought dance back into the spotlight for the next generation of creators to continue evolving. Continuing a brand new season and month of Dance Choreography, this episode ponders about the ideas and potential of creating dance for the camera, and what it takes to succeed as a screendance choreographer. Ready to discover the filmmaker within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background! Soundtracks:
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08 Sep 2024 | Into the Jackrabbit Hole | Mark Mahoney | 00:55:26 | |
SaaS, also known as software as a a service or web-based software, operates on a subscription basis, providing users with centrally hosted solutions accessible anytime, anywhere. This model has transformed countless industries, including entertainment, communication, and, most notably, education. As dance studios and activity centers worldwide sought efficient management solutions, Jackrabbit Technologies emerged as a pioneer in cloud-based class management software. Soundtracks:
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22 Sep 2024 | Grooving to Choreorobotics | Kate Sicchio | 00:47:21 | |
When Boston Dynamics, an engineering and robotics design company went viral for successfully creating the now famous Atlas dancing robots video, it caught more than a few people in the world of dance by storm. Would our jobs be threatened by robots too now? Enter the fascinating world of Choreorobotics, a field that explores the convergence of dance choreography and robotics technology.
Soundtracks:
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06 Oct 2024 | Pioneering Dance as Technique | Anouk van Dijk | 00:59:49 | |
A personal story told many times over on this podcast is my journey into dance which commenced gradually through the popular reality TV series, So You Think You Can Dance. While the show's drama took center stage for many, what captivated me was the dancers' adaptability across various styles and techniques. It revealed that each dance style was rooted in fundamental technique, a pivotal aspect for any dancer unlocking their physicality. One recent development in the vast history of dance techniques is Countertechnique, a mischievously named yet transformative approach developed by Anouk van Dijk. With over 25 years of experience as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, she gradually transformed her insights and dancer dialogues into a comprehensive teaching method. Countertechnique challenges the traditional notion of technique as rigid and prescriptive. It's a dynamic system that encompasses diverse skills to deepen self-awareness, expand physical possibilities, and inform creative choices. Kickstarting a brand new season and month of Dance Education, this episode explores the intricate process of developing a dance technique, the mindset required, and what the future holds for techniques shaped across time. Ready to discover the pedagogue within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background! Soundtracks:
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19 Jan 2025 | Dance of International Relations | Urmimala Sarkar Munsi | 00:55:27 | |
Established as an independent, non-profit organization, WDA-AP originated as the Asia Pacific Dance Alliance in Hong Kong in 1988. It later became part of the global body, World Dance Alliance (WDA), founded in 1990 by Carl Wolz. In 1993, the name of the Asia-Pacific Center was changed to WDA Asia-Pacific to reflect its relationship to the global body. Tasked with serving as a primary voice for dance and dancers throughout the Asia-Pacific region, the WDA-AP encourages the exchange of ideas and the awareness of dance in all its forms.
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10 Nov 2024 | Inside Industry Auditions | Danny Hindmarsh | 00:57:57 | |
Shifting from performer to entrepreneur requires not just passion but also a high tolerance for risk and uncertainty. Without a strong appetite for the unpredictable journey ahead, many dancers shy away from the entrepreneurial path. Yet, those who do take the leap often become the industry's trailblazers, using their vision and tenacity to spark meaningful change. One such trailblazer is Danny Hindmarsh, an Australian dancer turned business innovator who is already making a global impact. As the CEO and co-founder of Industry Auditions, Danny has developed an online platform that addresses a critical gap in the performing arts: talent sourcing and recruitment. His cutting-edge mobile app offers performers a centralized hub to find auditions that perfectly match their skills and interests. Soundtracks:
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24 Nov 2024 | Accelerating the Dance Creative | Carole Edrich | 00:46:51 | |
Positioned as a pre-seed collaborative social enterprise, DanceGRiST was established with the noble objective of elevating the income and status of dancers, multi-skilled artists, and other professionals in the movement arts sector. Led by the visionary Carole Edrich, a former tango dancer and bodybuilder turned project manager and writer, DanceGRiST has cultivated an international team and forged fruitful commercial collaborations all while challenging the prevailing misconception that dancers possess limited value beyond the stage. Carole's portfolio career spans roles as an arts programmer, activist, and communicator, demonstrating a relentless commitment to advocating for artists' rights and advancing the cultural sector. Simultaneously, she has also provided thought leadership and consultancy in risk management to financial, insurance, public and NGO organisations, won prizes for her journalistic photography, and become a sole dance consultant to the American Express’s Bon Vivant Magazine. Continuing a brand new season and month of Dance Business, this episode delves into the inner workings of cultural accelerators, running a pre-seed business, and Carole's vision for the future of arts entrepreneurship. Ready to discover the accelerator within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!
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08 Dec 2024 | Talking Circus with CircusTalk | Stacy Clark | 00:58:29 | |
The memory of my first-ever invert on a pole — when I hung upside down—remains vivid as if it happened yesterday. That experience with the circus arts community in Malaysia opened my eyes to a vast and captivating genre that thrives on its interdisciplinarity. So, when the opportunity arose to delve into this season's exploration of interdisciplinarity, I was fortunate enough to discover CircusTalk, an international online platform previously led by Canadian Casting Director and Career Coach, Stacy Clark. Stacy Clark is a seasoned professional in the circus and performing arts industry, and she’s no stranger to the stage herself. Before making a name in the circus world, Stacy worked in marketing and communications. Eventually, she left that behind to perform and teach circus arts across the globe, on stage, at festivals, and even on screen. Her career trajectory then led her to become a talent scout and eventually the Director of Casting at the renowned Cirque du Soleil. In 2021, Stacy joined CircusTalk as CEO, determined to help a small but ambitious team transform the platform into a global hub for the circus arts community. Soundtracks:
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05 Jan 2025 | Access to AXIS | Nadia Adame | 01:03:00 | |
Founded in 1987, California-based AXIS Dance Company has long been at the forefront of redefining dance and disability. Through world-class productions that challenge perceptions, AXIS quickly established itself as one of the first contemporary dance companies to integrate disabled and non-disabled dancers. AXIS has since toured extensively, performing in over 100 cities across the US, Europe, the UAE, and Russia, while also earning nine prestigious Isadora Duncan Dance Awards. Soundtracks:
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22 Dec 2024 | Palette of the Modern Impresario | Paul Seaquist | 01:00:13 | |
One of the most persistent misconceptions surrounding classical ballet is the notion that they are too old-fashioned and rigid. However, true arts enthusiasts recognize its inherent diversity and multi-disciplinarity even in the so-called "olden days." A prime example is the Ballet Russes, one of the greatest ballet troupes of all time, led by the legendary impresario Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev. Fast forward a hundred years, and the landscape has evolved, yet the core principles of collaboration and innovation remain unchanged. My curiosity about the craft of producing and curation has led me to one of the most influential ballet impresarios in Europe today: Paul Seaquist. Paul is a visionary in dance, having founded Seaquist Dance Marketing, one of the first dancer and choreographer management companies globally. He has played a pivotal role in developing and directing the careers of some of the most celebrated ballet stars, including Aurélie Dupont, Vladimir Malakhov, Polina Semionova, Carlos Acosta, Daniil Simkin, and Iana Salenko, to name just a few. More recently, he created and directed the “Grand Prix Vladimir Malakhov,” the first ballet competition in Cuba's history, as well as the “Gala de Estrellas de Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic,” both charity-driven dance competitions. Now, he is the CEO of SwanSea Productions Continuing a brand new season and month of Dance Interdisciplinarity, this episode explore the nuances of working with the world's biggest stars and the challenges of being at the forefront of modern day performing arts. Ready to discover the producer within you? Join us as we foreground dance in the background!
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08 Feb 2021 | Ep.1 Basking in the Background | 00:29:52 | |
Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Background Dancer! Here, I share my vision and passion for all things offstage regarding the world of dance and performing arts.
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08 Feb 2021 | Why in the Background? | 00:30:59 | |
As part of a double-episode launch, I now take you through the four major principles of why all this is so important to me, and hopefully also to you. This episode will expand on the tenets of:
Education
Workforce Versatility
Career Progression
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20 Feb 2021 | D.A.N.C.E. for Who? | 00:27:18 | |
In this episode, I have a little wordplay derived from the acronym of DANCE. The idea of building community is always a priority, thus who am I hoping to connect with?
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27 Feb 2021 | Think Transition | 00:26:15 | |
Transitions can be daunting, but dancers need to consider one at some point in their journey. So why not start now? In this episode, we ruminate about the reality and necessity of career transition. Also, some highlights through the show's 10 major categories starting in March!
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06 Mar 2021 | Management: To ASK or not to ASK Part 1 | Joseph Gonzales | 00:29:38 | |
The first of a two-part series exploring the tools and motivations behind starting a dance company. Prof. Joseph Victor Gonzales features as the first ever guest on the show and is an immensely experienced performer, choreographer and educator. Most notably, he is the founder/artistic director of ASK Dance Company, one of the very few full-time employing companies in Malaysia.
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13 Mar 2021 | Management: To ASK or not to ASK Part 2 | Joseph Gonzales | 00:32:36 | |
The second of a two-part series exploring the tools and motivations behind starting a dance company. Prof. Joseph Victor Gonzales features as the first ever guest on the show and is an immensely experienced performer, choreographer and educator. Most notably, he is the founder/artistic director of ASK Dance Company, one of the very few full-time employing companies in Malaysia.
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20 Mar 2021 | Management: Producing Progress | Bilqis Hijjas | 00:40:53 | |
What is a producer in the performing arts? What does it mean to be scouring for not just an elephant, but a purple one as well! In recent years, the role of producer has received growing attention as more crucial shapers of a highly globalized creative industry. Bilqis Hijjas is an independent producer, art critic, educator and choreographer in Malaysia who has amassed more than a decade of professional experience.
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27 Mar 2021 | Management: Rope a D.O.P.E. | Personality Types for Dance Jobs | 00:27:05 | |
Taking a trip down memory lane with my first ever personality test, yeah the one with the birds! Personality tests are not the absolute rulebook, but they can be useful navigators for making smarter career decisions and to better adapt to your work setting. Most importantly, they are just fun and memorable!
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03 Apr 2021 | Media: My Paper, My Stage | Melinda Gaskin | 00:34:38 | |
We write almost everyday, in every way. Like a dancer, being an editor also requires having a voice that can inspire across all levels of society. For those who many not find the stage all that appealing, the 'paper' is certainly an alternative means for self-expression. Melinda Gaskin is the Chief Editor of HK Dance Magazine, a young organization advocating for more journalistic voices in a crowded dance space.
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10 Apr 2021 | Media: The Movement Journalist Part 1 | Megan Castro | 00:29:56 | |
Remember when having a journal was actually cool? Instead of filling one up with words and whimsical doodles, how about movement instead? In the advent of the pandemic, Megan Castro set out to create her own version of a journal and has amassed over 29k followers on Instagram since beginning a little over a year ago.
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18 Apr 2021 | Media: The Movement Journalist Part 2 | Megan Castro | 00:34:16 | |
Is social media a viable option to build a dance archive? How can one stand out in the sea of information while still expressing a voice? U.S based artist Megan Castro set out on her own fascinating journey and has amassed over 29k followers on Instagram since beginning a little over a year ago.
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25 Apr 2021 | Media: Pick and Pod | Podcasting for Dance | 00:28:06 | |
Is podcasting a necessary medium for the arts? There are already a multitude of dance podcasts available that offer such wide-ranging information, so it shouldn't be a question. My answer is obviously YES, but let me share with you exactly WHY.
Concluding the month of Art Media, this episode discusses the fundamental reasons to podcast both as a listener and creator. More importantly, we explore how podcasting could be the next frontier for dance development. Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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09 May 2021 | Science: Doctor Dancer | Filomar Cortezano Tariao | 00:47:03 | |
What do doctors and dancers have in common? They both apply the human body as main instruments! Yes, medical expertise can benefit dancer wellbeing in a multitude of ways, but you obviously need an actual doctor present for that. Dr. Filomar Cortezano Tariao is a Senior Lecturer of Dance at NAFA and a licensed physician whose mission is to raise awareness for dancer health through the lens of inclusivity and diversity.
Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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17 May 2021 | Science: To Dance, From Science | Edel Quin | 00:48:56 | |
Where can dancers turn to for an interest or career in science? The overarching aim of dance science is to optimize dancer performance and minimize injury risk for the prolongation of one's professional life. Edel Quin is the Programme Leader of the Dance Sciences at the University of Chichester and co-authored the bestseller, Safe Dance Practice in 2015.
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24 May 2021 | Science: Who's Your Avatar? | Serving Your Purpose | 00:21:13 | |
Who do you ultimately serve? No, I don't mean as an employee or such, but as a human being who's driven to bring value to others. When you wake up every morning, ask yourself these questions: Who do you dance for? Why do you dance? If you can't figure one out, consider defining your Avatar.
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31 May 2021 | Science: Somatic Sojourns | Vincent Yong | 00:50:06 | |
What was our first ever universal language? No, it did not require speech as there was only movement at the very beginning. Vincent Yong is Singapore's sole Certified Movement Analyst, Somatic Movement Therapist and founder of Danspire International.
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20 Jun 2021 | Business: The Dancepreneur | Erin Pride | 00:37:21 | |
Do dance and business ever go hand in hand? How could dance artists maximize financial opportunity by gaining financial literacy? Erin Pride is an educator, performer and founder of The DancePreneur Academy, an online business coaching programme dedicated to helping dancers thrive as self-made entrepreneurs.
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27 Jun 2021 | Business: Pointe To Rise | Susanne Puerschel | 00:53:32 | |
What do ballerinas and entrepreneurs have in common? Yes, there is always failure before success, a fall before the RISE. Susanne Puerschel was a former member of the Berlin State Opera and founder of Pointe To Rise, an empowerment society and online business platform for ballerinas and dancers alike.
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11 Jul 2021 | Technology: Raising the Floor | Guy Dagger | 00:38:47 | |
Ever noticed what you've been dancing on all this while? Research has proven the effectiveness of quality dance floors in preventing serious injuries as well as extending the life span of professional dancers. Guy Dagger is the Managing Director at British Harlequin / Harlequin Floors, one of the world's leading manufacturers of dance and performance flooring.
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04 Jul 2021 | Business: Branding Ballet | Heidi Lee | 00:42:02 | |
How do you brand a ballet? Every Artistic Director needs a business brain as support in marketing a company forward. Heidi Lee is the incumbent Executive Director of the Hong Kong Ballet, one of the three flagship dance companies in the city and among the leading ballet institutions in Asia.
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18 Jul 2021 | Technology: Augmented Reality | Gilles Jobin | 01:01:05 | |
Wish to dance differently? Within an augmented reality, the limits are endless both with technology and dance! Gilles Jobin is the founder and Artistic Director of Cie Gilles Jobin, a Geneva based dance company specializing in VR and technological integration.
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08 Aug 2021 | Bonus: Curious Case of Careers | Jonathan Collaton | 01:00:43 | |
Are you happy with your career? A certain Chris Rock once joked: "there are people who have jobs, and there are those who have careers." We spend so much time in the workplace and often neglect the all important question - Is this the right profession for me? Jonathan Collaton is a student affairs coordinator at the University of Toronto Scarborough, and creator of the Career Crossroads Podcast, a platform investigating career transitions and lifelong professional development.
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25 Jul 2021 | Technology: In Tech, I Trust | Apps for Dancers | 00:23:04 | |
How often have you engaged with technology and shirked? Is it something that annoys or even intrudes you? Love it or hate it, technology is the FUTURE. Maybe consider how it could enhance your livelihood instead, and suddenly it is more friend than foe.
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22 Aug 2021 | Bonus: Sol Fest 2021 Special | Jacob, Elsea & Megan | 01:01:52 | |
What is the hardest question to ask in dance or as a dancer? Regardless of one being a dancer, or wanting to become a dancer, there are questions that are always incredibly difficult to communicate such as salary, goals, aesthetics etc. Join All House Dance Collective director Jacob Caldwell and artists Elsea Mayes Brown as well as Megan Schneider to talk all things dance.
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05 Sep 2021 | Fashion: Photography Beyond the Image | Szabina Biro | 00:52:07 | |
How much does fashion influence dance and vice versa? Does dance photography differ from commercial fashion photography? The truth is, the dancer and the dancing body offers a model unlike any other, as the physical architecture and visual awareness potentially render a photographical experience something beyond just the image.
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19 Sep 2021 | Fashion: The Untold Secret of a Dance Model | Ema Steindl | 00:52:47 | |
How does modelling help dancers perform better? And does one necessarily have to be 'beautiful' to pursue such a career? The fashion industry has progressed massively from the days of archetypal body types and facial features, where the one size fits all model loomed by and large. Nowadays, it is about compatibility and authenticity. Find the right agency or project, and a model is potentially born.
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10 Oct 2021 | Interdisciplinarity: Philosophizing Dance Aesthetics | Henry Lai | 01:12:39 | |
How does dance and philosophy intertwine as an art form? Is dance a philosophy itself? Much of dance has evolved from a performative act into the universal thought process and stream of consciousness that has shaped the world around us. Behind every text spoken is movement as a communicative language. Behind the aesthetics of dance is also humans' basic need to share and connect beyond the ring of philosophical fire that has made art what it is today.
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03 Oct 2021 | A Timely Update | Jason Yap | 00:18:46 | |
A much postponed episode and one a long time coming. This week, I write a little poem for you as a means of a sharing some very new and exciting updates about the podcast and my life! After successfully acquiring funding to expand the team, we will be launching a few new features to the platform including blog posts, a Clubhouse room and even a YouTube channel! All this is coming soon and arriving at your doorstep across October, so stay tuned for more in what's also the month of Interdisciplinarity. In fact, you could always start here... Soundtrack: Birds - Tyler Twombly | Poison Ivy Yard Work - Uncle Milk Like our offers? Like what we do? Help us grow by
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24 Oct 2021 | Interdisciplinarity: Dance and the Theatre Maker | Ho Ying Fung | 01:02:09 | |
Love to both dance and act? Maybe you don't need to choose one over the other after all. But what exactly is the connection between dance and theatre in contemporary times? From the heydays of DV8 Physical Theatre, Pina Bausch, Ultima Vez and currently the likes of Punchdrunk or Gecko Theatre, dance and theatre are forever inextricable both as art forms as well as physical entities.
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07 Nov 2021 | Choreography: Building an Online Marketplace | Rick Tjia | 00:58:19 | |
How does a piece of choreography extend its lifespan and visibility beyond the point of creation? Why have both music and the visual arts speared ahead with copyright and licensing frameworks while dance lags far behind? Choreography Online is the world's first online choreography marketplace, paving the way for creators to not only license and sell their works to a global audience, but also others to purchase rights to a work of genius on demand!
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21 Nov 2021 | Choreography: Identifying Style as a Creator | Adam Tan | 00:58:10 | |
How could we identify and solidify personal style as a creator in such an overwhelmingly saturated world? Ever wondered why Urban/LA Choreography has grown into the cultural (TikTok) phenomenon it is today? While choreography works differently according to specific genres, creative capacity runs parallel across all choreographers. Obviously, the only way to find out is by diving deep into the mind of one!
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05 Dec 2021 | Education: Reframing Research in Academia | Mohd Anis | 01:02:20 | |
Why engage in academic research as a dancer? How does intellectual rigour contribute to the development of a dance artist? While we are often instructed to dance first and think later, careers in the performing arts can resemble a slippery slope to many. So, why not combine the visceral with the exegetical to stand out amongst the 'moving' crowd?
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19 Dec 2021 | Education: Learning to Learn Better | Zebas Mendez Marin | 01:02:39 | |
What is the difference between education and learning? And for who exactly is dance education for? Although most of us would have to teach at some point, education accounts for much of what the present and even upcoming generation promises to offer. In other words, it's not easy and should never be taken for granted! Instead of relying on standardized education, why not adapt your way of absorbing and transmitting information as an independent learner?
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09 Jan 2022 | Politics: Navigating Power Dynamics | Sarah Rubidge | 01:06:25 | |
How can we best navigate power dynamics within a dance workplace? What about through active agency and heterarchy? Organizational structures have historically been a challenge for corporates and performing arts groups alike, mostly presenting itself as a tough nut to crack. However, therein lie a multitude of ways to better grasp and understand the psychology and modus operandi of our environment, resulting in a reframing and distancing from the often negative connotations associated with the concept of POWER.
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23 Jan 2022 | Politics: Charting Migration and Identity | Henry Daniel | 00:58:53 | |
What does it mean to be a nomadic artist? What exactly is a contemporary nomad? With the increasingly globalized world we live in today, it's only natural that dance artists travel to where opportunity presents itself. However, constant migration often leads to fragmented individualities and scattered homes, which results in a recurring process of arriving and departing in search for what hopes to be the penultimate destination.
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